A Perfect Life Without You (Ongoing)

Chapter 6: Night Stroll In The Garden

Me and Adalberto walked for what seemed like hours. Every detail, every crease, each furniture, Adalberto knew a fact about it all. It is truly a magnificent house. Enchanting really. We explored the living room, the kitchen, the garden, his large training room. Now I know why he's so good looking. Everybody would be if they had a personal training room with the size of Alaska. We also looked at all the spare bedrooms, including mine. I screamed out of joy when I saw my own bedroom.

Literally!

Adalberto thought I was mad, but I couldn't help it. What if, I don't know... I had to share a bedroom with that psychotic unholy mess of a man. Ha! No thank you. I'd rather sleep in an orphan house.

I am still mad at Orion. The things he said really burned, but there is nothing I can do about it. I've heard worse things anyway. I know that a man that proud will never apologies. I am not wasting my energy on a fool like that. In fact, I agree with him. I don't want to see him and I don't want to meet him ever again. It's a clever idea to avoid him at all times. By doing that I will never have to look at him and get reminded by the hurtful things he said to me, and best of all, I don't have to discover more about his deep dark soul.

"So, Annarose tell me about yourself. Considering you will stay here for a while, I would love to know you a little bit better." We two were walking in the beautiful garden filled with colorful flowers and amazing water fountains. The sun was setting and shining a blinding orange color. "Oh. Um, I am not that interesting to be honest." I laughed to hide the fact that I am embarrassingly boring.

"I am sure there must be something absolutely bellissimo! About you dolcezza."

"Well, uh..."

I tried to think of something. Anything! My ridiculous effort was clearly not enough and Adalberto knew I was stuck. "Let's start simple. What is your name and how old are you?" He smiled at me and tended to a big plant in front of us.

"...But you already know my name, I am Annarose." I was confused when he chuckled. "No, no, no Tesoro. I mean your full name. You do have one I presume?"
I
"Oh! Yes, my name is Annarose May. I know, stupid name." My parents absolutely had to pick that name and make me feel 80 years old. I hate it.

"No, not at all amore! Now, how old are you?" We kept walking forwards nearing a stunning stone bench. "I actually just turned 18." I said optimistic.

Adalberto squinted his eyes while looking at a rather brown plant. He reached in his back pocket for a little hedge trimmer. "Ah, that young!"

"Yeah, so now you know why Orion calls me just a child." I fiddled with a single flower I found lying on the ground. Suddenly feeling a little small.

"Well, Annarose, Sir Davidson is not far from your age." I looked up from the flower to see Adalberto walking to the stone bench. "He is 24 years old." I only nodded my head. I didn't want to hear another word about him. "Enough about that. What do like to do in your spare time?"

He caught me off guard with his question. "I, um, I guess I work so much I haven't really thought about it. I don't know, I like to be social. Talking to friends and going out." I was unsure if that is a real thing I could say? I don't have much of a hobby.

"Would you mind telling me about your friends?" We sat on the beautiful bench looking at the big house and garden as the sun was setting. "I only have my two closest. Adelis and Winter." A big smile spread across my face from the thought of those silly girls. "I haven't seen them in a long time though. I really miss them."

"You should bring them over one day. I promise I will make a delicious traditional Italiano meal for you guys!" He enthusiastically formed an "O" with his fingers.

"Hahah! Perhaps I should. So, you do the cooking around here?"

"Yes, for the most part, if Sir Davidson don't. He is quite the chef actually." Orion? Chef? Well that's something I didn't see coming. I honestly thought his arrogant ass was too much of a sexist to cook.

"I do love to cock my signature spaghetti you know." Adalberto bumped his shoulder into mine and looked at me with a glint in the eyes.

"Oh? I would love to taste it. Personally, I'm not very good at cooking. I try but I really just can't."

Trust me when I say I can't cook. Once I tried to make lasagna and let me tell you. It looked like a pile of trash that laid in the oven 20 minutes too long. Since then I never tried experimenting out on my comfort zone.

"I'm sure you can if you want to. I can show you a trick or two someday."

"It's very kind of you." I smiled warmly.

Adalberto is so nice. The man does everything around here! He cooks, cleans, takes care of the garden, every little thing! I can't believe that Orion has the heart to put him through all these tasks.

"Annarose, I just want to apologize on Sir Davidson's behalf. The things he said was uncalled for. He should not have said that... about your parents." Adalberto grabbed my hand and squeezed for support. His slicked black hair shining in the sunlight.

"It okay Adalberto. You don't have to apologize for him. After all, it's a long time ago since my parents died. I have healed and moved on."

It is true. I have moved on... eventually. It's been 4 years now. Though I have moved on, I still miss them greatly. Especially the privilege to have someone to turn to for support. I only have my grandfather, but he is a man I'd rather not see again. I lived with him in my early teenage year right after my parents died. When I got myself a job at a cafe I could move out and get my parent's house back. I was so thankful for that, because living with my grandfather was suffocating me. He was a drunken man who spent all his money on alcohol. I honestly don't know if he still lives. I am glad I got that job at the cafe, because I met Arnold there. He offered me the job at his company.

"Oh mio! It is soon night, you should eat something before you go to bed." Adalberto looked at his pocket watch and signaled me to walk with him back to the house.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

thank you so much for reading! And please remember to vote and share if you liked it <3

- Ine