By the time Malee reached the main lobby, she could see there were a few cars waiting for them with Sophie and Hoshi standing by to open the door. As Malee came out of the door, both bowed towards her, stopping Malee in her track. Perhaps they could have mistaken for their mistresses, she wondered. But she didn’t have to wonder too long for there was a breeze by her side and 2 ladies went past her.
“You don’t think they are bowing at you, do you?” said a voice from behind her, making Malee make a soft shout. It was Georgia and she must have seen what flashed across Malee’s face as she saw Hoshi and Sophi bowing towards her direction. Malee turned around quickly and took a bow, only to knock her head against George’s head who was coming from behind Georgia.
“Ouch!” shouted both of them to the laughter of Georgia and annoyed look from Mary.
“Still asleep, I see” commented Georgia as she walked towards the car only for Malee to run past her to open the door, with her hand still on her head. Georgia went in to the car, followed by George still rubbing his head and Mary came to close the door.
“We will take the car with Hoshi and Sophie.” said Mary before walking towards the first car in the chain. Mary took the driver’s seat with Sophie beside her and Sophie and Malee are occupying the back seat. Mary started the engine and went ahead and soon they were out of the gate and along the familiar highway towards the beach villa they had visited with Georgia, after she had came from the overseas.
The traffic was not so smooth as Malee could see the cars starting to congest along the junctions. Just as Malee was feeling as they won’t arrive at the villa before lunch, a traffic police motorcycle came in front of the car and guided them through till the city’s gates. Mary waved to the traffic police as he turned back to the city. Malee wondered how many people on the streets knew that the cars led by the police had the 3 princesses in them and also they were on the way to a private beach villa for rest.
Soon, Malee arrived at the familiar villa surrounded by thick forest and got off from the car.
“Stay here.” said Mary, and Malee nodded as she waited for the rest of the cars. Mary went ahead into the villa, and Malee saw her talking to a servant from the house. They must have arrived much earlier than them to prepare the villa. Malee didn’t know who could have coordinated them, but she suspected it was Mary. Whoever it may be, the amount of planning involved impressed Malee. She realized how much effort it required for people like Georgia to bring guests to beach, including being escorted by police!
Malle didn’t have to wonder for too long as the rest of the cars came through the gate. Mary came out of the villa just in time to open the door for George and Georgia. Mary whispered to Georgia as she stepped out of the car. Georgia nodded in approval and went towards her friend and brought them into the villa. George was still standing staring at the door when Mary approached him.
“Anything wrong?” asked Mary.
“Now what do I do?” asked George.
“Why not take a swim? There will be food later.” replied Mary. She knew how much George abhorred formalities, but that was one event that he could not escape. Even if she wasn’t his proposed fiance, he would still have to treat them as what they were, princesses from a foreign land and himself a prince. Mary sighed and took George’s hand into hers. Unlike Georgia, he was still a child like her son yet had to bear such weight on his shoulder. She turned to Malee.
“Lets go in.” said Mary and three of them went into the villa teeming with activities with people preparing large umbrellas to be placed on the chairs and such. Mary instructed Malee to change to a beach clothing before leading George to his room. When Malee had changed and came back to the main lobby, Georgia was already there with her friend and the younger princess alongside Hoshi and Sophie.
“Hoshi, you should change too. It is hot outside.” said Georgia. Hoshi was still wearing the formal clothing and standing beside the door. It was only after her friend gave the approval nod that he left the place and disappeared into a room near the staircase.
“Lets go.” announced Georgia.