"Princess."
"Mmm?"
"I'll be travelling back to the city tomorrow evening."
"That soon?"
"Yes. The company has recalled me from these impromptu but important holidays. Also, the university overseas is following up on me."
Benjamin noticed Megyn's face fall. He came and sat beside her on the sofa, gently taking both her hands in his.
"Megyn, you know I love you, right?"
She nodded, a tear forming in her eye.
"Benjamin, I love you too," she said softly, more relaxed now.
"Thank you for the restful sleep and the sumptuous meal. I'm honoured."
"However?" he prompted with a smile. "Princess, say whatever you want. I'm all ears—today, and always."
"I just feel bad that we never got to visit Gazelle Park," she said, gently toying with his fingers. "Not that I've never been there, but I was excited to go with you—to see the gazelles through your eyes." She paused and added with a smile, "And you know I'm your Gazelle. I now understand why you call me that."
Benjamin's heart swelled with joy. He grinned.
"You want to see the gazelles through my eyes? I love that. Leave it to me—tomorrow, it is."
Her face lit up. "Does that mean you're postponing your travel?"
"That too can be arranged, Princess." He leaned in closer. "Now, ask me anything. Whatever's on your heart—I'm yours."
"This house…"
"Yes?"
A pause. She looked around the lavish top-floor suite of the Sunset Hotel.
"It feels like a family house. Whose is it, really?"
Benjamin had expected this. He was silent for a moment.
"It belongs to my family."
Megyn blinked. She thought he was joking.
"Be serious, Benjamin," she said. "I know you love me and treat me well—very well—and I love you too. But you didn't need to rent a whole house just for one day with me. Your father will punish you for spending so much on your new girlfriend." She winked at him.
Benjamin laughed so hard that tears filled his eyes.
"Megyn, I'm serious. This is where my family stays when we visit Randi."
"Wait—does that mean your family owns Sunset Hotel?"
"That's right. But does it matter? All that matters to me is that I love you, Princess." He was beginning to worry it might be too much information at once.
"Benjamin, it matters. I need to know what kind of life I'm walking into by being your girlfriend." Her thoughts raced to the other "Sunset" brands she'd seen—the estate, the hospital, the flying doctor service...
"Flying Doctor Services?" She gasped as a realization struck. "Benjamin, you're a pilot with Sunset Flying Doctor Services?"
He hesitated.
"Princess, the Sunset Group belongs to my father, and I help manage it. But honestly, it shouldn't be a big deal."
"Maybe not to you, but you could have told me I'm dating a millionaire!"
"What would you have done, Princess?" he asked, watching her closely. "What if I'd told you upfront that I own Flying Doctor Services? Would you have loved me less?"
"I don't know, Benjamin. I really don't."
"Well, if you'd told me Ringo Fish Processing Company belonged to your dad, I'd still have loved you—madly—because it's you I want, not your possessions."
She looked into his eyes. She calmed down finally. It's true that her family is among the affluent families in Randi.
"Benj, I grew up here in Randi. You're a city guy—and international. And now I learn you're wealthy. What if you meet someone else in the city or London?"
"There'll be no one else. I love you, Megyn Maringo. Don't you see? I'd marry you—right now, if you'd let me."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I adore you just as you are. But now that you know the truth about me, do you still love me?"
She held his gaze.
"Yes, I love you, Benj. I reacted out of fear—the unknown overwhelmed me. Honestly, I may not even know how to behave around you now."
He pulled her into an embrace.
"Just be mine, Princess. Let me love you—like this."
They stayed wrapped in each other's arms.
Then Megyn murmured:
"Benj?"
"Yeah?"
"Why did you decide to become a doctor?"
"It was my passion from a young age—something I shared with Aunt Lucia. My parents supported us fully in pursuing our dreams."
He went on to explain how he'd studied at the most prestigious national school in the capital, taking aviation as a technical subject—something only top students qualified for. After medical school, he'd pursued piloting as a second career.
"My dad built the hospital for Aunt Julia and me. He started it with a full staff, so I had a job waiting for me—and money for aviation school. He even bought me a helicopter to start Flying Doctor Services and gave me office space in the hospital. That's how it began."
Megyn listened intently.
"Now, I help manage both the hospital and the flying service. That's why I'm perfecting my piloting—to qualify for commercial flying, too."
"Benjamin, I admire you. A doctor, a pilot, and a manager? At your age?"
"I guess putting the right people in the right roles helps. And my father is still strong and actively leads us."
"I haven't heard much about your parents." Megyn noted.
With a knowing smile, Benjamin said,"They can't wait to meet you. They're waiting for you in the capital. We could meet them today if you agreed."
Megyn looked at his serious face and said, "The train has not yet reached the station 'meet parents'...I mean the rain is moving though,"
"We can abandon the train and use aeroplane instead." He smiled and encouraged Megyn to continue.
"Last question—do you have any siblings?"
"Aside from my aunt, I'm an only child. My mum tried, but… it wasn't God's will." His smile was tinged with sadness.
Megyn kissed him gently on the lips and hugged him.
"Don't worry, my love. We'll give them many grandchildren." She hadn't meant to say it aloud.
Benjamin pulled back slightly, amused and curious.
"What?" Megyn asked embarrassed.
"Did you mean it? I… I like the idea. One day." Benjamin said with a confident smile.
Later, they decided to go for a swim. All the costumes were in the suite. Benjamin handed her a brand-new ladies' swimsuit—decent, yet stylish. Megyn wore it under a loose dress. Benjamin wore swim shorts and a vest. Hand in hand, they took the lift down and spent the afternoon in the pool.
They had dinner at the hotel dining hall, savoring the delicious food and each other's company.
Afterwards, Benjamin was on the steering wheel, driving Megyn home—it was past curfew, but she had already informed her parents she'd be late this once.
They were quiet reflecting the events of the day.