When they reached Italy after a long flight, Stefan persuaded Cayenne to sleep more while they're inside the car but because of so much excitement, her sleepiness was gone.
"This place is really pretty." Cayenne commented while looking outside the car window. "Their hotels here must be expensive."
"Of course." Stefan replied to her. "But we won't be staying in a hotel so you don't need to worry."
"Where are we staying then?" Cayenne asked in wonder. She knew that they'd be attending his cousin's wedding but she didn't want to live with them. First, she didn't know any of them. Second, they might not like her. Instead of putting herself in trouble, it would be better to avoid.
Stefan noticed the small frown she had on her face and he massaged it away. "What are you thinking? We will be staying in my property." He told her to give her an assurance. Faint it maybe, he still noticed the sigh of relief from her mouth.
"How did you get a property here in Italy?"
"Basically, my family owns a lot of properties here in Italy due to business reasons. My grandfather gave me all of them so, I am the new owner of these properties now. That includes that place where my cousins are staying."
"Are they aware of what happened?"
"Yup. They knew it but since I'm not selfish, I gave it to them already."
"A week ago. It's my wedding present for her. Instead of fighting over it, and since they lived in that place for a long time, I'd rather give it to them. It has no sentimental value to me anyway."
Cayenne just nodded her head without saying anything. It's Stefan who owned it so he can do whatever he wanted with it. She was just glad that she cares for his relatives even after what happened to him.
"Are you close with your cousins?"
Stefan thought for a while regarding her question. "I won't say we're close but we're not stranger either. Before they were sent to Italy, we've been very good friends but we didn't spend so much time as much as I spent with Alexander. Clara forbid them to say me because I am an adopted son, as they say.
Aunt Celestine, my father's younger sister, was framed by Clara for stealing some funds from the company. My auntie had no idea how it happened but all the evidences were pointing at her. Because of that, grandfather sent them overseas instead of sending her to jail. I was still very young back then. And ever since they left, they never set foot in our city again – not even once.
My cousin, Julia, she kept in touch with me after Alexander's death but she didn't want to go back either. In fact, in this wedding, they only invited me to come. Over a week ago, grandfather knew the truth of what happened before and he wanted to bring auntie and her family back but they no longer want to do anything with him. In all these years, they've been neglected. We were all neglected."
"Good for you, you still receive the inheritance after what happened."
"Right." Stefan replied with a faint smile. "That is why, I want to give them some presents because I don't need those riches. Having you by my side is more than enough for me. I am contented with the small business I own."
The two of them acted all lovery-dovey once again, ignoring the feelings of their driver.
After a long time of travel, from the airplane to the car, Cayenne and Stefan finally arrived in Tuscany, Italy. The beauty of its place was overwhelming and it was so peaceful and you can see green everywhere. The trees, the grass – they're all good for the eyes; and there were beautiful flowers everywhere.
The driver drove the car for another half an hour before they arrived in front of a huge black metal gate. The wall that surrounds the place as its fence was covered with some creeper plants that she had no idea what it's called. There was big flower garden and there was big fountain in the middle of the garden as well.
On top of that, there was a huge Victorian-styled house erected in the middle of this fairy-tale like place.
"If some bad people know that I'm your wife, will I be abducted?" Cayenne asked Stefan while keeping her eyes to the huge mansion in front of her. It was bigger than his family's mansion back in their city.
Stefan pulled her hand and drew her closer to him. "You won't be abducted. I'll make sure that you're safe and sound."
"Thank you. I'll be careful as well." She had no idea that the world she got into was very different to what she was expecting. She knew he's rich but she didn't know to what extent. Now, she found one of his properties and she's extremely shocked. How much more once she knows everything?
"Sir, I'll be putting your luggage in the master bedroom." The butler informed them after putting all the luggage down on the porch.
"Sure. Thanks Jeremy." Stefan responded before leading Cayenne inside the house. "Would you like to rest first or would you like to have a tour with me?"
"Let's take a rest first. I got so excited after setting foot in this country. I forgot the long plane ride we had and now, I'm feeling a bit dizzy."
"Alright." Stefan agreed but to Cayenne's surprise, he lifted her and carried her to the master bedroom like a princess. "Just let me carry you to our room. In that way, you won't feel dizzy."
"Thank you." Cayenne wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face on his chest, feeling the steady beating of his heart. "I like the sound of your heartbeat, it calms me."
"Then listen to it for as long as you like."
The butler opened the door for them to get inside the room when a loud noise from the living room startled all of them.
"Stefan! Stefan! Where are you?" It was a woman's voice. She sounded frantic but there was also joy and excitement laced in her voice.
"Who's that?" Cayenne asked with expressionless face.