My CEO Boss Is A Masked Internet Sensation-Chapter 97: Reunion With Extended Family

(Arata)

We landed on the Isle of Dreams in the fall of the evening. The west was painted in soft hues of pink, red and orange as if a painter had delicately left strokes with his brush there. freeweɓnøvel.com

We arrived at the Sky Villa—standing majestic as always with evening light falling on its white marble and glass exterior. The beach chairs had been arranged on the vast expanse of white sand that connected it with the emerald ocean.

Lawlights were already there—Uncle Rais Lawlight, Aunt Huria Lawlight and my best friend Stella Rais.

Everyone enthusiastically greeted each other, hugs went all around.

"Ara!" Stella hugged me enthusiastically. Donning a lime-shaded sundress with a straw hat, she looked like a deity which belonged to this island.

"You look stunning," I complimented her as we separated

"All thanks to mom and dad." She pointed towards her parents; they ran a successful clothing brand.

I went ahead and greeted them. Aunt Huria was holding my mom. They had been best friends since childhood and were still inseparable.

"My sweet girl. How are you?" Aunt Huria quickly hugged me, I could detect the underlying concern in her voice.

She had presented the suggestion that we should file a case against Andy for deception and lying. To say she was pissed would be an understatement. She hated two-faced people.

"I am good, Aunt Huria. How are you?" I returned her hug and she held my arms while a pleasant smile adorned her face. Her brown hair had begun to show signs of grey now, but elegance had not diminished. Stella had inherited the same shade but her eyes had come from her father, just like me.

"So glad you could make it. You look fresh and healthy. I like that." She appreciated that I was taking care of myself.

"Thank you." Before we could further the conversation, Stella snatched me away.

"Come, let’s take a walk on the beach; let the elders talk."

The elders sat on the beach chairs as servers served them with Long Island tea and cocktails.

We took off our shoes and placed them alongside the chairs. Grabbing my hat, I put it on before proceeding towards the white sandy beach.

Stella, Zaylen, Cherry and I began to take a stroll on the beach when Callum came running towards us. Callum was Uncle Kail and Aunt Erdith’s son and Baba’s personal assistant after Uncle Lawrence and Mom vacated that post.

"Hi!" He greeted us. Zaylen and he did a quick high five and hugged while we waved back at him.

"Sorry, Mom and Dad couldn’t make it–some family emergency at Mom’s side. So I had to come alone," he explained, nervously shoving his hands in his white Bermuda’s pockets.

His cheeks seemed flushed as he tried not to stare at me. Callum always acted awkward whenever I was around. Stella would always tease that he had a silent crush on me, but he was younger than me, so I never paid heed to her words and only believed he was extremely shy.

"Oh! I hope everything is alright," I asked with concern.

He nodded with a shy smile. His light brown hair was tousled by the gentle sea breeze. His eyes were the same shade as the sea behind him.

Like a serenity emerald they sparkled with respect and wisdom he seemed to possess beyond his age.

No wonder he was working under Baba and was highly appreciated.

"Yes, it’s my grandma. She had a falling out with one of my aunts so Mom and Dad had to act as mediators. You know the usual family drama." He shrugged his shoulders as Zaylen pulled him to start strolling alongside us.

"I completely understand; my extended family can be incredibly dramatic. Always looking to pick a fight," Cherry added, pulling her flying curls away from her face. The wind had picked up.

"Family is supposed to be each other’s comfort and not a source of headache," I added while Stella crossed her arm with mine. Others seemed to agree.

Cherry’s phone rang so she excused herself to answer it in privacy and walked away.

"Let me get some drinks," Zaylen announced, throwing a glance at our parents who were now resting on beach chairs and enjoying drinks.

"I will help you." Stella let go of my arm and rushed behind Zaylen. Both of them enjoyed this close bond where they would joke and constantly infuriate the other.

I was left alone with Callum. Both of us shared awkward smiles and I bunched up my lips.

"Would you like to walk with me?" He awkwardly offered, his shoulders steeped upwards as if he was unsure whether to ask me or not.

"Sure." My feet dug into the soft sand, leaving traces of my footprints.

Extracting his hand, he rubbed the back of his neck, a clear sign of how nervous he was. I never understood why he felt like that while speaking to me. He was pretty normal with others.

"So how are you holding up? Considering everything that had happened." He was referring to the debacle with Andy.

"Actually, pretty good. I realised my whole life was not supposed to revolve around a single man. I am also learning a lot at my new job. It’s similar to yours." I pointed out with a chuckle.

"I hope your boss is just like mine." He lowered his head and stared at the sand where peaceful waves of the sea were kissing his feet.

"No one can beat your boss in justice but he is not that bad." I shrugged my shoulders while pushing away the hair that the cool breeze had thrown at my face.

"I cannot disagree." He let out a nervous chuckle. "Just so you know, you deserve better than Andy. I wish he hadn’t broken your heart and if ever..."

I didn’t get what he was about to say next because Stella and Zaylen returned with our drinks while bickering loudly.

"Itachi is the greatest anti-hero in the whole anime history," my brother loudly announced.

Stella shook her head.

"Eren is and you are a fool if you think otherwise." She handed me a champagne flute brimming with mimosa. A slice of pineapple angled on its rim.

My eyes flickered to Callum and I could sense a flash of disappointment in his eyes as he accepted his drink from Zaylen.

Something told me he didn’t wish to elaborate on whatever he was about to say in front of the others.