Jasmine's face glowed with jealousy as she observed Flora and Kyn's affectionate behaviour. It was a fleeting moment of envy that she could not quite hide, adding an amusing and endearing element to the situation.
Bertha, who was already annoyed by the presence of two Gaia entities, was torn between exasperation and amusement at the jealousy that was brewing among them. "Two Gaias, one Kyn," she muttered to herself. "It's just getting more difficult by the minute."
Chris, on the other hand, could not stop laughing. He laughed heartily at Kyn's situation. "Kyn, my friend," he joked, "you have certainly found yourself in quite the love triangle." He burst out laughing.
Kyn, caught in the middle of the hilarious chaos, could not help but shake his head. "As much as I would like to give you all of the details, let us not lose sight of the road ahead."
The group's banter continued, punctuated with playful teasing and the occasional curse word.
Chris took the lead as the group prepared to depart for the airstrip. He directed them to a pricey minivan that had been discreetly parked at the main entrance of the hotel, on the north wing that connected to the mainland. Bertha was intrigued by the luxurious vehicle, which hinted at an unexpected level of wealth. 'If I recall correctly, he was not doing well before I blacked out.'
Bertha could not help but wonder where the seemingly less financially fortunate Chris had gotten the money for such an extravagant purchase. She asked, "Chris, where did you get the funds for this?"
Chris, always quick on his feet and ready with a response, offered a well-crafted lie. "Oh, Bertha," he replied with a sly grin, "I've got my ways. Let's just say I had a stroke of luck at the casino." It was an artful evasion of the truth, one that concealed the source of his newfound wealth.
In reality, the truth was that once Bertha had blacked out during her blackjack game, Chris had taken her hand and managed to win the game, securing a significant amount of money. With those winnings, he had opened an earthly account (current timezone) and indulged in a series of extravagant purchases, from luxurious watches and new suits to expensive paintings. Despite his extravagant spending, he had managed to secure a charter flight to Athens for less than $5,000. An action spanned from his guilt on jumping on Bertha's luck: 'At least he'd get them to Athens in a manner which would save them days.'
As the group settled into the plush minivan, they couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected turn of events and Chris's resourcefulness in securing their transportation.
Bertha could not help but add to the already intense atmosphere by saying, "At least Chris got us a plane; you, on the other hand, could not help yourself. Sleeping with your mark. Who does that?" She said making the two ladies in the group blush.
The pet snake had yet to recover from the effects of overeating dessert. And so he had not emerged from Gaia's pouch and was snoring softly.
As the group settled into the minivan, they embarked on a drive through the city and its sprawling suburbs, heading towards the destination Chris had in mind on the side skirts of the city. The road took them to an airstrip that was notably more private and exclusive than the typical commercial airports.
Upon their arrival, they approached one of the seven hangars that dotted the airstrip. Pulling up to the second-to-last hangar, the group was greeted by a stunning sight within.
Inside the hangar stood a pearl-white Gulfstream G350, a mid-size business jet renowned for its impressive range and performance. The G350's capabilities were well-known, with a range of 6,667 kilometres, allowing it to fly nonstop from major cities like New York to Los Angeles or from Paris to Dubai. It was a testament to the luxury and efficiency of the aircraft.
The Gulfstream G350 boasted a spacious and comfortable cabin designed to accommodate up to 16 passengers. Luxurious seating, advanced technology, and entertainment systems made it an ideal choice for those who sought both comfort and convenience in their travels.
The group couldn't hide their amazement at the unexpected transportation option.
Chris approached the Gulfstream G350 at the foot of the plane with confidence, and was greeted by the captain, first officer, and cabin crew, all of whom smiled warmly. They were prepared to make their passengers' journeys comfortable and memorable.
Chris, with undeniable charm, revelled in the attention of the two air hostesses assigned to the flight. Their friendly demeanour and subtle flirtation could not help but amuse him, and he revelled in the benefits of being a young bachelor in the twenty-first century.
The group's journey was off to a luxurious start, with the promise of an unforgettable adventure ahead. As they boarded the Gulfstream G350, they could not help but imagine the comforts and experiences that would await them on their flight to Athens.
"How do you like dem apples?" Chris asked Bertha, who now had a general idea of what had happened.
Walking with the bounce and flair of a new millionaire, Chris turned away from Bertha to return to the two Airhostesses, who appeared more than welcoming to the group. Just as he was about to greet the first officer, an ethereal voice emerged from his left.
"Chris... Did I win or did you win?" she asked, floating near his ear.
GULP!!!! [0,0]