Chapter 10 - THE SEA BREEZE
One year later.
Easter Sunday arrived once again under a brilliant, cloudless California sky.
The private owner's villa at Seaside Springs sat perched atop a secluded granite cliff, surrounded by wild coastal flowers, sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, and the gentle, rhythmic sound of crashing waves below.
There were no massive crystal vases of staged lilies. There were no snooty waiters or rigid dress codes.
On the wooden sun deck overlooking the ocean, my father was standing at an outdoor grill in a pair of comfortable shorts and a chef's apron, flipping burgers and laughing with Uncle Charles over a cold beer.
In the infinity pool, Daniel was playing splash-chicken with his kids, their joyful screams echoing off the glass walls of the villa.
Vanessa and my mother were sitting together on a outdoor lounge sofa, sipping iced tea, looking through a photo album from StyleHub's annual charity gala, where Vanessa had just been appointed head of corporate social responsibility.
I stood near the edge of the terrace, wearing a simple white sundress, feeling the warm ocean breeze sweep through my hair, a cool glass of lemonade in my hand.
Clara stepped out onto the deck from the villa's study, holding a slim tablet. She looked at the relaxed, laughing family, then walked over to me with a soft smile.
"Ms. Bennett," Clara said quietly. "The Q1 numbers for StyleHub Holdings just finalized. Earnings are up twenty-four percent across all divisions. And the board wants to know if you'll be attending the Tokyo summit in November."
I looked out at the ocean, then back at my family.
My father was proudly handing a slightly burnt burger to Vanessa, who took a big bite and declared it the best thing she had ever tasted. Daniel was lifting his son onto his shoulders, and my mother was laughing so hard she was wiping tears from her eyes.
"Tell the board I'll be in Tokyo," I said smoothly, taking a sip of lemonade. "But tell them I'm taking two weeks off first."
"Understood, boss," Clara smiled, tucking her tablet under her arm. "Happy Easter, Audrey."
"Happy Easter, Clara."
As Clara walked back inside, my sister Vanessa spotted me standing at the edge of the terrace. She set her drink down, walked over, and leaned against the wooden railing beside me, looking out at the glittering water.
"Pretty good view," Vanessa said softly.
"The best," I agreed.
Vanessa looked at me, a soft, loving smile on her face. She bumped her shoulder gently against mine.
"You know," Vanessa murmured, her eyes dancing with warm humor, "for someone who's 'too stupid to understand business'... you didn't do half bad."
I let out a soft laugh, turning to look at my sister.
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"Business is easy, Vanessa," I said, putting my arm around her shoulder as the golden afternoon light washed over us. "It's family that takes real work."
And as the waves rolled onto the shore below, surrounded by the people who had finally learned how to love each other, I knew that the work was finally complete.
