After an unknown period of time, they arrived at a secluded foreign-style building. Surrounding it was a vast forest, so quiet that the only sound was the wind blowing through the trees.
“What place is this?” Sookie closed the car door and looked up at the vintage building.
The mountain breeze brushed past as Enzo took a deep breath of the fresh air. This was his and his buddies’ secret base. “It’s our ‘base.’ When we were kids, we used to stay here often. Every time Carl had a mission, us little brats would be sent here. We’d be safe here, no one knows about this place.”
Enzo led Sookie up to the second floor. The villa was situated on high ground, and from his bedroom balcony, they could see the distant sea.
Enzo arranged a room for Sookie. The damp forest air filled the room with a musty smell, but noteworthy was the fact that the furnishings had never changed.
After a while of bustling about, Enzo and Sookie finally got rid of the musty smell permeating the air, along with the thick layer of dust on the floor. Enzo helped Sookie make the bed, then went downstairs to the kitchen. He tried to light a fire and was surprised to find that there was still gas, which was good news.
He turned off the fire and grinned.
This place was just the same as before.
He went to the living room and opened the food he had brought from the car. This was the same tacky decor from 40 years ago-wooden windows, semi-transparent window glass, a worn-out cloth sofa with a few throw pillows on it. Yeah, Mia and Tessa used to have pillow fights with them when they were kids, but in the end, the sisters won because they had a lot of little things about him, Landon, and Tery in their hands.
Outside the kitchen was a dining table. That was where Jones’s wife, Mrs. IsaBella, used to make hot milk and croissants for them.
Since Carl’s passing, he had rarely come here and never brought anyone else.
“Hey, Enzo, where’s the shower here?” Sookie came downstairs and stood on the steps, asking him.
“At the end of the hallway, to the right.”
“Okay.”
Enzo watched Sookie’s back as she turned. For a moment, it was as if he saw that familiar figure. He hesitated, then smiled wryly and went to the kitchen with the ingredients.
Ten minutes later, Sookie finished washing up. She sat down at the dining table, drying her hair.
“Wow~ it looks quite sumptuous.” Sookie’s eyes lit up. These days, she hadn’t eaten anything other than instant noodles. Looking at the roast chicken and beef in front of her, she couldn’t help but indulge.
Watching Sookie wolf down her food, Enzo found it amusing. Had he been neglecting her these past few days? She looked like she hadn’t eaten for days. Seeing her enjoy the food so much, Enzo suddenly felt that the food in his hands became even more delicious than before.
After the meal, Sookie patted her round belly and lay down on the sofa. After cleaning up the kitchen, Enzo walked out and saw her in this comfortable scene.
Unable to resist teasing her, he said, “Well, princess, am I taking good care of you?”
Upon hearing this, Sookie rolled her eyes at him and continued to play with her phone, leaving the air silent, with only the crackling of the burning firewood in the fireplace.
“Creak-” The old metal mechanism sounded, and as Enzo opened the door to go out, Sookie immediately sat up, somewhat uneasily asking, “Where are you going?”
Seeing her nervous look, Enzo smiled, “I’m going out for a walk, want to come with me?” Sookie thought for a moment, then nodded and followed him.
They came to a stream, surrounded by a vast wilderness. The scent of grass mixed with the smell of earth made people involuntarily relax. Sookie took off her shoes and lay down in a star shape on the grass, and Enzo did the same, closing his eyes, savoring this peaceful moment.
“So, what do we do now?” Sookie couldn’t help but ask.
“I’m thinking of a way. For now, all we can do is wait for the Shadowy Saints team to regain control in Boston.”
“Are you going to help them?”
Her voice wafted over from the empty space to Enzo’s left, muffled and childlike, like a cute child, or a cute little cat, emanating a taste of innocence and sweetness.
This kid was a little silly, silly in a cute way that made him want to strip her naked and have his way with her right there in the open grass.
He picked up the whiskey hehad brought out, took a big gulp, trying to calm the beast within.
“Not for now. My appearance is too sensitive at the moment, and the Italian gang also needs time to handle this. This is a war involving three organizations.”
Sookie seemed to understand, nodding but remaining silent. Enzo glanced at her. Moonlight bathed her fair face, her long eyelashes gently quivering, her small, rosy lips seemingly inviting him to ravage.
There was an inexplicable emotion pulling him towards her, enticing him, making him want to ravage her, to possess her, until she moaned his name, making him want to protect her from this world.
But he quickly dismissed the thought. He wasn’t so irrational yet.
“Why did you study for your master’s?”
She opened her eyes, turning to look at him.
“Well, I actually studied psychology, planning to work at a school in the future.”
Enzo whistled. “Wow, such a noble profession. You can guard those naughty and annoying teenagers, nurture the nation’s talent, and fill this world with peace and hope.”
Sookie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah.”
“Seriously, it’s impressive.”
“Not so impressive when I’m not just skipping classes but also possibly failing and not graduating.”
Thinking of this, Sookie felt annoyed. She sighed, took the whiskey from Enzo’s hand, and drank the last sip. She wrinkled her features, cleared her throat, then imitated those rude and rough men saying, “Good booze!” But it really didn’t taste wonderful.
“Awful,” Enzo raised an eyebrow at her.
Sookie immediately widened her eyes, feeling a storm in her stomach. Just as she was about to vomit, Enzo burst into laughter.
“I fooled you. Time doesn’t have much effect on this drink.”
“So, are we going to stay here for a long time?” Sookie looked at the starry sky.
“Feeling bored? Want to do something else?” Sookie looked at Enzo, his burning gaze making her throat dry.