Chapter 28 HER GROUND RULES
The plane took off to NY late in the night. The journey was a quiet one. Mahina sat silently beside Dora. She rested her head on Dora’s shoulders, while Dora wrapped her arms around her. The guys were on the other corner of the plane chit chatting while drinking wine. Dora smiled at Mahina and said:
“This was the best vacation ever in the history of my life. I had a lot of fun. Well, except for Ford always getting on my nerves. Apart from that it was a memorable time I would never forget.” Mahina smiled at her:
“Ford is a gentle man. in fact, out of the bunch I think he is the must honorable. He is mature Dora! what are you saying?” Dora raised her eyes to Mahina in disbelieve.
“Hina! What are you saying? Are you now taking his side instead of mine?” For a moment there Dora was almost about to flare up. Mahina quickly raised her hands in surrender. The man most have really gotten on Dora’s bad side for her to be this agitated. The guys briefly glanced at them because of their sudden raised voice but quickly looked away and return to their discussions. Mahina rested her head on Dora’s shoulders again. The rest of the journey was a quiet one for the girls except for the guys who were chit chatting throughout the journey.
The plane arrived at NY airport early in the morning. They got off the plane and walked to the arrivals section of the Airport. There were two platoons of security men waiting for them. They were led out of the airport while being protected from the reporters who were already packed at the arrivals section of the airport.
Just outside the Airport, was another platoon of men waiting for them at the exit of the airport where their cars were parked. Once the men spotted them, they ran and formed a fence round them to protect them from the media crowd and crazy fans. Each of them walked swiftly to where their luxurious cars were parked.
Arlo and Axel both drove in their different cars, Ford and Dora Left in a different car and finally Alba and Mahina also left in a different car. There was a convoy behind them as they were on their way back to their homes. While Alba and Mahina were seated at the passenger's seat, Alba turned to look at Mahina and he asked her:
“What have you decided on?” She was silent. It seemed to Alba as if she was in contemplation before she finally answered him:
“I will do it! But you have to promise me that you Will tell me once you fall in love with me” she peered into his eyes in search of his honesty. Alba nodded with a smiled and said:
“You will know without a doubt even if I don’t say it. But I am giving you my word I will tell you if I do eventually fall in love with you.” Mahina gestured with her head and said:
“I want to say goodbye to my friend first before I leave with you.” Alba nodded to her and said:
“Ford is taking her to my mansion first. So that the two of you can say your goodbyes.” Mahina looked away from him, instead she was staring at the trees they were passing blankly. The clouds looked fluffy, and the weather was just right. It felt refreshing to Mahina. Although every time she thought of Alba’s condition for letting her go, she felt suffocated.
They soon arrived at Alba’s Mansion at NY, Mahina was shocked at the sight of the massive building. She turned to look at him and asked:
“Who stays in this mansion other than you?” he smiled and answered:
“No one just me and the servants working here. Although my friends do visit for a sleep over sometimes”
“It feels empty and lonely…” she turned to look at Alba and she was shocked by his smiling face. she thought he would be emotional by her words but instead his face was bright and unfazed.
“You are right! It feels empty and lonely. Perhaps that’s why I am almost never here… I spend most of my time at Fords mansion bugging him. And if I am not at Fords, I am partying or having a good time with some ladies. Now that you are here, I have someone to return to at home.”
One of Alba’s men quickly opened the door for Alba and Mahina. The man bowed before Alba and Mahina.
“My lord Sire Ford and the young lady have been waiting for your arrival and the Kind lady’s arrival at the garden.” Alba slightly nodded by letting out a sound of approval to the Butler.
“Murthy! Lead the kind lady to the garden I will be with them shortly.” The Butler bowed and led Mahina to the garden. Whilst they were walking Mahina was just looking around at the exquisite environ with a bright smile on her face. until they finally arrived at the garden. Mahina saw Dora admiring the beautiful plants around. She smiled at her and yelled:
“Bestie!” Mahina smiled brightly at her friend. Even though she was feeling sad that she wouldn’t be with her friend always like before, she still tried to smile because she didn’t want her friend to be worried.
“Hina! Oh my god this garden is beautiful…” Dora’s face was lit up as she was talking about the garden. Although it was just for a moment but Mahina was happy because her friend was happy too.
“I know right?” Dora smiled at Mahina’s response. Ford stood up from there and left silently. The two watched his back as he exited the garden. Dora turned to look at Mahina and said:
“It’s okay Mahina. You will be alright; Alba is not the kind of guy who would hurt you. I can swear on my gut feelings…” Dora noticed her shocked face and said:
“Don’t be shocked, I knew everything all along… actually… I kind of heard Arlo and Axel talking about it, back at Florida.” Mahina sighed and said:
“Then I am sure you know about the crazy condition he gave to me right? ...” Dora nodded with a smile.
“Don’t worry Hina, I have got your back. I will help you every step of the way.” Dora assured her confidently.
Ford suddenly showed up and said:
“If you two are done then can we go now Dora or…” Dora smiled and said:
“Sure, we are done… now let’s get going.” Dora hugged Hina warmly and left with Ford. Mahina was speechless as she watched the figure of her friend fade as she walked out of the garden.
While she was still standing there looking sad and lost, Alba came into the garden and said:
“Come on I will take you on a tour round the mansion.”
“It looks pretty massive; do you think we will be able to cover all the areas today? I mean I am kind of tired and I want to rest… that’s”
“Say no more. I will show you to your bedroom.” Alba held her hands and led her from the garden to the mansion. Mahina couldn’t stop her eyes from looking around, everything and every little detail spelled glamour. It was as if she was in a real-life Victorian style castle. Alba smiled at how lost Mahina was just by looking around:
“We won’t be using the staircase since you are tired. Let’s use the lift instead.” He dragged her into the lift since she was busy looking around with her mouth agape. The lift stopped at the third floor. They got off the lift and Alba walked her to her bedroom. He opened the door and Mahina couldn’t keep her cool anymore:
“Whoa! This is amazing this room is even more glamorous than the one in Florida. It’s beautiful… but still empty” ‘Mahina got mentally lost thinking to herself: hopefully I won’t stay here long if I can make the ice melt. What can I do to make a man like him fall in love with me?’ Alba just stood by the corner watching her move her index finger like she was calculating something. He briefly smiled and returned to his usual stern face when he is not being sly.
“It’s also my room.” Alba spoke abruptly. Mahina turned to look at him and immediately yelled:
“What!... but you just said it’s my room”
“Well yeah it’s kind of your room and kind of my room… my point is I sleep here sometimes.” Mahina looked at him closely and said:
“Fine! I don’t have a problem with that but hey I have some ground rules if we are going to be sharing this room and living together.”