THIRTY ONE(A change of heart)

Friday morning began with an aromatherapy massage organized by Mrs Kenato for the ladies while the men had a meeting with Mr. Kenato at the resort.

"…I wonder why I haven't been doing this more often." Wendy sighed as she enjoyed the massage. The room consisted of Wendy, Lena and Tamera and off course Mia who was currently feeling out of place. Suzie had declined the session since she suddenly had a bout of morning sickness.

Although, Mia couldn't deny the fact that she enjoyed the sweet aroma of perfume and essential oil on her skin, especially after the fall her butt had taken the previous night. As they laid on their backs in silence, Mia kept hoping that one of them would start a conversation and ease the silence. She knew at the back of her mind that she wanted to be that someone, but she wasn't quite sure of what wives of wealthy people talked about.

But just like the heavens were listening, her wish was granted,

"…After Japan, how about France." Lena suddenly said out of the blue.

To Mia, Lena seemed like the self-acclaimed leader of their small gang, and other times, it felt like Wendy was.

"…I've always wanted to go to France, but never alone though." Wendy chimed in, "That's why I've never been, Luke's always busy with work or something—"

"Maybe we could all go together, a girl's trip maybe." Tamera added excitedly,

"Yes! That's a wonderful idea." Lena agreed,

And from then on, they went on and on about France and how the trip would turn out, Mia quietly laid there, listening to them. Suddenly, she heard someone call her name, it was Wendy,

"…You know Mia, we started off on the wrong foot, but that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have a conversation with us.

"Yeah, what do you think of a girl's trip?" Lena chimed in,

Mia just stared at them like they had just dropped from another planet, "M....Me?" She stuttered. She wasn't quite sure of why they suddenly wanted to talk to her, was it Ethan's threats, where they truly hiding something that could bring them to dust? Mia thought.

Lena laughed, "Oh silly, off course, dear…You should come with us—"

"Um, I don't so." She paused as she suddenly thought of a great lie to tell.

"Why not?" Tamera asked,

"Um well, Ethan and I… Already planned a… Trip to the…Bahamas." She slowly replied, "Yes, I've always wanted to chill in the Bahamas so he literally planned the trip for me. And besides, we've already been to Paris a couple of times." She smiled with satisfaction, the ladies were stunned,

"…Brian never plans me a trip." Lena shrugged; it was obvious she was quite jealous,

"Maybe you just ask." Mia smiled, now she was giving advice.

"You think?"

"Yes Lena, a trip together will strengthen your relationship, help you ease your grievances against each other and help you and your spouse bond more."

"Wow, for a young wife, you do have a lot of give, it's impressive." Wendy told her.

"Yeah, you should become a relationship expert!" Tamera laughed out,

"You think?" Mia replied,

"Off course." She laughed out again and Mia wasn't sure if it was a feigned or a real one.

"So ladies, back to our girl's trip." Tamera continued, "Oh Mia, since you've been to Paris, you should tell us about it, right?" She said she turned her head to the other ladies for approval, they both agreed that Mia tell.

Mia was sure that Tamera was simply looking for a way to trap her.

"C'mon Mia, tell us, is it really the city of love as they say?" Wendy asked,

"Uh, oui oui!" She feigned a laugh,

"It was beautiful, and romantic and the wine! Mm!" She paused as she threw a kiss, "Mangnifique!" Suddenly, an idea popped into her head and she decided to spice things up by throwing in some details she had seen in a movie.

"Oh the Parisians are just so wonderful! We enjoyed touring the city in the night, and it was so romantic! We did the tour first of the Eiffel Tower and it was quite windy. But it was so worth it." She explained like a love struck teenager. It was so hard not to believe her.

"Then we headed to "Les Jardins du Trocadero." She smiled,

"Wow! That's amazing Mia." Tamera suddenly said,

"I've heard so much about the garden, the Eiffel Tower overlooks it right? And it's a lovely spot for couples to snuggle at night—"

"Yes! That's the one!" Mia exclaimed excitedly as she continued her rambling about her imaginary trip to Paris.

---

Meanwhile, at the resort, the men sat outside Mr. Kenato's office for an interview, patiently waiting for their turn, but for some odd reason, Ethan felt really nervous, his heart raced and his palms got sweaty. Maybe it was because he had never been in the place of the interviewee, but rather the interviewer. The others sat there, gently discussing something that was inaudible to Ethan. Currently, Nicholas Lim was in the office and he was going to be next.

Just then, Nicholas came out and gave Ethan a reassuring smile, behind him, Mr. Kenato's personal assistant invited him in.

Ethan walked into the office and took a seat as Mr. Kenato tossed him a wide smile and shook his hands, "Mr. Regal, now is the time you've been waiting for, show me what you've got for the resort."

"Right." Ethan murmured as he let a nervous chuckle. He rubbed his palms on his pants and at that moment, Mr. Kenato could tell something was wrong.

"Son, are you alright?"

"…Um…Sir, before we go on, there's…Something I need to let you know…"