Chapter 191: Trouble Brewing
Inside an hotel room, Silas lay on the bed with Alex jumping around on it.
"Big brother, why do you lie down on the bed like someone who's dying?" Alex asked when he saw how Silas was sprawled on the bed.
"That's because my social battery drains rapidly when I'm around too much people." Silas said feeling very exasperated.
"Are you that's the reason or it's because of what happened at the lobby?" Alex asked as he jumping and sat beside Silas.
"No, it's not because of that." Silas replied as he turned his head to the other side.
"Hehehe. Why are you turning your face away if that's the case?" Alex asked and started shaking Silas' body.
"Ughhh.... Stop it."
"Hehehe." Alex laughed as he started jumping around on the bed again.
"I wonder why you're so excited?" Silas asked as he got up from the bed.
"Because we are on a family vacation!"
Silas shook his head when he heard this. He of course was also excited about the family vacation but the incident that happened at the lobby drained all of his excitement.
What actually happened at the lobby? It started when a group of young ladies tried to approach Silas and his family, and his security guards came out of nowhere and blocked them.
Silas didn't know how to explain the situation about the security guards to his family and he could only tell that them he would explain later.
As for the group of young ladies. Well, Silas left them standing where they were. There was no need for him to pay any attention to them as he doesn't need them. Besides, he's trying to create something with Chloe.
"Silas, are you in there?" Silas heard a voice at the door.
"Yes."
"Ok, your dad and I are waiting. We're ready to leave."
"Ok, we're coming," Silas said as he grabbed Alex and walked to the door.
When he opened the door, he saw Kim and his father dressed up in light clothes that looks fit for the beach.
"Mom, you look beautiful!" Alex complimented when he saw Kim.
"Awwwn! Thanks Alex." Kim smiled as she ruffled Alex's hair as Silas always does.
"Come on, let's go," Chris said and they left the hotel.
.....
Virginia Beach.
The cool breeze of the ocean brushed against Silas's skin as the family stepped onto the soft sand of Virginia Beach. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, casting a tranquil glow over the water.
Alex seemed to have boundless energy, as he ran ahead with unbridled excitement. His feet kicked up small clouds of sand as he dashed toward the shoreline.
"Mom! Dad! Look at the waves!" Alex shouted back, already captivated by the endless stretch of water ahead.
Chris chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection as he watched his youngest son run off. "Looks like Alex is ready to take on the ocean," he said, exchanging a smile with Kim.
Kim nodded, her eyes following Alex before turning back to Silas who was also smiling.
She thought of what Silas promised to explain to his father but she knew that this wasn't the time.
She decided to push the unrelated thoughts and enjoy the family time they are going to spend to the fullest. She put a smile on her face and walked off to join Chris and Alex near the water.
Silas also joined them shortly and they started enjoying the sea water.
The first full day of their vacation began early the next morning, with Alex waking everyone up at the crack of dawn. His enthusiasm was contagious as he pulled Silas out of bed, demanding they all head back to the beach.
"Come on, big brother! The ocean's waiting!" Alex exclaimed, bouncing on his toes as Silas groaned and rolled out of bed.
¢*һа+р-τ+ƹг-н@σ#∫тҽ@ԁ$-&оп!-
"Alright, alright, I'm up," Silas muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
The family once again found themselves back on the sandy shore, this time armed with towels, a cooler full of snacks, and a couple of beach chairs. Kim and Chris set up their spot under a large umbrella, where they could relax and watch the kids.
"Don't forget sunscreen, boys," Kim called out, holding up the bottle of sunscreen as Alex and Silas kicked off their sandals.
"Got it, Mom!" Alex shouted, before eagerly running toward the water.
Silas moved more slowly, his eyes scanning the horizon. There was something comforting about the steady rhythm of the waves. He followed his brother down to the shore, where Alex was already splashing around, shrieking with laughter as the cold water hit his legs.
For a while, they played in the water, dodging waves and trying to keep their balance as the tide rolled in. Alex's energy seemed endless, as he enjoyed every single moment.
After a while, Chris and Kim joined them, and they spent the rest of the morning building sandcastles, lounging in the sun, and occasionally venturing into the water to cool off.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, they took a break to eat lunch under the shade of the umbrella. Kim had packed sandwiches and fresh fruit, which they enjoyed while watching the waves crash in the distance.
"This is exactly what we needed," Kim said, taking a sip of her iced tea as she looked out over the beach. "I'm glad we decided to come."
"Yeah, it's nice to get away for a while," Chris agreed, leaning back in his chair.
Silas nodded, though his thoughts briefly wandered to Chloe. He wondered how she was doing and if she had been thinking about him. He pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy the vacation without distractions.
---
As the days went on, the family settled into a peaceful routine. Each morning began with a trip to the beach, where they spent hours swimming, playing games, and simply enjoying each other's company. Alex never seemed to tire of the ocean, and his infectious excitement kept everyone in high spirits.
One afternoon, they rented a few boogie boards and spent hours riding the waves. Alex, of course, took to it like a natural, while Silas found himself wiping out more often than not. Despite his frequent tumbles, he couldn't help but laugh along with his family.
"Come on, Silas! You've got this!" Alex encouraged, already on his way back out to catch another wave.
Silas gave it another try, and this time, he managed to ride the wave all the way back to shore. The triumphant grin on his face was met with cheers from Alex, Kim, and Chris, who applauded his success.
Actually, everything was a pretense but it felt good to be praised.
"I told you you could do it!" Alex said, excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah. Beginner's luck," Silas replied.
Evenings were spent exploring the nearby boardwalk, where they found small shops selling souvenirs, ice cream, and seafood. Silas particularly enjoyed these quieter moments, strolling along the beach with his family as the sun set behind them. They would stop at one of the restaurants along the boardwalk for dinner, enjoying fresh seafood while they talked and laughed about the events of the day.
One night, they decided to take a late-night walk along the shore, the moon casting a silver glow on the water. The beach was almost empty, save for a few couples and families who, like them, were enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
"Look, the stars are out," Kim said, pointing up at the sky.
They all paused for a moment, gazing up at the vast expanse above them. Silas found himself feeling unexpectedly grateful for this time with his family. It wasn't often that they had the chance to slow down and just be together without the pressures of daily life weighing on them.
The week continued in much the same way, with each day blending into the next in a peaceful, happy rhythm. Silas found himself looking forward to each new morning, eager to see what the day would bring.
By the end of the week, Silas couldn't believe how quickly the time had passed. It felt like they had only just arrived, and yet their trip was already coming to an end. As they packed up their things and prepared to head back to the hotel for their final night, Silas took one last look at the beach, committing the scene to memory.
"Do we really have to leave tomorrow?" Alex asked, his voice filled with disappointment.
"Afraid so, buddy," Chris said, ruffling his hair. "But don't worry, we'll be back next year."
Silas smiled at the thought. He knew that no matter what the future held, Virginia Beach would always be a place where they could come together, unwind, and create lasting memories. That's if they have the chance.
As they left the beach behind and made their way back to the hotel, Silas felt a deep sense of contentment. The week had been exactly what he needed—a chance to escape, recharge, and reconnect with his family. And though the vacation was coming to an end, he knew that the memories they had made would stay with him for a long time to come.
While Silas and his family were having fun at the beach, trouble was brewing in the country and I'm Venezuela.
*****
The Miraflores Palace.
Inside President Yusmaorobis' office, President Yusmaorobis was having visitors.
"It's been a while since we spoke, old friend." A voice filled with sinister intentions said.