Chapter 8 Let's have some food first

Valerie Thorne:

The moment the plane wheels touched down the runway, I felt my heart race with joy. I was finally here. In Milan, Italy. The Fashion Capital of the world.

This was supposed to be the beginning of the best chapter of my life, my dream was finally happening, but..

I looked at Raven Blackwood who was calmly shutting down his laptop as if he hadn't ruined the entire journey just by existing.

I sighed, shifting my gaze out of the window, and looked at the sunset. It looked pretty, especially with Italian background. My whole body buzzed with excitement, yet I felt my stomach tied in knots, in both a good kind, and a bad one.

It was Good, because MILAN. Bad, because RAVEN BLACKWOOD!

I picked my bag on my shoulders as I stood up a while later.

Raven Blackwood stood up too, his height towered over me like a beast in his navy blue suit, who was pretending to be civilized. He looked at me and gave a polite smile, that perhaps he intended it to be reassuring, but it only made my nerves prickle worse.

My grip tightened on my bag, as I forced myself to keep my expression neutral. No way I was going to let him see how much I wanted to run away. I had handled this. I can handle it again.

Moments later, we exited the plane.

The private terminal looked quite sleek and modern. All the glass was shining and the marble floor looked polished. The minute we stepped inside, the warm Italian breeze wrapped around us.

God, it was so beautiful.

I wanted to twirl around or at least smile like an idiot. But with Raven Blackwood walking next to me, all composed and business like posture, I calmed myself by biting the inside of my cheek and pretended not to care.

While, I was still looking around, Rowan Blackwood was already speaking into his phone, probably he was talking about the ride we will take, the hotel we would stay in, basically,` the entire damn country like no would stop him. Well. No one actually would.

I tugged my one suitcase in my right hand, my boots clicking lightly against the marble floor as we headed outside for the car.

Meanwhile, Elvis held my other luggage. Eliot followed behind Raven Blackwood.

As we reached outside, I saw there was a cute pink Porsche with tinted windows parked quietly. I paused and looked at Raven Blackwood in awe. I didn't know he had such girly taste.

Perhaps Raven Blackwood caught my eye on him. He looked at me and spoke in a casual tone. "Your apartment won't be ready until tomorrow. So you'll stay at the hotel tonight."

I nodded my head. It was just a matter of one day. I could do this.

One night, and then I could move into my tiny little apartment, decorate it with fairy lights and my fashion sketches, eat instant ramen at midnight, and pretend Raven Blackwood didn't exist.

The drive into the city was like how I saw it in movies and my Pinterest feed.

Ancient stone buildings, balconies covered with flowers, little colorful scooters roaming between cars. Everywhere I looked, it was just pretty colors, and movement, and life.

And for a few minutes, I even forgot Raven Blackwood was even there.

I pressed my forehead lightly against the cool glass of the Porsche and looked basically everywhere I could, with a huge smile on my face.

"Excited?"

I heard his cold voice against my ear, and it was enough to break my little happy bubble.

I pulled my head away from the window, my cheeks heated up like I had been caught doing something embarrassing. I glanced at him for a second before I looked back at the window.

"Yeah," I said, trying to keep my voice even, not scared. "Of course."

Raven Blackwood just nodded like he already knew. Maybe he did. Maybe it was obvious from my reaction. But he wouldn't understand it. Because to him, Milan was probably just another city on another business trip.

And to me, it was everything.

A few minutes later, the car was parked before a high class Italian Restaurant. The smell of food teased my senses. And suddenly, I felt my stomach grumble. Only then I realised, I didn't have food after getting on the plane.

Raven Blackwood glanced at me. "Let's have some food first." He turned and stepped out of the door. But he didn't close it, simply held it open, may be to wait for me to come out.

I didn't argue and stepped out, still staring at the restaurant, not him. I dryly answered. "Oh. Okay."

Elvis took a step beside me, already taking on his role as my bodyguard.

Raven Blackwood continued. He asked me as we stepped inside the restaurant. "What would you like to eat?"

I blinked at him, and the fragrance of roasted garlic, fresh basil, and rich tomato sauce made my mouth water. I caught sight of plates that the waiter was bringing to some customers. He was bringing the plate of creamy risottos, pillowy gnocchi, golden crusted pizzas, and some bowls of spaghetti.

My heart practically felt like it would leap out of my chest the next moment. Oh my God, real Italian food. I blurted out without thinking further. "Margherita Pizza and Penne Arrabbiata."

Raven Blackwood nodded, leading us to our seats.

The waiter came and took our order. Raven Blackwood glanced at me before speaking. "I'll have the risotto al tartufo, ravioli di ricotta e spinaci, and a glass of Strawberry shake."

Elvis, sitting silently by my side, ordered a plate of spaghetti carbonara and a glass of water. Eliot, sitting casually beside Raven Blackwood, ordered gnocchi al pesto.

The waiter nodded, wrote down the orders, and disappeared into the kitchen.

I looked around the restaurant, noting the visual details. The walls of the restaurant were painted a soft cream color, adorned with vintage Italian posters. It gave off the vibe of ancient times of Italy.

There was soft classical Italian music playing in the background, along with the low hum of conversations and the occasional sounds of clinking of the cutlery against porcelain plates.

Everything felt effortlessly elegant, like stepping into a scene from an old Italian movie.

The large windows let inside the sunset sunshine, and its warm glow all over the restaurant. And the tiny vases with fresh daisies and lilies were placed in the middle of every table, and the chairs had the charming rustic wooden touch. It looked slightly worn out, but it was polished which give it a cozy shine.

I shifted in my seat a little, feeling the new air, new vibes, settle in my bones.

I shifted in my seat, feeling a strange mix of comfort and tension settle into my bones. I kept looking around until food arrived.

Elvis and Eliot quietly murmured something between them. May be they were discussing work. I caught Elvis giving me a small, encouraging nod, like he could sense how nervous I was, even though I tried my best to look nonchalant.

A few seconds passed, and a ringtone sounded in the air.

I looked towards the owner of that voice. It came Raven Blackwood's phone. He glanced at the screen, and stood up to walk outside. "I need to take a call first. Enjoy your food properly."

With that, he turned and walked outside.

The moment Raven Blackwood disappeared through the door, I finally let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.

it was great, he left. And this is all I needed. Being abandoned at a fancy Italian restaurant in a foreign country with two bodyguards who probably had better things to do than babysit me.

Both Elvis and Eliot looked at me.

I smiled at them a little. God, did I breathe out aloud? I felt embarrassed.

Moments passed, and the waiter finally brought our food, and soon, the whole table was filled with exquisite Italian dishes.

I quickly took out my phone and clicked some pictures to send to my Papa. Neither Eliot nor Elvis disturbed me while clicking pictures.

After I was done with pictures, I focused on what truly mattered. The food. It looked too delicious. I took the first bite of Pizza, and it's cheese melted in my mouth instantly. I enjoyed food without trembling anymore like a weak bunny under his cold, unpredictable, and critical gaze.

Some time passed, and the food was about to finish, yet Raven Blackwood still hadn't returned. Eliot stood up and walked out to look for Raven Blackwood.

Only Elvis and I remained back in our seats.