His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
Chapter 42: Feelings

Chapter 42: Feelings

"What?! Only one room left! No more available rooms? But I booked two rooms this afternoon." Luna exclaimed, confronting the manager of the lodging house.

"I’m sorry, Ma’am. But we are fully booked because of the island festival. Many tourists have arrived. My attendant made a mistake about the availability of the rooms." The manager explained as she continued to apologize.

Luna’s face turned pale when she met Vladimir’s piercing gaze. He had been glaring at her ever since they left the port.

’Oh shit! My Boss looks so pissed. I’m doomed. He won’t let this go unpunished. I made some lapses.’ Luna bit her lower lip, feeling a little bit anxious.

"Can’t we find another Inn or Guesthouse nearby?" Lanny suggested.

But Luna shook her head in disappointment. "I’ve visited the other Inns and lodging houses nearby. They are also fully booked because of the Lantern Festival of Fortuna Grande..."

"Uhmm, Miss Lanny and Miss Athena can stay in one room. Boss, you can have my room. I will sleep in the car," Luna suggested.

"Hey, Luna. I can’t let you sleep in the car!" Lanny objected. "You’re a woman. A man should be sleeping in the car. Not you." She was deliberately hinting Vladimir to sleep in the car.

Vladimir just ignored Lanny’s remarks.

"How about I share a room with you, Luna? Then Vladimir and Lanny can sleep in the other room together."

Vladimir: "No!"

Lanny: "Over my dead body!"

The two siblings refused Athena’s suggestion. Instead of having a peaceful sleep, their room might become a battleground if they stayed in one room together.

"Hehe. I don’t think that’s a good idea, Miss Athena." Even Luna could imagine the chaos if they left the two together in one space.

"Since you are so fond of Luna, then why don’t you share a room with your favorite junior?" Vladimir spoke up, sneering at Lanny.

"Hahaha! In your dreams! Do you think I’ll allow you to sleep with Athena? You sly man! You are a beast. My sweetheart Athena will not be safe with you."

"Uhmm... Lanny, don’t say that," Athena’s cheeks reddened from embarrassment. Lanny and Vladimir continued bickering, from morning to evening!

’Aren’t they getting tired of arguing for the whole day?’ Athena mused to herself.

"You have a dirty mind, Dummy," Vladimir remarked, glaring at his sister.

"Pervert Jerk!" Lanny retorted.

"Stop fighting." Athena finally acted as a mediator between the two siblings. "The three of us can share a room while V can stay in Luna’s room."

"Uhmm. Miss Athena... the truth is... the room is very small and the bed is for a single person only." Luna smiled sheepishly. She felt guilty for not securing their rooms for tonight’s accommodation.

"I’m fine with staying in the car. The three of you have traveled quite a distance. I bet you are all tired. It’s best for the three of you to sleep in a comfortable bed. Don’t worry about me. I’m used to staying up all night." She insisted on offering her room for her Big Boss.

"But–" Athena was about to convince Luna to stay in their room when Vladimir interjected.

"Alright! Since I’m the only guy here, I’ll stay in the car. The ladies should rest in your respective rooms. But let me make use of the shower room first." Vladimir conceded because of Athena. He didn’t want to look like a heartless boss in front of her so he was willing to sacrifice his good sleep tonight.

On the other hand, Lanny grinned from ear to ear, satisfied with Vladimir’s decision. She knew that her brother was just trying to be considerate of Luna because he wanted to look good in front of Athena.

"Okay! It’s settled. Let’s go!" Lanny exclaimed eagerly, reaching for Athena’s hand and leading her towards their room. Vladimir trailed behind them, intending to use their bathroom.

Upon reaching their room, Vladimir took a quick shower while the two ladies settled on their beds.

"Will he be alright?" Athena asked Lanny worriedly.

"Don’t mind him. He is a boy scout." Lanny reassured her. She giggled as she gazed at the bathroom door. This was her way of punishing Vladimir for talking badly about Enzo.

*****

In the quiet parking lot, Vladimir reclined his seat inside the car. With a weary sigh, he adjusted his position, seeking comfort in the car’s seat.

’The things I’ll do for her.’ He smiled as he thought about Athena.

After a while, Vladimir’s eyelids grew heavy, the long journey weighing upon him and pulling him into a state of drowsiness. As he closed his eyes, Athena’s beautiful face remained in his mind.

*An hour later...*

A soft tapping on his car window roused him from his sleep. He blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sound. Rubbing his eyes, he peered through the window only to see the woman who occupied his mind before he fell asleep.

"Athena?"

Her concerned expression cleared his grogginess as he rolled down the window.

"Vladimir, are you okay? I’m worried about you," Athena asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Vladimir nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I’m fine, just catching a few moments of rest. How about you? Why are you still awake?"

"I can’t sleep," she replied with a weary smile. "Would you like to take a walk along the shoreline?" she suggested, extending an invitation to him.

Vladimir didn’t think twice as he bobbed his head frantically. "Sure," he replied, a hint of anticipation flickered in his eyes.

Vladimir hastily stepped out of the car as he followed Athena. They strolled along the shoreline, walking side by side. The sound of the waves soothed their hearts.

Athena suddenly stopped on her track, turning to face Vladimir. For some unknown reason, Vladimir’s heart skipped a beat when he met her intense gaze. She stood near him, their faces mere inches apart.

"V... earlier on the ferry... were you going to kiss me?" Athena’s unexpected question caught him off guard.

He hadn’t regained his composure yet when Athena posed another question. "Do you have feelings for me?"