Chapter 24: Matchmaking 2

Dorah and Agnes alighted from the taxi, both taking a moment to admire the picturesque scenery that greeted them. The warm sun glinted off the glass of the resort buildings, and the air smelled faintly of flowers and sea breeze. 'Wow, I can feel my spirit lifting already," Dorah exclaimed, removing her sunglasses and soaking in the view. Agnes chuckled at her daughter's enthusiasm and motioned toward the entrance. 'Come on, let's go. We haven't even checked in yet." 'I can't wait to explore this place," Dorah said, practically bouncing with excitement. 'Let's settle into our room first before you start imagining things," Agnes replied with a smile. 'Okay, Mum," Dorah said with mock obedience, grinning as she followed her mother inside. Later, inside their suite, Dorah let out a delighted squeal as she pressed the remote control and the curtains glided open. 'Oh my God," she breathed, her eyes widening. 'The view here is amazing. Like, geez!" She darted toward the window, unlocked the sliding door, and stepped out onto the veranda. A soft breeze tousled her hair as she leaned over the rail, staring at the horizon where the sun kissed the ocean's edge. 'Mum! You need to check this out!" she called excitedly. 'I'm arranging our clothes," Agnes's voice replied from within the room. 'I love it here," Dorah said to herself, spreading her arms wide and inhaling deeply. 'This is what peace feels like." 'I should be the one enjoying this place, not you," Agnes teased from inside. Dorah stepped back inside and shut the glass door behind her. 'Who on earth wouldn't enjoy this place?" she asked sarcastically, sauntering back into the room. 'You're the one refusing to loosen up. Come on, you only get to do this once in a lifetime!" She broke into a goofy dance, flailing her arms and twisting her hips in exaggerated movements. 'Oh no, not again. Not that dance, it's weird," Agnes said, laughing. Dorah joined her in laughter, both women clutching their stomachs from giggling. 'Alright, alright. Go freshen up so we can find something to eat," Agnes said once the laughter subsided. 'Yeah, sure. We are definitely going to have a lot of fun here. Mark my words," Dorah said, giving her mother a wink. Agnes raised a brow. 'What the heck are you planning now?" 'You should stop looking at me like I'm a criminal," Dorah replied with a chuckle. She picked up her phone from the bed and quickly sent a text to Jace: We already lodged in. Where are you guys? Jace replied almost immediately: We just alighted from the plane. We'll be there in a few minutes. Dorah smiled to herself and set her phone down. 'I'll go take a shower now," she announced, still brimming with excitement. Meanwhile, outside the airport, Jace stretched as he stepped out of the car he and his father had just rented. 'You see? I have good eyes for picking places," he said proudly. 'You got that from me, son," Joseph replied with a grin, giving his son a knuckle bump. He popped the trunk and began unloading their luggage. 'Let's check in, then maybe we can walk around a bit, see what this place has to offer." 'Sounds like a plan. I'm starving though let's grab something to eat too." 'We should book a table somewhere nice. I'm damn hungry," Joseph added as they entered the building. Just then, Jace's phone buzzed with a video call from the band. Max, Jason, and Ronald appeared on the screen. 'You guys there already?" Max asked. 'Yeah, just got here a few minutes ago," Jace said, switching to the back camera to show them a glimpse of the surroundings. 'It's really cool here." 'I wish I was there too," Ronald groaned. 'So you can be with Dorah, right?" Jason teased, squinting at the screen. 'Speaking of which, is Dorah there with you?" Max asked, peeking at the view. 'Shhh! Dad mustn't hear," Jace whispered, pressing a finger to his lips. 'I don't get why you guys are hiding this from your parents," Ronald said, rolling his eyes. 'You wouldn't understand. And no, we haven't met yet. But yeah, she's already here," Jace said. 'Ohh, okay," Max mouthed dramatically. 'Yo, Ronald, where are you headed looking all dressed up?" Jace asked, noticing his friend's polished look. 'I'm going to get groceries. Mum sent me out," Ronald replied. 'Groceries?" Jason repeated, eyes wide. 'You dressed like that to go grocery shopping?" 'You've got to be kidding," Max said, facepalming. 'What are you guys implying?" Ronald exclaimed. 'Baby, you good?" came his mom's voice from the background. 'I'm good!" he called back. 'Momma's boy," Jace teased. Jason leaned closer to the screen. 'Just tell us you're going on a date instead of making up grocery stories." Before Ronald could defend himself, Joseph called out, 'Jace, let's go." 'Guys, I've gotta go. Catch you later," Jace said. 'Send our regards to Dorah," Jason said with a wink. 'Sure thing," Jace responded, ending the call. 'So, we got the room now?" he asked his dad. 'We booked it earlier," Joseph said, jingling the keys. 'Then why did you stay that long at the front desk?" 'I saw you were busy, so I took my time. No rush," Joseph said with a smirk. 'Bro code, Dad," Jace said, laughing. 'No girlfriend, just flirting and protection, of course." 'Geez, how did I raise you into this? You're too naughty for your age," Joseph said, pretending to gag. 'Hey, I'm just being responsible. No stepmoms or step-siblings for me, please." Joseph chuckled. 'Yeah, I get it. Don't worry, I'm not ready for all that either." They stepped into the elevator, and as the doors closed, Jace asked, 'So, what do you feel like eating?" 'Anything. I'm so damn hungry, I could eat a horse." Jace laughed. The elevator dinged and opened again. 'What… What are you doing here?" Joseph said, stunned, as he caught sight of the people standing at the door.