Chapter 104

Naomi didn’t let go of either of their hands until they reached the top of the stairs.

The second level somehow felt even more unreal than downstairs.

A wide open lounge overlooked the ocean through glass walls. There was a private gym tucked to one side, a stocked bar to the other, and beyond that, sliding doors leading to a rooftop terrace with loungers and a soaking pool.

Rowan stopped immediately.

“No.”

Naomi kept walking.

“Yes.”

Celeste turned slowly in a circle.

“There’s another whole house up here.”

“It’s a second floor,” Naomi corrected.

“It’s a penthouse,” Rowan said.

Naomi ignored both of them and led them into a smaller spa suite off the main hall.

Inside were shelves lined with oils, candles, plush robes, slippers, and baskets of skincare products arranged like a luxury boutique.

Celeste stared.

“…what is this room?”

Naomi finally released their hands.

“Preparation.”

Rowan clutched her chest dramatically.

“She has a prep room.”

Naomi walked to the shelves and began selecting bottles like this was a normal Tuesday.

“I had them stock it before we arrived.”

Celeste laughed.

“Of course you did.”

Naomi held up three small glass bottles.

“Pick a scent.”

Rowan walked closer and sniffed one.

“Ooh. This one smells expensive.”

“That’s sandalwood,” Naomi said.

Celeste picked up another.

“This one smells soft.”

“White tea,” Naomi replied.

Then Celeste opened the third and paused.

Warm vanilla, citrus, something airy and clean.

“…this one.”

Naomi nodded once.

“Good choice.”

Rowan pointed immediately.

“She gets complimented for breathing.”

Naomi smirked.

“She chose the couples suite scent.”

Celeste looked up quickly.

“The what?”

Naomi said nothing, just placed the bottle aside.

Rowan screamed quietly.

“Ohhh she’s plotting.”

Naomi moved on to the robes.

“White, cream, or black.”

Rowan answered instantly.

“Black. I’m mysterious.”

Celeste laughed.

“You’re loud.”

“Loud and mysterious.”

Naomi handed Rowan a black robe without argument.

Then she looked at Celeste.

“Your turn.”

Celeste touched the cream one, then the white.

“White.”

Naomi handed it to her.

“Thought so.”

Celeste narrowed her eyes.

“You already knew what we’d pick, didn’t you?”

Naomi chose a cream robe for herself.

“I had predictions.”

Rowan gasped.

“She profile-studied us.”

Naomi looked unbothered.

“I pay attention.”

That landed softer than expected.

Celeste glanced down with a small smile.

Rowan noticed immediately.

“Oh brother,” Rowan muttered. “They’re doing eye contact again.”

Naomi moved to a wall panel and tapped a screen.

Soft music began flowing through hidden speakers—warm, atmospheric, calming.

Then she dimmed the lights slightly.

Then another tap.

The outdoor terrace doors slid open automatically, letting in the sea breeze.

Celeste blinked.

“You can control the house?”

Naomi looked over her shoulder.

“Yes.”

Rowan threw her hands up.

“She controls the weather too probably.”

“I’m considering it.”

They laughed and changed into their robes, disappearing into separate corners before reappearing a few minutes later.

Celeste came out first.

The white robe sat loosely on her frame, hair still damp, skin glowing from the shower.

Naomi looked up and visibly paused for half a second.

Rowan caught it.

“Oho.”

Celeste frowned.

“What?”

Rowan pointed at Naomi.

“She glitched.”

Naomi recovered instantly.

“I did not.”

Then Rowan stepped out in her black robe, tied low, walking like she was on a runway.

“Make room for elegance.”

Celeste laughed.

“You’re ridiculous.”

Naomi nodded.

“Consistently.”

Finally Naomi stepped from the dressing area in cream linen and matching robe layered over it like she was modeling a resort campaign.

Both of them stared.

Rowan spoke first.

“Okay, now you glitched me.”

Celeste just shook her head.

“This is unfair.”

Naomi smiled.

“Thank you.”

There was a knock at the door.

Two massage therapists entered quietly with warm smiles and professional calm.

Rowan immediately straightened.

“Oh wow. This is real.”

Naomi gestured toward the massage tables already prepared near the open terrace.

“Told you.”

Celeste looked between the tables, the ocean, the robes, the candles.

“This is insane.”

Naomi stepped close, adjusting the collar of Celeste’s robe gently.

“You keep saying that.”

“Because you keep doing insane things.”

Naomi’s hands lingered one second longer than necessary.

“Relax,” she said softly. “Today you don’t have to do anything except be taken care of.”

Celeste swallowed slightly.

Rowan looked between them.

“Can someone flirt less aggressively until after my massage?”

They all laughed.

Naomi turned toward the therapists.

“Take excellent care of my girls.”

Rowan pointed.

“There she goes saying hot things again.”

Naomi smirked.

Then the afternoon shifted into softness.

Warm oils.

Ocean breeze.

Low music.

The sound of waves beneath the villa.

By the time evening came, the entire villa had transformed.

The bright tropical blues of the afternoon were replaced by deep gold sunset tones and soft violet skies stretching across the horizon. Lanterns had been lit along the deck. Candles flickered inside glass holders lining the walkway over the water. The sound of the waves below felt slower now, calmer.

Dinner had been set on the far terrace.

A private table for three sat beneath hanging lights and swaying palms, dressed in white linen with crystal glasses and elegant place settings. Fresh flowers rested in the center, their scent carried gently by the breeze.

Celeste stepped outside first and stopped.

“…Naomi.”

Rowan came behind her and did the same.

“Nope. Absolutely not.”

Naomi followed them out in a fitted black dinner outfit that somehow looked effortless and expensive at the same time.

“What now?” she asked casually.

Celeste turned to her.

“This is a movie.”

Rowan pointed around the deck.

“No, this is what rich people do when they’re trying to make somebody cry.”

Naomi smiled faintly.

“Sit down.”

They did.

Dinner stretched beautifully.

Fresh seafood, handmade pasta, grilled vegetables, tropical fruit, desserts plated like art.

They laughed through most of it.

Rowan ranked every course.

Celeste kept saying “this is crazy” every ten minutes.

Naomi kept pretending she wasn’t pleased by their reactions.

By the time dessert arrived, the sky was dark velvet and the stars above the water looked close enough to touch.

Naomi leaned back in her chair and looked between them.

“I have a question.”

Rowan narrowed her eyes immediately.

“That tone means money is involved.”

Celeste laughed.

Naomi ignored them.

“Just out of curiosity…”

She took a slow sip of wine.

“Ring or necklace?”

Both Celeste and Rowan answered instantly.

“Ring.”

They looked at each other.

Then at Naomi.

Then Rowan slowly set down her fork.

“…why?”

Naomi’s smile deepened.

Instead of answering, she snapped her fingers once.

Both of them jumped slightly.

From the villa entrance, two staff members appeared carrying elegant black gift boxes on velvet trays.

Rowan stared.

“No way.”

Celeste blinked hard.

“…Naomi.”

The staff approached the table and placed one box in front of Rowan and one in front of Celeste before quietly stepping away.

Silence.

The ocean moved beneath them.

The candles flickered.

Rowan looked at her box like it might explode.

“What is wrong with you?” she whispered.

Naomi folded her hands calmly.

“Open them.”

Rowan looked at Celeste.

Celeste looked at Rowan.

Then both reached forward.

They opened them at the same time.

Rowan gasped first.

Inside sat a stunning ring—bold, elegant, bright stones set in a sleek band that matched her playful but feminine energy perfectly.

“Oh my God.”

Celeste looked down into hers and went speechless.

Her ring was different.

Stronger lines. Sleek metal. Refined, masculine, stylish without trying too hard. Clean and powerful.

Exactly her.

She slowly lifted it from the box.

“…you picked these?”

Naomi nodded once.

“Of course.”

Rowan was already slipping hers on.

“It fits!”

Celeste slid hers onto her hand.

Perfect fit.

She looked up immediately.

“How did you know my size?”

Naomi smirked.

“I pay attention.”

Rowan held her hand up to the candlelight dramatically.

“I’m never taking this off.”

Celeste kept staring at hers, turning it slowly.

It looked like something she’d choose herself if she had unlimited money and better taste.

Naomi watched both of them quietly.

“I wanted you to have something from tonight.”

The teasing was gone now.

Her voice was softer.

Real.

Celeste looked at her, eyes warmer than before.

“You didn’t have to do this.”

“I know,” Naomi said.

Rowan stood up suddenly and walked around the table.

Naomi barely had time to react before Rowan wrapped her in a hug.

“You’re ridiculous,” Rowan said into her shoulder.

Naomi laughed softly and hugged her back.

Celeste stood more slowly.

Still looking at the ring.

Still processing.

Then she moved beside Naomi too and leaned down, wrapping an arm around both of them.

For a moment the three of them stayed there—

under candlelight.

Surrounded by ocean.

Wearing gifts chosen with care.

Rowan pulled back first and looked at Naomi suspiciously.

“…be honest.”

Naomi raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

Rowan pointed.

“This better not be pre-engagement behavior.”

Celeste choked on a laugh.

Naomi smiled slowly.

“Eat your dessert.”

Which somehow—

was not a denial.