Chapter 36: Warm welcome

Alicia P.O.V

Going through the gardens that lead to Ace's home took us 10 minutes, Mark was driving very slowly probably at Ace's demands which I appreciated because those gardens could be made into a payable attraction and people would come in trove for sure I still can't believe the whole island is Ace home that's just crazy and that's not a little island mind you Ace told me that it was 5 by 6 km a little bigger than Fuvahmulah.

Fuvahmulah is an island in the Maldives. It is under Maldives' administrative division of Gnaviyani Atoll. The island is the second southernmost administrative atoll, located to the south of Huvadhu Atoll and to the north of Seenu Atoll. It's also the third most populous island after Malé and Addu

Before coming here I did my research to know better, of course, I already knew what everyone knew as a tourist I'd seen enough photos on social media to have a little idea of what I could see here but since I didn't want to be like those people who go somewhere and just enjoy the view without caring for the culture and Mom told me that the Smith's own the Maldives but the truth is yes they bought the land and they got a lot of say in the affairs of all islands of the Maldives but they don't own the government they are like a royal family here and they are treated as such if something big need to be done or a law need to be passed the government will ask the Smith's so yeah they are totally royals I also read the law because I wanted to know if Ace had lied to me ... unfortunately for me what he said was true 

While I was lost in thought the car finally arrived on the main road leading to the house from here I could see the top of the house I kinda was disappointed that this was not a castle I wanted to make fun of him a little but the mansion was really beautiful modern but with the stone exterior it gives ancient vibe a little, the closer we got to the house the more things I discovered the windows were huge attach to the left of the house there was a conservatory

-Ace why do you have a greenhouse even with all those gardens outside I asked him 

-Hehe this is where rare flowers and plants are kept. I'll show you later this room is one of my favorite places here it is also one of the music rooms we have, I learned the piano right there he said with a smile before turning his head to look at Mark and talk to him 

-Mark don't stop in front of the door go directly to the garage we can walk for a little I know Nigel thought you otherwise but we are all family here so no need to be so formal alright said Ace

I could hear Nigel letting out a huge sigh before chuckling a bit MArk was also smiling before nodding his head and accepting Ace's order.. so that's the relation he has with the people here I thought 

Helena P.O.V

I was ready to open the front door at any time now I could see the car driving toward us slowly but the car that was supposed to stop at the door took a turn toward the garage that was 200 meters away from the main house sigh he did it again this kid even I got used to this treatment why can't he just accepts it I thought Ace always did things like this we got people for everything here but Ace still make his own bed and clean his own room too I asked him why one day and said humph if I let them do everything ill become lazy than added with a little mischief in his eyes also were would I hide my secrets if I let everyone in my room that made me try to find something a child shouldn't have in his room for a whole month before I finally realize he was just playing with me he hates to use the chef or the maids when he wants a snack washing his cars his another thing he won't let people do it in his stead

-Are they here yet? I heard Anthony's voice behind me 

-Humph this kid, again asked Nigel or Mark to park directly into the garage I bet he misses his car more than us I said pouting a little

-Hahaha you know that's not true let him be he was always like this we won't change him and you know it better than anyone said Anthony hugging my waist with his chin on my shoulder and breathing in my ear before landing a light kiss on my cheeks... this man knows how to pamper me hehe I thought turning around to face him for a long kiss. Separating from our kiss I decided to wait for them at the side door since Ace would come from this way I'm sure Anthony was standing there looking like an idiot ... hehe this man never changes seems like my charms are still working in our rooms he won't shy away from these kinds of exchanges but in public, he always froze standing there like a tree who took root at the wrong spot 

-Are you coming to welcome them with me I said turning my head a little to look at Anthony while letting out an amused chuckle at him

-Cough cough yes yes I'm coming

Anthony P.O.V

This woman I can't get used to this she always displays her love so openly even if there is nobody nearby I can't get used to it maybe it will take years before I stop acting like a teenager who got a kiss for the first time sentiments always overflowed when she kisses me like this it makes me froze like a statue and she knows it I know she enjoys seeing me like this since I confess to her she has been more and more brazen about it she's not shying away from her feeling at all I could hear the maid talking about this from time to time which made me all the more conscious about it then I would like to 

Since I had never been in a relationship before I didn't know I was this shy as much as I can be bold and fearless in business, in love is another story she totally owned me, Ace made fun of me the whole time we were in New York because of this when he realized that my face would blush every time Helena took my hand in public he would take Alicia hand everywhere and look at us like it was a contest, of course, Helena won't lose like that so she took it on herself to look just as in love that Ace and Alicia were, poor me people must have looked at me weirdly with how Ace burst out laughing every time this happened 

Ace P.O.V

taking out mine and Alicia's luggage out of the trunk I start walking toward the east side of the house 

-I can take care of my luggage said Alicia who was following me closely with clear intention of taking back her luggage

-I know

-Great so give it now she said extending her hand toward to handle of her luggage before she could take it from me I tugged it in front of me out of her reach then looked at her

-Knowing that you can doesn't mean I'll let you, babe I said with a smirk

I take pleasure in annoying her because I know that as much as my behavior annoys her, she also likes my 'gentleman' side She is just a strong girl and doesn't like feeling useless which she clearly is not I sometimes curses myself for my high IQ and perception because it didn't take me 2 weeks to figure she was taking a secret cooking class I wished I hadn't figure it out and be really surprised when she finally feels ready to cook for me sigh my acting talent might need an upgrade if I don't want her to know that I knew I thought

I was about to ask Alicia to open the door when the door suddenly opened wide with Lena coming out and instantly hugging Alicia 

-I sweetie! how was the flight did Ace take good care of you did you guys eat already ... Lena was shooting question after question Alicia didn't even have time to answer her so I had to stop her

-Lena can you let her answer before asking another question ... also what with the question if I take good care of her, who do you take me for of course I take care of my woman I don't wait 15 years to let her know how much I love her I said looking at my Uncle with a big smile on my face 

-Humph that's low Ace if you have nothing constructive to say you can just shut up you know said my Uncle back to me

-I love you too Uncle! hehe anyway, I'll let the girls catch up. I'm going to put our things in my room Love take your time chatting with Lena 

-Is Mammy in the mansion I asked my Uncle while passing by him 

-You know her she wouldn't miss Alicia's arrival not in a hundred years with all the nagging that Helena did and talking about her all the time made Martha a little jealous I think he said chuckling a bit

-I don't doubt it poor Mammy must have her ears bleeding at some point poor Nigel I should buy him some good wine

-Why Nigel I told you that it was Martha who got to endure Helena 

-And who do you think endured Mammy's complaints when there was nobody around?

-Oh you're right we need to buy him a bottle

-You bet hehe

Martha P.O.V

I was taking care of my head maid duty when I heard a knock on the door

-Come in

Hector made his way in and sat on the sofa that was right beside the window with a beautiful view of the conservatory, Anthony sure knew me well I thought

-What do you need Hector?

-Nothing i was taking care of the plants on the east side when I saw Ace and his girlfriend enter the house i thought you might be here and still clueless that he was back so...

I didn't let him finish what he was saying I stood up from my chair with more force than I intended to because my chair slammed into the wall at the back sure the wall was far from my desk but still it was not like me to lose my cool like this I took a deep breath before stepping out of my office to the east side of the mansion

I was about to enter the east wing when Ace spotted me from the bottom of the stairs leading upstairs 

-Hey Mammy I missed you he said droppings his luggage to hug me, i hugged him back and looked at him more closely i don't know if it was because I'm becoming shorter with age but I have the impression he grew taller again

-Have you grown taller again? I asked him

-Hehe yes I gained almost 5 centimeters this summer anyway I need to take these to my room if you want to meet Alicia you don't need to wait for me she is probably in the tea room with Lena and Uncle now 

I gave Ace a gentle tap on his arm with a smile on my face this child too knows me well I thought before making my way toward the rest of the family I was 4 or 5 meters away from the tea room when I heard a melodious laugh coming out of the room clearly this wasn't Helena laugh I knew it by heart now I knocked on the door waiting for an answer

-Come in answer Anthony 

I opened the door and looked at the girl that was sitting with Helena I must say she is even prettier in person than in photo i thought

-Oh Martha it's you I was about to...

-So you are Mammy exclaimed Alicia getting up and approaching me with a big smile, i was dumbfounded when she hugged me like we knew each other for a long time 

-I heard so much about you sorry I couldn't control my mention for a moment hehe Ace is talking about you so much that I have the impression I already knew you sorry if I was too familiar with you she said bowing her head in shame

-Hehehe Ace sure knows how to choose a girl! I said out loud given the girl a hug back I already like this child I thought