Inside the mansion, in the large dining hall, Rachel and Elise are seated beside each other at the grand table. Mara's duplicates, Uno, Dos, Tres, and Kwatro, are seated opposite them. There is an empty chair reserved for Mara beside Rachel, and at the center end of the table is a seat for Eijin.
Mara and Eijin arrive in the dining room, still connected in a kiss from before their teleportation. They materialize at the back of Elise and Rachel, their lips still touching.
The sight before Uno, Dos, Tres, and Kwatro leaves them stunned, almost causing them to choke on their food. They are taken aback by the unexpected scene unfolding before them.
Mara and Eijin quickly separate and turn away, both feeling a sense of shyness and embarrassment.
Fortunately, Elise and Rachel are engrossed in their conversation and do not notice what just happened.
"Oh, there you are," Elise greeted them as soon as she noticed their arrival. "Come on, let's eat. Uno's cooking is out of this world, it's truly amazing," she added.
Rachel, perceptive to the sudden shift in her duplicates' reactions, sensed that something was amiss. However, being familiar with Mara and Eijin's playful dynamic, she already suspected that they were teasing each other once again. She fixed her gaze on her four duplicates, but they quickly averted her stare.
Eijin took his seat at the center end of the table, while Mara settled beside Elise.
"Mara, Eijin, I've been discussing with Rachel," Elise began again, her voice filled with a hint of shyness. "Maybe we could go on a vacation? I mean, your place is truly amazing, Eijin, with the beach, the sunset, the forest, and the beauty of nature. But I was thinking, maybe we could go to another beach, just for a change of scenery."
Mara and Eijin, still caught up in the aftermath of their earlier moment, simply nodded in agreement without fully processing Elise's proposal.
"Great!" Elise exclaimed happily. "I know this place, there's a hotel on a group of islands called Lingayen. The view there is absolutely breathtaking. I'm sure you'll love it, Eijin."
"Yes, yes, I would love to," Eijin replied, his mind still filled with the memory of Mara's soft lips. Mara had kissed him many times before, but that last kiss was the longest and most intense. Before they could even reach the dining room, they found themselves suddenly teleported into the open sky. It became evident to Eijin that his teleportation power was indeed influenced by his emotions. As they descended, he consciously relaxed himself and surrendered to the moment, indulging in a passionate kiss with Mara. So with a calm and relaxed feelings, they end up in the dinning table that he envisioned.
The next day, as the sun rose over the tropical islands, the grand hotel stood proudly amidst the stunning natural beauty. The islands were covered in lush palm trees and vibrant flowers, filling the air with sweet scents.
The hotel had peaceful gardens with beautiful plants and flowing water. The beaches were pure white, and the crystal-clear waters were perfect for swimming. The palm trees provided shade and hammocks for guests to relax and enjoy the island breeze.
As the sun shone brightly, the island became even more magical. The sound of waves crashing on the shore created a calming atmosphere. From every angle, guests could see the stunning ocean views and nearby islands waiting to be explored. It was a place where everyone could escape from the outside world and immerse themselves in the natural wonders.
"Eijin, I am so sorry," Elise said sincerely. "I didn't know that this place is really expensive."
"No worries, Elise," Mara interjected. "Money means nothing to Eijin, right babe?" Mara teased Eijin as they all walked together towards their lodge.
"Don't worry, Elise," Eijin reassured her. "We all need a vacation sometimes. I can't even remember the last time I went on one." He said this to calm Elise's worries.
Mara and Elise walked ahead, with Elise carrying her backpack. Rachel followed, carrying her own bag, while Mara didn't have anything to carry. Eijin, on the other hand, had a large bag on his back.
"Ahhm... I am just wondering, what's with the big bag?" Elise asked Eijin, curious about the reason behind his large bag.
Eijin's brows furrowed, and his ears turned red. A nerve seemed to twitch from his left temple. Little did Elise know, the bag actually contained Mara's belongings.
"Oh, don't mind that," Mara interjected once more, a mischievous smile on her face. "I told him to just carry some clothes and important stuff, i didn't expect him to carry lots of things," she added playfully.
Rachel struggled to contain her laughter, finding the situation quite amusing. Eijin leaned closer to Rachel and whispered, "I don't even need to bring underwear. My symbiotes can provide me with any clothes I desire."
Rachel couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.
"Thank you so much, guys, for granting me this," Elise stated gratefully as they walked near the beach. In order to reach their lodge, they needed to pass by the beach.
"What are you talking about, friend?" Mara interjected. "Believe me, it should be us thanking you. We've been planning this for a long time, but we just couldn't seem to make it happen. It's true what they say, sometimes the best outings are the ones that are unplanned," she added with a smile.
Rachel and Eijin couldn't help but smile at Mara's excitement. "This is perfect!" Mara exclaimed with enthusiasm.
However, Mara's loud voice caught the attention of some guests they passed by. Among them were five stunning and voluptuous girls in two-piece bikinis, sunbathing on folding beds. Two of the girls noticed them and looked their way.
Mara's eyes widened in surprise, while Rachel and Eijin were taken aback. They recognized three of the girls, they were the Shadowstrike.
Mara, Rachel, and Eijin exchanged casual glances, sensing a bit of tension in the air. Mara quickly opened a telepathic link with Rachel and Eijin. "It's those Shadowbitches!" Mara stated, her tone revealing a touch of jealousy. Rachel smirked, aware of Mara's feelings towards them. Eijin, on the other hand, tried to avoid Mara's piercing stares and continued walking. Rachel followed suit, while Elise sensed that something was amiss. Eventually, Mara reluctantly followed, her cheeks burning red.
"What's with them?" Calista asked, her annoyance evident in her tone as she referred to Mara's loud voice.
"I thought this place was exclusively reserved just for us," Mika chimed in, sharing Calista's sentiment.
"Well, I guess they were rich enough to secure a reservation here too," Michelle declared with a hint of sarcasm.
"Girls, let's just ignore them and enjoy the place," Kristine interjected, her voice laced with a touch of irritation. "The whole place is so large, we can't occupy all of it."
"But the boy is so cute!" Mika exclaimed, her cheeks turning pink.
Calista nodded in agreement. "Look at those toned abs," she added, her face also flushing with color.
Suddenly, Rinoah got up and headed towards the ocean. Without hesitation, she dove in. Calista and Michelle's jaws dropped in disbelief as they witnessed Rinoah swim a distance of at least 100 meters in just a matter of seconds.
Michelle couldn't contain her laughter. "Have you forgotten? She's a merman hybrid," she declared, causing everyone to burst into laughter together.