31. Grace
31
Grace
A quamarine waters lapped at the white sandy beaches as palm trees swayed in the warm breeze and seagulls screeched overhead.
I squinted against the intense sun as we exited the vehicle parked on a cobbled driveway near a villa.
"Wow."
The square two-story building stood tall against the blue skies. Its second balcony was lined with a bamboo banister, lending to the naturalness of the surrounding area.
Elias interlaced his mother's arm through his, assisting her inside. "You haven't even seen the backyard."
"Do I need to? I feel like I'm on vacation just looking at the front."
He chuckled as I followed him indoors. The guards spread out towards offset buildings that resembled three more homes on the property. It squared the main villa, creating a safe space inside the center that functioned as the driveway and main entrance.
"Where are they going?"
Elias looked back as we passed through the abnormally wide wooden door into the light oak kitchen. "To their rooms."
"They have their own rooms too?"
"Yes. Mamá, Valaria, and Catalina will occupy this villa, and we will take the one to the right."
"Okay."
"Why don't you go make yourself comfortable? It's safe to move around. The door is just right over there." He pointed towards the villa to the right, which was identical in color.
It stood two stories tall, the banisters also in bamboo, but the backside resembled a rainforest, the entrance obscured by large, flat green leaves on both short, fat trees as well as tall, skinny ones.
I took the wooden path to the entrance and pushed through the glass door, which opened into a walk-through kitchen and living space. The wall-to-wall windows opened the space to the outdoors, where a private pool overlooked the lapping Gulf.
Beside the pool were cushioned patio chairs and loungers, a barbecue area, and three short steps to the sugary sand beach.
I let loose a quiet squeal as I rushed through the kitchen and living room, past the floating stairs to the left, and out through the large, open door leading out to the patio.
"Oh my God." A soft breeze moved my hair off my shoulders. "Someone pinch me. I'm dreaming."
I spun around and rushed through the kitchen and up the short staircase.
The second floor consisted of one space, the master bedroom, and in the center of the room was a king-sized bed.
Twisting on my heels, I collapsed on the plush mattress, the white comforter as soft as baby ducks. I rolled off the bed and walked behind the half wall used as a headboard and partition, separating the two spaces.
The open bathroom spanned the space with a stone walk-in shower adorned with three shower heads and a private toilet room in the corner.
I placed my hands on my hips. "No bath?"
"On the contrary."
Jumping in place, I spun around, my heart in my throat, my stomach left on the floor.
Elias pointed towards the balcony. "You get to enjoy the scenery while soaking."
"You move like a ghost. You know that?"
A faint smile pulled on his lips as he stepped through the double sliding doors and onto the balcony, offering privacy.
The ivory-white tub sat to the side, bordered by pebbled walls and flooring, creating a naturalistic ambiance.
"Wow."
His hands slipped over my hips, his chest warming my back. "You've said that."
"There aren't any other words. "
He rested his chin on my shoulder. "Well, while you’re searching your vocabulary, you can get settled." He spun me in his arms and cupped my cheeks while looking down at me. "I have some business I need to attend to, and then I'm all yours."
All mine…
His lips brushed my forehead, heat striking a perpetual fire through my belly.
He was all mine.
I gripped his sides. "Thank you."
He kissed the top of my head. "The little things you are grateful for are refreshing." His hands slid down my arms, gripping them as he pulled away. "I'll be back later in the evening."
"Okay." I nodded. His foot hit the top of the stairs. "Elias…please be safe."
He paused, tipped his head to the side, and descended the stairs.
I swallowed hard as I spun around, taking in the opulent space around me. I stopped, facing a large wooden dresser. Taking two steps, I gripped the rounded wood knobs on either side of the rectangle and slid the drawer open.
Stacked in perfect little squares were my clothes. The top drawer provided underwear, bras, and a bikini I'd never wear. The second was shirts, the third shorts, pants, and a flowery skirt.
Beneath the dresser were a pair of flip-flops, not the foam Walmart kind I'd get during the short summers in Illinois, but fancy, hard-bottomed soles with braided strands between the toes.
Changing out of my dress, I threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, then bounced down the stairs with a spring in my step towards the private swimming pool.
Blue waters stretched as far as the eye could see. Sandy beaches extended to the left and right with armed guards, their lone visitor.
They stuck out like a sore thumb in their blue jeans and plaid shirts, their boots kicking up white sand as they paced.
"Grace." Rosa's voice carried over the thick, green foliage, acting as a wall between each villa.
I stood on my tiptoes and waved. " Hola, Rosa ."
" Come have a drink with me."
"Okay." Where is the path connecting us? "Be there in a minute."
I took the steps to the beach, my toes sinking into the hot sand, then took the three steps onto her patio .
Valaria poured Rosa a glass of orange juice in a tall flute.
"Juice?" I gave her a lopsided smile. "In the afternoon?"
"Mimosa." Rosa glanced up at Valaria and laughed. "Don't tell Elias. He wouldn't approve."
I smiled. "Secrets from your son. How will I ever keep my mouth shut?"
"You'll do just fine. Like you always do."
I sat beside her, my smile wilting. "I don't know what you mean."
Did she know the reason he kept me around?
Was she aware I held key information that would allow Elias to settle his revenge in the blink of an eye?
Rosa grinned as she brought her orange flute to her lips. "Nothing goes on under my roof that I don't know about. Just ask Valaria here."
The woman dressed in comfortable clothes stiffened, her gaze never leaving her task of sorting the fruits to plates.
"She thinks her relationship with the chef Alphonse has gone unnoticed…" Valaria's throat bobbed as she swallowed while a red clawing tint burned her cheeks. "Isn't that, right?"
Her hands shook, and she dropped a slice of pineapple on the floor.
"I didn't realize they weren't allowed to have relationships within their employment?" I shrugged.
"Of course they can." Rosa sipped her drink and then swiped away the notion as though it were ridiculous. "That's not my point."
Valaria's shoulders dropped as she exhaled.
"The point is, I may be losing my mind, but I haven't lost my ability to observe."
I nodded and sat back as Valaria left us with our mimosas and fruit. Not that I'd touch any of it. My belly couldn't handle another bite, no matter how decadent.
"So, then you know why Elias has me around?"
"Of course I do."
"Why haven't you said anything?"
"What business is it of mine? He's handling it on his own."
I chewed on my inner lip. "How is that?"
She tipped her head to the side and raised a brow. "Fruit?"
"No, thank you."
"This is a nice place, isn't it?" Rosa grabbed a piece of melon and popped it into her mouth.
"It's beautiful."
"Elias bought it after he and Nadia announced their engagement."
My gaze hit the floor as the breath in my lungs froze. "He bought it for her?"
" Dios mio, no ." She leaned back in her chair. "He never bought her anything besides her apartment and private driver. Maybe a few trinkets and clothes, but never anything like this."
I hid my hands beneath the heavy tabletop and rolled the rosary in my pocket.
"Do you think they'll get back together?"
The question rolled off my lips before I could harness them, making me cringe inside.
Rose moved her head from side to side. "Once he makes a decision, it's final."
" Lo siento."
"No need to apologize, mi hija." She took another sip of her drink. "If he didn't want her gone, even you couldn't change his mind."
I chewed my inner cheek while diverting my gaze to the small fly, taking his fill on the edge of the fruit tray.