Chapter 6 - My terms II

Romeo wanted nothing better than keeping Maria safe. She was adamant but could he blame her? She can't just trust another stranger with her life after what her husband did to her and besides, they met on a wrong note. But he was happy to gain her confidence. He was wondering what terms she will give. It couldn't be bad right?

"So, what are those terms?" He asked with raised brows.

"First, I get to choose my own room, Second, I pay my own bills, and third, I get to follow you everywhere you go. She said looking away".

Romeo was taken aback by those conditions. With the way, his 'fans' kept running to him at every given time? She must be kidding, he thought.

"Why will you have to follow me around?" He asked.

Well, since you vowed to keep me safe, I figured the only way I'd be completely safe was being with you since no one will dare try to harm me when you are around right?

She had a good point, but following him everywhere is not the best idea, he thought to himself. Aside from dealing with his 'fans', he also had to face some business enemies from time to time. It didn't always end well so he thought of a way to talk her out of that decision.

"What about, I find a safe place for you and entrust my most trusted bodyguard to take care of you"? He asked hopefully.

"Your so-called bodyguards were lurking around when I got hurt." So why do you think they are so good? She asked with annoyance.

"That was because you wouldn't let them help you in time." He said.

"Fine. Since it's going to be a problem, I'll just find my own way out". She said, trying to get out of the hospital bed.

Romeo thought hard. He didn't want to let her out of his sight so he decided to negotiate on the terms hoping they could reach a better agreement.

"It's okay. I'll go with your terms and since you want to pay your bills, take this"...he says, handing over his gold card to her. She looks at the card confusedly.

"You know what, paying my own bills means my own money. She says handing the card back to him."

"Sorry I didn't have that understanding he says moving away before the card touches his hand. So get ready. We will leave here in twenty minutes." He smirked, making Maria uncomfortable.

"And where are we going?" She asks suspiciously, placing the card in her purse defeatedly and planning not to use it.

The first thing he thought to do was going home to make her settle down. Then afterward, he can think of all ways of tracking down her attackers. He has people investigating James Pores and the feedback is not encouraging. He knew James' bodyguards could be anywhere and he knew there were other invisible enemies when Maria confirmed her current assailants weren't acting on the orders of James. 

"Home. You have to settle down", he said thoughtfully.

They got home and Romeo led her to a room next to his, instructing the maids to give her whatever she wants.

"But this is not what we agreed on, she said stubbornly, stealing glances at the ultra-modern designed bedroom. Her favorite item was the dressing table. She had never seen a dressing table made with gold despite her extremely luxurious lifestyle. The good thing about James was, he didn't give a shit about money so she spent as much as she wanted but even after the divorce, she has moved in, and out of luxurious hotels, this dressing table was one of a kind.

"What's this place? She asked walking into the closet. It was almost the size of a boutique with collections of designer dresses, bags, underwear, shoes, bags, and pieces of jewelry. She didn't realize it when she exclaimed.

"Wow".

"Like it?" Romeo smirked.

"It's amazing but not by the term. I am supposed to make my own choice. She said with satisfaction.

"Trust me, this is the best room in this house, Romeo smiled. He knew this room was every woman's dream. He had it made for Charlotte. Charlotte was the only woman he wanted to get married to. Few days to their wedding, she got involved in a fatal accident and died on the spot. It was one of the many reasons why he never came here. Before then, he dated Monalisa. She was beautiful but very shallow.

But he loved her still. When he proposed to her, she rejected and eloped with her lover. He could never over her until Charlotte came along. With her, he never missed Monalisa. His life was complete. They came here and redecorated the whole house. But this room was his surprise gift to her which she never saw.

"I can see that for myself especially the dressing mirror. I've never seen anything like it. Is that made of real gold?" Maria asked surprised.

Yeah, it was custom made from France. he said looking at the dressing mirror with sadness evident in his face.

"Is this your wife's room?" She asked with curiosity.

"Nah, I'm not married yet". He said avoiding her eyes.

"So it's for your fiance?" She asks again.

"Nah, Nah, I don't have a fiance either." He said turning to walk away.

"So why do you have a luxurious room with a gold plated dressing table and a huge closet full of lady's dresses, shoes, and accessories?

"I will tell you one day. But not today." He sighs.

"Why not now? We don't have much to do right?"

"Because It's a long story and am tired and I want to rest now. I think you should do the same and by the way, dinner will be ready in 30 minutes." He said walking to the door.

"Wait". 

" Do you need anything else? He asks in a worried tone.

"No. Thank you. For everything." She says with a genuine smile.

"You don't have to thank me for anything. I should be thanking you for making me a better person." He replied with a smile.

In a few minutes, they went to have dinner in the huge dining room which used to take 24 guests. Romeo doesn't remember the last time he had dinner over here but with Maria, he had to. 

He took her on a tour around the house after dinner. He showed her everywhere except the basement. He thought of the right time to introduce her to that part of the house but it was too soon for now. The house held many memories. He never brought any of his fans to this house. This house was a kind of sacred place for him. It's a family mansion passed on from generation to generation but never lost touch of glamour to it.

They decided to call it a night but there were so many thoughts on Romeo's mind that made him have sleepless nights. He kept thinking of the new attacker. His contacts haven't been able to give any concrete information on them.

He woke up early the next day and decided to check on Maria. He knocks on her door which burst open almost immediately. He was surprised to see her dressed in sweat pants with a cropped top and trainers. 

"Going somewhere?"