Chapter 75: A family night out

"The hotels in this immediate area will be booked solid within the hour by everyone else caught in this traffic," Sarah noted from the back, already looking at her phone. "I am checking online now, and everything nearby is showing zero availability." She announced.

Clancy caught Selen’s worried eyes beside him. A small, knowing smile played on his lips. "We do not need a hotel," Clancy said smoothly, "take us to the villa in this area. You know it right?" he instructed the driver and he nodded, steering the wheel to take a sharp right turn onto a private, paved road that wound upward into the coastal hills, away from the clogged detour traffic.

"Where are we going, Clancy?" Selen asked as she looked out the window. The road was lined with high white walls and lush Mediterranean greenery.

"I own a small estate up here," Clancy replied casually, as if mentioning he had a spare jacket in the trunk. "It is a private villa. It’s fully staffed, it is almost as good as ready with just a few ticks left so it is not open for booking yet.

And it is barely ten minutes from where we are right now, excellent security, and more than enough rooms for everyone." He said.

Selen stared at him, a mixture of relief and annoyance washing over her. Of course he owned a villa here. "You just happen to have a villa right around the corner?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"When you do multiple businesses as much as I do, you learn to buy property in places with potential like this." Clancy shrugged, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction. He glanced back at the sleeping kids.

"They will have proper beds, a home-cooked meal, and we can wait out the road clearance in total comfort. What do you say, Selen?" he asked her. They were now packed at a corner of the road, awaiting Selen’s confirmation.

Selen looked back at Diana’s peaceful, sleeping face, then out at the chaotic mess of traffic they were successfully leaving behind. She let out a long, defeated breath.

"Fine," Selen said, leaning back into her seat. "Lead the way." she said and leaned into the chair.

Clancy tapped his phone’s screen and placed the phone to his ear. The call was answered after two rings. "Mr. Avelino?" his personal assistant, Patrick, said. "Patrick, sorry for the late call," Clancy said, dropping his voice to a tone lower.

"We have run into a major roadblock near Málaga. I am diverting us to the hillside estate. Contact Elena and the staff immediately. We need four rooms prepped and a light dinner laid out. We will be there in under ten minutes." "Right away, sir," Patrick replied and Clancy hung up.

Selen watched Clancy from her seat. His transition from relaxed beachgoer to decisive executive was seamless, bringing her a reluctant sense of relief that everything was going to be fine. Minutes later, the SUV climbed a steep road, approaching towering, heavy gates, which swung inward smoothly to reveal the villa.

The villa was beautiful, and just being there already made one’s mind at ease. As the car parked, a woman named Elena stepped out with two staff members to help with the bags. The next hour passed in a blur with everyone moving around to get themselves settled in.

Clancy carried the sleeping boys upstairs while Sarah settled into her own room. Selen guided a half asleep Diana to bed, verified her evening dosage, and watched her drift off into the soft pillows.

By midnight, the villa had fallen silent. The staff had retired much earlier in the day to their quarters, leaving a spread of food on the kitchen island for anyone who needed it. Selen, who was unable to quiet her racing mind, slipped out of her bedroom.

She walked down the cold hallway to Diana’s room, gently opening the door to peep inside. Diana was breathing evenly, and looked peaceful in her sleep. Selen let out a quiet breath. "She is doing perfectly. I just checked" a voice whispered from behind her.

Selen flinched slightly but did not jump. Clancy was leaning against the wall, holding two glasses of water. He had changed into a clean white shirt from the spares he always carried with him, although his hair was still as messy as it was from the beach.

He offered her a glass. "Thanks," Selen murmured, taking the glass from him.

They walked together toward a wide balcony that directly overlooked the sea. The night air was cooler now, making Selen shiver in her light dress.

Everything she packed for the beach, including spare clothes were all light. Clancy walked toward a cupboard and brought a shawl. He gently draped it over her shoulders and she whispered a small thank you to him. Below them, they could see the highway at a distance. It was still a stagnant line of red brake lights.

"You don’t stop worrying, do you?" Clancy asked softly, leaning against the railing. "I am their mother, it is my job to worry," Selen replied, looking out at the dark water. "Hey, recovery relies on structure. Unexpected detours are not just an inconvenience for her."

Selen said.

"I know," Clancy said. He turned his head to look at her, his expression stripped of his usual corporate armor. "But you handled it. You always do. They are very lucky kids to have you as their mother." he said to her in honesty and admiration. "I am also lucky to have them," she said.

The yellow light from the light caught the sharp lines of his jaw, and the intense focus in his eyes made the space between them feel suddenly very small. Clancy took a half step closer. His casual confidence slipped away, replaced by a raw hesitation. Selen did not move back.

The quiet sound of the wind hitting the trees seemed to fade. Clancy reached up, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair away from her cheek, his thumb lingering near her jawline. Selen’s breath hitched. She looked from his eyes down to his lips, and Clancy followed her gaze, his head tilting slightly as he began to lean in.