Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Good morning, dear.” Mom greeted Cara and somehow managed to ignore my presence in the dining room as we both emerged.

“Buon gior-” She stops and realizes that she was responding in her language. “Good morning, Violet.” She replied with a smile. Mom convinced her yesterday to call her name rather than calling her with honorifics.

She tilted her head to the side and looked at her questioningly. “You’re not really American, are you?”

Cara looked at my mom with mirth. “I am a full blooded Italian.”

Her eyes sparkled in interest and excitement… again. I sighed, letting myself sit on the chair. Breakfast was already laid on the table. It looked like a feast with all that she prepared.

“No wonder you have this accent. It’s not that obvious but it’s there. You are so beautiful, too. And goodness! You are so tall.”

Mom was 5’2 so she admires women who’re gifted with height.

I roll my eyes. “You already said that countless times yesterday.” I muttered lowly but she heard me anyway and gave me a sharp glare.

Cara only smiled. She sauntered towards my side and took a seat beside me.

“You two eat. I’m going to wake Damian.”

“It’s pretty late. Doesn’t he have school today?” I asked with mild curiosity. I took a plate and grabbed some pancakes, sausages, bacon and egg.

“It’s their break.” Mom answered before going upstairs.

Oh, right. I forgot about school breaks.

I set the plate full of food in front of her and filled my plate with the same amount of food I set for her. I started eating and noticed she has yet to touch her food. I looked at her questioningly.

“Is there something wrong? Do you not like the food?”

She was staring with her lips curved up slightly. Her elbow propped on the table as she rested her chin on her palm as she looked at me. “You are quite a good husband, aren’t you?”

I blushed.

---

Our stay lasted for four days. On the fifth, we left. It was the longest time I stayed here. And though the woman was keeping me on my toes, I was gradually used to her presence, almost forgetting the fact that she was dangerous.

She had been nothing but kind and patient towards my family- my mom and grandma who couldn’t shut their mouth and always had something to say to her to praise her or the never ending stories to tell back in their younger days, especially grandma. She stayed with grandma every night because she asked her company and they talked and talked until she’s sound asleep. Damian, who's so hyper, always invited us to play with him and Ollie.

And of course, Ollie. He was an untrained dog but really smart. Whenever Ollie wanted to play with her, she taught him tricks and offered him treats whenever he managed to learn and execute the tricks well. Damian was amazed. His eyes sparkled adoration towards my so-called fiancee.

We also went to the beach. Surprisingly, we used her SUV in which I was the driver. I couldn’t imagine how expensive it was and yet she let us use it. With a grandma, a kid and a dog, it gets really messy. I was right when most of the mess was caused by Damian and Ollie. I tried to reprimand them but with a wave of her hand, I stopped. The woman was full of surprises.

The beach was public yet clean and well kept. There were also other people, groups of friends and families who came here to enjoy summer and fortunately, it wasn’t completely that crowded. We didn’t spend the night there cause our house was just fifteen minutes away from the beach.

Mom was the one who prepared the food. I tried to help but she just shooed me away so I spent my time playing in the water with Ollie and Damian.

Cara, on the other hand…

She wore a mini white summer beach dress. She was wearing a bikini underneath, white as well. Her plump breasts were full almost spilling, legs so long and perfectly shaped just as her ass. Her beauty was bare and natural.

She was the cause of my recent wet dreams. It doesn’t help the fact that she wore my shirt every night, braless while sleeping on my bed.

She didn’t leave my grandmother that day knowing she could only stay on the side underneath the umbrella. She was very patient knowing my grandma already repeated some of her stories but she laughed and smiled with her either way.

The night before our departure, my mom and I talked. I had a moment in the backyard while drinking beer and staring deeply at the summer night sky. I was thinking how the days went by so fast and I’ll miss my family again. I’ll come home in that empty apartment without anyone welcoming me.

For a short moment, I forgot that I had put our lives in danger. Though she promised for our safety, I’m still walking on thin ice with her. I’ll never know her plans. I’ll never know when she’ll change her mind and decide that we are not worth her time.

“What are you doing here?” Mom interrupted. She sat on the folding chair right beside mine, adjusting her cardigan while facing me. “It’s late. Cara must be sleeping right now.”

“I’m just thinking.” I looked at her before watching the sky again.

“Is it because you’re finally leaving tomorrow?” I nodded. “We’ll miss you so much, Lincoln. I know it’s going to be a long time again before you return.”

I shifted my eyes to her and showed her my grin. “I’ll come back on Christmas. I always do.”

She was silent for a while before she spoke. “You’re so lucky to have found a woman like her, son. I know I’m always saying this that it annoys the hell out of you.” She said with a teasing smirk. “But really… it’s not because you found a woman to be your partner in life but because she’s been the kindest person I know. Of course, aside from my handsome boy.” She pinches my cheek.

“Mom.” I groaned at her embarrassing gesture.

“At first, I found it hard to believe. Perhaps she was just trying to win our favor because she’s marrying you. But that thought seems to be more unbelievable. With mom, Damian and Ollie pestering her, it’s only about time til her facade breaks.”

I smiled at her teasingly. “So you actually thought of that despite your unending adoration towards her?”

She rolls her eyes. “Oh, shut up. The first day you brought her here, I thought she’s just too good to be true. Surely the rich don't look at us like that. After all, we’re not at the same level as theirs. But she continued to amaze me. She’s not just beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. I realized then… maybe she’s my son's blessing after all.” She looked at me with a resplendent and meaningful smile.

She’s so happy for me. I don’t think I have the guts to ruin that even if I have to keep up with this pretense.

“I really love her, Lincoln. I love her so for you.” Her warm hand caressed my forearm. It was full of warmth and love. “I wish you both so much happiness. And please… do not forget to involve me with your wedding plans. You know how much I love planning so much.” Her teasing and excited smile was present in her face that I didn’t want to ruin it.

“Of course, mom.” I lied.

---

We said our goodbyes and hugs and promises to come back again. Her two bodyguards were back. Franco and the other one who was driving. This time, I didn't have a blindfold on as we made our way back to New York City.

The past few days made a reel out of my mind. I couldn’t help but think about what my mother said. Her adoration to her was not just about her looks and it honestly made me question her being. It was the total opposite of what she’d shown me the first time she appeared before me.

She’s both the cause of my nightmares and dreams- begrudgingly wet as well. She made my once wish come true. She took my family’s heart so incredibly easy.

I remembered her words to my mom before we left when my mom asked her to take care of me.

‘Your son is indeed a treasure.’

I don’t know what her plans truly were. She was being so completely nice to them which confuses the hell out of me. She confuses me.

“Thank you.” I spoke finally. I’ve been dying to tell her that because she made things possible for me.

Then her fake and wicked smile came back as she turned to face me. After everything that’s recently happened, I was completely taken aback.