"You speak Italian?" Alynah asked as she watched Kayden talk to crystal before she left with Tulip.
Kayden smirked and looked at her.
"One of the ten languages I can speak" he replied and Alynah gaped at his reply.
"I was beginning to think you are Italian" Alynah said half- jokingly and Kayden chuckled.
"A true businessman should learn how to speak 5 languages at least" Kayden stated and Alynah nodded thoughtfully.
"Hope I won't be required to speak Italian in our conference?" Alynah asked, looking a little bit terrified at the thought of speaking Italian in the public, when she don't even know what's 'Hi' in Italian.
Kayden laughed heartily.
"No, English throughout. I will help you out when Italian is required" Kayden assured and she nodded with a smile.
A brief silence took over as Kayden went through his phone briefly. He looked up as if he remembered something.
"I have a question, Alynah. That's if you don't mind" Kayden began as Alynah gave him a nod.
He took a deep breath and asked.
"Mr Grayling, the owner of GL Group is really your father?"
Alynah froze for a while. She remembered she haven't discussed about her family with him since she started working for him. Goodness, it really slipped off her mind. No, it didn't. She doesn't want to recall her bitter past.
There was a total silence, almost deafening and Alynah sighed.
"Yes, he is" was her short reply. Kayden remained shut. He only observed her expression. He could see the pain brimming in her brown eyes. He suddenly wondered why she had to suffer that much from her past. He doesn't want to ask any more questions. As Royce said, if she trusts him enough, she will tell him everything.
"Sorry for the question, I was just curious" Kayden leisurely shrugged his shoulders and rested on the soft couch. Alynah nodded and lowered her head.
Never mind coming with us to Italy, you're not my daughter anymore
Mr Grayling's angry voice was forever etched in her memory. There's no way she will forget about the disappointment and displease in his voice. And how her mother stared at her in disgust, as if she was never her daughter.
Alynah shook her head to let go of the past. She had moved on, she's happy, she won't recall the past and keep hurting herself. She knew her family is somewhere in Italy, enjoying their lives without even thinking about her. They must have forgotten about her as if she's dead. She will do the same.
Kayden looked up at her, he can see that she's still lost in her own world, brooding about her past probably. So, he tried distracting her.
"Crystal is taking Tulip to her art gallery later at night. Can we also visit some fun places? Just the two of us?" He asked. Alynah forced out a tight smile but then, her eyes lit up in excitement.
"I would love to explore Italy!" She beamed.
Kayden smiled proudly.
Success!!!
Kayden and Alynah set out for a tour in the glorious city of Tuscany.
As they wandered through the rolling hills and charming villages of Tuscany, Kayden and Alynah found themselves lost in conversation and laughter. They strolled hand in hand through San Gimignano's medieval streets, marveling at the ancient towers and sharing gelato in the piazzas.
In Siena, they explored the Piazza del Campo, watching the sunset over the terracotta rooftops. Kayden taught Alynah how to make the perfect Italian gesture, and she playfully scolded him for his terrible Italian accent.
At a local vineyard, they sipped Chianti and learned about the art of wine-making. As they gazed out at the vine-covered hills, Kayden turned to Alynah and said, "I'm so glad we're experiencing this together." Alynah's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met.
"Me too" she replied.
As the night wore, they found their feelings deepening and their affection intensifying. They stayed on the hills watching sunset until Alynah broke the silence.
"You asked about me father..." She began and Kayden turned to her.
Alynah gazed up at the sky and breathed out.
"My family disowned me because of the incident four years ago, resulting to Tulip. I thought my life will end after that but...then I found my place at your company. I feel really grateful that there's still someone who truly understands me and I can't thank you enough for that, Mr Hart..." She trailed off and sobbed.
Kayden squeezed her hands softly, comforting her. Alynah cried as he pulled her into a hug, whispering sweet words of enchantment into her ear.
After a lot, they disentangled and Kayden cupped her cheeks.
"Isn't it time to drop the formalities?" He asked with a smirk. Alynah stared into his grey eyes that are glimmering like the stars in the sky. Kayden chuckled seeing that de didn't understand what he meant.
"Kayden, call me Kayden"
Alynah gasped at his words.
"I should call you by your name?" She asked in disbelief.
"You can do just that. It doesn't matter anymore" Kayden stroke her hair, making her cringe, goosebumps all over her body.
They stared into each other's eyes like there are searching for something. A brief silence took over. The warm breeze blew gently, sweeping away Alynah's hair from her face. Alynah suddenly smiled genuinely.
"Kayden" this was the first time she's calling him by his name and she suddenly felt her heart fluttering as the name stumbled out of her mouth.
Kayden responded by grabbing her neck and pulling her into a kiss. Alynah froze at the sudden attack but later followed suit. They shared their feelings and emotions through the kiss. They could both feel it. They don't need a ghost to tell them what the kiss meant.
Soft lips moving in sync, warm breaths mixed together, tongues entangling, stars glimmering above the sky, warm breeze blowing, it's a perfect moment for them.
"It sounded different hearing it from you" Kayden said truthfully as they broke apart.
Alynah lowered her head, blushing hard.
"Can we go back to the Villa? I'm exhausted" she said. She really can't stay any longer with him. She's too shy to even look up at him.
"Sure, we still have tomorrow to continue our tour. Next tomorrow night is the conference" Kayden replied and so, they went back to the Villa.
Meanwhile, Crystal took Tulip to her Art gallery. Tulip, setting her foot into the gallery, she gaped at the vast paintings. The magic that flows through the Italian artworks. The Golden lights illuminating the arts, the stunning paintings and all that. She loved it!
Crystal led her inside to explore the paintings and Tulip paid attention to it. Later then, she asked Tulip to try painting and Tulip enthusiastically agreed. She set out the painting board, brushes and colour pallet.
Tulip painted a picture of a trio. A lady, a man and a little girl. Though it's not so clear and masterpiece, it was a vivid imagination for a four-year old girl.
Crystal was stunned to see Tulip's painting. She knew the girl had passion for painting and gladly, Tulip had discovered her talent. Crystal will put in her best to nurture, mentor and guide her towards her talent.
The striking resemblance between Tulip and Kayden was really confusing and convincing to Crystal and now, Tulip's painting made her more convinced and confused again.
"Who are those in the painting, Cara?" Crystal asked, stroking Tulip's hair.
She stared calling her 'Cara' since from the start.
Tulip giggled happily and pointed at the picture. Her grey eyes brimming with excitement.
"This is mummy, this is me and this is handsome uncle"