The weather felt unusually calming, the trees that surrounds the villa moved in unison to the force at which the breeze blew them. Elena yawned as she stretched her body on the mattress that serves as her bed, she must have had a great night which was surprising because she either wakes up sweating profusely, her heart pounding as a result of nightmares about the court room or she wakes up grumbling missing home and the life that she lived before becoming a castle princess. She sighed grateful that today she can at least take a break from the bitterness that engulfs her every time she remembers the circumstances that led to her current situation. The last thing she wants was to develop some kind of bond with this god forsaken environment but she would never deny herself a happy moment.
The birds sang their sweet melodies as usual and for the first time since Elena moved to the villa, she enjoyed the beautiful sound. She could as well just become a bird and sing her lungs off, the thought of that made a burst of laughter escape her throat. Surprisingly she felt like a huge burden was taken off her chest, that was how good the laughter felt.
She did not know it yet but her life was about to take a huge turn.
She listened quietly hoping to hear Dante make his usual disturbing sounds, but nothing came from the other end of the villa. She hissed loudly as her mind shifted drastically to the deal they made the other day.
"Only a crazy woman would offer to be someone's wife, that was ridiculous" She scoffed. "So cheap Elena".
She laughed in spite of herself. She has offered to help him out of his dilemma in return for her freedom, they struck a deal and nothing more. She was very much aware of the fact that she would never be the wife of a man like Dante but she would not stop criticizing herself for suggesting something so absurd.
She walked reluctantly into the kitchen in an attempt to reheat the left over pizza, a wave of nostalgia passed through her body as she put the cold pizza into the microwave . Back at home, left over pizza always served as her breakfast before heading out to a movie set. She wouldn't have survived this villa if there was no electricity. Having to live without a cell phone and the internet for a year was something that she never knew she could do.
She wondered what her colleagues would think of her , would they laugh and call her a coward for choosing to run away or would they worry about her thinking something bad might have happened to her. She should have stared as the lead character in the blockbuster movie a year ago but here she was living in a deserted castle.
She let out a loud sarcastic laughter, "My life is a joke".
"I disagree" a thick familiar voice said making her jump in fear.
Dante peered in through the small kitchen window as he made funny faces at her.
"What is your business here Mr. Man?" Elena asked not bothering to hide the irritation that was already building up.
He pushed the iron door open with so much ease as he helped himself into the kitchen without asking permission to get in.
"You always leave your door unlocked?" He was obviously surprised.
She shrugged "Why not?"
Truth of the matter was she had in fact forgotten to slide the bolt in the lock after Henry left. Cold shivers ran down her spine, what if she got kidnapped or something?
He paced the kitchen searching for only heaven knows what. His hair has been neatly combed , he wore matching t-shirt and pants. He looked totally different. The last time she saw him, he looked like he just got back from war, he was sweaty and looked really angry.
"Henry was here" he said breaking the thick silence between them.
Elena gave him a curt nod.
"I'm sure he told you he doesn't have an idea I live here" Dante laughed.
"He doesn't know, you probably hid it from him" Elena muttered.
"That guy lied to you, he very much knows I'm here" He winked at her. "Imagine not knowing where your favorite cousin lives, do you think that is possible?"
"well he has his reasons if he had to lie to me" Elena shrugged.
"If that makes you sleep better at night, then I have no choice but to agree" he teased.
She somewhat felt betrayed but she would not allow this man ruin her good mood so early in the morning. She wants to believe that Henry must have lied to her because he feels it was necessary, getting mad at him would be pointless.
It finally makes sense why Henry was not bothered about getting her a body guard or security, he had even waved her off when she brought it up. Dante was around to protect her. She doubted if he had come all the way to protect her but what matters the most was that she has him around.
She could not deny the satisfactory feeling of having someone very close, the loneliness that has engulfed her over the year was about to come to an end.
"We leave for my family house early tomorrow morning" Dante cleared his throat jolting her out of her numerous thoughts.
"I'll pick you up by 7, make sure you are ready by then wifey" he told her in the most condescending tone she has ever heard a person speak to her.
"Pick me up by 7? On a horse?" She teased him as she laughed uncontrollably. Thinking about it, he does not even own a car.
He shrugged with a warm smile plastered on his face "well that is what princes do."
He turned to take his leave without uttering another word.
Elena watched as he walked briskly to his end of the villa, she smiled in spite of herself.
"He's so unbelievable" She rolled her eyes. One minute he's sweet, the next minutes he's a jerk.
She was meeting him for the second time but it felt like they have known each other for a long time.