Chapter 246: Chapter 246: At the Villa Entrance, a Woman Throws Herself into Adrian’s Arms
Sunlight spilled across the deck, and the teakwood floor radiated a dry warmth, mingling with the faint scent of sea salt and sunscreen.
Wren Sutton narrowed her eyes in comfort, like a cat being stroked the right way.
Once her hair stopped dripping, Adrian Lancaster fetched a wide-brimmed straw hat and carefully placed it on her head. He stole a kiss from the corner of her lips before turning to dry his own hair.
Just then, the captain approached and respectfully asked for instructions.
"Mr. Lancaster, according to our preset route, there’s an excellent snorkeling spot not far ahead, famous for its sea turtle and ray sightings. Shall we proceed as planned?"
Adrian Lancaster looked at Wren Sutton, his eyes asking the question for him.
The spark of curiosity immediately rekindled in Wren Sutton’s eyes, and she nodded vigorously.
The Syward started up again, moving a little faster this time.
Twenty minutes later, the yacht slowed and came to a stop beside an area where the sea’s surface was a distinctly darker shade.
They were far from the main island, surrounded by nothing but vast turquoise waves and an azure sky. It was so quiet they could hear the faint whine of the wind blowing past the mast.
The two of them put their gear back on. Wren Sutton’s movements were noticeably more proficient this time; she could even adjust the tightness of her own mask strap.
An appreciative smile in his eyes, Adrian Lancaster got into the water first, then turned and opened his arms.
"Come on."
Wren Sutton took a deep breath. This time, she didn’t hesitate, her backward entry into the water far more decisive than before.
Adrian Lancaster caught her steadily, feeling that her body was no longer tense but relaxed with a trusting ease.
He took her hand and made a gesture to descend.
Together, they submerged their faces in the water.
The visibility here was even better. Sunlight penetrated the water almost without obstruction, illuminating the seabed with crystal clarity.
Unlike the coral-filled "jungle" from before, this place was more like a vast "prairie."
It was mainly a flat, sandy floor dotted with massive reefs.
Before they had swum far, Adrian Lancaster gave Wren Sutton’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Looking in the direction he indicated, Wren Sutton was so surprised she nearly forgot to breathe.
An enormous green sea turtle was gliding leisurely above the sandy bottom, about five or six meters below them.
Its strokes were slow yet powerful, exuding a serene composure honed by the passage of time.
Sunlight danced on its patterned carapace, and every line looked as if it were carved with the stories of the ocean.
A few brightly colored wrasse swam alongside it like loyal guards.
They held their breath, suspended in the water, not daring to disturb the serene scene.
The sea turtle seemed to sense their gaze, turning its head slightly to "look" at them with its calm, ancient black eyes.
Then, just as unconcernedly, it resumed its patrol, slowly disappearing behind the shadow of a reef.
Before she could recover from the awe of the turtle encounter, a flat shadow, like a dark gray cloak, glided silently over the sand on the other side.
It was an eagle ray.
Its wingspan was over a meter wide, the edges rippling slightly as if it were flying through the water, trailing a long, thin tail behind it.
It glided close to the sandy floor with incredible elegance, like a silent underwater ballet.
As it passed through a sunlit patch of water, Wren Sutton could even see the pearl-like white spots scattered across its back.
The ray seemed shyer than the turtle. Upon sensing their movement, it gave a sudden flap of its wings, stirring up a small cloud of sand.
It then sped up, vanishing like a ghost into the deeper blue water.
These two consecutive encounters with ocean giants made Wren Sutton’s heart pound in her chest with a mix of excitement and awe.
She turned to look at Adrian Lancaster and could see the same wonder and a smiling glimmer in his eyes, even through his mask.
He gave her a thumbs-up.
Wren Sutton beamed, as happy as a child.
The two of them lingered in the water for a long while.
They watched clownfish play among the anemones, saw blue-and-yellow striped fish streak past like ribbons, and even spotted a stonefish camouflaged as a rock...
Only when the water began to feel cool and their energy was nearly spent did the two of them reluctantly surface.
Back on the boat, Wren Sutton didn’t even bother to dry herself off before grabbing Adrian Lancaster’s arm, her eyes sparkling as she spoke several shades faster than usual.
"Did you see that? The turtle, I think it looked at me."
Adrian Lancaster wrapped her in a large towel, listening with a smile as she described everything, nodding in agreement from time to time.
"I saw. It was very friendly."
He knew that no eloquent description could compare to even a fraction of what she had seen and experienced for herself.
The sun began its quiet descent, dyeing the horizon and the sea in magnificent hues of rose-gold and crimson.
The Syward turned and began its journey back.
Adrian Lancaster led Wren Sutton to the sofa on the foredeck and opened the bottle of champagne that had been kept on ice.
With a soft POP, delicate foam bubbled out.
He poured two glasses, handing one to her.
The sea breeze grew gentle, carrying the unique warmth of dusk.
The yacht sailed toward the island, leaving a wake of shattered gold in its path.
Adrian Lancaster put his arm around Wren Sutton’s shoulder, letting her lean against him.
Neither of them spoke. They quietly watched the sun sink below the distant horizon, watching the clouds across the sky fade from brilliant gold and red to a gentle lavender-pink.
Their glasses clinked, producing a crisp, clear sound.
"A toast to today," Adrian Lancaster said softly.
"Cheers," Wren Sutton added. "And to all the days to come."
The distant calls of gulls returning to their nests could be heard, and the island’s silhouette grew clearer in the twilight.
The golden light of the setting sun slanted across the pier as the yacht docked smoothly.
Adrian Lancaster helped Wren Sutton down the gangway of the Syward.
The driver had been waiting on the shore for some time.
"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster, please get in the car."
On the way back to the villa, Wren Sutton leaned on Adrian Lancaster’s shoulder, watching the shadows of palm trees flash past the window. Drowsiness crept over her face, and her eyelids grew heavy.
"If you’re tired, just sleep. Don’t force yourself to stay awake."
Adrian Lancaster’s considerate, gentle voice sounded beside her ear.
Wren Sutton nodded, but said, "It’s not comfortable sleeping sitting up. I’ll sleep in bed when we get back."
A dozen or so minutes later, the familiar sights of the villa complex came into view, and the car came to a steady stop in the courtyard.
Adrian Lancaster got out first, walked around to the other side to open Wren Sutton’s door, and helped her out.
Hand in hand, they walked side by side up the stone path toward the main house.
They had taken no more than a few steps when a figure suddenly darted out from behind the lush tropical bushes to the side.
"Adrian!"
The voice was clear, ringing with unconcealed joy and urgency.
Carried on a gust of perfume, the figure practically lunged forward, throwing herself straight into Adrian Lancaster’s arms and wrapping her own tightly around his waist.
Adrian Lancaster’s body went rigid, giving him no time to refuse.
He subconsciously tried to step back but was held in a tight grip.
The person in his arms looked up, revealing a delicately made-up, charming face with glistening eyes. It was Maya Marshall.
