On the third morning of their stay at the Grandbay resort, the Hillwood Investment Club members stirred with anticipation. The sun had barely crept above the sea, but the group was already gathering near the beachfront. Two off-road vans waited at the edge of the pier, engines humming softly, ready to take them on a day-long adventure through Grandbay’s famed natural wonders.
Their first destination was Wonderfall Waterfalls.
The vehicles wound through narrow forest trails until the roar of cascading water grew louder. Towering cliffs wrapped in vines framed the falls, and mist sparkled like diamonds under the sunlight. The group wasted no time. Clint was the first to leap into the deepest pool with a loud whoop, followed closely by Lucas, who dramatically yelled, “Incoming!” before his splash sent water flying in all directions.
Wendy let out a shriek as Irene shoved her gently off a rock ledge, both of them laughing hysterically as they hit the water. Even Kairo, usually composed, got soaked while trying to help Lana across a slick boulder. The air was filled with laughter, splashes, and the occasional scream as the freezing water claimed its next victim.
Sebastian stayed near the shallow basin, his shirt open, sleeves rolled, as he stepped beneath a gentler stream. His expression, often unreadable and composed, softened with the spray falling over him. He didn’t say much, but the relaxed curve of his lips said enough.
After an hour of swimming and taking photos, they dried off, enjoyed packed fruit snacks, and moved on to the next spot—a cold spring nestled in a quiet forest cove. The spring’s crystal-clear water trickled from underground sources, so cold it made their skin prickle. Some sat quietly with their feet dipped in, while others played a game of who could keep their legs submerged the longest. Selene sat beside Lana on a warm boulder, both women soaking in the serenity.
“It feels like time slows down here,” Lana murmured, tracing patterns on the water with her toe.
“Like it’s been waiting for us to show up,” Selene replied with a soft smile.
Their next destination took them deep into Grandbay’s cultural district—a preserved village of colonial relics and heritage sites. They wandered through cobblestone paths, stood beneath century-old stone arches, and explored a weathered chapel that still echoed with memories. Irene couldn’t stop sketching. Lucas posed dramatically in front of a crumbling watchtower, pretending to be a long-lost pirate returning to reclaim treasure.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, they made their final stop at the volcanic hot springs. Nestled between forest ridges, the springs offered a calming, steamy haven under the stars. Everyone sank into the warm waters with sighs of relief. Moonlight shimmered on the surface, and the night air hummed with cicadas.
Sebastian leaned against a rock wall, eyes half-lidded, steam curling around him. It was rare to see him so unguarded, and more than a few eyes lingered on the sight.
When they returned to the resort later that evening, they were welcomed by the mouthwatering aroma of garlic, grilled shellfish, and spiced broth. Dinner was set under the stars, long wooden tables draped in white linens and lanterns swaying in the breeze. Piles of king crab dominated the center, surrounded by bowls of vibrant salads and platters of seafood.
As everyone dug in, laughter replaced strategy, and conversation stayed far away from business and club affairs.
“Bless this resort,” Lucas sighed, cracking open his second crab claw.
“I’m not hiking again for a month,” Clint groaned through a mouthful of shrimp.
“No more shop talk tonight,” Lana warned with a wagging fork. “Let’s just enjoy this.”
Conversation flowed easily, with each person recounting their favorite part of the day. Wendy loved the waterfalls. Lana gushed over the old carvings in the relic town. Kairo grinned, saying he appreciated the cold springs—mostly because Clint didn’t scream there.
Then, out of the blue, Maya raised her hand with a mischievous glint in her eye.
“I have a proposal,” she announced.
Everyone turned to her, pausing mid-bite.
“Since there are five pairs here and five days left,” she said, “how about we shake things up? Each pair will be in charge of preparing or arranging one meal during our stay. You can cook, reserve something special, or even have something catered. Just make sure the meal is yours.”
The idea was met with immediate interest.
“That’s actually fun,” Kairo said, setting down his fork.
“I’m in,” Lana added with a nod.
“Let’s pair off then,” Irene said eagerly.
But Clark was already scanning the table. “Wait… if you think about it, we’re already naturally paired.”
And he was right.
Wendy and Clint had stuck together the entire trip. Lana and Kairo made an unshakable team. Lucas and Irene had their signature banter and rhythm. Maya and Clark were the designated organizers of the group.
That left only two people without partners.
Sebastian and Selene.
All eyes shifted toward them.
Kairo leaned in, cautious but smiling. “You two okay teaming up for this?”
Selene, never one to be flustered easily, nodded. “No problem with me.”
Sebastian didn’t hesitate. “Good for me.”
With the teams set, Maya passed around a bowl filled with folded slips of paper to determine the meal schedule. Names were drawn, cheers and groans followed, and soon the sequence was decided.
Kairo and Lana would kick things off.
Clint and Wendy would handle day two.
Clark and Maya got day three.
Lucas and Irene took the fourth.
And finally, Sebastian and Selene would close out the event on the last day.
“Well, at least we’ve got time to plan,” Selene said under her breath, folding her slip neatly.
Sebastian didn’t reply right away, but when their eyes met, there was the faintest smile tugging at the edge of his lips.
Five days to prepare.
And somehow, the idea of planning a simple meal with Sebastian Ford suddenly felt a lot more complicated than she expected.