Recap
Henry paused the meeting and asked,
“Why are you up?”
“I can’t sleep there, the.. the noise from the garden…” her brain buffered.
Henry chuckled,
“Come to me” he extended his hand and she took it. He patted a pillow next to him, Julie complied like a little baby.
  Henry smiled at her and connected his wireless mono in ear device with mic for the meeting so Julie can sleep peacefully.
“Why do you have a meeting in the midnight?” Julie whispered looking up at him from the pillow, trying to keep her eyes open.
“It’s still evening in the US” he clarified.
With an “Oh” she quietly fell asleep. Sometime later, Julie squirmed lightly and mumbled “No..”
Henry paused the meeting again and observed her.
“No, don’t” she said in a sad tone.
He gently caressed her hair sensing her nightmare. As they were discussing about her unpleasant memories of quitting her job at the dinner, she must have got the dreams.
“Don’t want to go, please” she tightly hugged his waist.
He stroked her cheeks softly and kissed her forehead.
“Shh.. that’s okay My love”
   He peppered her with feather light kisses on her face.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   Henry adjusted his camera angle to focus only his face as Julie was cuddling and lying on his lap. He wrapped up the meeting soon and was admiring the sight in front of him, an unbothered gorgeously sleeping girl who is taking his breath away without making any effort. After sometime, he carefully took her hands off of him and put a pillow under her head for support. He stretched his limbs, looking at her sleeping form. As he did not want to disturb her, he covered her with a blanket, leaving her on the couch and he went to sleep on the bed.
   Early in the morning, both of them were woken up by the chirping sound from the garden. Henry opened his eyes to an angry and a pouting Julie. It was funny yet adorable. He got up and wished her
“‘Morning, Angry Bird”
Henry’ messy hair and morning voice sent a thrill down her spine. She shook off her thoughts and asked him,
“Why am I sleeping on the couch?” she asked in confusion.
He slowly walked towards her, pecked her at the corner of her pouting lips and graced her ear lobe sensually and murmured,
“Because… you did not obey Daddy last night”
he smiled and left to the washroom. He turned back to see her beet red face.
He refreshed and found Julie still red,
“You have officially become Scarlet Rozana” he laughed. She covered her face, but he pulled down the blanket, revealing her pretty morning face.
Julie got up swiftly and rushed out to escape his teasing.
   She was served tea in the picturesque garden by Ms Rosalia, who takes care of this property. The slow morning, closer to the nature with her most favourite person, sipping hot cup of tea makes Julie feel gifted for enjoying these real luxuries in life.
  Sometime later, Henry came to the garden, breathing heavily with sweat dripping all over his face. He sprawled on the sofa, relaxing himself.
“Running?”
He nodded and said,
“It feels good to start the day with workout, today we would go hiking on Mount Etna, one of the active volcanoes in Europe. You would like the stunning views, Lava caves and it’s great history, then to an exotic vineyard estate and winery. You can taste the finest wines organically made and see the entire wine making process. Put on heavy jacket and trainers.
“Yes, sir!!”she did a salute and ran off.
   The trekking off the tourist trails away from crowd on the path of old Lava flows was really a breathtaking scenery. The views of coastline, discovering the iconic Mount Etna, the creator which was active in recent years were definitely worth admiring. As it was not the first time for Henry, he let Julie walk close by the guide, to listen to the amazing facts and history. He only focused on their path especially the steps she takes and gave the walking poles to her as the trial was little rugged. The locals were selling delicious sandwiches, Julie hesitated to try as she doesn’t know Henry’s preferences in eating in small diner.
   As if reading her hunger cue, Henry announced,
“Let’s have our breakfast here, you should try these yummy sandwiches, they make with the local produce, actually farm fresh and really delicious” Henry bought for all of them. Julie just smiled at Henry and ate her food quietly. The guide noticed Henry’s bracelet and asked,
“Where do you get this Lava stone bracelet from?”
“Gifted by a special person” He smiled.
“So, this special person must know the value of the lava stones and wanted to convey that they value your well-being as well”
Henry said, “Very much”
he caressed Julie’s legs under the table to recognise her thoughtful effort of gifting him the bracelet. But Julie’s body became hot and her mood took a different route from his innocent touch. She gulped the food in a rush and got it choked. Henry rubbed her back and offered her water, still having one hand on her legs.
“Are you okay?” He asked in concern.
She went near his ear and whispered,
“I should be, if you take your hands off of me D” batting her eyes at him.
“Darling?” He mouthed.
Julie shook her head for a ‘No’ with a naughty smile.
Henry eyes popped out. He nodded his head with a knowing smile discreetly conveying that she won’t be spared for all these teasing.
***
   They left to the vineyard estate where Henry had some business to attend. It was a huge property, the beauty of the vineyard was like a tourist spot. An aged man welcomed them and asked his staff to take Julie on tour to their in-house winery. It started with grape cleansing, processing, crushing, fermenting, pressing, aging and bottling. Julie found it fascinating, when she got back, the owner of the winery gave few glasses of wine for tasting and explained the age and variety of grapes used.
   Henry signed a document and gave it to Julie for documentation. Julie asked about the business when the old man went inside. Henry explained,
“Mr.Aldo’s whole property came to auction for a meagre debt that he had borrowed, I settled his debt and gave back his winery in exchange for a few percent share in his yearly income”
“But why?”
“Because Ms Rosalia wanted to help her father Mr.Aldo, so she asked me to take their property, but let her father take care of it as it is his only source of livelihood. However, I gave it to them and got a percent of profit so that they don’t feel bad or guilt of getting it as charity.”
“You are very generous”
Mr. Aldo gave few fine wine bottles to them.
“Not as much as them, you know how much these bottles cost? He could make big money out of this, but look at his generosity, he gave us for free.”
Julie held his arms and squeezed it to let him know that she is so proud of him and his beautiful heart.
***
  “Pack up time! we are leaving to Puglia, another fantastic place to explore” Henry said to Julie once they came back from the estate. They landed by evening in Alberobello trulli houses, they are typically stone dwellings with a cone shaped roof. The place was extraordinary attractive with a small white huts, well aligned throughout the streets.
Henry has booked for a Swedish massage, followed by a light dinner for the both of them.
The place was very peaceful. Julie did not know that she needed this relaxation massage so much as it was fabulous and de stressing. Julie slept very well that night.
   Next morning, Henry asked if she wanted to try snorkelling. Julie was actually okay with anything that he suggested as Henry would be around. Unless it’s safe, he wouldn’t recommend and she knew that Henry must have tried them already and if he suggests it, it would be worth experiencing.
   The sea had a stunning hue of turquoise water shimmering like a bed of diamonds as it reflected the sunlight. Moving around the water along with the exotic creatures, was marvellous, Julie also wanted to go kayaking. She never had the idea to attempt all these adventures activities in life if not for Henry. In spite of all the fun, Henry was little edgy, Julie wanted to ask the reason, but she gave up not to pry too much and expected that he may come around soon.
   By noon, they have left to Henry’s friend Nolan’s private beach Villa. It was a secluded place and away from the city where the bachelor party was planned. As they got down in the white sand beach, a grand luxurious Villa welcomed them. Nolan and a female came running and engulfed Henry, followed by all of his other friends, they all greeted her too. A sudden nervousness bite into Julie, looking at his friends. There were seven of them having three girls in that group naturally giving a classy rich vibe.
   Henry introduced Alan, Jamie and ignored Ryan. He pointed to the girls: Amanda(the bride), Gia and Jane.
Ryan whined,
“Hello, I am the handsome hunk who doesn’t need any introduction” he extended his hand. Henry slapped it away and walked off with Julie. Everyone laughed at their bickering. Julie shouted back,
“Hello, Mr Scoffs” she waved while being pulled away by Henry.
“At least she has the manners” Ryan stated.
As all of them were university friends, they got along so well. The girls pulled Julie aside from Henry, as they were curious to know about her and surprised to know, Henry had actually brought ‘a girl’ to the trip. To Julie’ surprise, they were all nice and friendly to her.
   Though Henry was with the boys, he constantly checked on Julie and kept an eye on her. They all sat down on the cushion since it was a floor dining.
   Before Henry could sit next to Julie, Amanda and Jane held Julie on either side and made her sit with them. Henry gestured are you okay and Julie nodded half heartedly as she still felt like a newbie in the gang, trying to blend in. Just then they heard a shrill female voice calling out,
“How dare you all?” in a furious voice.
“Hey, we did not start yet, obviously waiting for you” Nolan greeted her.
“I will excuse you this time as you got the privilege today”
She walked in with an attitude and a 6 inch stilettos. Julie noticed that she was little different from the other girls.
“Hey, who are you?” She directly looked at Julie with judging eyes.
“Henry has brought a guest” Ryan said.
“Oh” a not so happy girl hugged Henry and greeted him.
She introduced herself to Julie,
“Hello, I am Camila Woods, Henry’s
ex-girlfriend”
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Drama guaranteed in the upcoming chapterðŸ‘ðŸ»
Happy reading!!
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