Chapter 8
"Tired?" He asked. She'd been looking outside the window for the past few minutes seeing nothing but pitch-black darkness. They were supposed to leave London early morning but Luca and James have to settle some last minute concerns. It was just a 3 1/2 hours flight but she realized she was, indeed, tired.
"Yes." Luca tipped her head to rest on his shoulder. "Just close your eyes, but don't sleep. We'll be home in 20 minutes."
"Where is your home?" She asked, too tired to resist. "Our home," he said emphasizing the word 'our,' "is a little less than a half hour ride from the airport. We have several townhouses in Kolonaki, but our main house is in the northern part called Ekali. You will like it there," he promised while his hand idly rubbed her left shoulder in a soothing manner.
He knew he would be swamped with work for days from being away this past 2 weeks. But he will make sure he'll make time to be with Kayla. How else can he convince her to remain permanently in Greece? He has his work cut out for him, for sure. But he had gotten her here and he will make her stay, one way or another.
James reported earlier that he had accomplished everything he instructed to be done before their arrival. He smiled. He have already started his campaign to win her. What he wants, he gets. Kayla will raise hell for sure. But he is prepared to fight her for this. After all, they haven't discussed sleeping arrangement, have they? If she thinks she'll get to stay in her own room like the other night, she's in for a big surprise. He conceded then because he wanted her to spend time with her best friend for the last time. It would be sometime before they will be able to see each other again and he wanted to give her time to say goodbye.
He wanted her to be near him all the time. No matter how he tells himself otherwise, to give her time to adjust, he just can't take being far from her. Thanks to his son for helping him with his selfish desires.
He felt the limo slowed down when they're approaching the gate and he looked out the window. The entry way is well-lighted and he can see the beauty of his home. It seemed like everything's changed since the last time he was here. For the first time, he noticed the well-manicured grass, the brown cobbled stone pathway from the flower garden to the patio that reminded him of her eyes, the lake beyond the house that seemed to shimmer like blue crystals...he smiled. He knew why. Knowing Kayla has changed his perspective in life.
The house staff were alerted and stand in readiness for their arrival. He mused while the convoy traversed inside the gate up to the house. They stopped directly near the entrance to the main door where the household staff were standing at the side. Alexio alighted and stood on his side of the door, ready to open it upon his signal.
He looked at the woman sleeping contentedly in his shoulder. Yuri was secured in her arms, as sound asleep as she was. He was loathed to disturb these 2 most important people in his life. So he stayed put for another couple of minutes.
"Baby," he murmured closed to her ear, "we're here."
Kayla slowly opened her eyes and saw him smiling down at her. "I could carry you inside," he offered.
That got her instantly awake. "Sorry," she murmured. "Sh, it's okay. Take your time."
He slowly took the sleeping Yuri from her arms, opened the door and handed him to Alexio who in turn, handed him to one of the maids in waiting. He closed the door again and watched her fussing over her hair and straightening her wrinkled clothes. He wanted to tell her to stop, that she's gorgeous no matter what state she is in. But he humored her and patiently waited.
"Ready?" At her nod, he opened the door and stepped out, holding his hand out to help her alight. Once she's out, he interlaced their finger and turned her to him kissing her lightly on the lips. She didn't disappoint him. She blushed which was the reaction he wanted. He didn't want her to appear like a pale ghost in front of their servants at first meeting.
They both turned around when the staff greeted them. "Kalispera, kyrie, kyria [good evening, sir, madam]."
"I don't know what they're saying," she whispered worriedly. He smiled fondly at her. "Don't worry, baby. They know your language. You should be able to communicate with them just fine."
He looked at them smiling and spoke in Greek so Kayla won't freak out. "This is the woman I love and soon to be my wife. Know that a service rendered to her is a service rendered to me and a service withhold from her is a service withhold from me. Please her like you please me."
"Nai, kyrie," [yes, sir] they answered in unison.
"Boreite na pate tora," [you may go now] he dismissed them with a waved of his hand.
He turned to Alexio, "update the team of the development. I want you to assign 2 body guards for Kayla and Yuri at all times regardless of whether they are at home or not. Assign Ceferino as their driver." He felt Kayla stiffened beside her.
"Right away, sir," he answered and walked away.
"Body guard? Is it really necessary?" She asked when they were alone. He looked at her and tried to smile to make her relax. "Yes. Just trust me on this, okay?" She nodded.
"So, this is home," he said indicating the vision in from of them. "This house was handed down from my great, great, well, I don't know how many 'greats,' grandfather." She smiled and looked up. She wasn't really giving much attention to her surroundings. She was bent on making herself presentable and was so nervous to take notice of what's in front of her. What she saw was so beyond her that she can't help but shrieked.
"You call this a house?" His smile vanished thinking she didn't like his home.
"It's more modern in the inside than in the outside, I assure you. But we can always buy a new house if you want," he immediately assured her.
"It's not that, you idiot. You live in a freakin' castle!" She shouted.
He was having a hard time following her reaction. When it finally dawned on him. He threw back his head and laughed. "Baby, it's just a mansion, not a castle."
"Well, it is. Do you realize that I could easily get lost in there trying to find the kitchen? Why, I would practically die of starvation before you will be able to locate me."
They both laughed out loud at the silliness of her comment. He embraced her still laughing. "Oh, baby. You are just priceless!"
If she was in awe of the exterior, she wasn't prepared of the grandeur that was the interior. The likes of it she only saw in magazines. She admired the expensive pieces of furniture as they walked past the foyer towards the staircase.
"I will give you a tour of your new home tomorrow," he promised her. "For now, we need to rest."
He led her to the double doors at the end of the corridor in the south wing. A woman was waiting inside whom he introduced as Caterina. "She will help you get comfortable and settled in. I know you're tired so I'm going to check on Yuri. I'll be with you in a moment."
"I can manage alone. I'm not used to have..," she stopped at the sad look of the older woman's face. She smiled apologetically.
"You just have to get used to it, baby. Caterina was looking forward to assisting you. You will make her very upset if you will refuse," he winked at her.
"Okay." She faced Caterina. "Thank you, Caterina. I'll be most grateful for your assistance." The woman beamed at her.
She was led to one of the 2 doors inside the room where a bath was already ready. The other door, she was informed, leads to the closet. Caterina helped her until she was ready for bed. She was ill at ease at first but she has to admit, Caterina was a great help especially with how tired she was feeling.
"Do you want me to get you anything to drink, madam?" She smiled softly at her.
"No, Caterina. Thank you for your help. You should go back to bed now. It's very late. I apologize for the disturbance."
"It's my pleasure to serve you, Madam." She walked towards the door, hesitated before turning back to her.
"If I may be so bold, madam," she stopped as quickly as she begun. She saw the inner battle going on in her head before she finally looked back at her with quiet resolve. "I have been working here since Mr. Conti was a wee lad. He had lost a number of people he loved, his grandparents, brothers, and not in the natural way of things. I've seen the effect took it's toll on him. It left a void that even the presence of Yuri could not fill. But tonight, he looked different. I can say that I have never seen him so happy, his eyes sparkling. And I believe, I know why. I've seen that drawing he has of you."
"Drawing? What drawing," she asked confused.
Caterina paled. She was so caught up with her emotion that she forgot her place. Mr. Conti will be displeased if he'll know about this. "Please, madam," she implored, "you didn't hear it from me. But I am certain, you will know in time. Goodnight, ma'am."
The closing of the door made her moved towards the bed, confused at the maid's revelation. But she was so tired to think of that now. Tomorrow, she will deal with that tomorrow. She burrowed herself in the most comfortable bed she has ever slept in. She was sleeping by the time the door was carefully opened.
Luca found her sound asleep in the far left side of the bed facing the floor to ceiling windows. Seemed like she already chose her part of the bed which was fine with him. He took a quick shower, not wanting to waste anymore minute away from her.
Her bag was unpacked and her personal things were arranged and can be seen in the room, bathroom and closet alongside his. He wondered how she will react to her side of the closet tomorrow. Misty, per his instruction, did not pack her clothes. He had a whole wardrobe ordered for her, a wardrobe befitting the wife of a billionaire. Yes, she will be his wife. It couldn't be soon enough to suit him, though.
He slipped in beside her in bed. He didn't want to wake her so he let a minute past before dragging her to the middle of the bed and spooning her. He needed a good rest to prepare himself for the battle royal that's certain to happen when she wakes up. He smiled and fell asleep breathing in her scent.
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Hi guys,
Sorry, it's not much. But Chapter 9 is not far behind. The story will start to get a little bit intense and daring now that they're finally in Greece. I just hope I'd be brave enough to post the daring part, though...lol. But I promise I would. ;)
Hope you will enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing. Don't forget to vote and leave comments.
Thanks.
que4bene