The morning sun began to paint the sky in hues of orange and gold. Fresh air carried the scent of dew from the grass, while birdsong gently broke the silence. The workshop where they gathered was bathed in soft light, filling the space with a calm warmth.
Kaivan stood at the front, slim yet steady, his sharp eyes sweeping over his friends as they arrived one by one. After a night filled with plans and laughter, this morning marked the beginning of their long-awaited trip. Excited faces clustered around the large van waiting to take them to the villa.
Raising his hand, Kaivan called out, his voice clear in the cool morning air. "Alright, everyone, listen up! Let's sort out the seating."
The cheerful chatter faded. All eyes turned to him.
"Frans will drive, Ethan's the navigator. In the middle seats: Felicia, Zinnia, Thivi, and Isabel. I'll sit in the back with Radit and Raphael."
But before he could continue, another voice cut in.
"I want to sit next to Kaivan."
Thivi stepped forward, arms crossed. Her blue eyes were sharp, unwavering. Her tone was playful, but the resolve in her voice left no room for negotiation.
Radit quickly interjected. "It's better if you sit in the middle, it's more spacious and comfortable."
Thivi frowned. "I wasn't asking you, Radit."
A brief silence fell. Frans glanced over from under the hood but stayed out of it. Zinnia sighed softly, as if she'd seen this scene before.
"Thivi, that's not possible," Kaivan said calmly, though his tone was firmer this time. "You four sit in the middle, it's roomier, and you'll be more comfortable."
Thivi was quiet for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she shrugged and let out a small sigh. "Alright. If Kaivan says so, fine." Though she agreed, her voice carried a trace of disappointment.
Radit, who had suggested the same thing earlier, could only sigh softly. "But… Kaivan said the exact same words," he muttered under his breath.
Raphael glanced his way but stayed silent. Ethan, ever perceptive, patted Radit's shoulder. "Come on, Radit. Sometimes it's not about what's said, it's about who says it."
Radit met Ethan's gaze, then nodded quietly, though the frustration still lingered.
On the other side, Felicia watched them closely. She didn't speak, but the glint in her crimson eyes said enough, she was taking mental notes of everything.
Once the supplies were neatly packed into the trunk, they climbed into the car. Kaivan took the driver's seat, starting the engine with a calm motion. The hum of the motor echoed softly before they rolled away from the busy market.
Inside the car, the air began to lighten. Laughter, idle chatter, and playful teasing filled the space, warming the long road ahead. A fresh spark of excitement burned within them, it was a day promised to be a brief escape from reality.
The road wound through mountain curves, threading between breathtaking scenery. Blue skies stretched wide, while green trees brushed past like whispers of wind. The cool mountain breeze slipped in through the slightly open window, carrying a crisp scent of earth and pine.
When the car finally stopped in front of the villa, all eyes widened at the sight before them. The building stood tall and triangular, its glass walls reflecting the emerald valley and towering mountains that stood like silent sentinels. The air was cooler here, imbued with a peace they could never find in the city.
Raphael was the first to step out, his steady stride carrying him forward. His eyes scanned the villa, awe glimmering in them. "Incredible…" he murmured. The others soon followed, their faces lit with astonishment.
"Whoa, this is insane," Radit exclaimed, hands on his hips as he looked up and down the structure.
In front of the villa, a natural fire pit sat encircled by large stones. Not far away, a hot spring steamed invitingly, tempting their weary bodies to sink into its warmth.
Frans clapped Radit's shoulder. "Perfect spot for a barbecue night. I can already see us sitting here, grilling meat under the stars."
Kaivan and Ethan headed to the office to settle the payment, while the others began unloading the trunk. Frans lifted a large plastic bag, while Radit and Raphael handled the boxes filled with cooking tools and groceries.
Inside the kitchen, Frans eyed the growing pile of supplies. "Zinnia, did you buy enough for a whole month?" he joked with a laugh.
Zinnia, the team's logistics expert, grinned proudly. "Nine people, three meals a day. So I bought…"
She rattled off the list quickly: thirty-six fish, two kilos of shrimp, eighteen squids, four kilos of beef, five of chicken, three of corn, nine tomahawks, a kilo of onions, half a kilo of bell peppers, two and a half kilos of eggs, ten of potatoes, ten boxes of mineral water, spices, skewers, two pineapples, a kilo of tomatoes, lettuce, and barbecue gear.