Chapter 384 Floating up

Alana and Eve bought swimsuits, took a short stroll, and then headed home. When they got home, Stephan was already waiting for them.

He knew she’d gone shopping with her best friend, but she hadn’t mentioned what they’d bought.

Seeing her carrying bags of all sizes, he couldn’t help but be curious. “What did you buy?”

Alana didn’t hide it from him. “It’s a swimsuit for soaking in the hot springs.”

Stephan’s interest was piqued. He waved his hand. “Let me see it.”

Alana huffed, “No way. You can see it after I wear it this weekend.”

Stephan chuckled. “You’ve completely won my heart. I hope I won’t be disappointed when the time comes.”

Alana chuckled and said nothing.

************

The weekend came quickly.

Alana and Stephan got up early in the morning, made breakfast, and then took their time packing before setting off.

Alana had intended to pack last night, but Stephan told her there was no need to rush, it wouldn’t be too late to pack tomorrow.

When it came time to actually pack, it took over an hour.

Girls usually pack more than guys; guys just bring a few changes of clothes and a pair of swim trunks or something.

Girls, on the other hand, bring not only clothes and swimsuits but also all sorts of bottles and jars of skincare products, cosmetics, as well as tissues, wet wipes, and sanitary pads.

Alana’s period wasn’t very regular, sometimes it was a week late, sometimes a week early, so it was better to be safe than sorry.

Plus, Eve mentioned she wanted to take photos for social media, so Alana packed her makeup bag.

Since everyone else would be all dolled up for the photos, she couldn’t very well show up with a bare face.

Once everything was packed, Alana’s suitcase took up a quarter of the space, while Stephan’s clothes were crammed into a tiny corner, not even filling a quarter of the suitcase.

Stephan had never traveled far with Alana before. He’d assumed packing a few clothes would be simple, something that could be done in a matter of minutes.

But seeing all the things Alana had packed, he realized just how different men’s and women’s packing needs really were.

Having gained a bit of experience, Stephan said quite earnestly, “Next time we travel, we should pack the night before.”

Alana shot him a playful glare.

“We’re almost all packed. We can head out now.”

Stephan took the initiative to pick up the suitcase, and they went downstairs together.

They loaded the suitcase into the trunk of the Maybach.

Stephan and Alana got into the car and headed for the hot spring resort.

Alana sent a message to Eve, saying she and Stephan were already on their way.

Eve: [My boyfriend and I are on our way too... let’s see who gets there first!]

She also sent a photo of her boyfriend driving.

However, the photo only captured her boyfriend’s hand gripping the steering wheel.

That hand had well-defined knuckles, was slender yet powerful, as if meticulously carved.

On his wrist was a black-and-gold watch, its bezel encrusted with tiny diamonds. Though small, the diamonds were meticulously cut and sparkled brilliantly.

The watch appeared to be a custom piece, looking incredibly valuable and symbolizing the man’s extraordinary status.

This luxurious watch made his hand look even more refined and elegant.

Alana couldn’t help but glance at Stephan, her gaze settling on his wrist, where prominent veins stood out against equally defined contours.

However, Stephan’s wrist was bare; he wasn’t wearing a watch.

She recalled that he seemed to own several custom-made watches from top brands. “Aren’t you wearing a watch today?”

“Why would I wear a watch to a hot spring?”

“Eve’a boyfriend is wearing one. It looks good on his hand.”

Stephan shot her a glance. “You’re complimenting another man’s hands right in front of me?”

Alana blinked, her compliments coming effortlessly, “Yours are even more beautiful... the most beautiful hands I’ve ever seen.”

Stephan chuckled, his left hand on the steering wheel and his right hand reaching out toward Alana.

“Then your reward is a kiss.”

Alana blinked.

A man who’s always looking out for his own interests.

Alana obliged and kissed the back of his hand.

Stephan was satisfied and went back to driving with full concentration.

After a drive of about two hours, they finally arrived at the Morfort’s Hot Spring Hotel.

Built against the mountainside, the hotel covers an area of forty to fifty square kilometers and specializes in leisure and wellness.

It featured both public and private baths, both indoor and outdoor, with nearly a hundred hot spring pools, perfect for couples and families to soak in together.

When Alana and Stephan arrived at the hotel, a staff member came out to greet them and escorted them to check in.

The group was led by the hotel manager, who was extremely polite to Stephan, bowing and scraping, and even personally poured tea and water for Stephan and Alana.

Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Stephan was his god.

After check-in was complete, the hotel manager personally escorted Stephan and Alana to the elevator.

Their suite was on the twentieth floor, a deluxe presidential suite.

Stephan declined the hotel manager’s offer to accompany them up, as his constant chatter would interfere with his alone time with Alana.

The elevator reached the 20th floor.

Stephan carried a suitcase in one hand and took Alana’s hand with the other as they walked toward their room.

They stopped at Room 2018.

The two were about to swipe their card to enter.

Suddenly, the door next door opened.

Alana and Stephan instinctively looked up.

Their eyes met those of Gary and Laura who had just stepped out of the door.

Their eyes met, and they both startled.

Gary exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, what a coincidence!”

Stephan’s lips curled into a faint smile. “It is a bit of a coincidence.”

He glanced at Gary and Laura, who was holding his hand, with a smirk, “Why’d you bring a woman here for a tryst?”

The word “tryst” was used quite aptly.

Gary scoffed. “Because it’s thrilling.”

Stephan snorted with a laugh. He’d seen right through it... the behavior of a male mistress, seeking thrills only in secret.

When Alana saw Gary and Laura, she couldn’t help but recall the last time she’d accidentally caught them in a private room with the door ajar, on the sofa...

She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, and her face flushed.

“Miss Laura...”

Laura was also slightly embarrassed; she pulled her hand away from Gary’s grasp.

She seemed a bit flustered, as if she’d been caught in the act.

“Miss Alana, what a coincidence.”

“Yes, it really is a coincidence.”

After exchanging brief greetings, they went their separate ways.

Gary and Laura went down to soak in the hot springs, while Stephan and Alana carried their luggage into the room to unpack.

Stephan glanced at Alana; her cheeks were flushed.

“Why is your face still red?”

Alana felt a pang of guilt. “Is it? Really?”

Stephan curved his lips and slowly leaned toward her. “Is it because you’re recalling the last time...”

Alana immediately covered his lips with her hand. “Don’t even mention it!”

Stephan laughed, brushing Alana’s hand aside. He gazed at her flushed face, his expression growing increasingly suggestive.

“Come to think of it, that position on the couch last time... how did it feel?”

Hearing this, Alana blushed even more deeply.

She scolded him playfully, “It’s all your fault. You made a mess on the sofa, and it took forever to clean up...”

The girl didn’t answer his question directly, but Stephan knew she must have felt like she was floating up to heaven at the time.