wander

46| finalising the lake

Romeo's pov:

Chiara's fast asleep on my chest and I drop my arm over her. I take my phone off the bedside table and go to Rose's contact. I go to messages and type, 

'Rose do a favour for me?' 

'What?'

'Make plans with Chi tomorrow'

'Of course'

I read her message and swipe away from the app. Instead I go to google and search for her lake one last time. There's only one image of it and it was taken before she was born. I'm guessing that no one has been since she gated it off. Since it's well hidden I don't think anyone would know it's even there.

I ended up falling asleep with her in my arms. Her vanilla scented hair spread out across the pillow. I held her shoulder and closed my eyes. I fell asleep almost instantly.

I woke up to Chiara tracing my features with her index finger. She pulls her finger back gently but continues as a pout forms over my lips. Her thumb lines my bottom lip and she cocks her head to the side.

"What?" what is she thinking?
"I think I prefer your bed... but my room." She lets out a light laugh.
"What's wrong with my room?" My voice is just above a whisper.
"Well, from what I've seen you can't keep it tidy, it's smaller than my room and I have the better view." She sounds so confident.
"First off, I never had to tidy it. No one but me ever came in my room. Second, I don't need a big room I'm very busy so I'm barely in here and I'm pretty sure I have the better view."
"What makes you think you have the better view?" She tilts her head to the side again.

I smirk and leave her question. She can find out for herself.

Flashback

She finally arrived. And she's more beautiful than ever. Her chocolate brown hair. Her honey glazed eyes. Her smile. She was everything I needed. I walked out onto my balcony to cool my body with the darkening night. I happen to look over to the side and she's gazing out to the ocean. Her hair flows behind her as the wind blows from time to time. 

I sit on the floor of my balcony, her still in eyesight. She runs her fingers through her hair. I rub my hand over my chin as she slowly starts to look my way. I walk back into my room before she notices me watching her. She was so perfect without even trying. 

Present day

"Rose asked me to go swimming with her. Do you want to come?" She asks. I need to thank Rose for this.
"No I can't, Leo and I have work. Sorry baby." She nods in reply and kisses my nose.

-----

Leo was sitting at the head of the table as the rest of the crowd sat at their chairs. We planned to finalise buying the Lake for Chiara. Even though it was our first time meeting everyone from Louisiana to finish the deal, we were making sure it would be the last time. I will do anything so she can own this lake. For it to be in here name. Anything.

I sit, staring at Leo. Why are these men not talking? He looks down to me... upset? 
"What! What's going on?" I shout, causing the men to look up to me.
"Romeo sit. They rejected the offer." He seems too calm.
"What do you want for that Lake. I'll do anything!" I shouted and got close to the older man on the other side of the room.

He looks frightened. He stutters to speak.
"Romeo sit down. You're making it worse." He raises his voice a little.
Instead of sitting down next to him, I lean in the door frame. 
"80,000 dollars." I didn't even have that money but I had to do this. For her.
"Romeo-" Leo interupts.
"It's ok, I got it." I don't have it.

The American men exchange looks and I can almost feel my heartbeat making the room shake. I look over to Leo and he has his hands together to his face. I brush my hands over my head and take in a deep breath. It feels as if this few seconds have slowed down. I pick at my fingernails. I twirl my thumbs. I bounce on my feet.

"We accept." 

Those two words alone ease me in an instance. I run over to Leo and he's smiling but something is holding him back. He dismisses the other men and my face drops.
"What? They accepted. That's great!" My voice is loud.
"Yeah, that's great but Romeo, you didn't handle it well. You put up 80,000 dollars. You don't have that money. I said I'd help yes but you also said that you would pay." He states.
"I know. I'll work harder I swear. I'll get a part time job at a cafe for whenever I have free time. You know if I did this for her, I would feel amazing and she... she will have the best reaction ever!" My pace runs quick and I try my best to co-operate.

He sighs and turns to me. "Ok. But you have to work hard. Until you pay me back."
"I will. I will. I swear on her life." I feel relived but I know that we have her birthday sorted out. I won't be spending as much time with her now I'll be working but she'll forgive me after her birthday. Well I hope so. 

The front door opens and I turn to the door. I leave the office and I rush over to Chiara. I feel a huge smile covering my face.
"You seem very happy." She says as her cheek is pressed against mine.
"I am." I mumble as her face mushes next to mine.

I see Rose nod and I smile to her. She already knows they accepted without me telling her. Now we wait 3 weeks until her birthday. I can't wait for that day to come.