A Day In The Rye

Chapter 18

Skai's pov

He washes my hair gently, like if he uses extra force it'll cut in pieces. But I'm not complaining, I'm enjoying the pampering.

He grabs a loofah and begins to scrub me clean, when we rinse the foam off of our bodies, we dry ourselves and move to the room.

I sit in front of the mirror and he helps me blow dry my hair - I Need a hair cut, my hair has grown so long. I focus on moisturising my skin, it's been so long!

When we're dressed for bed, we lay on the bed and cuddle, with my head on his chest

"Are you still awake Cara?"

I hum as a reply

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Yes."

He places a kiss in my hair.

"You don't have to right away, just sleep. Okay? Besides you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow."

"I want to babe... One thing I realised is, life is too short and anything can happen that'll change life as you know it. So, please let me talk about what's bothering me."

I say as I feel a tear slipping out, I try to move away from his hold, but his hand around me tightens and his other hand rubs my back in a comforting manner and I relax into his hold.

"I-i-i was r r..." I stutter.

"Shhh I know."

He places a kiss on my forehead.

"How...?"

He explains to me how they found the videos on Danielle's phone.

"And I love you even more Skai... I need you to promise me you'll stop thinking about it."

I nod because words fail me and he resumes rubbing my back .

"One more thing, I don't want you feeling some type of way or like you have to hide yourself away. I'm here and I'm willing to be here forever, we'll get through this together... Can we keep it a secret? I don't want you talking about it and having to relive it. You're a star Skai, please don't ever feel like you have to dim your light baby, you don't."

I don't even know what to say I just look up and kiss him and he immediately responds.

We sleep off after that.

**next morning**

When I wake up, I see a note from massimo, asking me to come down for breakfast.

It feels so surreal, I'm finally home with massimo, at first I thought it was a dream, but I'm really here.

I brush my teeth, then shower and change into one of my clothes, it feels a bit bigger, I guess I lost weight.

I look at myself in the mirror and I have noticeable bags under my eyes, with dark circles, I honestly look like a shadow of my former self and I wonder what massimo sees when he calls me beautiful.

A lone tear escapes my eye and that leads to another and another until I'm full on crying in front of the mirror.

I feel a hand go round my waist and I look up to see massimo's reflection in the mirror. He turns me to face him, then tilts my head, and cups my face and kisses me slowly, then places butterfly kisses all over my face.

"I love you Skai, never forget it."

"I'm damaged goods massimo, how can you..."

He silences me with another kiss and he bites my lower lip and I gasp, he uses that opportunity to deepen the kiss. By the time we pull apart, he runs his thumb on my swollen lip,

"You're not damaged Skai, please don't ever say that again... You're perfect for me, you're my world, my sun, my star, my Skai, Cara mía... I love Love Love you babe, nothing is ever going to change that. Please don't cry, even though you look beautiful still."

The last part makes me laugh and he strokes my cheek as he smiles.

I clean up my face and we go downstairs, next thing I know I'm being lifted up and spun around, then other bodies join in and it's a group hug, I can't see who they are, but I know Ace was the one who lifted me

"Can't... Breathe..."

One by one they free me and I look at my friends; Ace, Jacob, Tania, Emilia, Chris.

I give them individual hugs, but I hug Tania last and she cries into my shoulder, I join her then we pull apart from the hug and I wipe her tears as she wipes mine.

Then I turn to see my mum and dad trying to hold in their tears and I go to them and I hug them both.

"My baby!" my mum whisper-yells.

The door opens and we turn to see Lava walk in and she runs to me and engulfs me in a tight hug. She has grown taller I think and since I've lost weight, she seems much bigger than me.

We move to the table and have breakfast... We talk about everything, but it's obvious they're trying hard not to bring up the kidnap and I'm grateful for that.

I miss Ismerelda, she'll be back next week... Massimo receives a call and he excuses himself.

I'm way too excited right now, I have everyone who I care dearly about around me, well except Gabriel, he left early this morning to be with Guy who was moved to a hospital here.

I feel eyes on me and I look up, to meet massimo's eyes on me. When did he get back from picking the call? I feel hot under his gaze, I blush and look down at my food...

When we're done eating, he comes to me and kisses my cheek.

"I'll be in my study with the guys. if you need anything, call me okay?"

I nod - him, Chris, Ace and Jacob move to his study, I wonder what it is they want to talk about, I have a feeling it has something to do with José.

"What are you doing here girl, come on, we have so much catching up to do." Tania says.

I laugh and we move to the living room.

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