Silent Eyes

15, Landing

The sun blared overhead, casting a warm golden glow on Monica's face as she and Andreas touched down on the breathtaking island of Maui. As they made their way out of the airport, the vibrant beauty of the surroundings immediately captivated Monica's attention. Lush greenery enveloped the landscape, with majestic palm trees swaying in the gentle island breeze. Monica couldn't help but gaze upward, marveling at the clear expanse of the azure sky above. The windows of their car rolled down, filling the vehicle with the invigorating scent of the sea and the earth, bringing a contented smile to Monica's lips. Beside her, Andreas beamed affectionately, his eyes fixed on the woman he adored. "Do you love it here?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

As Monica leaned back into the car, she couldn't contain her excitement, her voice bubbling with delight. "Yes, it looks absolutely beautiful here! I can't wait to see my parents' expressions. They must be raving about it right now!" she exclaimed, bouncing up and down with anticipation. Andreas leaned over, tenderly kissing her lips before turning away, chuckling to himself.

The car eventually arrived at a grand resort, a sprawling edifice that resembled a magnificent Caribbean castle. Monica's gasp of astonishment echoed through the vehicle. "Wow, I can't believe you own this!" Two imposing gates parted, revealing a picturesque fountain, and they parked near a grand staircase. As Monica stepped out, she closed the door behind her, momentarily frozen in awe.

Though Monica knew that Andreas was wealthy, the sight of the luxurious estate still took her by surprise. She wasn't accustomed to being in the company of individuals with vast fortunes, and Andreas was the type of man who loved to shower her with extravagant gestures. As she gazed at the stunning vacation house, he approached her, his arm encircling her waist. "Let's head inside," he suggested, his voice filled with warmth.

Entering the villa, Monica's family had yet to arrive, leaving Andreas and her alone to unpack upstairs. Andreas eagerly assisted in organizing their belongings, placing items in drawers while Monica arranged their essentials in the bathroom. In the midst of her tasks, she called out to Andreas, a playful request on her lips. "Hey, Andreas, do you mind doing me a quick favor?"

Andreas abandoned his current task, promptly making his way to the bathroom. There, he found Monica with her hands full, a shampoo bottle precariously positioned by her foot. She was reaching for it, struggling to maintain her grip on the various items she held. Smirking, Andreas approached her, grasping the bottle and placing it in the shower. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he plucked a few items from her hands, joining her in arranging them on the counter.

Teasingly, he asked, "Weren't you nervous yesterday? Where did all of this excitement come from?" Monica, her attention still focused on organizing her makeup, didn't turn to face him but responded. "I haven't seen my parents in a while," she explained, her voice filled with a mix of nerves and joy. "Yes, I'm still nervous, but I'm incredibly happy to see them again. I've missed them, babe." She then affectionately pecked Andreas' cheek before slipping out of the bathroom.

Just as Monica left the room, the doorbell rang, and a house assistant appeared, informing them that Monica's family had arrived. Her eyes widened with surprise, and she rushed downstairs, her excitement palpable. Andreas followed closely behind as Monica jogged towards the door, flinging it open and throwing herself into what appeared to be her mother's waiting embrace.

Monica's parents stood at the door, suitcases in hand, ready to embark on their vacation. As they embraced each other, Monica's brother Marcus impatiently stood on his toes, trying to catch a glimpse inside the house. "Can you both move?" he scowled. "I'm trying to check out our new place." Monica and her parents paused their hug to give Marcus an exasperated look, and he seized the opportunity to slip inside the house. He roamed around, touching objects, attempting to estimate the value of paintings, and trailing his hand along the furniture. Suddenly, he bumped into Andreas and froze.