Chapter 49 - Beautiful City of Athens

Natasha's POV

We arrived at the site Valerian was talking about and I was in complete awe seeing the beautiful and spacious landscape.

"What are you planning to build here?" I asked Valerian, my voice coated with admiration of the place.

It's a bit windy and I love it.

It feels so refreshing and peaceful.

"Another empire," Valerian answered.

I can't help but smile now that I know what that means and why he's doing something like this.

I admire how hardworking Valerian is. He really goes all out for his work. He meets with investors and business partners in a different country to build what he envisions.

I admire his dedication.

"Gosh, it's so beautiful here," I muttered as I took a deep breath of air.

"You like it here?" Valerian asked.

I nodded almost immediately. "Yes, I do. I like it here very much."

I can't help but start wandering around the place.

There's really nothing in the place yet except a huge field of grass and small trees but it is such a beauty to me. The whole place is so nice to look at.

It reminds me of my town again. Gosh, this place makes me miss home and my friends.

I could not help but wish that one day I would visit Greece again but with my friends that I love this time.

I suddenly stopped when I felt hot stares all over me.

I turned to see Valerian and I was right. He was standing not too far away from where I was with his hands in his pockets and his eyes all over me.

He was staring at me intently. His eyes follow me wherever I go.

I can't help but let out a chuckle as I walked back to Valerian.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Nothing," Valerian answered, still staring at me intently. "I just enjoy watching you enjoy."

My lips immediately rose into a smile upon hearing what he just said.

"Don't I look weird?" I asked, chuckling awkwardly.

Valerian shook his head almost immediately. "Not at all."

I blew a breath of relief.

I can't help but get anxious knowing Valerian is watching me-- especially the way his eyes scan me.

I might look weird and ugly and he might be laughing internally at how stupid I look but thankfully that was not the case.

"Do you really enjoy here?" Valerian suddenly questioned.

I creased my forehead. "Of course. I enjoy everything here. Why do you ask?"

"Well, that just put a lot of pressure on me." He chuckled. "I must bring you to the place where you will going to like and enjoy so much."

I heaved a sigh as I looked straight into Valerian's eyes. "You could bring me anywhere and I still would enjoy. . ."

I never thought I would admit something like this but Valerian just made me do things I never thought of doing.

". . . as long as I'm with you."

Valerian took a sharp breath. "Fuck, I will surely take you to Santorini the moment I was done here. I'm all yours once I seal the deal, Natasha."

I smiled delightfully.

~*~

It didn't take long for Valerian to sign contracts with his business partners the moment they were done exploring and surveying the whole landscape. The place was pretty enough for Valerian and so he immediately signed and sealed the contract with them.

He was even rushing to leave the place earlier for I don't know what reason but I guess he just wanted to get the deal done already.

And now, Valerian is driving us to the place he would not tell me.

"Where are we going?" I asked Valerian for the nth time but just like the first few times that I asked, he didn't tell me.

I groaned frustratedly. "Come on, Valerian. Just answer my question."

"Be patient, darling."

I rolled my eyes.

Just as much as I grew to like him calling me by the endearment 'darling' I like to know more where we are going to go.

I pursed my lips. "How hard can it be to answer my question?"

"Well, it would not be a surprise anymore, is it?"

"Oh. . . it's a surprise."

I fell silent as I bit my lower lip.

I've never really experienced getting surprised and knowing that in just a matter of minutes, I will be experiencing it just warms my heart.

"Okay, I will be patient," I told Valerian.

"There's no need for you to be. We're here, darling."

I immediately looked out the window upon hearing what Valerian said but I couldn't see anything except tall trees.

"Where are we?" I questioned, both curious and excited.

"You will see." Valerian opened the door on his side and went out. I immediately followed him and got out of the car too.

He went to his trunk and opened it.

"What's that?" I asked Valerian when I saw that he was like getting something out of this car.

Valerian pulled out a rolled mat and I creased my forehead.

"What is that?' I questioned once again.

"A mat, darling," he answered the obvious.

"I know, but what for?"

Valerian chuckled. "Well, you're one hell of an impatient woman, aren't you?"

"I'm just really excited," I admitted, defeated as I pursed my lips.

"Please be patient, darling." Valerian walked up to me and offered his palm in front of me.

I creased my forehead in confusion. "Uhm. . . what is that?"

"You will need to hold my hand," he answered.

"Why?" I questioned further.

"We will going to climb," he replied.

The crease on my forehead grew wider upon hearing what he just said.

"Huh?" That was all I could manage to say.

Valerian took the leverage and held my hand. He didn't wait for me to do that anymore.

"Let's go," he said. "You will like it there."

Valerian and I entered the tall trees and I was in total awe yet again upon seeing what was inside.

The tall trees outside were just like a facade.

There were cabins inside surrounded with trees and beautiful flowers and because it was almost sun set, the lamp posts and fairy lights scattered all around the place were starting to light up one by one.

Oh gosh.

It's so beautiful.

Every single thing that I lay my eyes on is so so so beautiful.

It's like a nature park and it's so pretty.

Valerian was right when he said that we were going to climb something because we were now at the foot of a hill.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

I nodded excitedly.

The hill was not so steep at all and I'm sure as hell I would not have a hard time going to the top but Valerian did not let go of my hand. He was just holding me and guiding me the whole time.

Just like I said, I can surely get to the top with ease but I didn't bother to remove Valerian's hands from me not only because our fingers are intertwined but because I like it when he's holding me and when he is this close to me. It gives me so much peace.

The physical touch from Valerian never failed to calm me down.

I guess that's one thing about mates.

"Oh my goodness!" I exclaimed when we finally got to the top of the hill.

Because we were standing at the top of the hill we were able to see the beautiful ocean just right below.

I didn't know there was a beach here and now I'm more than excited!

Hearing the sound of the waves crashing through the shore gives me a tingling sensation in my heart that I can't explain.

The feeling that I am feeling right now feels so good.

I'm safe to say that I would not trade this for anything.

"Do you like it?" Valerian asked beside me.

"Are you kidding me? I love it here!" I exclaimed, a voice full of enthusiasm.

Valerian chuckled. "That's good because we're just in time for sunset."

Valerian placed the mat on the top of the hill.

"Have a seat, darling," Valerian said.

He didn't have to tell me twice because I immediately sat on the mat he placed.

"It's so beautiful," I commented as I stared at the sea that was starting to change color from blue to orange because of the sun that was slowly starting to set.

"It's perfect." I heard Valerian say and I turned to see him beside me.

He was staring at me intently. His eyes are focused on me and I think he meant to say I'm perfect. . . not the view.

"So fucking perfect," Valerian added.

I bit my lips as we stared into each other's eyes.

Fuck it.

Without thinking about anything anymore, I quickly closed the gap between us as I kissed Valerian on his lips.