Finally dinner was over and words couldn't explain how happy and relieved I was to escape the awkward and tensed stares of the family members.

Deciding to get away from everyone I began making my way towards Romero to ask for his permission so I can reside in his bedroom for the time being but luck had to be against me by bringing me to one of the three people I was trying to avoid

"I.I'm sorry Mr Rodrigo" I mumbled and turned the other way to continue my journey but his steel voice held me bound to my spot.

"I want to have a word with you Andrea" I swallowed nervously and decided to face him head on and as always his face gave away nothing to solve my mystery.

"W..what is it sir?" He glanced at an oblivious Romero who was occupied with the time he was spending with his cousins and sister then back at me.

"Follow me" his order was curt leaving no room for argument nor questions and my feet reluctantly followed his footsteps to wherever he was leading us to.

We began our unknown journey up the spiral staircase and my palm itched to feel the golden rails again so I let it slide up its smooth goodness. We got to the hallway where Romero's room occupied and headed towards the black door at the end.

Could it be a secret room or something? But why'd he take me to a secret room? A voice whispered in my ears.

"Mr Rodrigo what is go.. My words were cut off when he pushed the door opened to reveal a terrace.

He got out but I remained rooted in my spot still confused at the reason he chose this place out of every where in the mansion and what could he possibly want to talk about?

"Are you going to just stand there seeking for an answer in your head when you can get a proper one from me?" His arched brow was up and it brought an image of Romero in my head.

I realized it was his father i was with so I murmured an apology and stepped out into the open space. He shut the door behind us and led me to the region where the sofas were positioned at.

"Have a seat Andrea" he gave me his permission and i thanked him before kissing my ass on the soft material.

Silence wavered between us but it was less awkward and tensed than the one that transpired during dinner.

"You like Romero" I was expecting to hear anything in the world but definitely not this. Does that mean I'm too obvious?

I definitely heard his question but I tried convincing myself that I must be mistaken so I asked him to repeat his words again.

"You heard me the first time Andrea, you love my son" I couldn't utter a word from my mouth, simply because i couldn't bring myself to think of what to say.

I couldn't deny what he said cause his eyes clearly held facts about his assumption and no matter how hard I'd try to deny it he would believe in what he thinks and I can't also admit to what he said so easily.

"Mr Rodrigo I.. "I'm not here to play out the cliche 'stay away from my son or one of those shits that happens, I'm here to ask you for a favor Andrea" I felt all blood in my brain rush to my feet at the words that emitted from his mouth.

Is he being serious? Nah, I don't have to ask that question, Mr Rodrigo doesn't look like one to play the joker.

"W.what favor sir?" He remained silent for a moment while staring intensely at me and for the first since I met him I was able to hold his gaze.

He leaned away from the sofa and rested his elbows on his knees, the golden chain which was similar to the one Romero was putting on dangled from his neck as he kept his gaze on me.

"Can you tell me a reason why you love my son" I was flabbergasted by his question and it only made my mind wander off to seek for a reason why all these were happening.

"You'll get the answer to all your questions Querida just answer mine" I cleared my throat and looked away from him.

"There was no particular reason that made me fall for Romero sir. Everything about him drew me towards him including his flaws.

Being with Romero makes me feel safe and secured, he makes me feel like I'm the only one who matters in a world filled with billions of other humans and each moment I spend with him unlocks emotions I never knew existed.

He brings out the best and the worse from me, he makes me feel happy and.... I paused when I realized I wasn't talking to one of my friends but the father of the guy I am in love with.

He had a ghosted smile on his lips and it only made me feel embarrassed. "I.I'm sorry" I whispered and he chuckled.

"You don't have to apologize. That's how it is when you love someone, you tend to loose yourself to your emotions when you speak and think about them" I locked my eyes with his and one thing is sure; Raphaella Rodrigo is one lucky woman.

"And when you are in love with someone the things we do for them are the greatest thing no matter how small it would seem to the world.

Being in love simply means you're putting your heart and life at risk for whatever the journey of your lifetime has set aside for you, it means you're willing to pay a lot of sacrifices as long as it will get you to be with that person and make them happy at the cost of your desires or happiness.

Tell me Andrea, are you ready for the negatives of being with my son? Do you see yourself sharing all his burden with him, do you see yourself giving him so many chances whenever he comes short of your love?

Do you see yourself in a white dress standing beside him while pledging your loyalty and joining your life together with his forever or is this one of those relationships that will be grown on the basis of lust and mere affection?

My apologies if I scared you by rushing into your future which you may have not given a thought to but I'm just being protective of my son. I don't want him to go through what he went through in the past which I'm pretty sure you know nothing about cause the expression in your eyes give you away" he smiled amusingly which I returned with a little smile.

"I'm in no position to doubt your feelings for Romero but I want you to think about all we discussed today. I want you to figure out what you really feel for my son before it's too late cause when he falls for you which I'm pretty sure has happened already you are in for a joy ride amore. It's not in my place to say this but you should know it; when Romero loves he loves hard" I was left in a bubble of mystery and he did nothing but to smile at me.

"You'll get to know that soon Querida. C'mon let's go I'm pretty sure he must be looking for you" Whatever may be the reason Mr Rodrigo chose to have such heated conversation with me remained a mystery but it felt nice talking to him and listening to his simple yet beautiful advice and view on love.

"Thank you Mr Rodrigo" I told him on our way out and he waved me off with a smile. "It was my pleasure Andrea" we continued our journey in a comfortable silence.

"Angel" I got attacked by the sudden pull of Romero once we got outside. "Where have you been, you had me worried you know?" He cupped my cheeks while glaring at me with concern and again there was that feeling, the feeling that can never be explained no matter how I try to understand it.

Before I could give an explanation Mr Rodrigo beat me to it. "She was with me" a frown clipped to his brows and slowly the tsunami in his orbs started becoming clear.

A look transpired between them but whatever Mr Rodrigo had said was able to calm the storm in his eyes. "I'll leave you two" he smiled at me and patted Romero's shoulder before leaving us alone.

Although I had a lot of questions to ask all I wanted to do right was to jump into the comfort of my bed with him.

"Angel I... "Romero can I leave already, I'm really tired and I want to get some rest"

"Alright, I'll just inform my mom and... "No Romero, you don't have to do that I can get a cab" he glared at me with utmost annoyance causing me to lower my gaze from the waves of his oceans.

"And before you suggested that did you really think I'd have let it?" I didn't need to give a verbal reply cause I knew it was a question I had to answer within myself.

I said nothing and just followed him behind while he bid his uncles and aunts good bye.

"It is good having you back uncle Felipe" he hugged his uncle who I assumed was the one who returned from the military for a break.

"Thank you my boy, C'mon let's have a drink together and catch.. "Maybe next time uncle we have to leave now"

"We?" The man finally recognized my presence and I gave him a little smile which he returned but his stoic facial features made it seem like he was forcing out his smile.

"Just like your father you got good eyes too, I'm proud of you son" he teased making Romero roll his eyes.

"Uncle not you too" the deep chuckle that tumbled off his throat made me stare in astonishment at how deep it was.

"Uncle Felipe I'll see you around" he told his uncle and pulled me to where his grandma was talking to his mother and immediately I was filled with nervousness.

"Romero I don't think it such a good idea to.. He blatantly ignored whatever I was saying and did what his mind was set on.

"Mamá, nonna" he called their attention and the moment they casted their eyes on us I found myself hiding behind him again.

"Hijo, is there a problem?"

"No mamá, I came to inform you of our leave" a frown creeped up his mother's face and I was waiting for her to give me an accusing look but she didn't which i was grateful for.

"But why? I thought you were going to spend the night with us today?" she pouted and he took it as a cue to hug her.

"I'm sorry mamá but we have to leave but I promise I'll visit as soon as I get a chance besides college isn't far from home" she pulled away and held his hand while looking at him.

"You promise?"

"Yes mamá" he kissed her forehead then moved forward to talk to his grandmother. "Nonna i.. "You don't have to explain yourself nieto, you can go as long as you'll keep to your promise of visiting soon cause I'll be in Madrid for the rest of the month and I'll be staying here so you have to be here before I leave" Romero smiled widely and hugged her.

"Of course nonna I will keep to my promise"

"Alright go now son you don't want to keep a lady waiting" his mother's eyes fell on me and this time there was an emotion in them.

I could see the calmness through its lens maybe it's because she's smiling at me. "Okay mamá, see you" he turned to leave but his grandmother stopped him.

"The next you come here you better come with the pretty lady okay? I'd love to get to know her better. I said nothing to her today cause I want her to believe I'm a human and not a monster" she teased and embarrassment was an understatement to how I was feeling.

Both his mother and grandmother chuckled making me blush harder. "I.I'm sorry I didn't mean to...

"Oh so she speaks? I didn't want to hear your voice until we met again but i guess I really did scare you today hmm?" I smiled with my head face down trying my very best avoid their faces.

"We'll talk next time, you can go now nieto" he nodded with a smile and pulled me with him.

Once we were in the car I felt like I could breathe. Well today was one hell of a joy ride, a ride i will never forget.