Beach house

Federico's POV

Mia had been particularly glum after we had attended the auction last night. Much as I hoped that her sister hadn't already been sold off to someone at one of the previous auctions, we had to find some concrete proof that she indeed hadn't been sold just yet. So, I'd told Dante to get me the names and pictures of all the women who had been auctioned off here in Rome ever since Mia's sister had gotten kidnapped. It was going to take him a while to do that without raising any suspicions, but I was positive he would be able to do it.

I looked at Mia as she sat on the edge of the bed nibbling on the French toast I'd asked one of the maids to bring up to our room for breakfast. "Not eating is not going to bring your sister back," I said to her, making her look up at me.

"I know. It's just.... I'm worried about her," she sighed, keeping her plate on the bedside table.

"I understand. I've told Dante to gather information on all the women who've been auctioned off ever since your sister got kidnapped. If she was here in Rome, we'll find her," I explained to her, trying to ease some of her worries.

She shot me a grateful smile. "Thanks."

I shook my head, pointing my fork at her. "If you're really thankful, you need to finish up that entire plate of breakfast."

She rolled her eyes at me but picked her plate back up anyway, making a show of taking a bite of her food.

I smiled in satisfaction, the two of us eating our food in companionable silence, but I could still feel an undercurrent of sadness lingering on Mia's face. She'd cried a lot last night and I'd been powerless to do much other than shush her and whisper words of comfort until she finally fell asleep.

But even after she had woken up this morning, a veil of sadness seemed to engulf her. And I hated seeing her this way. I knew her sister meant the world to her, and seeing women being sold off like that hadn't been a pretty sight. I loved my own sister to death and I couldn't ever imagine not knowing where she was, or if she was in danger, let alone worrying about if she had been sold off to some sleazy bastard. Naturally, I could not even begin to fathom the pain Mia must be in. Still, I wanted to ease her mind off of it a little.

But how?

Would taking her out on a date help?

Now that we had both confessed to loving each other, I figured it was only natural for me to officially ask her out. I realised I was doing things completely out of order, having jumped straight to fucking her even before I'd confessed to my feelings for her, nevermind taking her out on a date before any of that.

But it was something that could be easily rectified. Mia was a strong woman but I felt like she deserved a break from being strong. I wanted her to feel calm, cherished, loved, like the weight of the world wasn't on her shoulders for once.

I knew I couldn't take her worries about her sister away until her sister was actually back and standing in front of her. But I could at least help her take her mind off of it even if it was for a little while.

My mind worked a mile a minute as I thought about what all I could do to cheer her up. Much as I wanted to take her out to some of the iconic historical places my birth place had to offer, I also knew they would all be super crowded, specially given that it was peak tourist season at this time of the year. I wanted to take her some place quiet, where she could wind down and relax.

I mentally checked through the list of properties I owned in the city, finally settling on a small beach house in Ostia that my brother had bought for me a few years back. It was merely an hour's drive from the mansion and seemed like the perfect getaway with it's own private beach to relax.

Having made the decision, I sent a quick text to the housekeeper of the beach house to expect me there soon so she could make preparations accordingly.

"Come on, get ready. We're going to the beach," I said, getting up.

Mia furrowed her brows at me. "Beach? Here?"

I nodded. "Pack a bag for tonight. We've got nothing to do but wait while Dante gathers the information I've asked of him. We might as well have some fun while we wait. It'll help take your mind off of everything."

Mia seemed reluctant at the offer but nodded all the same, getting up. "Okay. I've never really been to the beach before so there's that."

My mouth popped open at her words before a slow smile took over my face. "Trust me, you're going to love it," I said, recalling the private beach I'd often spent hours sun bathing on, or going for a swim in the salty ocean. The beach house had been my reprieve from it all when it felt like things were getting too much for me to handle what with my father's constant nagging to do better.

Mia shot me a small smile. "I'll take your word for it."

I nodded at her before grabbing a small suitcase and dumping a bunch of beachwear for the both of us into it.

Soon, we left the mansion and had reached the beach house, the ride over filled with easy banter, telling me Mia was feeling better already.

It was when she looked at the small part of the beach we would have all to ourselves and her eyes lit up in pure, unadulterated joy that I realised I'd made the right decision in bringing her here.

"Can I go there?" She asked excitedly, pointing to the vast ocean ahead of us with a grin in place.

"Of course, you can," I told her and she wasted no time in taking her shoes off before running barefoot onto the beach and right into the water.

I grinned, right behind her as I followed her into the cool water, not caring that my shorts and shirt were getting wet.

Giggling like a little kid, she splashed me in the face with a handful of water.

Wiping the water off my face with one hand I shot her an evil grin. "Oh, it's on," I said before splashing her right back, making her gasp as some of the water went into her mouth.

I laughed as we took turns splashing each other until we were completely drenched in water. Being silly with her and seeing her so happy and carefree made my heart feel full, like I was perfectly content with the way life was, like I had everything I could ever wish for right in front of me as long as Mia was happy.

Overcome with a sudden rush of affection, I moved forward and wrapped my arms around her waist, making her playful giggles come to a halt as I looked down at her smiling face, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she grinned up at me.

"What are you doing?" She asked, staring straight into my eyes.

"I love seeing you happy. I love you," I whispered, before capturing her lips in a slow, sweet kiss.

A sense of peace washed over me as the two of us stood there with our arms wrapped around each other, feeling perfectly content with the way things were.

I hadn't felt this way in a long time, as if everything was alright in my world. And I realised it was being with Mia that was making me feel this way. I guess what they said was right, you really felt invincible with the person you love by your side.

I was a lucky motherfucker that she loved me back just as much, if not more. And I'd be damned if I ever let that go, or did anything to jeopardize what we had.