Chapter 29
629 Words
The moment the plane doors opened, a wave of warm, humid air wrapped around them—thick, tropical, and completely different from anything they had left behind.
“Okay,” Max said, stepping out into the jet bridge and stretching his arms, “this already feels expensive.”
Roxy laughed softly. “Now this is going to be an awesome stay”
Eleanor adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her eyes moving everywhere at once—the unfamiliar signs, the language, the quiet efficiency of the airport staff. “We’re really here,” she said under her breath, almost like she needed to hear it out loud.
“Bali, Indonesia,” Max confirmed, rolling his suitcase beside her. “No turning back now.”
“Like you’d even want to,” Brax added.
After clearing immigration and collecting their luggage—Hunter nearly grabbing the wrong suitcase twice—they stepped outside the airport, where the sound of distant traffic and the faint rustling of palm trees filled the night.
“Alright,” Garv said, pulling out his phone. “Who’s calling the cab?”
“I thought you were handling that,” Eleanor replied, raising an eyebrow.
“I said I could handle it,” Garv corrected quickly. “Not that I was handling it.”
Roxy shook her head, already pulling out her phone. “Give me five seconds before we end up sleeping at the airport.”
Within minutes, she had arranged a ride. Not long after, a sleek black van pulled up, headlights cutting through the dimly lit curbside.
“That’s us,” she said.
They loaded their luggage into the back, climbing in one after the other, the soft slam of doors sealing them into a new chapter.
As the car pulled away, the city unfolded before them—narrow roads lined with glowing shop signs, small temples tucked between buildings, and motorbikes weaving effortlessly through traffic.
Eleanor leaned closer to the window. “This place is beautiful… even at night.”
“Wait till morning,” the driver said with a polite smile in accented English. “Bali is more beautiful in the sun.”
Roxy exchanged a quick glance with Cayden, excitement flickering between them.
The ride stretched on, taking them away from the busier streets into a quieter, more refined part of the island. The roads grew smoother, the buildings more elegant, until finally, the car slowed in front of a grand entrance framed by soft golden lights and towering palm trees.
“This is it,” the driver announced.
They stepped out one by one, their movements slowing as they took in the sight before them.
“Welcome to The Mulia Bali,” Brax read from the sign near the entrance, his voice dropping slightly in awe.
The hotel stood like a dream—wide marble steps, flowing water features, and a lobby that glowed with quiet luxury. Staff members moved gracefully, greeting guests with warm smiles.
Hunter let out a low whistle. “Yeah… we’re not the same people that left home.”
“Speak for yourself,” Max said, though even he couldn’t hide the grin on his face.
Eleanor didn’t say anything at first. She just looked up at the building, taking it all in—the lights, the atmosphere, the promise of everything ahead.
Then she smiled.
“Come on,” she said, picking up her bag. “Let’s go check in. Bali didn’t bring us all this way for us to stand outside.”
“This is nice right?” Roxy asked after seeing their faces
“Nice? This is beyond awesome” Kelvin said
“Knew I had taste” Roxy said with a proud smile on her face as they all walked in.
- Writer
