Chapter Twelve
Violet climbed up the stairs just as the cleaners completed their job on the top floor. Billy accompanied them downstairs, "Upstairs done ma'am. Please would you check?" He said courteously.
"Yes, thank you, " she said, feeling on top of the world. She had never received so much respect in her entire life. She thanked the workers too and went to check.
Violet loved the luxurious top floor with it's spacious master bedroom with a large walk-in closet and marble tile bath. The room opened to a private balcony offering stunning views of the ocean.
"You like this room?" Asked Lucas, coming up behind her.
"Yeah, it's yours," she said, rushing out to check another room.
"Only for the time being," he declared, following her out. She blushed crimson at his implication.
She came to a room which was smaller and looked very feminine and cosy. "This one's mine," she declared. Lucas grinned at her," Sure," he said, walking away, whistling a tune.
Violet looked at the room but couldn't understand what made him so happy. She went downstairs where Lucas and the twins were excitedly looking at two adjoining rooms.
"Please Lucas let these be ours," pleaded Walter.
"No, you are too young to stay downstairs all by yourselves, " said Lucas, strictly.
"Pretty please? We promise we won't do anything without your permission. Please Lucas, say yes," pleaded William.
"You will escape to the ocean on your own and we wouldn't even know. No, you will share a room upstairs, " said Lucas.
"We swear we will never go alone without your permission. Please Lucas, " said Walter, with tears in his eyes. Lucas sighed heavily and looked at Violet who stood at the door, observing them quietly. She was overwhelmed by Lucas's concern about the well-being and safety of her brothers.
"Ok, you can stay here," she said and they jumped with joy.
It took the workers another hour to complete the downstairs cleaning. Lucas paid them well and they left satisfied.
Violet went to the kitchen. They had forgotten to eat breakfast in their haste and were ravenous. She decided to make some spaghetti bolognese for lunch. Lucas and the boys went with Billy to get grocery and other necessary stuff. She didn't have anything to cook till they returned. So she went up to her room.
She checked out the ensuite, it was so welcoming with a bathtub to soak in. She went to a door that opened to a balcony. Going out, she loved the view of the ocean. Turning around she headed back to her room but was confused. There were two doors instead of one. One led to her room. Where did the other one lead to?
She opened it and saw that it led to Lucas's room. So they shared a common balcony. She smiled and went back to her room. She would have to keep her room locked now at all times. She went downstairs and took a walk around the house, checking out the lawns and the flowering plants, the outside shower head, the sit-out on the deck outside the entertainment room. It all looked like a dream house to her. She couldn't believe that she could be so lucky to live like a princess in such a house.
She thought about everything that Lucas had done for her and her brothers. There wasn't any condition for his help. He helped them because he wanted to. He had bonded with her brothers deep from his soul. There was no drama or fakeness about it. He was as genuine as the sun and the universe. She liked him more than she should. So should she give him a chance? Yes.
She felt much happier at the decision her heart wanted to hear. She hummed a happy tune as she walked on the grassy lawns, barefooted and free.
Lucas's car returned with the twins excitedly chatting with him. She was glad that the twins bonded so well with Lucas. His car came to a stop and the twins excitedly clambered out. Billy too got out and unloaded the bags of stuff that they had bought.
"Violet come quick. We've got lunch. Lucas said you will rest today," said William. Violet smiled at Lucas who took her in, barefooted and standing on the grassy lawns. He got down from his car and approached her.
"Loving it?" He asked, coming closer.
"Yes," she said, looking down at her feet. It had been ages since she'd done this.
"And me? Will you let me show you how much I love you? Will you give me a chance?" He asked with a wink.
Violet smiled at him and walked towards the house,"C'mon boys, let's eat, " she said to the twins.
"What about my answer?" Lucas yelled after her.
"Maybe," she said, turning and looking at him. Then she chased the twins inside the house. Lucas stood like a statue. Was she giving him a chance? He couldn't believe his own ears. He had to be sure.
He followed them inside with a smile. Billy too grinned hearing their conversation. Lucas couldn't wait to get her alone. He wanted her in his arms. He wanted his kiss.
"Lucas hurry. The food will disappear into our stomachs. This is the best food ever," said William, stuffing a slice of pepperoni pizza into his mouth.
Violet handed a box of pizza to Billy as he was about to leave,"This is for you, Billy," she said.
"You can go back to the hotel, Billy. I will call if I need you," said Lucas.
"Thank you, sir, ma'am," Billy said, accepting the box of pizza from Violet. He waved at the boys and left on his motorcycle to Parker Suites, Santa Monica where he worked.
They enjoyed their meal. "Tomorrow, we will check out the schools in the neighbourhood and get you admitted," Lucas said and the boys looked at him with a bored expression.
"So soon?" Asked Walter. Violet glared at him.
"Yes, so soon," she said strictly. The boys kept their plates in the kitchen and washed their hands. Then they picked up big bags of stuff and ran to their rooms.
"What are inside those?" She asked Lucas, curiously.
"Clothes, toiletries, shoes and other stuff for the boys," he informed, finishing his pizza.
"So many? I would have bought them what they needed," she said, looking at Lucas with dismay. They made him spend so much.
"No big deal. They can't roam around without clothes. I've got stuff for you too," he said, pointing towards three big shopping bags full of things for her.
Violet looked at him,"Why did you spend so much on us?" She asked.
"You don't want clothes? I don't mind you staying naked. Rather I would have wanted you to if we were alone, " he said, with a mischievous smile. Violet's eyes widened in shock. What a shameless man! She picked up the empty pizza boxes and plates and escaped to the kitchen. The sound of Lucas's chuckle followed her inside.
She dumped the empty boxes into the huge dustbin. She washed the plates and dried them. Arranging them where they belonged, she walked out of the kitchen. Lucas was nowhere to be found. She just picked up the shopping bags and went up to her room.
She sat and arranged the clothes, accessories, lingerie and shoes and toiletries in their respective places. How did he know her exact size? She blushed crimson at the thought. Going out of the walk-in closet, she collided with Lucas's chest. Was he watching her arrange her lingerie and blush?
"What were you thinking?" He asked, his arm going around her waist as he pulled her closer, her body crushed to his.
"Nothing," she said, blushing more.
"I want my kiss, Violet, " he said, his hand going to her hair and holding her head. He lowered his head and hungrily claimed her lips.
