Safe Word: Rosé

Chapter 28

Narrator-

The room Cara expected to see had been transformed into a different setting. The two full beds had been replaced with a large, sole, queen bed. The dresser remained and both nightstands were each planted on a respective side of the bed. Due to the larger space, the sitting area was upgraded with a larger couch and an armchair. Cindy's photographs were replaced with various paintings. The room itself was now livened with indoor greenery. 

The bed was decorated with sky blue sheets and white designs to match the curtains which adorned the large windows and balcony door. Cara dropped her bag casually on a side table near the door, and with her suspicions getting the best of her, she headed to the closet. To more of her suspicions and less of her surprise, the clothes she had left behind were still hanging in the closet. 

Cara closed the door with a huff and turned around in anguish. So she was back in the mansion and felt ready to scream. But screaming would have to wait, for a knock came from the door. Cara walked towards the door skeptically and pulled the door open. 

"So first you leave without saying goodbye, and then you come back and can't even bother to say hello?" Scolded the short elderly woman. 

"Luiza!" Cara called out and instantly engulfed the elderly woman in a tight embrace. 

Luiza laughed and patted Cara's back. 

"It's good to see you too Cara." Luiza expressed, then she pulled away and held Cara at arm's length. 

"Let's have a good look," Luiza hummed, then she tsk and noted, "you lost weight. Good thing I was prepared for this. Come on." Luiza invited and hauled Cara out of the room. 

Cara laughed and let Luiza pull her to the kitchen, where a plate of Luiza's cooking was steaming and ready for Cara's pleasure. Cara happily hopped on the barstool and pulled the plate towards her with greedy eyes and watering mouth. 

"Careful, it's hot." Luiza warned, though she couldn't hide her smile. 

"I will." Cara said, before grabbing a spoonful and stuffing it in her mouth. 

Cara's eyes widened, then she opened her mouth and began fanning it. 

"Gosh, I told you to be careful." Luiza said in a scolding manner, then she instructed, "spit it out."

"Mmm mmh!" Cara shook her head stubbornly. 

She chewed it with gasping breaths and forced the food down her esophagus before admitting, "Its too good." 

"Ah stop it," Luiza brushed off, "although I have to admit that it's nice to have someone else around here enjoying my food aside from silent Marcell and grumpy Jason." 

At the mention of Jason's name, Cara gripped her fork a little tighter and she grumbled, "Don't talk about him."

"Ah." Luiza hummed, then she casually slipped Cara a pile of napkins. 

"What's this for?" Cara wondered, before taking a more careful bite of her food, and saving her tongue from another burn. 

"Well, the meal is not just a 'welcome back' gift, but also it says, 'I hope you will forgive me because I'm flying out to the DR tomorrow, and I hope you'll make nice with Jason because I'll be gone for a long time'." Luiza blurted out. 

"WHAT?!" Cara screeched. 

Luiza cleared her throat and took a sip of tea from her cup while avoiding Cara's gaze. 

"Why are you leaving?" Cara asked, a frown growing on her face. 

"My son and his wife are about to have their first baby. Her mother passed last year, so I'm the only grandmama alive." Luiza explained.