Chapter 4: Her new home
Consciousness returned slowly, like morning sunlight creeping across a room. Violet’s eyes fluttered open to find Terri beside her, his warm hand enveloping hers, his face lit with a gentle smile. "Good morning, sweet girl!”
“Where’s Ribero?”
“He had some business to attend to.” Terri’s gaze drifted to the contract lying on the bedside table.
A knot formed in Violet's stomach at the sight. “I’m not signing that.”
“He rewrote it,” Terri assured her, “no death clause.”
Her trembling fingers picked up the document, eyes scanning the dense text. Her heart sank. “I have to marry him and do what any male staff wants?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue.
“Hey,” Terri’s voice softened further, “if it’s something with me or Ribero, you’d be okay with it, right?”
Before she could respond, he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a tender kiss. A small moan escaped her as his silken hair tickled her cheek like feathers. The intimate moment shattered at the sound of a throat clearing – Ribero stood in the doorway.
Terri jerked away, head bowed. “Sorry Ribero.”
“Sweetie,” Ribero’s voice was honey-smooth as he approached, His fingers caressing her cheek, “Can you sign the contract for me?”
She nodded. Only signing because she felt like she had to.
“That’s my good girl.” His lips pressed against her forehead, cool and dry. “You’ve been discharged. My brother brought you some new clothes – you should change in the bathroom.”
The pink dress draped across the chair caught her eye, its fabric soft and inviting. “I love this dress. Thank you!” She wrapped her arms around him, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. With his help, she slipped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, the lock clicking behind her with satisfying finality.
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as she faced the mirror. For a heart-stopping moment, a man’s face seemed to stare back at her instead of her own reflection. She whirled away, pulse racing. Just the medications, she told herself. They were making her see things.
She emerged from the bathroom to Terri’s sing-song praise: “You are so cute!”
“Thank you,” she mumbled, heat rising to her cheeks. Ribero enveloped her in a tight embrace.
“Let’s go home,” he declared. “But I’ll drive. You drive like a maniac, Terri.”
“That’s okay – means I can sit next to Violet.” Terri’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
Violet shot Ribero a worried glance as they navigated the sterile hospital corridors. “Don’t worry, he’ll be on his best behavior,” Ribero assured her. Behind his back, Terri nodded earnestly while crossing his fingers, a playful smirk dancing across his lips.
The drive was peaceful, Ribero’s careful handling of the vehicle almost hypnotic. A peculiar calm washed over her at his touch, raising questions she wasn’t ready to answer about why these men affected her so deeply.
Their destination took her breath away – a charming house painted in the softest shade of baby blue, like a piece of sky brought down to earth. A brick pathway, lined with fragrant lilacs swaying in the breeze, led to the front door. Though single-storied, the house sprawled invitingly, its presence both grand and welcoming. Two vintage pole lights cast a warm, golden glow across the scene.
“This is amazing!” she breathed, drinking in every detail.
“Glad you like it, sweetie,” Ribero said, parking before the garage. Both men exited the car, Terri extending his hand to her.
The key Ribero presented her gleamed in the light. “Go for it,” he encouraged, “this is all yours.” The lock turned with a satisfying click, and she bounded inside like an excited child on Christmas morning. Ribero illuminated each room, revealing a home straight from a dream.
The kitchen dazzled in pristine white, anchored by a French door refrigerator that reflected the light like mirrors. A brand-new stove stood ready for use, and white marble countertops stretched out like frozen rivers. The island, topped with playful pink chairs, added a touch of whimsy to the sophisticated space. Inside the well-stocked fridge, she found everything from pizza to wine, prompting a laugh. “Wine? I’m eighteen!”
“Drinking age in Portugal is eighteen,” Terri reminded her with a wink.
“You two just want to get me vulnerable,” she teased, earning kisses on her cheeks from both men.
The living room boasted a massive plasma TV mounted like modern art on the wall, complemented by a plush pink couch that Ribero demonstrated could transform into a bed. She couldn’t resist throwing herself onto it, the soft surface embracing her like a cloud.
“Better get up,” Terri warned playfully, “or we might have to join you.”
The bathroom took her breath away – seafoam green tiles surrounded a luxurious tub equipped with massage jets, promising endless relaxation. But her bedroom – that was the crown jewel. A king-sized bed dressed in pink canopy curtains dominated the space, while a gorgeous bay window invited natural light to dance across the hardwood floors. A vintage Gothic full-length mirror stood sentinel in one corner, its ornate frame catching the light. The walk-in closet revealed an endless array of clothes and shoes, each piece carefully selected.
“You really didn’t have to do this,” she protested weakly.
“Fernando insisted,” Ribero explained, presenting her with a new iPhone. “It has my number, Terri’s, and Fernando’s. Don’t call him unless he calls you first. For emergencies, contact one of us.”
After heartfelt thanks and goodnight kisses, they left her to settle in. She selected a flowing purple nightgown from her new wardrobe and prepared for bed, arranging pillows and blankets just so. As sleep began to claim her, she caught a glimpse of something impossible – a man’s face in the mirror. “I finally found you, my love.”