CHAPTER 89: SHARING TWO ROOMS.

"And what is that supposed to mean, sister?" Darius demanded, his voice edged with slight anger and utter disbelief. His eyebrows knitted tightly as he gestured toward the massive building around them. "Share a room when there are over a hundred rooms in this place?"

"Yes, Darius," Anna replied calmly, though there was an unmistakable firmness in her tone. She stepped away from the center of the room and walked toward Victoria, deliberately standing beside her as though to assert some unspoken authority. "This island may be called the Rich Island, but this particular building we’re in is known as the Mystery Building. I don’t want anyone wandering too far and getting lost, okay? We can all make use of just the two rooms downstairs without any need to go further into the building."

"That’s bullshit, Anna." Zephyr’s voice, sharp and suddenly cutting through the murmurs, made several people turn. He had been quiet until now, leaning casually against the wall with his hands in his pockets, but his expression was one of open irritation. "I’m sorry to say it, but it’s complete bullshit. We have over a hundred staff in this building, just like there are over a hundred rooms. Nobody can ’get lost’....the guards can escort anyone anywhere they need to go. And we have lifts to take us upstairs without even using the stairs." His eyes narrowed in open defiance. "How exactly do you expect me to share a room? How am I supposed to have sex freely with lots of guys if they’re all crammed into the same room?"

Anna’s head whipped toward him, her eyes flashing. "We’re not here because of sex, Zephyr," she said, her voice laced with sudden anger. "So it would be greatly appreciated if you could keep your dick in your pants."

A ripple of chuckles and coughs ran through the group, while Zephyr, uncharacteristically embarrassed, immediately covered his mouth with his hand as if to stop himself from saying anything else.

"I really can’t share a room with these...." Nicole began, her tone dripping with disdain as her gaze slid directly toward Victoria and her friends. "...these lowlifes."

"You shouldn’t say that, Nicole." Anna’s reply was firm, her expression hardening. "Seems like it’s time to consider changing the principal of the academy. A lot of rules clearly need to be implemented, because from what I’m seeing, too many of you have grown... spoiled."

"That’s not the case here, Anna." Nicole’s voice rose, her chin lifting defiantly. "But how can we all share a single room when there are literally a hundred rooms here? It’s going to be suffocating in there, and I’m not willing to risk that. Besides..." she gave an almost theatrical shudder, "I don’t share my personal things with people. Ever."

"If you can’t share a room, then you might as well just return home, please," Anna said, her tone now sharp with finality. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin, clearly not willing to negotiate. "Besides, there’s a reason I asked that we all share rooms....a reason that will be revealed soon enough, the moment we head to the beach. But for now..." she clapped her hands once, briskly, "ladies, get into your assigned room, change into your swimming attire, apply some makeup, and make yourselves look beautiful. As for the guys....find your room, put on some sexy shorts, style your hair, and get ready. I have a surprise for us."

"Fine then, Anna." Auren’s voice was tight with irritation, his eyes glinting with barely contained annoyance. "There’s no way I’m leaving this vacation house for these people." Without another glance at anyone, he strode toward the room on the right-hand side....apparently designated for the men...his footsteps loud against the polished floor.

"I believe this is more than meets the eye, sister," Darius muttered, his tone low but laced with suspicion. Without waiting for a response, he turned and headed toward the same room Auren had gone into. Zephyr, still covering part of his face as though Anna’s earlier jab had physically stung, followed close behind without another word.

"I can’t wait to try some makeup on you, Victoria!" Anna squealed excitedly, clasping Victoria’s hands tightly in hers.

Victoria could only offer a small smile in return. Truthfully, she was already feeling drained from all the earlier drama. The constant bickering, the subtle jabs, the tension in the air....it was exhausting. But she told herself to push through. She was already here, after all. The best thing she could do now was try to enjoy herself and leave for home later.

"Are you going to be okay, sister?" Callum finally spoke for the first time since they had arrived, his tone soft but serious as his gaze fixed intently on her. "Or should we just return home?"

"Exactly, Victoria. I’ll do whatever you say right now. If you want to leave, we’ll leave," Damien added, his voice carrying a tone of absolute resolve. "We’re only here because of you, anyway. And I’m not going to stand still if Nicole starts saying trash about you." His eyes hardened slightly, making his protective intent clear.

Nicole, standing a few feet away with her arms folded across her chest, merely let out a loud scoff. She didn’t even bother hiding her disdain.

"Oh my goodness... he’s so hot," Rose murmured under her breath, her gaze openly trailing over Damien’s form.

"Of course, such a thing isn’t going to happen when I’m here, Damien," Anna chimed in quickly, looping her arm loosely around Victoria’s neck in a sisterly manner. "Victoria is just like my sister, you see... she’s safe with me." Her tone was confident, almost possessive.

"Are you okay, Victoria?" Theo’s voice broke through, ignoring Anna’s words completely. His eyes were full of concern, his question directed solely at her.

"I’m good, brothers. You don’t have to worry about me," Victoria replied warmly, giving them a small but reassuring smile. "And just like Miss Anna said, she’ll protect me. I feel safe around her."

"Fine then. See you at the beach," Damien said at last, a faint smile curving his lips. He leaned down and rested his hand gently on Victoria’s head in an affectionate gesture. Then, stepping even closer, he bent his head toward her ear and whispered, "And dress decently."

Victoria swallowed hard, trying to suppress a laugh that threatened to escape her lips at his overprotective tone. But before she could say anything, her brothers were already walking toward the men’s room, Joe and Dickson trailing after them, leaving the ladies alone in the vast living room.

"Now, ladies!!! Let’s go in!" Anna exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement as she grabbed Victoria’s hand and practically pulled her toward the girls’ room. Victoria’s friends followed closely behind, with Nicole walking last, her expression unreadable.

The girls’ room was painted entirely in crisp white, the walls giving off a clean and airy feel, while all the furniture was in soft pink, adding a distinctly girlish charm to the space.

But the biggest surprise was the arrangement....one would expect the room to hold a single bed or perhaps two, yet it contained six separate beds, each styled differently as though the space had been designed for six people right from the start.

"When did this happen?" Nicole asked, eyebrows arched, her tone skeptical as she settled herself onto one of the beds with a casual air.

"This is so beautiful!" Blonde breathed, her eyes darting from one corner of the room to another, trying to take in every detail.

"I made it happen. I already planned this," Anna explained with a satisfied smile as she guided Victoria to sit down on one of the beds. "I had a feeling we’d visit the vacation house soon, so I called the servants here ahead of time to prepare it. And like I said... there are still more surprises for you all."

She clapped her hands twice, sharply.

Immediately, six women dressed in elegant, fitted gown suits entered the room, each of them wearing a warm smile. They moved gracefully to the center, bowing deeply in unison before approaching.

"Greetings, young ladies," they said together, their voices polite and melodic. After straightening, each one moved to stand beside one of the girls....Victoria, Anna, Rose, Blonde, and Nicole....leaving one more waiting by the door.

"They’ll be in charge of styling us up," Anna announced excitedly, her eyes sparkling. "They’ll give us all a thorough bath, cream our bodies, style our hair, do our makeup, and get us dressed into our swimming attire." She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as though sharing a delicious secret. "You all should relax and enjoy their service."

Without wasting much time...the woman standing at the door soon clicked on a button on the wall and immediately the right hand side of the wall opened to reveal varieties of swimming attire.

She proceeded and pressed another button to reveal varieties of jewelries sparkling under the room light. Another button revealed varieties of hair accessories leaving Rose and Blonde mouth wide opened in awe as they anticipate what the next button which the woman will press reveal.