Chapter 5 THE STOLEN BRACELET!

CASPIAN'S POV

"Caspian, you're always the late one," Dad remarked teasingly as I hurried to the open space where we usually had breakfast.

"And always the same excuse every day," Lucian added with a chuckle.

"Lucian, tsk. You arrived early, yet you didn't bring my grandchildren. I'm still upset with you," scolded Mum, hushing him.

"I promised to bring them tomorrow. Please forgive me, Mum," Lucian apologized, casting a glance in my direction.

"And let's not forget that today is Saturday, Mum," Julian chimed in.

"The more reason why he should bring Audrey and Ariel, right?" I said, getting back at him for siding with Dad on pointing my late coming earlier.

"Don't you reckon Caspian is mature enough to consider bringing a wife?" Dad queried, glancing at me over his spectacles.

"He's going to marry his girlfriend, the model," Mum remarked.

"Mum, please remember to use her name. It's Ava," I interjected, feeling a tad irritated by the intentional oversight.

"It doesn't matter; what matters is that you should bring a good woman back home," Dad said, his tone growing more insistent.

"Because you need a woman who will stay committed to the marriage, through thick and thin, just like your mother here," Dad added, casting an admiring glance at Mum.

"Ava is the right woman for me. She doesn't have to meet your perfect standards because I'm the one marrying her in the end," I asserted firmly, and silence fell over the table.

"Hey, where's Olivia? I don't see her around anywhere," Julian chimed in, trying to inject a bit of levity into the conversation.

"Julian, hush. Remember, Mum told you and I that she had some designs to wrap up when we got here," Lucian reminded, shutting Julian up as he knew what he was trying to do.

"Lately, she's been really enjoying her work at the fashion house," Mum remarked, bringing a smile back to the table.

AYRA'S POV

Upon entering the room, the scent of the cologne that greeted me was unlike any I had ever encountered before. It was serene and beautiful, completely different from the others I've experienced.

"I quietly sank into the chair, fully embracing the moment," I whispered, savoring the atmosphere.

As the realization of my responsibilities hit me, I swiftly rose from the chair and made my way to the bathroom to begin cleaning. Kneeling in front of the toilet sitter, I started scrubbing while simultaneously listening to music, fully immersed in the task at hand.

"I felt a notification come in and instinctively reached for my phone. After quickly cleaning my hands, I checked it, and to my delight, it was a credit alert. Excitedly, I immediately sent the money I owed.

I dialed the phone line of the person I've just sent money to.

"Hi there, I've just sent over another portion of the money," I informed the recipient.

"Yes, I've received it," came the single reply.

"Now remaining half right?" I asked to confirm.

"Yes, but considering the pace you're moving at, are you confident you can meet the deadline? I don't tolerate delays," he said, devoid of any sympathy.

"Please, I just need a bit more time. I've promised to settle everything before the second quarter of the year," I pleaded.

"I'll be waiting," he said, then abruptly ended the call.

With a frustrated sigh, I continued with what I was doing.

CASPIAN POV

"Babe, how was your trip?" I asked Ava, still feeling the aftermath of the intense moment we shared.

"It was okay, though hectic," she replied softly, her fingers gently tracing circles on my bare chest as we lay intertwined.

"That's good. Did the exhibition go well?" I inquired, suddenly remembering the gift I had for her as I stood up.

"The exhibition was fine, and all the designs I wore were bought," she replied, sitting up beside me.

"Well, that's a relief," I replied, quickly checking my suitcase.

"Are you looking for something?" she asked, her eyes following my movements.

"Uhmm, no," I lied, quickly closing the suitcase.

How can I tell her that I bought a diamond necklace, crafted with her name and I couldn't find it...

I'm absolutely sure I brought the bracelet I got for her into the hotel room.

I was so happy yesterday that I ......

Surely, it must have been that lady, the cleaner who entered my room without permission. She must have taken it, I thought to myself as I returned to bed.

"Not only did Julian hire incompetent staff, but he also brought thieves to the casino," I remarked, expressing my frustration.

"I'll ensure she's apprehended and taken into police custody. I can't condone thievery," I asserted firmly to myself.

AYRA'S POV

"Ayra" Martins called as they head towards me , holding hands with his girlfriend Melissa.

"Martin's" I replied.

"You are done for the day?" he asked.

"Yes and it has been a long tiring day too" I said to him.

"Go home, take a long warmth shower and rest" Melissa suggested as she tried getting something off my hair.

"have you seen my alert?" she asked.

"Yes, I have. I'm heading straight to the supermarket to get them" I replied.

Melissa and I are contributing equal amount of money to buy food at every end of the month once we are being paid. So, this month, it's my turn to go buy all the foodstuffs we will be needing for the month again, just like a cycle.

"Don't worry, you are looking tired. You should go home and rest, we can buy the foodstuffs another day. It mustn't be necessarily today" I she persuades.

"You and I know we rarely have time for ourselves, I will just go get them this evening" I insisted.

"Okay, stay safe okay" she urged.

"Yes ma'am" she I replied as I smiled.

Melissa takes the two years gap she gave me very serious. She sometimes, act like she's my custodian.

"Bye Martins" I said as I head out of the casino.