Chapter 3 Escape to Paradise
1323 Words
Gena left before sunrise.
The mansion still slept beneath the pale darkness of dawn as she quietly descended the stairs, dragging her luggage behind her.
The silence felt comforting.
Safe.
She wore ripped blue jeans, a plain white shirt tucked neatly at the waist, and beige wedge sandals. Simple. Comfortable. Invisible.
Exactly how she wanted to feel.
The kitchen lights were on.
One of the maids looked up and smiled warmly.
“Good morning, Ma’am Gena. You’re up early.”
“Good morning.”
The maid handed her a glass of water.
“You're leaving today?”
Gena nodded.
“For a week.”
The maid sighed dramatically.
“What unfortunate timing.”
Gena blinked.
“What do you mean?”
The maid lowered her voice.
“Sir Jared just arrived and now you’re leaving.”
Another maid joined the conversation, unable to hide her excitement.
“He’s so handsome, Ma’am.”
“And tall!” the first maid added dreamily.
The second maid giggled.
“We were wondering what his reaction would be once he sees our beautiful Gena.”
Gena nearly choked on her water.
If only you knew.
She laughed softly instead.
“I’m sure it would be entertaining.”
The maids giggled.
“Have a safe trip, Ma’am!”
“Thank you.”
Outside, her driver was already waiting.
And thankfully—
No sign of Jared.
Relief loosened the tightness inside her chest.
Maybe fate was still merciful.
The car pulled away from the mansion.
Only when the gates disappeared behind them did Gena finally breathe easier.
Beside her sat Cherry, still half asleep.
“Morning…” Cherry mumbled.
“Good morning.”
“You look suspiciously refreshed.”
Gena smiled.
“I slept early.”
“Liar.”
Cherry adjusted her sunglasses and yawned.
“You look like someone escaping prison.”
Gena looked outside.
Maybe she was.
By eight in the morning, they arrived at Azure Crest Resort.
The private beach stretched endlessly beneath the golden sun.
Crystal waves.
White sand.
Peace.
For the first time in days, Gena smiled genuinely.
“This place is beautiful,” Cherry sighed.
The hotel lobby overlooked the ocean, filling the air with salt and soft music.
While Cherry handled check-in, Gena admired the view.
“Ms. Cherry?”
A deep male voice interrupted.
Gena turned.
And found herself facing a man whose smile carried effortless charm.
Tall.
Broad-shouldered.
Well-dressed.
Dangerously friendly.
Cherry grinned.
“Mr. Lebanon!”
The man’s eyes shifted toward Gena.
And widened.
“Well,” he said softly.
Cherry immediately looked proud.
“Mr. Lebanon, meet my boss—Ms. Gena.”
He extended his hand.
“Ronnie Lebanon.”
Gena shook it politely.
“Nice to meet you.”
Ronnie smiled.
“Ms. Cherry didn’t exaggerate.”
Cherry burst into laughter.
“I told you!”
Ronnie’s gaze remained on Gena.
“You’re even more beautiful than she described.”
Gena offered a diplomatic smile.
“You flatter too much.”
“I’m merely being honest.”
Cherry leaned closer.
“See? I told you men lose common sense around you.”
“Cherry.”
“What?” she grinned.
Ronnie laughed.
“I suddenly feel pressured.”
“You should,” Cherry replied dramatically. “My boss is difficult to impress.”
Gena rolled her eyes.
“I apologize for my assistant.”
“No need.” Ronnie smiled. “I find her entertaining.”
His eyes returned to Gena.
“We’ll discuss business tonight over dinner.”
“That sounds fine.”
“Then enjoy the beach first.”
He excused himself with surprising elegance.
And the moment he left—
Cherry grabbed Gena’s arm.
“OH. MY. GOD.”
“What?”
“He’s handsome.”
“He’s our business partner.”
“He’s handsome and rich.”
“You’re impossible.”
Cherry narrowed her eyes.
“And he likes you.”
Gena laughed.
“You say that about every man.”
“Because every man likes you.”
Gena ignored her.
But somehow—
She could still feel Ronnie’s admiring gaze lingering.
The rest of the day passed peacefully.
After resting, the two women finally headed toward the beach.
The ocean sparkled beneath afternoon sunlight.
For once—
Gena allowed herself to forget.
No company.
No husband.
No anxiety.
Just waves.
Cherry buried her legs in the sand.
“Help me.”
“You look ridiculous.”
“That’s because you buried me!”
Gena laughed and took photos while Cherry protested dramatically.
Their laughter blended with the sound of the sea.
And for a fleeting moment—
Life felt normal.
Beautiful.
Then, unexpectedly—
Her thoughts drifted toward Jared.
The memory annoyed her.
His cold face.
That arrogant stare.
And the actress clinging to him.
A bitter feeling stirred inside her chest.
Ridiculous.
Why should she care?
He owed her nothing.
And she owed him even less.
Still—
The image bothered her.
She hated herself for noticing.
“Earth to Gena,” Cherry called.
“Hm?”
“You’re spacing out.”
“Just tired.”
“You better save energy. Tonight we’re dressing to kill.”
Gena laughed.
“You’re attending a business dinner, not a beauty pageant.”
“Exactly why we should look stunning.”
“You only want free compliments.”
“I deserve them.”
And honestly—
Gena didn’t argue.
Perhaps she needed tonight.
A distraction.
By evening, both women transformed.
Cherry wore emerald silk.
Meanwhile—
Gena stood before the mirror in a dark wine-colored bodycon dress that hugged her figure gracefully.
Her long hair fell softly over one shoulder.
Minimal jewelry.
Soft makeup.
Effortless elegance.
Cherry gasped.
“You look illegal.”
Gena laughed.
“That dramatic?”
“No.” Cherry looked offended. “I’m underreacting.”
“You flatter too much.”
“I learned from Ronnie.”
“You two are getting along suspiciously well.”
Cherry smirked.
“He likes you.”
“Stop.”
“He does.”
Gena shook her head.
And strangely—
The thought made her uncomfortable.
Because somewhere in the back of her mind—
A pair of cold dark eyes lingered.
The restaurant buzzed softly with evening music.
Ronnie stood immediately when he saw them.
And for a second—
He looked genuinely speechless.
“Ladies,” he breathed.
Cherry grinned proudly.
“Told you.”
Ronnie pulled out Gena’s chair.
“You look incredible.”
“Thank you.”
Dinner flowed easily.
Conversation.
Laughter.
Business.
And surprisingly—
Ronnie was enjoyable company.
He was attentive without being overbearing.
Confident without arrogance.
He complimented her often, though respectfully.
And Cherry, traitor that she was, kept encouraging him.
“You should entertain me first,” she teased Ronnie. “Then maybe I’ll recommend you to my boss.”
Ronnie laughed.
“A difficult negotiation.”
“Very.”
Gena shook her head.
“You two are impossible.”
Hours passed comfortably.
Until—
Ronnie suddenly glanced toward the entrance.
His expression shifted.
“Interesting.”
Gena followed his gaze.
And froze.
A luxury car had just parked outside.
Her stomach dropped.
The man stepping out—
Was Jared.
Everything inside her turned cold.
He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled carelessly.
And beside him—
The actress.
Again.
Her chest tightened unexpectedly.
No.
No, no—
What was he doing here?
Panic surged.
Without thinking—
Gena stood.
“I should go.”
Cherry blinked.
“What?”
“Now.”
Ronnie looked confused.
“Did something happen?”
But Gena barely heard him.
Because outside—
Jared had already lifted his gaze.
And this time—
There was no distance.
No crowd.
No cemetery.
His dark eyes landed directly on her.
And stayed there.
Gena’s pulse stumbled.
The world suddenly felt too small.
Far too small.
Because the man she had desperately escaped—
Had somehow followed her to paradise.
- Writer
