Chapter 162: Chapter 162

The following weekend, Hailey and Michael headed to the private resort.

To her surprise, Michael offered to drive.

“Are you sure?” she asked. She had never seen him drive before.

“Of course. Why not?” He opened the car door for her and gestured for her to get in the passenger seat.

Hailey complied and got in. Michael closed the door, then got into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition.

“Ready for the ride of your life?” he asked teasingly.

“Please, just don’t drive us off the cliff. That’s all I ask,” Hailey said flatly.

“I can feel your great confidence in my driving skills,” he muttered sarcastically.

“Well, then you should have shown me your great driving skills a long time ago,” she teased.

To her surprise — well, not really, because Michael was just so good at everything, which was really unfair — he drove quite well.

The ride was filled with pleasant silence and easy conversation. For Hailey, it felt like being wrapped in a warm bubble.

She flipped through a magazine, looking at photos of the resort. It was surrounded by a quiet lake and a wide forest, which was a perfect getaway for the weekend. She hadn’t had much time to travel for leisure before, so she was excited.

Soon, they arrived at the resort, and the appearance of the place took their breath away. The building blended perfectly with the surrounding nature, giving off a peaceful and private vibe.

Michael parked the car, and they stepped out, taking a moment to soak in the beauty of the place. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of pine and the soothing sound of the lake’s gentle waves lapping against the shore.

“This place is incredible,” Hailey said, her eyes wide with awe. The pictures truly did not do this place justice.

She hadn’t taken a trip or vacation like this in fifteen years. She had always been so busy and focused on too many things.

But now, this was her chance to relax.

Michael smiled and took her hand. “I like it, too. Let’s go check in.”

They walked to the reception area, where they were warmly greeted by the staff. After a quick and seamless check-in process, a friendly bellboy escorted them to their suite.

The suite was on the top floor and had a breathtaking view of the lake. As the bellboy opened the door, Hailey and Michael stepped inside and immediately felt the amazing atmosphere of the place.

The suite was a mixture of modern elegance and rustic charm, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the room with natural light. The living area was spacious, with a cozy seating arrangement around a stone fireplace. A large, plush sofa in the center looked tempting to sit on, and several beautiful pieces of art adorned the walls. There was also a private balcony that had a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding hills.

“Wow,” Hailey breathed out as she walked over to the windows. “This is stunning!”

Michael watched her with a smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction at seeing her so happy.

The bellboy had already left, closing the door behind him to give them some privacy.

“Come on,” Michael said, holding her hand again. “Let’s go see the rest of the suite.”

The bedroom was equally impressive, with a king-size bed that had an expensive-looking mattress. The decor was simple yet elegant, with earthy tones and wood accents that created a warm, inviting atmosphere. The bathroom, on the other hand, had a large tub near a window that overlooked the lake. There was also a walk-in shower with a wide showerhead.

Michael turned to Hailey. “What do you think?”

Hailey smiled, her eyes sparkling. “I think it’s perfect. We’re going to have a lot of fun here!”

They spent about an hour unpacking and settling into the suite. Michael put their bags in the bedroom while Hailey continued to explore the room, her fingers brushing the smooth surfaces of the furniture.

Then she stepped out onto the balcony, breathing in the fresh air and relaxing.

Michael soon joined her and slipped an arm around her waist. “Ready to relax and enjoy this weekend together?” he whispered.

Hailey leaned into him, feeling a contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time. “Yes. Together.”

They decided to have lunch at the resort’s lakeside restaurant. They chose a table near the water’s edge, the gentle lapping of the waves like soft background music to their meal.

“The food is amazing,” Hailey said as she took a sip of her wine. “Although, I have to say it doesn’t hold a candle to your cooking, Noah.”

Michael laughed. “Of course it doesn’t. My cooking is top-notch.”

She gave him a deadpan look. “What happened to your modesty?”

“It took a detour for a moment,” Michael replied nonchalantly as he took another bite of his food.

Hailey shook her head fondly. “This place is really beautiful. We really needed it, didn’t we?”

He nodded with a warm smile. “I’m glad you asked me to take a trip with you. I never even thought about taking a vacation.”

“That’s because you’ve become a workaholic,” she pointed out. “What happened to the lazy, laid-back guy I knew in high school?”

“That guy’s all grown up now,” he leaned forward teasingly. “Missing that side of me already?”

Hailey snorted. “As if. You were so rebellious back then, smoking and skipping classes and all that. I had to whip you back into shape.”

“You were scary back then, I’ll admit.” He feigned a visible shudder. “You were so intimidating that the other students were afraid to be within an inch of you.”

Hailey burst out laughing. “You’re exaggerating! I wasn’t that scary.”

“Yes, you were. You were like the horrible Medusa.”

She kicked him lightly under the table. “How dare you say that to a girl?”

Michael laughed. “Just joking, just joking! Geez.”

Hailey shook her head. “I forgot that you can still be a little childish sometimes.”

“You should unleash your childish side sometimes,” he shrugged. “It’ll make you feel better.”

“I don’t have a childish side,” she retorted.

“Yes, you do.” He leaned forward again, a teasing grin on his face. “Like that time when you were so embarrassed about your public confession to me.”