Chapter 9: I'm Mr. Right; someone said you were looking for me

Musa leaned against Bloom, snoring quietly whilst the taxi drove over the bumpy road.

"Bloom, I forgot to ask; what happened with Stella and Andy?"

"No need to worry, Layla. They just missed the ship, but they should be on their way soon." Bloom replied.

"Do you really expect Stella to find her way?" Tecna asked, raising her eyebrow. Doubting Stella was something that Tecna was brilliant at.

"She'll have to. And stop being mean! She's not dumb." Bloom pouted in Stella's defence but soon broke into a smile. Tecna smirked along with her friend.

"Okay, ladies, we're here." The taxi driver told them as he parked and got out of the car. Luckily the girls had found themselves a nice, honest man and not some young, flirt as a driver.

The man walked to the boot and lifted it open. He began hauling the bags on to the concrete pathway as the girls got out of the car in turn.

"How many bags did you have?" he asked, hoping he hadn't forgotten to put any of their bags into the boot whilst they were at the airport.

"Well, Bloom has two, Musa has four as well as her hand bag, I have two, Layla has one and Flora has three. So in total that is thirteen." Tecna answered confidently.

"Are you sure? There only seems to be twelve here."

The girls furrowed their eyebrows and looked at the bags and sorted them out. Only then was it clear that one of Musa's bags wasn't there. "Great. How did I guess that it would happen to me?" Musa sighed in frustration. This day wasn't going smoothly for her and she had her first report to make.

"Let me check the car." Flora suggested and she did a thorough search but was unlucky. "Sorry."

"Maybe it's with Stella and Andy. Just hope that they've got it. Besides, the content couldn't be that important."

"Stella or Andy wouldn't have my bag, and Bloom, it was ultra-important. It had my underwear in it!" Musa hissed her last sentence to Bloom.

"Oh."

"Ha-ha!" Layla pointed at Musa before picking up her bags and heading into the hotel lobby.

Musa frowned. "Thanks, Layla."

"Serves you right for bringing so many bags and putting all your underwear in one!"

"Let's just go and check in. It's not like it's magically going to appear." Tecna also picked up her bags and followed Layla. Flora and Bloom soon followed after giving sympathetic smiles to Musa, not that they helped her mood.

"Come on, you can always buy more. We'll go to a store this afternoon, okay?" Flora assured Musa and tried pushing her along.

"I'll be a minute." Musa said without budging to Flora's push.

"Cheer up. You've come to this lovely hotel and a frown isn't what people wear when they come here." The taxi driver patted Musa on the back and gave her a positive smile. He then got in his car. "Hey, if I see it at the airport, I'll return to you."

"Thanks." Musa smiled and then started dragging her luggage inside. The girls had already checked in and were waiting for Musa.

The hotel was pure luxury. It had everything you could think of, from a five star restaurant to an indoor ski slope. It even had its own mall, although no one had squealed about that because that was Stella's job. The interior of the hotel was marble, gold and red, making it very royal. It wasn't a surprise that it was six star after observing the décor.

Layla rushed over to Musa and helped her carry her bags considering she had packed light, even though she had the largest suitcase out of all the girls. Soon the girls were settled in their giant rooms which were helpfully along the same corridor.

One room was for Musa and Stella. Another was for Flora and Tecna, another was for Bloom and Layla, and Andy had his own. The rooms were extremely cosy yet really modern and sophisticated at the same time. The colour scheme of the rooms was black and white with a touch colour on objects such as cushions and wall art. The furniture had really bold shapes and most of it was leather and glossy metal. Each room also had huge ceiling to floor windows that overlooked the calm sea. Musa had never stayed anywhere so fancy before. She was loving every second of the experience so far.

After the girls had unpacked roughly and freshened up, they all headed downstairs to the little café beside the gorgeous swimming pool in which various coloured floats floated. When the girls arrived at the back of the hotel, they stood in awe of the surroundings. Past the pool, a golden beach was located. It looked really deserted even though the weather was sunny. The curved pool itself was huge, allowing many young people to swim and play volley ball in it. A large patch of grass was left to the pool and that's where all the sunbathers lay, enjoying glasses of drink which were being served by male waiters dressed in tight swimming trunks. The café the girls went to overlooked the pool. White parasols were shading all the grey iron tables and neat cutlery and table mats were atop them.

Once the girls took their seats, they quickly placed their orders and the food arrived in an instant, proving the service to be unbeatable. Just as they started tucking in into the delicious meals, Stella and Andy arrived before them with jet lag written all over their faces.

"About time." Layla exclaimed and stood up to greet them. She quickly brought them over to the table and forced them into ordering lots of food.

"You guys look like you haven't eaten anything in ages." Flora said, alarmed at their frail conditions.

"That's because we haven't." Andy said in a sleepy voice.

"Well, just be happy that you're here. And Andy, you better get some rest because we have a concert to attend tonight."

Andy groaned and buried his face in his hands. Stella and Andy's food soon got transported into their stomachs and the two of them headed to their rooms to make themselves presentable and to have a little nap.

"Hey, Flo, that life guard is totally checking you out!" Musa whispered rather excited even though it had nothing to do with her.

"Hang on, if he's the life guard, then who is that guy sitting on that giant chair?" Layla wore a confused expression as she paused with a couple of nachos in her hand.

"Oh. Okay, so he isn't the lifeguard." Musa put her hands up in surrender and laughed along with Layla.

"Then why is he wearing red swimming trunks?" Bloom giggled.

"It's because he doesn't have any fashion sense, darling!"

"That sounded like Stella!" Layla said worriedly.

"That's because it is Stella." Musa pointed out, rolling her eyes. "I thought you were going to the room? How come you came back so quickly?" Musa inquired when Stella had joined the group.

"I heard that there was a mall!" She squealed, making Musa cover her ears. "So, I thought that we just needed to go shopping! Forget jet lag!"

"I don't think that's a good idea. You'll need another suitcase by the time you're finished." Bloom laughed, and then sipped her gooseberry milkshake.

"I'll come with you, Stel. I actually need to go shopping." Stella turned to Musa after she'd finished. She looked surprised but uneasy at the same time,. The two of them weren't exactly BFFL's at that moment in time.

"Yeah, Musa lost all her bras." Layla smirked. She earned herself a brief glare from Musa.

"You can help me pick an outfit?" Musa threw on some of her famous puppy eyes.

"Sure." Stella smiled gently, forgetting about her little grudge.

Xxx

"No, I don't think a dress would be suitable for the event. I'll look like I'm going to some posh party." Musa placed the dress back on the rack and moved onto the next rack of clothes.

"Fine, but you can still buy it. You never know when you might need a hot dress like that!" Stella said and leaned into Musa's shoulder.

"What are you trying to say?" Musa narrowed her eyes at her shopping buddy.

"Nothing. But come on, it looked so good on you!"

"Really?" Musa asked doubtfully. "I thought it looked a bit baggy?"

"We'll get a smaller size then." Stella rushed over to the rack and grabbed the smaller size. She whacked the person who was reaching for it with her hair as she turned around. "Hard luck," Stella smiled to herself evilly.

The dress she'd picked out for Musa was beautiful. It was a strapless, maroon number that had large ruffles at the bottom and a black ribbon belt tied at the waist. It ended mid-thigh and was beautifully made.

"You gotta admit, Calvin Klan is such an awesome designer."

"Yeah, whatever. How much is it?"

"It's half price so you can afford it, don't worry!" Stella replied in a patronising voice. She then grabbed Musa's arm and dragged her to the Pradah collection that she'd just spotted. She made Musa stand still and started grabbing outfits and put them up against Musa.

"This is perfect! What do you think?" Stella asked eagerly.

"Lose the jeans."

"Um, then what are you going to wear?" Stella's eyebrows furrowed.

"This!" Musa smiled, picking up the piece of clothing which was on the table to her right. With the outfit Stella has picked hanging over her arms, she danced off into the changing room.

"Oh! Oh! Oh, darling! That is just wonderful! Love, love, love! All of it!" Stella's hands were planted on her cheeks and her mouth was wide open.

Musa did an amateur model pose and turned around. She had on a purple corset top with black lace going all the way down the middle, a pleated black short skirt, and suede, black thigh-high boots with a medium heel. She's even managed to find a cute purple hair clip that she wore in her hair.

"Buy it, now! We still have your hair and make-up to do!" Stella flapped her hands and shooed Musa back into the changing rooms. "I think you just out did yourself." Stella told herself whilst Musa was changing. Musa was quick to come out so the girls hurried off.

Meanwhile, the rest of their group were taking a dip in the pool under the setting sun.

"Doesn't the sky look so pretty?" Flora said dreamily whilst looking at the horizon.

"Yeah, it does." Layla agreed after jumping into the swimming pool and splashing all the girls.

Tecna eyed Layla with anger. She shook her head to get the water droplets out of her perfectly gelled hair.

"Sorry," Layla laughed sheepishly. Though, she didn't seem forgiven. "Race you guys to the other end?"

"You're on!" Bloom splashed water in Layla's eyes and got a head start.

"Hey!" Layla dove underwater and bit Bloom's leg when she got to her.

"Ow!" Bloom wailed, stopping to rub her leg. "Get back here!" she shouted and started swimming after Layla.

"I win!" declared Layla as she took several deep breaths. Bloom soon joined her, but it was a while until Flora and Tecna made their way to the girls. "You guys are disqualified."

Before Tecna could snap at Layla about being forced into the race, Bloom gasped, loudly.

"What?" Flora asked, looking scared because of Bloom's wide eyes.

"Look." She said shakily as she straightened her finger. "It's that god of a guy that was on the airship!"

"What a coincidence." Layla said sarcastically. "Bloom, just go and talk to him if you like him so much."

"It looks like he and his group are coming over to us instead." Flora whispered.

Bloom gulped. "Oh, no. What do I say?"

"Just converse, like a normal person." Tecna told her.

"About wha-?"

"Hi." Sky, the blonde that Bloom liked, crouched down by the edge of the swimming pool in front of Bloom. "I'm Mr. Right; someone said you were looking for me?"

"Was that meant to be a pick up line?" Layla raised her thin eyebrow in disgust. Bloom blushed. "Lame." Layla turned away and decided not to waste her time talking to the idiots.

"Uh. Uh. Um." Sky cleared his throat but nothing could stop him from looking like he was sunburnt. The rest of Bloom's friends wore amused expressions and held their laughter back.

"Nice one." Riven slid into the pool beside Layla. "Where'd you get that attitude from?"

"Please don't tell me that that was your attempt at a pick-up line." Layla rolled her eyes and continued looking away.

"Definitely not. I'm not like my sad, sad friend over there." Riven gestured to Sky who was still throwing lame pick-up lines at Bloom about her beauty.

The rest of the boys soon got into the pool and mingled with the girls. Conversation started flowing smoothly and everyone was getting along.

Brandon nudged Helia and nodded at him. "Sky." Helia called out.

Sky looked at his friend and got the hint. "Listen up, ladies. We were just wondering if you'd like to come to our bonfire tonight at the beach. It's at seven o'clock."

Bloom grinned widely and looked at the girls. "Of course. We'd love that!"

"What about going with Musa to that concert?" Flora asked quietly.

The guys looked at each other, but it was Brandon that spoke up. "If you can't make it, then…"

"No, no. We can. Musa will understand." Bloom assured them, letting the matter pass by. "Look, there she is."

Everyone turned their heads and saw Musa and Stella chatting with a lot of shopping bags on their arms. "That's Stella, by the way." Flora informed the boys.

"Hey, Musa!" Bloom called and waved her hands up in the air. She wanted to ask her friend for permission to go to the bonfire and leave her.

Musa and Stella turned around and observed the girls with a lot of guys around them.

"Come here, we want to ask you something." Bloom shouted.

Musa rolled her eyes and was just about to head over to them but her phone rang. "Hello? Hey…that's good…you have an hour to get ready….yes, I'm on my way now…What? Be there in a sec!" Musa turned to Stella. "Thanks for everything, Stel, go to go!"

"Where's she going?" Timmy asked.

"She had to get ready; she isn't here on holiday like the rest of us." Stella answered once she got to the now bigger group.

"We wanted to ask her if it would be okay to leave her and go to these guys' bonfire. You're invited too." Layla told Stella.

"I don't think she ever expected us to go with her. She has Andy."

"Who's Andy?" Riven blurted out.

"He's her guitarist and co-worker at the radio station she works at." Stella explained.

"Getting jealous, were we?" Brandon asked in a hushed tone. He had to stop himself from howling in laughter.

"No. I was just…uh-"

"Did you think she was hot?" Brandon wiggled his eyebrows.

"She looked nice…that's all." Riven pushed Brandon away so he wouldn't interrogate him any further. "We'll see you later, girls. We're leaving."

"We are?" Sky asked, confused. He was a disappointed because he'd just started getting closer to Bloom.

"Yes." Riven nodded slowly.

"Okay. I'll see you at the bonfire then, Bloom. Bye." Sky waved sweetly and the boys disappeared around the corner.

"Bye!" Bloom sighed dreamily. "Ahhhh, best day ever!" Layla caught Bloom as she pretend fainted.

"Maybe for you, darling. But as for me, I need to go check on Musa. I don't trust her with her make-up."

Xxx

"What's that gold thing you're reading?" Helia asked as he towel-dried his long hair.

"It's the journal we found in that bag. I managed to unpick the lock." Riven replied, nonchalantly.

"Isn't what you're doing an invasion of privacy?"

"No."

"How would you like it if someone read your journal?" Helia challenged as he picked his clothes for the night.

"I don't have a journal." Riven smirked. He liked winning.

"Whatever, dude. Just hurry, we have to leave in a minute."

"I'm ready. You're the one who should hurry up." Riven continued flicking through the diary. He wasn't reading it but just browsing through the pictures and drawings that had been stuck on the pages. "Why don't I meet you guys downstairs? I need to grab a drink."

Xxx

"Perfect. You look beautiful!"

"All thanks to you. Did I ever mention that I love you?" Musa asked playfully as she admired herself in the mirror.

"Save it, darling! Now, off you go. You're going to be late!"

"Oh yeah. My bad. I need to meet Andy downstairs as well!" Musa smoothened the creases on her skirt and ran to the door.

"Wait. You forget these!" Stella chased after her and gave Musa her bag and supplies she needed for the interview.

"What would I do without you?"

"I don't know. Bye now!" Stella waved as Musa darted down the stairs to the lobby. She was going to slow her pace and admire the abstract paintings on the wall but she really was late.

Andy soon came into sight, so Musa picked up her speed and hurried towards him.

"Watch it!"

Musa gasped and landed on the ground with a groan. When she opened her eyes, she saw all her things scattered on the ground in front of her.

"Look what you've done!" Riven, the guy she'd bumped into, hissed. He got on his knees and started looking for the journal he'd dropped.

"Sorry." Musa apologised bitterly. She quickly gathered her stuff and shoved it in her bag.

Riven grabbed the journal he was looking for and stood up. He sighed in pity at the girl beneath him. "Here." He stretched his hand out. Musa looked up and stared at the hand. Riven moved his hand a little bit to give her a hint. She put her hand in his and he helped her back on her feet.

"Don't I get a thank you?" he asked, cockily.

"Let me think…NO. Jerk." Musa scoffed and then pushed past him and headed over to Andy.

Riven raised his eyebrows and turned around in her direction. "Whatever," he said underneath his breath.


Another chapter done and dusted. I'm so glad I didn't give up and take a break on this story, because I've started enjoying writing it again! I think I was just missing the drama, but now we've got to it! Yay.

Well, I hope you enjoyed it and more will be up soon.