Room service was collecting dishes from the table after dinner. Rafael carried all the kids to their room for tucking them and Marissa felt as if her back had turned into a hardboard.
She picked up her phone when saw Sophie’s name blinking on the screen, "Hey!" She propped up her feet on the coffee table placed before her.
"Flint and I are back. We are missing you and the kids!" Sophie’s voice was a bit loud, Marissa had to put some distance between the phone and her ear.
"Rafael just took them to their room,"
"Oh," disappointment was evident in Sophie’s voice, "I was missing them so much, especially Abi."
"Hang on. I’ll see if I can squeeze a few minutes for you," she peeked inside the room where the kids were standing there in their PJs.
Rafael was busy brushing Ariel’s hair and was saying something to Alex. It warmed Marissa’s heart and she leaned her shoulder against the doorway.
They all looked so cute.
Her picture-perfect family!
"Mommy!" The moment Abigail saw her, she tried to jump from the bed, but their newly appointed governess, Emily was quick to hold the little girl and placed her down gently on the floor.
Marissa was quick to pass her a thankful nod.
"Daddy is saying that he is planning to take us somewhere for the weekend!" Abi informed her excitedly.
"That’s incredible!" she bent to scoop her up and handed over the phone, "It’s Aunt Sophie, honey."
"Aunt Sophie!" Ariel quickly ran towards her, "I also want to talk!"
Alex who was going through a comic book, his focus also moved to his sisters who were excited to talk to Aunt Sophie.
Marissa crouched down where her lifelines were busy eating Aunt Sophia’s brains on the phone.
"You look tired," She hadn’t noticed when Rafael had squatted down close by. His hands rested on Abi’s shoulders, but his eyes were roaming on her face.
"Not exactly tried," she leaned to his side to make herself heard because it was next to impossible to talk due to kids squealing at the top of their lungs. Alex had turned on the video call and now they were busy on FaceTime with their aunt.
"It’s just my back. It’s been days since I hit a gym or a swimming pool," she complained with a pout.
"Oh, my, my. Ms. Marissa is a gym freak! I’m not surprised," All impressed, he ran a lazy gaze on her body but then she shook her head.
"I know, I’m fat, Rafael. It’s not about that...."
"Uh oh. Hold on!" he murmured, "Who said you are fat?"
"No. I mean I meant to say is..."
"And this hotel has got a very good gym and a pool. In fact, ... what a minute..." Before Marissa could stop him, he got up and went to the intercom.
Marissa didn’t know what he was doing.
He talked on the phone and then returned with a smile on his face, "The pool at the North of the hotel is yours. I have told them that the lady of my family wants to have it to herself."
Lady of my family?
Marissa’s heart missed a beat. Rafael offered her, his hand to help her up. Sophie was watching it from the screen but didn’t remark.
Marissa didn’t know if she wanted to cry or laugh at this absurd conversation.
"Girl! You have always loved him. He had been your one and only. And now when he is back then please do yourself a favor and... and ... just... tear his clothes."
Marissa had to cover her mouth to stifle the giggles, "Miss gynecologist. You certainly need a mental doctor."
Sophie didn’t laugh at the gibe, "I don’t think so. I need Joseph. Once I’ll settle here, I won’t take time to attack him."
This time Marissa couldn’t take it anymore and laughed loudly.
"You are something, Sophie!" she shook her head.
When she disconnected the call, she was still smiling. The hotel staff slid the door for her when spotted her getting there.
She stepped into the pool area and found a female hotel employee placing bathrobes and towels near the recliners.
"Ma’am. Here is the intercom. You can order anything you want," she pointed to the edge of the pool, "I’ve placed a fruit platter, some chips and salsa along with Margarita.
With a professional smile, she stepped back and then left her on her own.
Before tonight, she always used public pools and never got conscious of her body. However, there was this one man, she wanted to look perfect for.
She peeled off her clothes and sat on the edge dangling her legs. It felt good to have this huge pool only to yourself.
"Umm. The perfect temperature!" she closed her eyes in bliss and decided to get inside the water.
For a moment she thought of the kids but then Rafael and Emily were with them.
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