Chapter 181: Paradise?
"Honestly, you blew my mind. To have thought things through ahead of time. You are truly amazing."
Just then, Miles came down and saw the silent table, having missed the full gist of the conversation. He stared at them strangely, then led the stunned Jazmín out of the house, planning to stop by her house so she could change.
Meanwhile, after they left,
Hannah’s lips suddenly formed a smile.
"Yasmin, didn’t you want to connect? Come, I’ll link you up and see for yourself if they are worth it. Girls, dress up. We are going to this party."
"Why don’t you come and wait in the house while I change? It feels stuffy out here under the hot sun."
Just as he was about to recline his seat to wait for her, Jazmín halted halfway through the door and spoke while facing him.
"Huh?"
Miles blurted, his eyes asking if she was sure.
"Yeah. There’s no problem. Come with me."
Jazmín’s smile broadened with a youthful flirtatiousness to it, not expecting Miles to be so polite.
"Okay."
Piqued, Miles glanced at the summoned screen hovering in the air, his eyes flashing with interest as he stared at the 75% Infatuation Gauge beside Jazmín’s name. It was slowly rising.
A moment later, after inputting a series of codes, she pushed open the door and led him inside.
"Welcome to my humble abode. Wait, let me get you a refreshing glass of water."
She hurriedly spoke after seeing him sit on the couch, then rushed to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Miles studied the house interior, thinking it was actually the first time he had stepped into a neighbor’s house.
’Damn. Mr. Marcus was loaded.’
Seeing the grandiose patterns of gold, Miles compared it to the Sinclairs’ duplex.
’Our house is more like a sophisticated aesthetic model. But this, it’s outright extravagant and immersive.
Damn, Mr. Marcus is a top-class player.’
Miles added, knowing that with such a style, more girls were sure to be attracted by the wealthy atmosphere.
"Here."
Just then, Jazmín arrived beside him and handed him a glass of water.
"Thank you."
Miles bowed his head slightly in appreciation.
However, Jazmín refused to accept it and did the same before turning on her heels.
"Thank you. Just give me five minutes max."
’Damn.’
Miles stared at her ass with a smile before she disappeared from view.
Using the spare time, Miles brought out his phone and began chatting with Chloe, who responded almost instantly.
The texts mostly consisted of him asking how her day was going, her telling him she was doing nothing but reading dark romance novels, how they both missed each other, and a little more chit-chat. All in all, their relationship was developing at the right pace.
About seven minutes later, Jazmín came down with an apologetic smile, obviously having spent more than five minutes.
But Miles wasn’t disappointed. Growing up with stepsisters, based on his memories, thirty minutes to an hour was the usual preparation time.
Instead, he lowered his gaze to examine her outfit: a slim-fit tank top, ripped denim shorts, and simple sandals.
Sensing his gaze, Jazmín flirtatiously posed and, in the same jovial tone, asked,
"Do I look good enough... for a summer party?"
’...for you.’ She corrected inwardly, stretching her smile.
Miles nodded.
"More than."
He gave a two-word compliment that left Jazmín feeling proud.
"Hehehe."
She laughed and didn’t say anything more.
Soon they were back in the car and drove deeper into the estate toward its center.
Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum! Dum! We got parties like this thirty twelve tonight!...
After less than two minutes of driving, the blasting sound of music echoed from afar. Up ahead, Miles could see several luxury and family vans parked in rows, occupying the street next to a tall avenue of trees that stretched along the left roadside before curving inward, forming one side of a 300-square-meter area.
In between, lush green plants had been grown to connect together, forming a natural cover for whatever lay behind the tree barricade.
But Miles knew, based on his memories, that this was the Sunflower Swimming Park.
Meanwhile, Jazmín was greatly astonished upon realizing that the silent, almost deserted estate they had moved into could be so bustling and crowded.
Quickly, her curiosity peaked as she wondered whether the attendees were just old folks or mostly youths, her gaze filled with anticipation.
Meanwhile, Miles smirked and searched for an empty parking spot.
"This is the entrance."
After stepping out of the vehicle, Jazmín was in a hurry, carrying her tote bag, but quickly realized she didn’t know where the entrance was and could only smile at Miles to lead the way.
Between the avenue trees, within the cover made by lush plants intertwining in an orchestrated manner, Miles pointed at a door that was almost unnoticeable due to being camouflaged among the shrubs.
"Wow."
Jazmín’s eyes widened as they stepped through.
Bright sunlight filtered through swaying palm trees, casting a warm glow across crystal-clear water that shimmered like liquid glass.
The pool stretched across the center of the complex, reflecting the surrounding greenery and meticulously maintained gardens.
A small waterfall cascaded over an artificial stone formation at the far end, the gushing sound of water blending with the distant laughter of children, the shouts of teens playing volleyball across the pool, and the splashes from the waterslide alongside the music.
The swimming pool was divided in a way that wasn’t immediately noticeable.
Sun loungers lined the poolside, some shaded by umbrellas.
Several women occupied them, sunbathing while reading magazines or chatting as they supervised their children.
"Tell me. Is this a paradise?"
Jazmín asked in a daze.
"Naaaah."
Miles bluntly rebutted, similarly captivated by the lively view filled with fun and warmth.
"That’s a relief."
Jazmín replied with a smile.
"Why say so?" Miles asked, piqued.
"Well, it would mean the world somehow ended."
"Right."
"Miles... let’s go and have fun."
As they got closer, the more eyes they attracted.
