280 Hunter and the Russo family 1 (1/2)
Friday
5:24 PM
About 20 miles East from Portland…
Mia and Hunter drove over the paved road which is snaking through a dense forest. For this part of the trip, Mia is driving. It's for safety reasons.
”Here we go…” Mia said when they saw three men standing in the middle of the road.
”No sudden movements. These are new guys.” Mia reminded Hunter while lowering the glass on her side of the car.
”What is your business here?” One man asked stiffly.
Mia showed him the black card and he pointed a gadget toward it. Purple light splashed on the black card, revealing a set of golden symbols.
The man's eyes widened in surprise and he took a step back.
”I apologize for blocking your way. You may proceed.” He bowed slightly and gave a signal with his hand to the two men to move away.
Hunter looked at the black card with curiosity. The golden symbols are gone. Hunter remembers that Mia took this card from the box she tucked in the back of the closet. He was not sure what it was, but now he knows that it's some form of identification.
About two minutes later, after one turn, they emerged on a clearing with a circular driveway in the middle, and a massive mansion on the opposite side. To call it a mansion is an understatement. It looks more like a castle from the renaissance period, there are even gargoyles on the façade!
By the time Mia stopped the car in front of the main entrance, twelve women in identical black maid uniforms and white aprons were lined up on the stairs, six on each side, ready to greet them. An older man, obviously the butler, stood in the middle and silently observed with a slight frown Hunter who got out of the car and walked to the other side, to open the door for Mia. When the older man saw Mia, his face lit up.
”Young Miss, welcome home!” The butler called enthusiastically while bowing.
”It's good to see you again, Leo.” Mia greeted him back. ”I trust that you have been well.”
”Yes, young Miss. This lowly servant was well. We didn't expect you, but your room is ready.” He glanced at Hunter. ”And this man is…?”
Mia hooked her arm with Hunter's. ”Hunter. He is with me, as my partner.”
Leo nodded in reserved greeting politely before saying: ”I will get the maids to prepare a room for him.”
”No need. He will stay with me.”
”Young Miss, pardon my insolence.” The butler said. ”Uhm… your father didn't take well the information that you are coming with a man. You know his temper. If you tell him that you are sharing the room on the same day he meets him, things might not go well…”
Mia pursed her lips while thinking about Leo's words. ”OK. He will wait in my room. Let us know when his is ready. Leo, make sure that his room is close to mine, for security reasons.” Mia ended while giving the old man a knowing look.
…
A few minutes later, in Mia's room…
”Everything is exactly how I left it…” Mia said while observing the massive room.
The walls are a mixture of cement and bricks, and a huge fireplace with intricate details reminded Hunter of an ancient castle, but with electricity and other modern amenities. He wondered if there are secret rooms and passages, that is highly probable.
”We are staying separately?” Hunter asked with displeasure obvious in his voice when the maids left after bringing their suitcases inside.
”As I mentioned it, my father will test you. I don't want to give him a reason to increase difficulty.” Mia looked at Hunter helplessly. ”Let's see how dinner goes.”
Mia wanted to tell him that they will definitely stay together, even if she needs to sneak into his room through the window, she will do it. But she kept that part for herself. Knowing her father, there are probably listening devices in her room. Mia is not afraid of her old man, but she does not want to make Hunter's life more difficult. Who knows what challenges are lying ahead?
Hunter snorted in disapproval. Since they got together, they never slept apart. What is this different rooms nonsense? He told himself to calm down. It's only for a weekend. He will get the approval of her family, and that will make Mia happy. And then they can get married.
Mia said numerous times that she does not need the approval of her family, and Hunter believes her, but he is aware that things will be better if her family members are present (and not trying to kill him). Every bride wants to be escorted down the aisle by her father, and Hunter wants to give Mia the best wedding ever.
Hunter walked toward one of the three windows and observed the garden which stretches forever. The flowers and the pathways are creating symmetrical patterns and there is a three-tier fountain. Without moving his gaze, he saw four groups of guards patrolling the area. The security is tight. Are they expecting an attack?
Hunter stifled a laugh while wondering, what would his parents say if they could see all this? Just a few weeks ago they thought of Mia as a gold digger and based on this property alone, Mia's family can probably buy everything Andersons own and have a lot of money to spare.
The fact that Mia is not relying on her family's background and fortune, but she decided to live her life on her own, made Hunter appreciate her more. Mia is a fighter and not a pampered Miss.
Mia and Hunter freshened up in their respective rooms and headed to the living room where Mia's father was waiting for them.