ORION.
The day began with a spark of excitement — you know that feeling, right? The kind that tickles your stomach and makes you fidget a little with anticipation. All I know about our vacation is that it's going to be on a remote island for two weeks. Beyond that, my boyfriend is being so secretive! I've been itching to know more, but every time I ask, he just smiles and plays coy.
Earlier today, Athena stopped by to see us off. When my bodyguard whisked us away, we headed to the helicopter pad. As we soared over the ocean, the island rising up to meet us like a green jewel, I tried again.
"You're really not going to tell me where we're going, are you?" I asked, exasperation creeping into my voice. Harro's response was predictable – a sly smile and a zip-like gesture across his lips, as if to say, "My lips are sealed." I sighed, defeated, and gazed out the window as the island's lush landscape unfolded before us. The suspense was killing me!
"Patience, my love," Harro whispered, his fingers intertwining with mine as he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "I've kept this secret for a month. You'll just have to wait a little longer." I pouted, but couldn't help smiling as I turned my attention back to the window. The island's landscape unfolded before us, a serene tapestry of green forests, crystal-clear waters, and powdery white sand.
We soared through the sky for about thirty minutes, and now, here we are, cruising in a car with a driver, and Harro still won't spill the beans about our destination. As we drove along, the road wound its way through a gated entrance, and we found ourselves in a sprawling compound. But this was no ordinary resort – instead of towering buildings, we were surrounded by cozy cabin-like structures, each one blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings.
Intrigued, I craned my neck to take in the sheer scale of the compound. The cabins seemed to stretch on forever, connected by winding corridors that disappeared into the lush foliage. A wooden sign above the gate had caught my eye, but the words were etched in a language I couldn't understand.
As we stepped out of the car, a man with a warm smile greeted us. The man dressed in a crisp white attire welcomed us, relieving us of our luggage as he ushered us toward one of the cabins.
"Mistress Akeno is expecting you this way." he said, his voice low and soothing. Mistress Akeno? I shot Harro a questioning glance, but he just shrugged, his eyes sparkling with mischief, as he took my hand and led me after our mysterious guide.
As we stepped through the entrance, the serene ambiance enveloped us, transporting us to a world of tranquility. The traditional Japanese architecture blended seamlessly with nature, vibrant flowers bursting forth from every corner of the small buildings. Our footsteps followed the man in white, leading us into a dimly lit space where scented candles cast a warm, golden glow.
As we rounded a corner, the room brightened, revealing a stunning, expansive space that seemed to defy the boundaries of the exterior. The entire building unit we'd just walked into was, in fact, a single, sprawling room, cleverly divided into separate areas. A plush couch beckoned from one corner, while a majestic, master bed dominated one corner of the room.
Two figures stood at the other far end of the room, engaged in hushed conversation. As we approached, they turned to greet us. The man in white bowed deeply to the woman, who smiled graciously, before he exited through a side door. She began to walk towards us, her eyes shining with warmth.
"Mistress," the man who had brought us in bowed, before disappearing into the shadows. My boyfriend strode forward, embracing the woman as she extended her hands.
"Hello, Aki." He greeted before kissing her cheeks, his voice filled with affection.
Aki's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she turned to me. "Is this him?" She asked and Harro nodded, his smile broadening as he beckoned me over.
"Babe, I want you to meet someone very special to me," he said, his voice was gentle and genuine.
I smiled, extending my hand to shake hers, despite the lingering confusion. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Orion," I introduced myself.
Her smile was warm and genuine. "The pleasure is mine, Orion. I'm Akeno, but he calls me Aki," she said, turning to Harro with a playful glint in her eye. "I guess you could say I'm his ex-fiancée."
My eyes widened in shock as I shot Harro a disbelieving look. Ex-fiancée? She looked at least in her fifties! Just what kind of life had Harro led before we met? He on the other hand was blushing furiously, and Aki burst into laughter.
"I'm kidding! You should have seen your face!" she exclaimed, wiping tears from her eyes. "This brat asked me to marry him when he was five years old!" she explained, chuckling.
I sighed in relief, but my curiosity about their relationship still lingered. I knew Harro was easygoing, but I'd never seen anyone treat him as she's doing except his family. Aki's playful teasing and his reaction seemed like something that happened often. She seems to bring out a different side of him – one that was both endearing and intriguing.
The mystery was finally solved as Harro revealed, "She was my nanny." My eyes widened in understanding. "She took care of me from when I was a toddler till I graduated high school," he added, and I couldn't help but feel a deep affection for this woman who had played such a significant role in Harro's life.
Aki's eyes sparkled with warmth as she turned her attention to me. "Junior told me he was bringing his boyfriend, and I thought it was a prank at first seeing as he's never had one before," she admitted with a chuckle. "But then he insisted he was serious and went ahead to show me pictures, needless to say I couldn't wait to meet you in person." she added and I couldn't help but chuckle as I nodded in understanding. Then her gaze turned stern as she turned to him, she flicked Harro on the forehead, eliciting a playful "ouch" from him.
"What was that for?" Harro asked, rubbing his forehead, and Aki smacked his shoulder lightly before fixing him with a stern glare.
"How could you only tell me about bringing your boyfriend without mentioning your accident?" she scolded, her voice tinged with concern. "What if I hadn't spoken with your grandmother?" Harro smiled sheepishly, and I could sense a deep-seated affection between them, one that went beyond a typical nanny-charge relationship.
"In my defense I was actually unconscious for like two months after my accident so I couldn't have told you even if I wanted to" he said cheekily but his grin faltered as Aki's glare intensified, and he gulped, realizing he might have pushed his luck too far. "I'm sorry, I was going to tell you when we got here," he said, his voice apologetic, as he attempted to mend the damage.
Aki's expression softened, and she touched his face with a gentle, motherly affection. "What am I going to do with you?" she sighed, shaking her head in fond exasperation. With a warm smile, she handed us the keys to our unit before bidding us farewell. "I'll leave you two to settle in. We'll catch up later." and with that she was gone leaving us alone.