So… the "surprise" Dad was talking about?
Yeah.
It was not small.
It was not normal.
It was—
"We're going where?" I asked, blinking at him.
"To Jeju," he said like he just told us we were going to the grocery store.
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
All of us.
At once.
The flight, the ride, everything after that felt like a dream.
And then we arrived.
I stepped out and froze.
The air felt different—fresh, soft, a little salty from the ocean breeze. The sky stretched wide and clear, and everything looked like it had been painted.
"Okay…" I whispered. "This is illegal. Places shouldn't look this pretty."
In the distance, the coastline curved beautifully, waves rolling in like they had all the time in the world.
It was Hamdeok Beach.
And then—
The villa.
I stared.
And stared.
And stared some more.
"Dad," I said slowly, "did you buy a mansion?"
"It's just a villa," he said casually.
JUST???
The place was huge.
Modern, glass walls, wide balconies, clean white and wooden designs, and a view that could literally cure sadness.
It was big enough for ten people.
Which was perfect because—
There were ten of us.
Me
.Jake.
Liam.
Mark.
Ethan.
Nena.
Luca.
Emma.
Mom.
Dad.
Liam walked in first and spun around dramatically.
"Wow. I live here now."
"You don't," Jake said.
"I emotionally do," Liam replied.
Emma clapped softly. "This place is beautiful."
Nena grabbed my arm. "Ayana, if I disappear, just know I chose this life."
Mark nodded once, looking around. "Not bad."
"Not bad?" I repeated. "Mark, this is insanely good."
Luca walked slowly, eyes wide, clearly impressed but trying to act calm.
Then Mom crossed her arms and looked at Dad.
"Why would you spend this much money? huh?"
Ah.
Here we go.
Dad smiled a little.
"I haven't been with my family for a long time," he said quietly. "I wanted to make it up."
The room softened.
Then—smoothly—he slid an arm around her waist.
And this time?
She didn't push him away.
She leaned into him slightly.
I blinked.
Oh.
Oh we're healing healing.
Jake looked away like he saw something illegal.
Liam whispered, "Character development."
I elbowed him.
"Alright," Dad clapped once. "Everyone gets a room."
We froze.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yep."
That's all he had to say.
"ROOMS!!!" Liam shouted.
And just like that—
Chaos.
Everyone ran in different directions.
Jake was already halfway up the stairs.
Nena dragged me along.
"WE NEED THE BEST ROOM!"
"EXCUSE ME? I LIVE HERE TOO!" I laughed.
Mark walked calmly like he already knew he'd win somehow.
Ethan… just walked. No rush. Still composed.
Of course.
I finally found mine.
And when I opened the door—
I stopped.
"Wow…"
It was perfect.
Soft colors. Clean. Cozy but elegant.
And then—
The balcony.
I walked out slowly.
The view hit me instantly.
Ocean stretching endlessly.
Wind brushing softly against my face.
The kind of view that makes you forget everything bad ever happened.
I leaned against the railing, smiling to myself.
"Yeah… I could get used to this."
Soon—
"Lunch time!" Liam's voice echoed somewhere in the villa.
Of course it was him.
I changed quickly into something light and beachy—not too much, just comfortable.
And before anyone says anything—
No, not those tiny, dramatic beach outfits.
We're being decent.
This is a kid-friendly story.
Relax.
I stepped out and met the others.
Everyone looked relaxed.
Happy.
Alive.
And for once—
No chaos.
Well…
Except Liam trying to steal snacks before lunch.
"Liam!" Nena shouted.
"I'm just testing the food!" he defended.
Jake sighed.
Mark shook his head.
Ethan stood nearby, quiet as always—but his eyes flickered toward me for a second.
Just to check.
Still there.
Still okay.
I smiled slightly.
Lunch was… a whole experience.
We were seated at a long table set right by the edge of the villa—half balcony, half open space facing the ocean.
The waves rolled in softly below, the breeze light and cool, and the sound of the water made everything feel calm.
Too calm.
Like something peaceful was suspicious.
Servants moved around quietly, placing dishes one after another.
"Wow," Liam whispered, already reaching for food. "This is luxury."
"Control yourself," Mark muttered.
"I am controlling myself," Liam said, already eating.
Jake leaned back in his chair, looking way too comfortable.
"Not bad, Mr. Ronson," he said.
Dad—okay, still getting used to that—smiled slightly.
"It's the least I can do."
We all started eating, talking over each other, the mood light.
And then—
I noticed something.
I blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Why are you all shirtless?" I asked.
The boys looked at me like it was obvious.
"It's a beach day," Liam said proudly.
"Yeah," Jake added. "We're celebrating."
Mark nodded once. "Makes sense."
I stared at them.
"Absolutely not."
Nena leaned toward me and whispered, "Ignore them. We still have dignity."
"Exactly," I said. "We're covered. Respectfully covered."
Emma nodded politely.
"Appropriately covered."
I gestured at them.
"They're just… walking confidence issues."
"Hey!" Liam protested.
Jake smirked.
Ethan said nothing.
Of course.
He just sat there, calm, eating like this was completely normal.
I looked away.
Moving on.
"Tonight," Dad said, cutting through the chatter, "we're going to play a game."
Liam immediately looked interested.
"What kind of game?"
"It's called 'Guess the Song,'" he said. "I'll explain it later tonight."
"Is there a prize?" Liam asked.
"There is if you win."
"I'm winning," Liam said confidently.
"No, you're not," Jake replied.
"Yes, I am."
"No."
"Yes."
Mark sighed. "We're not even playing yet."
Then—
I felt it.
A glance.
I turned slightly.
Ethan was looking at me.
Not intense.
Just… checking.
"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly.
"My back?" I blinked.
Oh.
Right.
That.
"I actually forgot about it," I admitted.
He frowned slightly.
"That's not good."
"It means I'm fine," I said quickly. "I feel better."
He studied me for a second.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
Simple.
But he didn't look fully convinced.
Suddenly, Nena stood up.
"I'm done," she said. "I'll be by the water."
"Okay," I said.
But I noticed something.
Jake's gaze followed her.
Very clearly.
Very suspiciously.
She walked away, her steps light, her hair bouncing with each movement.
And Jake—
Stood up.
"I'll… be by the water too."
I slowly turned my head toward him.
"…Sus."
Mark snorted.
Liam whispered, "Very sus."
Jake ignored all of us and walked off anyway.
Dad then turned to Mom.
"I need to show you something I got for you."
Mom raised a brow.
"What did you buy?"
"Just come."
She sighed but stood up.
"Alright."
And just like that—
They left too.
Mark leaned back in his chair, glancing around.
"Great," he muttered. "Everyone's disappearing."
He turned his head slightly.
Luca had already stood up quietly.
"I'll be inside," Luca said.
Mark nodded once.
"Yeah."
Then stood up and followed him.
Of course.
Now it was just—
Liam and Emma.
And me.
And Ethan.
Liam leaned closer to Emma, whispering something that made her laugh softly.
He handed her a drink.
She smiled.
He smiled.
They both looked like they were in their own little world.
"…Okay," I muttered. "That's cute."
Then I turned.
Ethan was still beside me.
Quiet.
Watching the ocean.
Then he glanced at me.
"Wanna take a walk?" he asked.
Simple.
Calm.
Like always.
I smiled slightly.
"Sure."
And just like that—
We both stood up.
Leaving the table behind.
Walking toward the shore.