CHIARA
Four months later
"Slow down, tesoro!" Carmelo shouted. He was sitting by the gazebo, talking over a phone.
My grip on the reins tightened. Wind hit my face and the rush of the moment travelled all over my body. "Make me!" I shouted back and giddied up. Queen was sprinting in the wind like an arrow across the green field. Her and I have been having good times together ever since the doctor said, you are healed. "I swear to God, if you don't slow down now…." I turned to glance at him. "You're not scary. If anything, you're just wetting my panties." I shouted back, grinning.
"You!" Then I heard his laughter. The man had been breathing on my neck since I was released from the hospital weeks ago. I didn't get to do anything on my own. I couldn't even lift a fork. He did all of that, saying I shouldn't tire myself or the wounds would open up. At first it felt nice and then it started to get on my nerves. I loved being pampered but he was on my air all the fucking time! Treating me like a ten-year-old.
Francesca proposed throwing a ball for me to celebrate my healing from the coma. But honestly, I wasn't feeling it. Although I appreciated her so much for the thought. We had a warm family homecoming party for me instead. And by family party I meant with a feast and fireworks. Yup, my mother-in-law is dramatic just like that and I loved her.
The sky was getting orange when I finally decided I was done riding for the day. I trotted to the stables and escorted Queen to her stall. Her mane grew even longer, looking even more majestic than she already was. I rubbed her face and placed a kiss on it. "You're beautiful and strong. Do you know that?" She neighed in response. "Of course you know. I mean look at you." I grinned. "Bye, Queen." I waved at it.
I walked out of the stables and sauntered to the gazebo. I lifted the laptop from his lap and placed it on the sofa and then I sat myself instead. My hands circled around his neck while he wrapped his around my waist, tugging me closer.
"Are you done drying my voice?" he asked, placing kisses along my shoulder and neck. "You worry too much. It's annoying." I said, my fingers running through his hair. He played with my silver chain. My heart swelled when I glanced at the matching bracelet on his wrist. We promised never to take these off, ever.
"I can't help it. I like you too much." I hummed in response. "So, are you excited about tomorrow?" He asked, facing me. A smile broke on my lips. "What question is that? Who wouldn't be?" He chuckled. "Just checking." I raised his chin. "I can't wait if you can't already tell." I leaned down and sealed his lips with mine. He grazed my lips with his thumb when we pulled back. "Anything for my baby." He grinned at me, making my heart summersault. I'd never get over his beautiful smiles, ever. We hugged, watching past the horizon.
Tomorrow we are going on our first vacation tour. Yeah, we took a one-year vacation from work for this. And we made up all the places that we wanted to go all around the world. Well, practically I picked and he ticked.
I climbed downstairs and made my way to the dining room. Where Mamma and Celia were having breakfast. These two were practically inseparable now. I wouldn't lie, it made me a little jealous. My Mamma looked so happy and occupied with her. I smiled watching them going through a business proposal they both came up with. Thanks to Celia, Mamma was going to start her own business. Creating herbal hair products using her own recipes or whatever you call it. And the sixteen-year-old was her agent and manager so far.
I sat down and Marina brought me a cup of coffee. "How long have they been at it?" I asked her. Marina made a face, "Since even birds didn't begin to chirp. They're too busy to even eat." She pointed at their untouched plates and walked back to the kitchen. There were notebooks, papers and pens. And both were busy noting down and talking. The two didn't even acknowledge my presence.
"First of all, we need to make you some social media accounts and official websites so as to engage with your customers." Said Celia, holding the pen between her teeth, pondering. "Honey, I'm in my fifties. I know nothing about those things. Can't you do all of that instead?"
"That's crap! So what if you're in your fifties? You can always learn these things. And you might end up better at it than any of those content creators out there." Celia said. Mamma's eyebrows raised, "You think so?" "I bet!" Celia replied.
Mamma looked so concerned but happy at the same time. It made my heart overflow with happiness and gratitude. I'd never thought she'd be the same after killing that monster and losing Luca. But here she was, ready to keep all that behind and start afresh even at her age. "Next! We need to utilize SEO." Celia told her. "What is that? Where can we buy it?"
I choked on my coffee. They both turned to me, staring. I waved at them, "Ah, don't mind me. Please continue." They returned to their work and Celia was explaining to her what SEO was. I covered my mouth, snorting. My poor Mamma was going to have it with Celia.
I felt a light kiss on my cheek and raised my head up. "They're at it again?" Melo spoke, pulled a chair and sat with me. "They're nowhere near being done." I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at them. "At least they're happy." I added. Melo placed his hand on mine on the table. "They are."
He wrapped his hand on my nape and turned to face him. A strong emotion swirled in his eyes that mirrored my own. "How about you? Are you happy, tesoro?" his thumbs brushed my cheeks fondly. Months ago, if you asked me that same question the answer would've been a straight no. But now with him by my side and our families around… I felt complete. "Yes. Yes, I am."
I eyed him, "How about you?" His eyes softened, then a wide grin formed on his lips, and it was all I needed to know. "You have no idea how happy I am, tesoro."
I pecked his lips and then rested my head on his shoulder. We both drank coffee while watching Mamma and Celia in silence.
Carmelo bought me a private island. Yup, a whole fucking island which is located in the Venetian lagoon within Italy. He said he bought it as a gift to mark our new beginning and that I could reshape it however I wanted, and he was going to cover all the construction expenses. I couldn't believe it at first and then he showed me the ownership documents. It was literally under my fucking name. Chiara Rossi. This man was insane, and I loved him plenty.
An hour later we said our goodbyes to both of our families before flying away. Where an adventure awaited us.