Chapter 8

• The three girls from New Zealand didn’t fall for Jeremy White. That was completely new and surprisingly refreshing for him. Sure, it blew his ego a little, but he didn’t think about that too much since he was too busy being smitten by one of the sisters, the eldest one named Chandra.
• To say she was pretty was an understatement. She was gorgeous, with long glossy hair and glowing smooth skin, beautiful eyes, and lips he couldn’t stop thinking about. Jeremy knew he wanted to date her the moment he laid eyes on her.
• They were sitting around the dining table in the kitchen now, listening to Jeremy’s glowing plan for what was to come in this block of Bay View Avenue. High-rise hotel and resort with five-star service. Luxurious rooms, swimming pools, restaurants, spas, and an exclusive beach for the guests. As for the sisters, they could move out of this tumbledown house, which of course would cost them the earth to renovate, if that was indeed their plan.
• “Jeremy, that sounds marvelous,” Chan said.
• “But we just moved here, you know,” Soriya, the third sister, said, staring at the files before them. “I mean, we need time to find a new place to move into.”
• “We need at least a couple months before the handover,” Chan said.
• Jeremy wasn’t listening. His train of thought was lost as his gaze rested on Chan. Obviously, he’d already forgotten Soriya was telling him they couldn’t move out of the house until much later than he wanted them to.
• “Jeremy?” Chan asked, finally drawing his attention back to the present.
• Jeremy chuckled at his own inability to stay focused. He wasn’t usually like this. He’d always been on the ball when working. Apparently, this was the exception where Chandra Chandler was concern, and he wondered if that was going to be a problem for him.
• “Yes, no problem,” he said enthusiastically. “We can certainly extend the takeover date.”
• “That’s good,” Chan said. “How about we discuss the dates on Monday? It gives me and my sisters some time to think things over.”
• “Sure thing,” Jeremy replied.
• Everything sorted, the sisters waited patiently for him to pack up and leave, but Jeremy seemed oblivious to that fact. He was still gazing at Chan when Soriya coughed loudly to get his attention. Dara tried to hide her laughter but failed and ended up choking on the air she’d just breathed in instead.
• It was indeed rare to find a guy so into their sister upon first meeting, and Dara and Soriya found it rather amusing. Then again, the sisters had hardly ever met the opposite sex since they’d always kept to themselves. It was safer that way, especially after what they’d been through.
• Jeremy still refused to acknowledge the fact that he was supposed to leave. It was then Dara decided to start a conversation.
• “You know, it’s going to be troublesome finding a new place to live.” She scrunched her face in distaste. “Every apartment around here costs an arm and a leg. And the ones we can afford I bet are rat holes just like this one.”
• Soriya said mildly, “We can always sell your arm and leg if push comes to shove.”
• Chan laughed, which drew Jeremy’s attention. He liked her laughter. It was sweet and soft, humble.
• He cleared his throat and said, “If you girls are having trouble, I’d only be happy to help. I know a good apartment that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”
• He was lying. This particular one he was thinking of did cost an arm and a leg. It belonged to his cousin Sam Harrington. The place, however, hadn’t been occupied in three years, so he figured it should be all right. Hence, he continued, “It’s a great apartment. Eighth floor. Nice view of the beach and the city.”
• “Seriously?” Chan asked. “You’re even going to help us find a new place to live?” She paused and then cocked her head to one side. “Wait. Are you sure you’re not doing this to make sure we don’t change our mind about selling the house?” she teased.
• Dara rolled her eyes. Obviously, their sister was blind as a bat. The guy was bending over backward to help them because he liked her.
• Soriya said, “I like you, Jeremy.”
• “Yeah, me too,” Dara said. “How about you help us find an apartment? That way you get the house that much quicker?”
• Jeremy folded his arms across his chest and nodded. “You won’t be disappointed,” he said, vowing to himself he’d get the girls Sam’s apartment come hell or high water. Then he reluctantly left a few minutes later.
• Dara and Soriya went about cooking dinner while Chan was in her bedroom, doing some serious thinking.
• ***
• Two Months Later
• Their new home was up on the eighth floor of the Sunset Tower just out of Surfers Paradise, one of the most prestigious sets of apartments in the Gold Coast. Of course, Chan and her sisters just couldn’t believe their luck, and this was all thanks to Jeremy White.
• On one side, the apartment had great views overlooking the beach and sapphire sea beyond and a beautiful inner courtyard on the other. There were lush greens in the tropical garden with mini waterfalls and a large swimming pool in the center where they could enjoy themselves as they pleased. Their two-story dwelling was spacious, light, and tastefully decorated to a high caliber. Something Chan had always dreamed about, but never had the chance to possess until now.
• There was a large foyer at the entrance that led to the open-plan living area and kitchen on the left. The living area itself had a French double door that opened into the courtyard, likewise with nine other apartments on this floor. To the right of the foyer was a formal lounge, which they could use to entertain their friends, and a study, which Chan would be using as her drawing and writing studio. On the second floor, there were three bedrooms, one overlooking the courtyard and two toward the sea. Chan chose the bedroom that overlooked the courtyard, which she’d fallen in love with on first sight. There was just that something cozy about a courtyard view.
• Dara and Soriya, on the other hand, took the ones that overlooked the sea, since they liked the spaciousness and openness of the view.
• The moving and unpacking didn’t take them long, as the sisters didn’t have a lot of belongings. Now Chan stood in her bedroom, smiling to herself with satisfaction as she’d just finished setting everything up.
• The new queen-size bed was tastefully furnished with a dark purple and silver damask cover set. A bedside lamp in the form of an intricately designed elephant sat to the right and a vase of peonies to the left. On the other end of the room stood shelves filled with her books and next to that were two chest of drawers for her clothes. On the opposite side of the wall, near the window that overlooked the courtyard, she had her study desk with a laptop, art display tablet, and notebooks and pens.
• She sighed and threw herself on the bed, smiling because she could finally rest. Her smile, however, was short-lived when she once again remembered Dave’s messages. She closed her eyes and told herself he’d never find them now. They had sold the house. She’d changed her phone number. There was nothing to worry about.
• “Chan!” Dara’s voice boomed out from downstairs. “Come on. We’re starving.”
• “And there’s no way I’m cooking after this moving and setting up the apartment,” Soriya said loudly. “I’m beat. We’re going to yum cha. Get yourself down here and pronto!”
• Chan chuckled. Soriya’s tone of voice was so demanding, as per her usual when she was hungry. Then again, yum cha was her favorite food, and she’d go crazy if she didn’t get to have it once every couple of weeks.
• Chan got up from the bed, grabbed her satchel, and headed out the door.
• “Coming,” she called out as she came down the stairs, just in case the sisters were wondering what was taking her so long to respond to their demand.
• “About time,” Soriya said the moment she saw Chan. She grabbed her sister by the wrist even before Chan’s feet could land on the last step and dragged her toward the door.