<h4>Chapter 13: Emerald Isle</h4>


    "What the fuck?!" M''s eyes widened, excitement lighting up her face. "You''re kidding, right?"


    "Nope." I said, holding out my hand for her to take. "The boat''s all ready, and the ind''s waiting. What do you say?"


    Mughed, shaking her head in slight shock. "H - how? How did you get ess?"


    "Let''s just say I''m a friend of the family." I said, shing her a grin.


    "You really know how to pull out all the stops, don''t you?" Sheughed.


    I shrugged, enjoying her reaction. "What can I say? I''m full of surprises."


    She took my hand, stepping out of the car. I held out my elbow like a gentleman and she took it with augh. "Off we go, mademoiselle."


    When you calm down to think about it, you''ll understand her shock.


    Emerald Ind belonged to my sister, Jenny, and that made it both popr and exclusive.


    It was popr because it belonged to one of the daughters of the richest man in the continent, who was very active on social media.


    And it was exclusive because it wasn''t easy to set foot in there. You had to be personally invited. Whenever Jenny threw her famous Emerald party every year, there were Alist celebrities who always wished they''d been invited.


    Compared to them, M was a small fry and there was no way she would have ever gotten an invite to Emerald Isle. By taking her there, I will cement my status as a crazy but quietly rich guy.


    My invitation to the country club will be an afterthought to her. In fact, she''ll be honored to bring me into the club.


    Together, we entered the boat and helped her sit down before taking my ce at the helm. I hit the ignition, the engine purring to life.


    Thank God I didn''t have to learn how to ride a boat as Nico Voss. It was trivially easy to pull the boat away from the dock and towards the open water.


    As I drove, M stood, stretching her hands. The breeze caught her hair as she looked out at the ocean, her face full of awe.


    I watched her for a moment, appreciating the way the light of the sunset highlighted her beautiful features. This felt right. Exactly like everything had been leading to this moment.


    As the boat roared over the water and the city slowly pulled away behind us, M leaned back, her body rxed, and I could tell she was soaking in every bit of the experience.


    "This is incredible." M said, pulling out her phone. She turned towards the city, positioning her phone for the perfect shot. "I don''t think I''ve ever seen the city from this perspective."


    I smiled, keeping one hand on the steering wheel. "You get used to it after a while." I shrugged like it wasn''t a big deal when in reality, even I don''t get this kind of view regrly.


    She nced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, do you? Just casually cruising to private inds all the time, huh?"


    I chuckled. "Not all the time. But enough to know it''s better than sitting in traffic."


    Mughed at that, shaking her head. "Well, you''ve got a point there. If this is your idea of amute, I''m definitely jealous."


    I shrugged, saying nothing. Taking her to Emerald Isle would be like showing her my credentials. There''s no way an ordinary man would be able to get in.


    It wasn''t long before we spotted Emerald Isle ahead. She squealed at the sight of it and couldn''t resist snapping a few pictures, including a selfie with the ind in the background.


    Emerald Isle was aptly named because apart from the mansion, there was green everywhere. With grass carpeting the floor and trees providing shade, it really did look like an emerald from a distance.


    In a few minutes, I had the boat docked. "We''re here." I stepped out of the boat, offering her a hand. "Wee to Emerald Isle."


    "I''m impressed, Nico." She took my hand, stepping onto the dock with augh. "And here I thought we were just going to a park or something."


    Iughed. "Trust me, this is much better."


    We were greeted by the ind''s security and my heart drummed in my chest as the guys scrutinized us.


    Luckily, they were able to recognize me on sight and allowed us entrance. It had, after all, not been that long since I''d been here.


    n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    We walked up a narrow path that cut through the trees, leading toward the mansion which stood at the middle of the ind.


    The house was stunning, with its all white coloring and modern design.


    "Wow. This ce is even more incredible in person." Her eyes were taking in every detail. "I can''t believe you know Jenny Voss personally."


    "Well, we do run in the same circles." I shook my head, keeping my smile casual. "All you need to know is that I have ess to it for today."


    She gave me a yful shove. "Mysterious as always."


    Once we reached the house, I led her out to the back where the real magic was.


    The view opened up to a small, private beach,plete with white sand, the ocean sparkling as thest rays of sunlight reflected off it. A perfect spot for our pic.


    I spread out a nket, gesturing for M to sit down as I unpacked the basket I''d brought from the boat.


    I fished the pastries out of the basket, serving them on paper tes. M took one and curiously bit into it. She moaned in pleasure as I worked the cork off the wine ss.


    As I poured us each a ss of wine, she swallowed her mouthful and turned to me with curiosity. "These pastries are amazing. Where did you get them?"


    I grinned, leaning back on the nket. "There''s this little bakery, hidden away in the city. No grand signs, no advertising. You kind of have to know it''s there."


    Her eyes widened. "Wow, I''ve never heard of it. And I thought I knew all the best spots."


    "If you treat me right, I might just take you there." I grinned at her.