Ultimate Cash System
Chapter 163: Party. (2/2)

Chapter 163: Party. (2/2)

They didn’t mean to fall asleep. It just happened.

Three bodies tangled in comfort, hearts at ease, the suite now humming with the gentle symphony of soft breaths and quiet dreams.

The morning sun filtered through the gauzy curtains, spilling golden light across the hotel suite. The room was quiet, save for the low hum of the city beginning to stir below. Lukas blinked awake slowly, feeling the warm pressure of someone nestled against his side and another curled at his back. For a brief moment, he didn’t move. The silence, the warmth, the closeness—it all felt like a dream he didn’t want to break.

Annie stirred first, mumbling something incoherent as she shifted closer, her arm draping lazily across Lukas’s chest. A second later, Bella’s soft groan came from behind him, followed by a stretch and a sleepy sigh.

"Ugh... what time is it?" Bella murmured.

"No clue," Lukas replied, his voice still heavy with sleep. "Feels early."

"Feels hungry," Annie added, her stomach growling on cue.

They all laughed quietly, the kind of laugh that only came in the gentle haze of morning after a night of too much champagne, too much dancing, and the perfect amount of reckless joy.

Blankets were tangled everywhere, pillows scattered across the bed and floor. Bella peeked out from under the covers and winced at the soft light streaming in.

"How did we all end up in the same bed?"

"You dragged your blanket over here," Annie said, eyes still half closed. "Then you said it was ’strategic warmth placement.’"

"Sounds about right," Bella yawned, snuggling back in. "I’m not moving unless someone promises pancakes."

Lukas chuckled, brushing hair from Annie’s forehead. "I think room service is the only way we survive."

Annie sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, then flopped back down with a dramatic groan. "God, my legs are sore. Did we run a marathon or just spin in circles?"

"You were doing something like interpretive dance with a throw pillow," Bella said, grinning.

The memories of last night came back in pieces—laughter, spilled champagne, music echoing off the walls, and shared glances that lingered longer than usual. None of it made much linear sense, but it didn’t need to. What mattered was the feeling it left behind: warmth, safety, and belonging.

Eventually, Lukas rolled out of bed with exaggerated effort, pretending to collapse dramatically at the foot of it.

"Okay, I volunteer as tribute," he groaned. "I’ll call room service. But only because I don’t trust either of you not to order three cakes and a gallon of coffee."

"That’s exactly what we were going to do," Annie grinned.

Bella threw a pillow at Lukas, which missed entirely. "Make sure there’s fruit too. And waffles. And something with cheese."

As Lukas reached for the room service phone, he paused to glance back at the bed—two of his favorite people tangled up in a sleepy mess of blankets, laughter still lingering in the air.

There were few things in his life that felt certain, but this morning, with its aching muscles and grumbling stomachs and quiet contentment, felt like something worth keeping.

And as the call connected and a polite voice asked for their order, Lukas smiled.

"Breakfast for three," he said. "Make it a feast."

The breakfast that followed felt more like a feast than a morning meal. The suite’s dining table was cluttered with dishes—fluffy pancakes stacked high, scrambled eggs soft and buttery, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, croissants still warm from the oven, and more coffee than anyone truly needed. Lukas, Annie, and Bella devoured everything like they hadn’t eaten in days.

"If this is what waking up together means, I vote we do it more often," Annie mumbled with her mouth full of pancake.

Bella nodded, sipping orange juice. "Agreed. Who knew hunger could hit this hard after dancing and champagne?"

Lukas leaned back in his chair, already polishing off his second plate. "You two danced like you were in a competition. I’m not surprised."

The room buzzed with warmth and contentment, the light of the morning sun spilling across the floor, catching on the opened champagne bottle from the night before.

But as the plates were cleared and the final sips of coffee were taken, a quietness slipped in. Bags sat ready near the door—Annie and Bella’s return to Princeton couldn’t be postponed.

Bella adjusted her watch, checking the time. "We should head out if we don’t want to miss the train."

Annie stood slowly, brushing imaginary crumbs off her jeans. "Yeah. I hate this part."

Lukas helped them gather their things, his smile still there but slightly dimmed. Outside, his 2000 Mercedes was already waiting—a deep black sedan with polished chrome detailing, timeless and dignified. Jay stood by the driver’s side, while Roy waited at the back door, holding it open.

The girls stepped into the car one by one, sliding into the plush seats with quiet sighs.

"Drive safe," Lukas said, standing at the curb, one hand resting on the door.

"We’ve got Jay and Roy," Annie said, offering a mock salute. "We’re safer than a presidential convoy."

Bella leaned out and kissed Lukas on the cheek. "Don’t overwork yourself. We’ll be back before you know it."

He nodded, closing the door gently. The engine purred to life, and with a smooth turn, the Mercedes eased out of the hotel’s circular driveway, disappearing into the flow of city traffic.

Lukas stood there for a while, hands in his pockets, watching the road long after the car had gone. The city moved on, loud and indifferent, but he remained still for a moment longer.

Then, with a breath and a glance toward the sky, he turned and walked back inside.

The suite felt larger now. Quieter. But not empty. Their presence still lingered—in the leftover laughter, the faint scent of Bella’s perfume, and the blanket tossed over the couch.

Lukas walked to the table, picked up a leftover croissant, and took a bite. The taste was warm, rich, and slightly sweet—just like the night before.

He smiled.

Time to get back to work.