1. Johanna

A warm smile tugs at my lips when I look outside the car window. Unbuckling the seat belt, I step out of the car. I probably should give him more time for himself, I think as I tread down the rocks to the beach. I stop at a distance watching him blow the smoke out of his mouth. He only smokes when he is nervous.

I take more steps towards him and stop just at his side.

"It is beautiful." I comment attention on the sea.

"Yes." He blows out smoke before he drops the cigarette and stamps on it.

"Nervous?" I raise my gaze at him now. He gazes right back.

"A little." he replies softly.

"It is okay. There is nothing you should worry about." I assure.

"You're right." He smiles leaning forward to close some space between us. The smell of cigarettes off his breath wafts inside my nose.

"You know I am always right." I brag with a grin.

"Right." He pecks my lips before breaking away to stare at me.

"I love you." he declares. I have heard the words so many times from him and they still give me the same chill like I just heard them the first time.

"I love you too babe." I reply closing the space between us. I savor the taste of cigarettes on his mouth and moan when his hands drop lower to my ass. I should probably put an end to this seeing we are in a public place but I can't help it. Enzo has so much control over me, my body that sometimes I can't help but give in.

"We should probably stop." He whispers breathlessly against my lips. He goes on to kiss me yet again.

"We are going to be late." I whisper trying to break the spell.

"Does it make me a bad person that I don't care?" He asks and kisses me between a chuckle. I should probably be the sensible one between us and break this entire thing apart before I start begging for him to take me right here, right now.

I break away this time. I hadn't realised I was in his arms until he gently places me down. Whoa! That escalated pretty fast.

"We should go before I change my mind." Enzo warns with a dangerous smirk. Knowing so well that tone, I force my legs to walk back up to where we left the car.

Enzo opens the passenger door for me before he walks to his side. When the engine roars to life, I can't help but smile. Somehow this weekend away feels like a start of something new, something I don't even know yet but I am excited about.

One more hour on the road and the car comes face to a halt infront of a dark gate. I mean it is just a gate but something about it is a little intimidating. Two men who were originally standing before it walk to where our car is parked. Enzo rolls the windows down for the guys.

"Is this all necessary Tez?" Enzo asks with a raised brow.

"Boss' orders." Tez replies.

"When did Arnold become so paranoid?" Enzo scoffs.

"Not him. Sir Max did." Tez answers.

"I see. Are we okay to go?" He asks putting the key back in ignition.

The gates widely open for us when Tez makes a signal. I have a lot of questions at the moment but the view before my eyes has my mouth open in surprise and admiration. The house before us looks nothing like I ever seen. Did I say house? My mistake because the building before us could pass up for a castle. That might be a little exaggeration on my part. Still, the house is huge, a full on mansion.

I look back at Enzo who is focused on getting us parked. I mean I have known Enzo for seven freaking months and never in his conversation has he ever mentioned a mansion. I mean I knew somehow that Enzo came from money, I just never went in details to know how much we were talking.

"Babe." I startle shortly. That might have been one hell of a trance if I didn't see him get out of the car and open my door.

"Are you ready?" He asks with a huge grin. I stare dumbfounded. How is he cool with all this while my mind is running haywire?

"Babe." He calls.

"No!" I reply curtly pulling the door to close. Since he is holding it, it doesn't budge a bit.

"Bab..."

"You don't get to babe me mister. Why the heck didn't you tell me this is your house?" I reprimand with knitted brows.

"Babe, what do you mean? It is just a house." He replies dazed.

"Are you kidding me right now? Did you just say house? That is no damn house Enzo, it is a freaking mansion." I mutter in a hard tone.

"What is the difference?" he asks. He really didn't just ask the question I think he asked. My eyes dart between him and the mansion in sheer astonishment.

"The difference..."

"Jo, honey." He cuts me off before I give him a real estate lecture.

"Babe I understand. I know I should have been a little more specific  but we are here, okay. Plus I can't wait to show you around and for you to meet my family." He says softly.

"The size of the house don't matter to anyone inside there and most especially to me. We are going to be fine now if you will just come out of the car." Enzo coaxes.

"No more surprises." I demand after a few seconds.

"I can't promise." he replies offering his hand for me to take.

"Enzo!" I scold.

"I mean my family can be a little extra. Fore warning." He mutters. I sigh hard before I take his hand and he leads me to the porch where he rings the bell.

A door man opens the door leading to a flamboyance of walls, floors and ceilings. I thought we had a beautiful home, Enzo's parent's home is something out of a fantasy movie or book. Passing the foyer, Enzo leads me further into the house.

The noise from the living room halts as soon as we enter. I am scared for my life with how silent the whole room turned until Enzo erupts.

"Where is the groom?"

"Enzo!" A man raises from his seat with a controlled stare. I know him from Enzo's photos. Dark hair, brown eyes.  His name is Max, he's Enzo's brother. My thoughts are cut short at Enzo's words.

"Hello big brother." He grins.

"Come here." The next thing that happens amuses me. Enzo and Max hug the life out of each other. A knot tugs at my heart. Moments like this remind me of how lonely it can become when you are an only child.

"Oh my God! You must be the Jo." Max grins. I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm. Someone has been running their mouth. I send Enzo a look. I mean it is not like I haven't been running mine. I am guilty as charged because everyone I know knows Enzo.

"Yes. And you must be the enigmatic elder brother, Max right?" I grin.

"Enigmatic? I have to say I am impressed with what that fool can come up with about me. Nice to meet you Jo." Max hugs me. It is a warm hug I have to say.

"Let go of my woman Max." Enzo returns back to my side before he scans the room.

"Is this the part we get a hello?" A woman with dyed red hair seated by the sofa chides sarcastically. I recognize her too from the photos.

"Emma." I blurt out. I curse myself immediately when I notice everyone's stare.

"I can't believe you have been gossiping about me Enzo." Emma raises a brow.

"Oh no. I just saw you in..."

"I am kidding love." Emma shoots up from her seat and walks to us.

"We officially meet Jo. I was tired of hearing this fool simping about you." She smiles.

"Come here." She hugs me lovingly. Then she turns to Enzo.

"Just so you know, I didn't miss you." She says as she hugs him.

"Glad to know that."

I meet Gabriel, Arma and Hanna, their cousins. They are all lovely people

"Where is this bride of yours you can't stop talking about?" Enzo asks. I was about to ask the same question. Immediately someone walks into the room.

At first I don't believe my eyes, I blink so as to focus on the epitome of beauty before us.

"Everyone, meet Kate, my fiance." Max introduces with a smile of pure love. Kate grins besides him and I didn't brace myself for her smile. Kate is beautiful. Cut that, she is gorgeous. Not gorgeous in an Angelina Jolie way but gorgeous in a unique way. Soft brown hair, beautiful chocolate eyes and a brown flawless skin.

She hugs Enzo first before she turns to me. I bet the admiration is visible in my eyes.

"I didn't know you had quite the eye Enzo. She is gorgeous." Kate comments like I am not standing right before her.

"Nice to finally put a face to a name." She hugs me tightly.

"Oh my God! I love your dress." she compliments.

"You do?" I ask surprised.

"Yes. The details and it's simplicity. It's beautiful."

"Stop harassing my girlfriend Kate." Enzo cuts in.

"Kate is a designer. Don't let her into your closet." Enzo warns.

"Whatever Enzo. You are just a hater." Kate rolls her eyes.

"Who wants some wine?" Arma suggests. Everyone replies in favor of it. I sigh heavily as I watch everyone. At least it is not as bad as I thought.