Chapter 9: On a vacation

~~~

Sicily.

Nestled deep within the enchanting woods at the foot of a majestic mountain is a grand, castle-like mansion that stands in solitary splendor. Its imposing stone façade, adorned with intricate carvings, hints at the history and elegance that lie within. A winding driveway leads away from the nearest town, which is a few kilometers distant, ensuring that the enchanting place remains a secluded sanctuary.

Surrounded by towering trees and soft whispers of nature, the secluded haven offers a breathtaking expanse of the sea, where the hues of the water shift dramatically with the changing sky, providing a picturesque background that adds to the allure of its remote location. Embodying the perfect blend of tranquility and elegance, creating a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A young boy dressed in gray pajamas was running away from his nannies and went inside one room he knew the nannies wouldn't be able to follow him in. Alexandre, on entering his dad's room, gently closed the door and crawled under his dad's bed quietly.

However, Xavier, who had woken up from the sound of an intruder, reached for his Glock under his pillow, but he smirked when he heard the intruder crawl under his bed.

He rolled over to the edge and looked under his bed to find his soldier lying on his stomach, playing with his action figures holding guns.

“Why is my soldier hiding under Daddy's bed?” Alexandre giggled on hearing his dad's voice and crawled out of his hiding place. Taking his dad's hand, he climbed up the bed and sat down, crossing his arms over his chest and looking angry. Xavier smiled and said,

“My answer is no. Now go and get ready; I will escort you to school today.” Hearing his dad's words, Alexandre smiled excitedly and asked, “Really?” but he twisted his face when he remembered he was supposed to be mad at his dad.

“Dad, why can't I continue to be homeschooled? I don't like my friends; they are always teasing me that I don't have a mommy. They said Mommy left me because you are scary.” Xavier frowned upon hearing his son's words. He lifted him and sat him in his lap and said,

“But you have mommy Yolanda. Why don't you tell them about her?”

“I don't like her; she is scary, and she isn't my mommy. You told me you would bring me mommy, but you lied; I don't like you anymore.” Xavier, not wanting to talk about that subject anymore, gently pinched Alexandre on the nose and said,

“Yolanda is your mommy,” Xavier said, his voice filled with warmth as he cradled his son in his arms. “She’s going to come with us to your school, and I’ll have a chat with your principal. Now, let’s get you ready for school, okay?” Alexandre looked away angrily. With a reassuring smile, Xavier stood and walked out of the room.

Upon arriving in Alexandre's bathroom, Xavier placed his son down, carefully undressed him, and lifted him into the already-prepared bubble bath. Kneeling next to the tub, he began to clean him up.

Seeing the powerful Xavier Romano kneeling to bathe his son, the two nannies standing behind him were trembling with anxiety. Their hearts raced; they knew they had failed their duties. Having started this job a week ago, they were aware that the boss had fired all the previous nannies for not performing their duties. They wanted to prove themselves and did not want to lose their jobs, especially since this was their first assignment with the agency.

But mostly because in the one week, they had developed a bond with the young boy. Now they were faced with a troubling question: should they leave, like the nannies before them? They had heard that those nannies departed even before the boss had the chance to fire them.

~~~ Three weeks later ~~~

“Do you like it, my love?” Lucas asked Reina after she took a bite from the plate in front of her. Reina smiled, nodded, and said. “I love it, as expected of my loving husband.”

Lucas smiled happily and dug into his food and started eating. After taking two spoonfuls, he took Reina's hand in her laps and brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I love you, mi amor.”

Reina smiled and replied. “For the twentieth time this morning, I love you too.”

“Are you already counting? Then you have a long way to go, because, like I told you three weeks ago, I'm going to shower you with love and apologize to you every day of my life. I'm sorry for treating you badly. I'm sorry."

Reina nodded and kissed Lucas on the lips; he cupped her cheeks and deepened the kiss and only pulled away when Reina was out of breath. He smiled at her crimson cheeks and hugged her to his chest, placing a soft kiss on her hair.

“Mi amor, I've been thinking, since the doctor said you can only engage in intimacy after two weeks because of the accident, I was thinking we go on a vacation. It been three weeks, and I want to spend time with you alone, like our second honeymoon. I want you to get over everything and relax. What do you think?” Reina buried her face in Lucas' chest at his words.

She was happy with the way things had turned out. Three weeks ago, after she was discharged from the hospital, Lucas carried her to their bedroom. All her belongings were returned, all the maids were back, and Bianca was leaving in the storage room.

That made her speak after turning mute for three days. She asked Lucas why the changes, and he kneeled down and apologized to her. He told her he realized Bianca was using him to get back at her, and the only reason he was keeping her in the house was because of the baby, because he planned to kick Bianca out once she gives birth and they would raise the baby together.

Reina was happy, because even if she couldn't bear her own children, she had been given the chance to raise Bianca's child like her own. And since then, Lucas, her beloved husband, was back. They showered together, just that they haven't made love yet because of her miscarriage. But he would take her shopping, cook for her all her favorite food, like he has done today, and hold her to sleep like she was a precious gem.

“Okay, I also want some time alone with you, my love.” Reina said, and Lucas smiled and said.

“I actually wanted it to be a surprise, since I already got the tickets. And guess where we are going?”

“You know I hate guessing,” Reina said, pulling out of Lucas arms, her lips pulling into a pout. Lucas kissed her pouted lips and said,

“I thought you would be able to guess, since it was the country your parents asked you not to go to?" Lucas said, winking his eyebrows. Reina's eyes widened as she exclaimed happily.

“Italy?!” Lucas grinned widely and said.

“Yes, my love, the place you've been dying to visit.” Reina hugged Lucas and said,

“I love you, mi amor.”

“I love you more; now eat and get some rest; our flight is in the evening.” Lucas said, and Reina nodded, digging into her meal.

~~~ The next day ~~~

Airport.

It was half an hour to 11 p.m. when Xavier's private jet landed at the airport after handling a business in another country. He got out of his jet and made his way towards the waiting car in a sour mood. However, when he got into his car, his eyes landed on a man walking, or better say, dragging, a woman toward a waiting car. But his heart skipped a beat when the wind blew the veil off the woman's head and she turned. Xavier froze when the doe-amber-piercing gaze that has been tormenting his dreams for years met his’ briefly.

He snapped out of his trace when the veil flew into his window. He rolled it down and took it, sending it to his nose, and sniffed. It had her scent, rose and jasmine, but a tinge of masculine scent lingered. He angrily tossed it in the corner and turned to Alfonso, who was also looking in the direction, and said,

“You know what to do?”

“Yes, boss.”