Chapter 198: Harem Roadtrip (II)

Patricia came shuffling down the front steps next, practically waddling under the weight of two massive luggage bags. Tucked under her arm was a small, sleek pouch, and poking right out of her tote bag were a wooden spoon, a silicone spatula, and a small spice kit she’d raided from the mansion’s kitchen.

She stopped in front of me, panting slightly as she adjusted her grip.

"Um... is it okay if I bring these two bags?" she asked nervously, her eyes wide with total concern. "And... should I carry my pouch up front? I brought some kitchen tools and basic cooking supplies... just in case! I really don’t want us eating sketchy takeout or getting food poisoning out in the middle of nowhere again."

I couldn’t help but laugh as I stepped forward and took the heavy luggage right out of her hands, tossing them effortlessly into the trunk.

"Patricia, you’re a lifesaver," I smiled, shaking my head with a grin. "Keep the pouch up front. With you on kitchen duty, we might actually survive this trip without dying of instant ramen overdose."

Patricia beamed with instant relief, her cheeks flushing a light pink as she clutched her pouch to her chest and quickly scrambled into the backseat.

Suddenly, the heavy front doors burst wide open. Three security guards marched out in a frantic line, struggling to balance a towering stack of designer luggage and trunks.

I blinked in utter disbelief. "What in the world...?"

Behind them, Ruby strutted down the steps in her sunglasses, pacing back and forth with a clip-board-level intensity. "Okay, careful with that one, it has my skincare! And do not tilt the shoe trunk!"

She finally noticed me staring and stopped, wiping a tiny bead of sweat from her forehead. "Okay! I’m finally ready! I just needed to pack all my absolute needs and basic essentials."

I let out a long, heavy exhale, but I couldn’t stop the fond smile from tugging at the corners of my lips. I gestured toward the massive pile of bags taking up half the driveway.

"Ruby... we’re taking one SUV for the four of us," I said, shaking my head. "Just us, no extra luggage trucks. You need to cut this down by like eighty percent."

Ruby gasped, clutching her chest in pure scandalized horror. "Reduce it?! Ethan, I need options! I need outfits for recording, outfits for walking around, evening wear... I am not spending a month wearing borrowed hand-me-downs or another plain sundress!"

I took a step closer to her, wrapping my arms casually around her waist and leaning in close to her ear.

"I don’t know, sunshine," I teased softly, a low smirk on my face. "That simple sundress made you look insanely beautiful. Honestly, it might be my favorite look on you yet."

Ruby froze. Her eyes went wide behind her sunglasses, and a deep, delicious blush immediately flushed all the way down her neck. Her possessive, obsessed side instantly took over—she melted into my chest, swaying her hips side to side as she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck with an intoxicated smile.

"Really...?" she purred, completely hypnotized by the compliment. "You... you liked it that much?"

She turned back toward the guards, waving a dismissive hand without even looking at them. "Okay, fine! Send four of those trunks back inside. I’ll just pack one bag."

Chloe stuck her head out the SUV window, shaking her head with a dry laugh. "You are completely ridiculous, you know that?"

"Shut up, Chloe," Ruby giggled, beaming up at me as she kissed my cheek. "We’re going on a road trip!"

I started the engine, shifting into drive as our lone SUV smoothly pulled out of the estate driveway and onto the open highway.

For the first hour, the car was remarkably quiet. Up front, I kept my hands steady on the wheel, watching the city skyline fade into rolling green hills. In the back, the silence was only broken by Ruby, who was staring intently at her notepad, softly humming a short melody line—until she suddenly let out an annoyed hiss, crossing out a line with her pen.

"Ugh, nope. Still not it," she muttered under her breath.

Beside her, Chloe was completely unfazed, quietly turning the page of a thick textbook she was reading for her Master’s program. Patricia sat by the opposite window, her chin resting on her hand as she silently watched the countryside scenery drift past, a calm, peaceful look on her face.

Suddenly, two arms slid over my headrest from behind. Ruby leaned right into the space between the front seats, resting her chin on my shoulder and pouting right into my cheek.

"Ethan..." she whined softly, her breath warm against my neck as she looked over at the empty front passenger seat—where Chloe had placed her laptop bag while reading in the back. "I just realized... I actually wanted to sit up front with you. Can I swap?"

Chloe slowly lowered her textbook, raising an eyebrow at Ruby with a sly, playful smirk.

"Really?" Chloe drawled, leaning forward just enough to make her presence known. "If we’re pulling rank here, as the undisputed first, front-seat privileges belong strictly to me."

Ruby let out an exaggerated groan, throwing her hands up in defeat before collapsing dramatically back into her seat. "This is absolute abuse of power!"

Beside her, Patricia couldn’t help but let out a soft, melodic laugh, covering her mouth as she watched the exchange.

Chloe chuckled, shaking her head as she picked her book back up. "Relax, sunshine. I’ll swap with you at the next gas stop."

"Nope, hold on—I’ve got a better idea," I cut in, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. "This road trip is way too quiet right now. When you swap at the next stop, Ruby, you’re not just taking the passenger seat—you’re officially on DJ duty. You bring the vibes, hype up the car, and keep us entertained for the rest of the drive."

Ruby’s eyes instantly lit up, her dramatic pout vanishing in a flash. "A full live aux-cord takeover? Deal!" she cheered, pointing a finger at me with a triumphant grin. "Get ready, because I’m about to curate the greatest road trip playlist in human history."