When Where and How to Love

Chapter 68. The calm before the storm

Morning of the trip - Casa Valdés Carvajal

"Good morning Mrs. Carvajal," greeted Bella as she entered the kitchen and sat on one of the stools that faced the glass doors, overlooking the garden.

"Bella, I've known you since you were eight and found you kissing Kara in our apartment... I think you can call me Valentina," she said jokingly to her daughter's friend. Both Kara and Bella had arrived from college the night before to join the Valdes' trip.

"You're right Mrs..." Valentina looked at her. "You're right Valentina," Valentina smiled. "I want to say two things," Bella announced. "The first is that you are as beautiful as always," Valentina blushed, "and the second is to thank you for letting me come with you to the country house. I've been wanting to go back since the first time," she said.

"You are welcome anytime. And thank you, I know it can't be easy to share a room with my daughter at university," she joked.

"HEY!" Kara entered the kitchen. "I heard that!" she warned her mother before leaving a kiss on her cheek. "Good morning mom, and just so you know, Bella isn't great company either!" she pointed at her friend as she made her way to the fruit basket.

"I would watch what you say," Bella warned. "You wouldn't want me to accidentally tell your mother what you and Lena do in our bedroom!" Valentina immediately turned to look at Kara, who quickly picked up an orange and threw it at her friend.

"VERY GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!" Maca had arrived and saved her sister from a murderous look.

"Good morning darling," Valentina greeted her.

"How long until Jules wakes up?" Bella asked excitedly.

Valentina looked to her eldest daughter for an explanation about her friend's question and Kara rolled her eyes. "I told her about the ritual of the wolf and she's been dying to see it ever since," she explained. "And you won't have to wait much longer," the kangaroo pointed to her younger sister who had just arrived.

The little girl walked without looking at anyone and without saying anything, when she reached her mother, she stretched out her arms to be lifted.

"Good morning little one," Valentina greeted her.

The little girl kissed her mother and then leaned her head on her shoulder to close her eyes again. "This is the phase where she ignores everyone and just wants to be with her mom, right little wolf?" Valentina pinched her daughter's side and a soft laugh could be heard, making those who heard her smile like fools. "The next phase is eating breakfast with her mommy," she said, kissing Jules' head.

"Mommy is out running?" Kara asked while she made breakfast for her sisters. Valentina nodded. "Are you still on the sofa? Anne said you were complaining?" she narrowed her eyes.

"I can't sleep on that thing, Kara!" the photographer defended herself.

"The Victoria's Secret underwear didn't work?" Last night Valentina had arrived with several bags in her hands.

"Don't worry, it'll work!" Valentina assured. She knew Juliana's walls were beginning to crumble. She saw it when Juliana had entered their room last night to find Valentina 'reading' a book wearing only her underwear and her favourite reading glasses. The photographer could see the desire radiating from the brunette. "No one can resist the Carvajal effect!" she said.

"EXACTLY!" Maca agreed with her mother. "We do this," Maca snapped her fingers, "and we have the world at our feet," she commented making the rest laugh.

"Good morning," Scar spoke, Anne just gestured with her head.

"Good morning my loves," greeted their mother. "Have breakfast then finish preparing your things. As soon as Lena arrives, we are leaving. Okay?" They all nodded.