Chapter 622 - California Business Trip Part 1

Gabriel reached her daughter's hand as they walked toward the waiting limousine. The valet opened the door for them, and she entered first and went to the seat and settled. She took the champagne and opened it. Gabriel sat on the other side and he took out his phone to call someone.

"Wifey, we are at the airport. Where do you want to meet us tomorrow?"

"Secret. I'll surprise you."

"I don't like surprises."

"You do. I'll meet you tomorrow."

"Okay. I love you." Gabriel mumbled.

"I love you more," Sabrina responded and he hung up.

"Isn't it too early to drink that?" Gabriel frowned at her.

"I am thirsty." She told and then, she took the champagne flute and a long silver needed and place it there as she poured the champagne on it.

"Your mom is somewhere in New York." He told. "She'll be with us tomorrow."

"How about the triplets? Who is attending them?"

"They are big boys. No need for a nanny." He took out the business magazine and flipped it.

After confirming that the champagne is not poisonous, she put away the needle and sipped on the cold champagne.

"Do you want to go somewhere before we go straight to our hotel?"

"I don't know." She shrugged.

"Let's eat first."

They are in Los Angeles California. There's a beach, bars, hotels… the typical city. They stopped on a restaurant that her father reserved for and they walked in and the host escorted them to the best seat.

They order their food and she only ordered something that she could eat. Something light will do.

"Well, meet the board tomorrow. Are you ready?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, always ready." She nodded.

Gabriel looked around and sighed.

"You seemed depressed for the past few days." He noted.

"I am fine." She said casually.

"Okay, if you say so."

*****

Zendaya's eyes widen to the secret paradise. There's a white tiger. It's gigantic and Fin hugged it and the big cat played with Fin and wanted to cuddle to him by lifting the paws. 

Then, they went to the very middle near the entrance of the cave. Andromeda, Freya, and Fin cut their palm and the blood dropped on some table as it moved and then they went to the cave and it opened.

"Wow," Zendaya mumbled. Andy winked at her. Fin took out a lighter and lightened the torches. Her eyes wandered around, and they entered closer and her eyes couldn't believe it. The statue in the very middle is her mother. The young version of her and she seemed like holding something.

Andy took out the scroll and put it back there. It glows in a golden way and then each of the statues has treasures. She checked the statue of her dad beside her mom holding a sword and shield. Then, there's the statue of Freya, Dmitri, and Fin. They are three Phoenix that could see the catastrophe. Then, there's Andel and Moira. Moira is holding an archer and Andel is holding a book.

"When did you build this?" She asked.

"It was built centuries ago," Freya said and she touched the carvings of the year.

"Holy shit! This is real." It was indeed centuries ago.

"Phoenix and Dragon exist. Your mother is the keeper of dragons, your father is the Lion and Tiger to protect the paradise and we are the Phoenix. But somehow, we were raid and lots of deaths and few only escapes. Your mom and dad from their past life died and then reincarnated."

Fin stand in his statue and he knelt bent down and took out a phoenix brooch that is made of gold.

Zendaya went to her mother's chests full of golds, gems, and other treasures. She reached the Dragon brooch. Then, she went to her dad's and took out the Lion brooch.

"Can I take this?" She asked.

"Yeah, sure." Andy nodded.

"I think I need to give one to Tim. So, he'll be secured."

Andy chuckled.

"Secured that no one would take him or snatch him from you."

"Yup." She nodded.

****

Laurence stood from his swivel chair and went to his father's thread mill. He started walking and adjust it and then walked faster.

"We have a meeting in thirty minutes," Percy told him.

"Yeah—yeah. This is supposed to be a vacation, but I don't understand why I should work with you."

"You are good at programming and organizing and doing some shits in business," Percy told him. "Soon, you have to help your sister get into college or wherever college she like."

"She like Juilliard's," Laurence told him.

"Are you sure about that? That's far away from us."

"I know, dad. But I think she wanted to ask for all of your suggestions. She loves music and she's a great composer. But somehow, after accidentally saw few notes, the tuition is very expensive."

"We could send her to Juilliard if she wanted. Money is not the problem, but her security."

"We can always have her bodyguard around."

"I can visit her and take over New York for a while." He suggested. "Maybe after she graduates or something. Uncle Andrew wanted to go on a trip but it will be long years. Maybe eight years before she goes off to college. Don't worry, dad, you'll still have time to be with her."

"It's not a problem. Esme is a very sweet and bright child. Your mom adored her so much."

"I adore her too. Such a cute sister." Laurence told. Percy only shrugged.

After thirty minutes, they went to the conference room and Zachary is only online. He said that he's busy organizing the laboratory that was made for Cyra. So, they discuss lots of things and Andrew with his wife is across the country to check other businesses.

It didn't take time after all of the work is done. And he finally drove his motorbike back home following his dad. His dad likes driving a motorbike since it'll be very convenient for traffic. Since his mom is pregnant, his dad always got off from work earlier and would buy whatever she craved for first. He rarely took overtime, unless it's needed.

"Laurence!" Esme jumped from the sofa and she hugged him. He kissed her forehead and then, baby Zayne is standing at Ash's thighs while she's holding him under his arm. He also looked excited.

"Hi, Zayne!" Laurence kissed his forehead and then, his mom.

"You didn't bring anything?" Esme asked.

"I forgot." He patted her head. Then, Percy arrived, and Esme greeted him. Percy kissed her head and then he approached Zayne and kissed his forehead. Percy took baby Zayne and his eyes widen.

"Wow, he's so heavy."

"He loves eating," Ashaya said and she stood. "I'll prepare for dinner. Laurence, change your clothes."

Esme followed Laurence upstairs.

"You didn't bring any?" Esme asked with a creased brow.

"I forgot, I'm sorry." He patted her head. "I get it by tomorrow."

She sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I should've just bought it a while ago."

"I will buy it." He insisted. 

"Whatever." She mumbled and left.

"Hey, don't be grumpy!" Laurence chuckled.

*****

Athena couldn't fall asleep the whole night. Jet lag. So, she went out for some air. There's also a bar across the street and his father followed her. She went to the bar with her dad and her ID as twenty years old.

"You couldn't sleep too?" Gabriel asked.

"Yeah." Their two bodyguards followed them, and they went to the bar to order their drinks.

"I knew that you'll go here so, I keep track of you."

Athena scoffed.

"Los Angeles is dangerous, sweetie."

"I know. I can take care of myself."

"I know that you can. But there are lots of tricks in the bar."

"I am good at observing." She told.

"Okay. I got it."

Someone just came and kissed her dad in the lips. She looked away and shook her head. Seriously? Even in public? She looked at her mother wearing a wig and she smiled at dad seductively.

"So, this is your surprise? Going to the bar and wearing so little?" Gabriel asked dangerously to his wife.

"I was going to surprise you because I know that you'll go here to unwind. But I didn't know that Athena is here." Sabrina grinned.

"Mom, please, you look younger than me." She gritted. Sabrina laughed and she wrapped her arms around Gabriel's waist. "I'll have fun with your dad, and you stay here. Okay?" Then Sabrina looked at their bodyguards just near them. "Stay with Athena."

"Yes, Ma'am." They nodded.

She watched as her mom acted like a young a.d.u.l.t. They dance on the dance floor and her mother is dancing to seduce her dad. Geez. This is the worst California Business Trip ever.

"Rum." She told the barman and the barman nodded and make her a Rum. She sipped on it and watched as her parent's kiss on the dance floor. Her mother looked younger than her age wearing that. Fair skin and firm. No one would think that she's a mother at all.

She finished her Rum and asked for another and some cashews. A man sat on the stool beside her and her bodyguard move closer.

"Can I buy you a drink?" The man asked.

"I am a billionaire. I don't need someone to buy me a drink." She said casually and glared at the man. The man chuckled and nodded.