Chapter 47 NOT PICKY.
\~~~SERENA.
The car slowed to a gentle stop, but I didn't notice at first.
My face was glued to the window, my eyes wide as I soaked in every inch of the landscape rolling by. We'd been driving from the airport for what felt like forever, but I couldn't tear myself away.
Italy. Holy shit, I was in Italy. The roads wound through hills dotted with olive trees, the air shimmering with that golden light you only see in movies. Lakeside views peeked through the greenery, and the water was so blue it hurt to look at.
Lake Como, Damien had said casually when we landed, like it was just some Tuesday drive and I had just nodded my head, too busy staring to form words.
How did he know this was my dream spot?
I still didn’t understand how he knew. How did he know Italy was my dream place? But my mind was too full, too overwhelmed, to ask him anything at all.
I was far gone in my thoughts when a soft knock landed on the glass beside my head.
I startled and pulled back quickly, blinking.
The door swung open, and cool air rushed in, carrying scents of pine and fresh water.
Damien's face appeared, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Are you that mesmerized?”
“God, you have no idea,’' I said, sniffing back the emotion building in my throat.
I wanted to cry, to be honest.
But, oh, not right now.
“We're here,” he chuckled, extending his hand.
“Here?” I blinked, finally looking around properly. The car had pulled up to what looked like a slice of paradise and I stepped out, my sneakers crunching on a gravel path lined with blooming jasmine.
The villa rose before us. It was stone walls covered in ivy with arched windows overlooking the lake, and a terracotta roof glowing in the early morning.
It was surrounded by gardens that exploded with the color of vibrant pink bougainvillea climbing trellises, clusters of lavender and roses swaying in the breeze, wildflowers in every shade of yellow and purple spilling over stone edges.
And there, to the side, a small waterfall cascaded from a rocky outcrop into a crystal pool, the sound like soft music. Birds chirped, and the lake lapped gently in the distance. It felt timeless, like I'd stepped into a Renaissance painting.
No way this was our stop. We were just passing through, right?
“W… we are staying here?” I asked Damien, my voice barely above a whisper.
I spun slowly, taking it all in the mist from the falls cooling my skin, and the flowers' perfume wrapping around me.
Before he could answer, the villa's massive wooden door creaked open and a small group of staff emerged, men and women in crisp uniforms who bowed deeply as we approached. Damien took my hand, his grip steady and warm, pulling me forward. “Let's go.”
Everyone bowed again, murmuring greetings, but one woman stood out. She stood at the front, leaning lightly on a walking stick. Her hair was mostly grey, pulled back neatly, and her face was soft, kind, and graceful in a way that age could never ruin.
“Oh, heaven,” she groaned dramatically, smiling widely. “You’re finally here.”
Then, she bowed gently and I noticed the way she carried herself slowly, but proudly. Fragile, yet strong.
I glanced at her stick as she turned to me next, eyes kind and soft. “Welcome, Mrs. Hale.”
I swallowed hard, the title still feeling foreign on my tongue. "Greetings to you, ma'am," I replied, bowing politely.
“Oh, God!” she exclaimed again, clearly delighted, and crossed the space between us.
Before I could react, she hugged Damien gently.
He hugged her back easily, smiling in a way I hadn’t seen before.
Who was she?
Then she turned to me, cupped my cheeks gently with both hands, and pulled me into a hug.
I stiffened in surprise.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Mrs. Hale.”
Damien chuckled. “It’s been a long journey, Alison. Will you show us inside now?”
“Pardon this old woman,” she laughed warmly, waving her hand. “Come in, come in.”
As we walked inside, I nudged Damien’s shoulder lightly and mouthed, Who is she?
He only shrugged and I hissed quietly then rolled my eyes, earning a soft chuckle from him.
The inside of the villa was just as breathtaking.
The ceilings, wide halls, soft lighting, and even the marble floors beneath my feet. There were large windows everywhere, letting in morning light and views of the lake like a living artwork.
Despite my exhaustion, my eyes refused to rest.
This was easily the prettiest place I had ever been in my life.
Damien kept holding my hand as we climbed the stairs, Alison leading the way.
We stopped at a door on the upper landing and Alison's smile turned mischievous as she gestured to it. “I made sure I prepared your room to perfection,”
She opened the door and stepped aside, “You will find everything you need in there, but alert me if there is anything more. Meals are being prepared in the kitchen. There are fresh pasta, local cheeses… just whatever your hearts desire.”
Then, she turned to me, her eyes twinkling. “But, my darling wife, is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?”
I touched my stomach, which rumbled quietly. The hunger was real. “I’d eat anything and everything you give me, ma'am.”
“Oh, not picky, I like that,” she laughed, rolling her eyes playfully at Damien and I caught the jab immediately.
He was notoriously fussy about food. If the steaks are too rare, then the veggies are too green.
It made me grin softly.
Damien pushed the door wider and guided me inside. But we both stopped dead in our tracks the moment we crossed the threshold. I turned to him, my mouth hanging open, while he just raised an eyebrow, not entirely surprised.
The room was… stunning.
That shouldn’t even be the word.
The large bed was dressed in soft white sheets and the floor-to-ceiling windows opened to a balcony overlooking the lake.
Fresh flowers were arranged carefully around the room. There were candles, soft lamps, and everything smelled clean and calm and expensive.
My eyes scrutinized the bed full of flowers, written; “Happy married life.”
There were balloons too.
Oh, God, this wasn’t just a bedroom anymore.
I turned slowly, taking it all in with my heart racing.
“Oh,” I breathed.
“Well…”
So this was where our honeymoon would begin.
And suddenly, Italy didn’t feel like a dream anymore.
It felt like the start of something absofuckinglutely real.
Of course, it was.
And I turned to look at Damien, and shit, I want to kiss the man thank you.