#Chapter6
Crystal
/"Crystal./"
/"Crystal./"
A profound voice gently knocks the door of darkness which was trapping me and showed me conscious. I quailed feeling someone shaking my shoulder.
/"Wake up. We are here. We are at home./" My eyes instantly popped open and I sat straight in my seat bubbling with excitement.
/"We are here?/" I asked rubbing my sleepy eyes and yawned behind my palm. Valentine chuckles and combed the hairs which were falling on my eyes. They were messy due to sleeping for hours. I was knocked out all the way back while Valentine worked on his laptop.
/"Yeah, we are about to land. Let's go./" He said holding my hand lead us out of the small cabin. I found that the air hostess was already buckled. I smiled at her and sat with Valentine.
After some fifteen minutes, we landed safely on our homeland. I quickly unbuckled myself and tried to jump out to take fresh air but a hand shot up, wrapping itself around my wrist.
/"Where are you going?/" Valentine asked and I smiled in embarrassment. I was eager to leave the plane.
/"Uh... I feel sick. I need to have some fresh air. My head hurts./" I replied hesitantly and he immediately stood up cupping my cheeks.
/"Why didn't you tell me before? That's why you slept all the way. But the doctor said it was safe to travel. We are going to see him once we reach home./" He declared and I sighed.
/"Calm down Valentine, it's not that bad. Let's go./"
/"Wait. Not yet. You just stay here until I come back for you./" He said cautiously pushing me back on the seat.
/"What? Why? Where are you going?/" I asked nervously.
/"I am going out to check if all the arrangements are done. You can watch me from the window. Alright?/" He asked kissing my forehead and I nodded dejectedly. Soon, he disappeared from my sight and the hostess smiled politely.
/"Ma'am, would you like to have something?/" She asked and I smiled.
/"Water please./"
In no time a glass of water was handed to me. My eyes immediately skipped to the window looking for Valentine. He was now wearing dark sunglasses as he made his way towards five black cars. Three men of equal built, wearing black Armani greeted him with a bow. They talked for a while when all of a sudden, Valentine looked back and waved at me making me chuckle. I waved back while finishing my water. They chatted for few more minutes until Valentine started walking back to me and the guys accompanied him. I stood up ready to join them. Valentine draped a scarf around my head.
/"Why a scarf?/" I asked confused as he adjusted it hiding my copper hairs.
/"Paparazzi. You know how difficult they get sometimes. Moreover, it's very hot outside. Don't want you to get a sunstroke./" I agreed in understanding and walk by his side as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder protectively. The three men from earlier walked like a shield around us. Maybe they were bodyguards. But why Valentine needs so much security? Maybe because he is not some normal business tycoon and had enemies.
Once settled in the car, we drove straight towards home. Two black cars were following us while the other two were ahead. Tension lingered thickly in the air. It worried me. Something is wrong.
/"Valentine,/" I said and his head whipped in my direction. His eyes were scanning our surroundings all the time.
/"Yes, sweetheart?/"
/"Everything is fine, right?/" I asked in concern and he smiled before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me to his chest.
/"Everything is fine. We will be home in twenty minutes./" He assured and I sighed laying my head on his shoulder.
Italy was really beautiful. My eyes scanned the surroundings hungrily, catching calming greenery all around. Even under the scorching sun, the place stood like heaven. The cars were going faster than normal making me dizzy. I immediately looked away from the window and closed my eyes.
/"We are here./" He announced after some time and cars came to an abrupt halt, in front of enormous iron gates. A swarm of guards greeted us as they opened the gates to let the cars in. We passed through a breath-taking garden. The green grass was getting nourished by sprinklers. Soon, a mansion came in view. My eyes sparkled in amazement. I think it's the most beautiful thing I ever saw. The mansion isn't the right word to describe such a grand palace. The milky shade ran across strong walls and pillars. A lawn full of colorful flowers and green plants spreads heavenly fragrance gulping all the bad odor of outside. Buzz of bees and chirping of the birds could be heard clearly. The door to my side opened and Valentine offers me his hand to step out. I held it tightly feeling nervous all of a sudden. His hand rested on my waist as we moved forward. The heads of guards bowed like he was some king. It amused me a little and I suppressed my smile.
/"This is our home. From generations, this mansion has passed to the eldest son, the next heir of Romero throne. It was built in 1890 by my ancestors./" He explained while I stared at the fountain in front of the entrance. The water was so fresh. Reaching in front of the wooden double doors, Valentine knocked twice. I jumped startled not expecting the thumping voice to echo loud. He chuckles from beside me and I couldn't help but glare silently. In no time, the doors opened and a vibrant face greeted us. Brown eyes shined in amazement as sun rays strike against them. A mane of grey hairs was tied in an elegant bun. The woman's wrinkled face broke into a beautiful smile. She looked in her early 50's.
/"Master Valentine,/" She squealed stepping forward and engulfing the 6ft man in her 5ft figure for a hug. Valentine laughed and hugged the old woman back before kissing her hairs.
/"Oh Lola, I missed you so much. Crystal, this is Lola, our caretaker./" He said introducing me to her. I smiled politely in greeting and the woman immediately burst into tears scanning my face. She threw her arms around me, pulling me to her chest. Valentine told me a lot about her. She used to babysit him and his sister when they were kids. When their parents died, she was the one who raised them.
/"Oh, my child. How are you? I missed you a lot. This house looked so empty without you./" She said caressing my cheek and kissed my forehead. I gulped the heavy lump down my throat and blinked back the stinging sensation behind my eyes, consoling the old lady. We must have shared a strong bond in the past. /"I am warning you, Master Valentine, if you ever dared to upset my baby, you are going to face my wrath./" She declared pulling me closer and glared at the tall man with furious eyes. Her courage was plausible in front of such an intimidating person. He just nodded with a sad smile and lowered his head.
/"Come on in. We have so much to catch up. I am seeing my Queen after 9 months./" She said pulling me inside and that's when I gasped at the interior. The light coming from giant chandeliers flooded my vision. A feminine screech broke my trance. Our heads whipped in the direction of a teenage blond running in our direction. Her curly hairs bounced in the air and maroon sundress flows behind her as she ran towards Valentine with open arms. In no time, she jumped on him with her legs locking around his waist and arms around his neck. He laughed hugging her back.
/"Valerie,/" He breathed and I smiled collecting who she was. Valerie Romero, Valentine's younger and only sister.
/"Oh my God! You are at home. I can't believe it./" She screamed in excitement making me and Lola laugh.
/"Yes tigru, I am back. Now get down, you are destroying my suite./" He ordered and she immediately scooted away following his command. A permanent grin was plastered on her heart-shaped face. Her blue eyes moistened and she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes.
/"I... I missed you./" She whispered staring at her fatherly figure with respect who smiled back. Then her eyes jumped to me and they widened like saucers.
/"Crystal,/" She said and lunged at me, chocking me to death with a bone-crushing hug. I stood awkwardly and winced at the pressure on my bones.
/"Easy there, tigru. You are suffocating her. She hasn't recovered fully yet./" Valentine warned pulling her back. Her eyes shimmered with tears as she smiled at me.
/"How are you?/" She asked and I nodded.
/"Better./" My answer made her sigh and she covered her eyes.
/"I am so happy. Let me show you around./" She declared holding my hand and drags me behind her. Valentine winked at me and turned to Lola. We crossed the living room and took a right. A giant kitchen welcomed us.