Love Goes On

by Crystal Britton

  “You should be excited!”

  “I can’t get excited when I’m tired. I can’t believe you’re making me get up this early on my summer break! It’s bad enough I have to wake up this early five days a week when school’s in.”

  Kaden swiftly kissed me. Then he took my hand pulling me off of the bed. “Come on, Sara!”

  I groaned as I finished packing my suitcase. When we were ready to leave we loaded our luggage onto Kaden’s truck bed; then we were off to the air-port. Kaden ordered an Ipad touch for himself, but it didn’t arrive in time for our flight so we decided we’d take turns using the Ipad and Ipod touch.

  When we reached the air-port we boarded our private plane while our luggage was loaded by a baggage handler. When we were finally ready to take off I felt like this was going to be a very long flight.

  “How long will the flight be?” I asked.

  “Around ten hours. Give or take a few,” Kaden replied.

  “Well, that gives me plenty of time to read!”

  He chuckled. “I’ll turn on some tunes then.” He spoke as he pulled out my Ipod touch.

  After a couple of hours I began to become tired. So I put my Ipad away and fell asleep.

  When I awoke I was laying on Kaden’s shoulder.

  “Did you sleep well?” Kaden asked not looking up from whatever he was looking at.

  I yawned and stretched. “What are you reading?” I asked.

  “The same series you were reading.”

  “Don’t lose my page now.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not even close to getting to where you are.”

  “How much longer is it going to be until we reach Rome?”

  “About five more hours. When we arrive it’ll be around one-thirty in the afternoon; Rome time.”

  I sighed. “Are we staying at your parent’s castle?”

  “That’s the place!”

  I rolled my eyes. “Why do we have to stay there?”

  “My parents wanted us to stay with them.”

  “Well, I hope I don’t get lost.”

  He chuckled. “You won’t get lost. We’ll be staying in the nearest room to the front door.”

  “That’s good, so if I wanted to escape I could find the exit.”

  He smiled. “After you view Rome’s beauty you’ll never want to leave!”

  “We’ll see.” I took my Ipad from him.

  Kaden huffed. “I thought you wanted to talk?”

  I sighed. “I am interested to know what happens next in the book.”

  “Okay. I think I’ll take a nap now.” Five hours soon passed by and we were off the plane and in a limo; on our way to Kaden’s parents castle. “What do you think of the scenery?”

  I was peering out my window taking in the view. “It’s wonderful!” I said in awe.

  We soon arrived at the castle and it was beyond explanation. As soon as I got out of the limo I stared in awe.

  “Looks like you’ve already fallen in love with Rome and you haven’t seen all of its beauty yet,” Kaden said as he joined me by my side. “Come on. I’ll show you around.” He took my hand in his as we began to walk. “The estate is called Hidden Castle; it costed over a billion dollars! The property is twelve thousand square feet and sits on sixty-four-thousand acres!

  “Wow! That’s amazing!”

  He smiled. “Wait until you see the rest of the property!”

  He took me around the land showing me a natural lake, six grand flower beds, five extravagant statues, eight luxurious water fountains, ten shrub sculptures and a two-thousand square foot maze!

  There was a hot tub attached to a fifty meter pool! One end of the pool was fifteen feet deep; it was meant for swimming. The other end was seven feet deep; it was meant for lounging. I had never seen a pool with a sitting area and bar in it! Off to the side of the pool was a nicely shaded lounge and grilling area.

  After I saw the tennis court and basketball court I felt like my legs were going to give out on me when we reached the barn filled with the one animal I was never lucky enough to have, horses! But I was so enthused to see the land that I barely paid attention to how tired I was becoming. Finally Kaden showed me around the inside of the castle. This was what I had been waiting for!

  The flooring was a strikingly beautiful cheery red color. As Kaden led me through the castle I viewed one-hundred rooms; eighty were suites and the other twenty were master suites; thirteen different custom bathrooms, one dining hall, two kitchens ran by four chefs, one chef closet, one living room, one sitting room, eight offices, an art gallery and a grand ball room.

  At the end of my tour I realized every room excluding the kitchens and chef closet had one or more crystal chandeliers!

  “What do you think?” Kaden asked eagerly.

  I smiled. “I think your parent’s home is amazingly beautiful,” I replied enthusiastically.

  “Sometimes as a child I would go out to the gardens or the barn if it became too hectic with all of these people running around.”

  “I did notice there were an awful lot of people! Everywhere you turn there’s someone walking by you.”

  “I don’t know how my parents handle all of this chaos.”

  “Will our castle be this crazy?”

  “Not until I become king.”

  “Oh, man! I’ll never get a moments peace!”

  He chuckled. “When they become too much for us to handle; we’ll just run them away forever!” He joked.

  I giggled. “Only if that were an option.”

  “Now that I think about it; it would be extremely hard to round up the one-hundred and fifty business people scattered throughout the castle.”

  I smiled as we walked to Kaden’s parent’s office. “How many employees take care of your parent’s castle?”

  “Around one-hundred.”

  “Are they here every day too?”

  He chuckled. “A portion of them are here every day.”

  “Why only a portion?”

  He slightly laughed. “They do get their two days off work just like anyone else with a job.”

  I felt dumb. “Oh!”

  “But there are four maids that are here every day of the week.”

  “They must get tired of cleaning every day of the week.”

  “My parents let them have an hour break so they can take care of their business and they get off around five every evening so they have plenty of time to spend with their family or to do whatever they do.” He grinned as we stopped a couple feet before the office entrance. Kaden whisked me around and kissed me.

  I smiled. “What was that for?”

  “Because I love you” He smiled.

  Rohanda spotted us. “Well, look who it is!” Rhonda said as she nudged Thomas.

  “What a nice surprise! Please come in,” Thomas said.

  Kaden and I walked into the office only to be caught in a hug by Rhonda.

  “Welcome, Sara! We’re glad to have you here,” Rhonda smiled from ear to ear.

  “I returned the smiled. “I’m glad to be here too! Your castle is very lovely,” I replied.

  “Thank you, Sara. This may be a castle, but we call it home.” She grinned.

  I smiled back feeling awkward about what I said.

  “We have to unpack. We just wanted to let you know we’ve arrived,” Kaden interrupted the silence.

  “Very well. Your father and I will see the two of you at dinner,” Rhonda hugged us.

  After we unpacked and tended to the pugs I sat on the bed. Even though I was exhausted I was ready to do something.

  “What do we do now?” I asked.

  “I want you to meet a very important person in my life,” Kaden smiled as he took my hand lead
ing me out of the castle. When we were outside Kaden lead me to one of the flowerbeds where a guy was pulling weeds. “Kyle!” Kaden called to the guy who looked up and smiled.

  “Kaden! My man. Long time no see. How have you been man?” Kyle greeted Kaden with a smile and a hug.

  Kaden smiled. “I’m here with my fiancé!” Kaden held up my hand showing Kyle my ring.

  “How, lovely!” Kyle said as he outstretched his hand. I shook it. “I’m always the last to know everything in this family and it seems I’m awfully late knowing about my cousin’s engagement. I thought we were close man?” Kyle turned to Kaden smiling.

  He chuckled. “Sorry man, but you know now.”

  “I want to show you something!” Kyle and Kaden hurriedly walked toward the castle.

  I followed them studying Kyle. I have to confess; Kyle was handsome! He seemed to be about twenty years old. He was tall and muscular with glossy brown eyes and brunette hair. He was very sweet and had an upbeat personality. The way Kaden and Kyle acted together would make you think they were brothers.

  “I’ve been working on this drawing for a while now and I even drew a bigger for the art competition coming up this week,” Kyle informed Kaden as we entered the art studio.

  “You can tell my parents love Kyle more than me because they built this studio just for him,” Kaden joked.

  “They only built the studio for me intending I put my talent to good use,” Kyle smiled as we walked over to the drawing table.

  Kyle picked up a drawing that was inside a protective sleeve and handed it to Kaden.

  “Man, this is awesome!” Kaden admired the photo.

  “I thought I’d put this in my portfolio as my first drawing to show the professors at John Cabot University.”

  Kaden’s eyes brightened as he handed the drawing to me. “That’s great that you’re going to college!” He hugged Kyle. “When are you going?”

  “I’ve signed up to start at the end of August.”

  I peered at the drawing as the guys carried on. There were two animation characters; seeming to be in the mid-air with their swords drawn ready for a battle. The background was an eye popping blue! The characters were very believable with exquisite color!

  “Is my drawing that great?” Kyle asked.

  I smiled. “I’m sorry. I thought it was very believable,” I handed him his drawing.

  He set his drawing down as I noticed Kaden was gone. “Where’s Kaden?”

  He smiled. “He tried to tell you he was going to say “hello” to his brothers, but you were mesmerized by my drawing so he left it up to me to tell you where he went.”

  “Tell me where to find him; I want to meet his brothers.”

  “Haven’t you met them before?”

  “Not officially.”

  “Well, you have all the time in the world for that.”

  “No, I don’t. I’m only here for a week.”

  “I’m getting this vibe that you don’t like me.”

  I slightly laughed. “I haven’t even gotten to the point of getting to know you; besides I’m here visiting with my fiancé.” I walked away on my search for Kaden

  “Wait a minute! Where are you going?” Kyle rushed to my side.

  “I’m going to find my fiancé, of course.”

  “You’ll never find him.”

  I stopped and faced him. “I think I can find my way.”

  He slightly chuckled. “If you think you’re so sure, go ahead.”

  I smiled. “Never doubt a woman.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we’re usually right.” Kyle burst out in laughter as I turned up my nose and continued my search for Kaden. Once again Kyle ran to my side. “You know; you’re like a leach that won’t let go.”

  He snickered. “You know what? I changed my mind; I don’t want to be your friend.”

  I rolled my eyes as I glanced at him. “Who said I wanted to be your friend?”

  “Man, you’re mean!”

  “I’m not mean! I’m annoyed that you keep following me!”

  He stopped. “My bad! Let me know if you get lost!” He hollered.

  “I won’t!” I yelled back.

  “Yeah, you’re right; you won’t because you’ll be lost!”

  I rolled my eyes as I walked on. I thought, he may be handsome, but he was annoying as heck! After walking around for an hour I finally spotted Kaden walking through a hallway.

  “Kaden! I yelled as I ran towards him.

  He stopped and smiled. “Hey, Baby! I’ve been looking for you. Kyle said you insisted to look for me on your own,” Kaden said.

  “He was getting on my nerves!” I replied.

  He chuckled. “He does tend to do that. When we were kids I felt like strangling him sometimes, but he is my cousin so I couldn’t do anything but his friend.”

  “Does he know you thought of this?”

  “I told him many times as we grew up.”

  “Let me guess. He never got the hint?”

  He laughed. “Not once. But don’t give up on friending him; he’s a good hearted guy.”

  “I’ll be his friend for you.”

  “Wait a minute now. I don’t want you being nobodys friend for me. Find a way to be his friend on your own.”

  “Kaden, don’t make me! I’ll go insane!”

  “No you won’t. Now go make a new friend.” He pushed me towards the art studio.

  “Where are you going?”

  “My brothers have challenged me to a game of basketball.”

  “Let me go with you! I would like to watch.”

  “Go find Kyle and come out to the court.” He nudged me in the correct direction.

  I huffed as Kaden walked away. I turned and faced the art studio staring at it as if it were going to come alive and attack me. I opened the door and walked in to find Kyle working on his art with music so loud I felt like my ears were going to explode. I turned down the music and as I did Kyle turned around.

  “Well, if it isn’t the mean witch from Coopersville,” Kyle sneered.

  I walked over to him with my arms crossed. “I’m sorry I was rude, but you were annoying the crap out of me,” I replied.

  “I guess I should be the one apologizing. I have-”

  “The tendency to annoy people. I know. Kaden told me.”

  “Oh, my man is telling on me.” He laughed.

  I smiled. “Kaden said to come out to the basketball court to watch him and his brothers play basketball.”

  Kyle stood up. “Oh, they’re playing without me! I’m going to have to get this situation straightened out!”

  I giggled as we started walking; on our way to the basketball court. When we got there Kyle joined the game and I sat on the grass watching.

  “I always thought this was boring; sitting on the sidelines watching the guys play,” Diane said as she sat beside me.

  I smiled acknowledging her. “I wanted to see how good Kaden is.”

  She smiled. “He’s the best. He could have been on the school team.”

  “Why wasn’t he?”

  “He never had time.”

  “That’s a shame.”

  “If he played; our school would have been undefeated every year!” We were silent for a while as we watched the guys play the game. “Don’t forget to stop by our store.” Diane blurted.

  I smiled. “I won’t. I’m really excited to see what style clothing your store offers!”

  She grinned. “I think you’ll be pleased with the style.”

  “Well, it was nice chatting. I have to go get ready for my date with my boyfriend.”

  I smiled as she stood up. “Have a good time.”

  She smiled giddily. “Th
ank you.

  As she walked away the guys strolled toward me. I stood up as they approached me. They were laughing and carrying on. Kaden and Kyle stopped in front of me as his brother greeted me and kept walking.

  “I’m beginning to feel I’m not welcomed,” I stated.

  “My family is always doing something, Sara. Don’t be affected by how they act,” Kaden replied.

  “I just thought your family would be excited to see me here.”

  “They’re glad to see you came for a visit.”

  “Glad? Just glad?”

  He chuckled. “I’ve got to take a shower I’m wringing with sweat!”

  “Oh, no you’re not! You’re going to play a one on one basketball game with me.”

  “This I’ve got to see,” Kyle grinned.

  “Don’t be too surprised if I win,” I smiled as Kaden and I walked onto the court.

  “Only in your dreams, Baby,” Kaden chuckled.

  After playing a fun game of basketball with Kaden we all headed inside to prepare for dinner. After consuming dinner Kaden took me and the pugs outside. Kaden and I sat on a bench near a flowerbed as the pugs excitedly played.

  “Playing basketball with you was fun!” I said.

  “I was surprised when you wanted to play,” Kaden admitted.

  “You don’t think a girl like me would want to get sweaty?”

  He chuckled. “I thought you would be grossed out by it.”

  “Wrong!” I laughed.

  He kissed me. “I’m having an amazing time with you here so far!”

  “I am enjoying this trip very much! I thought I was going to be bored!”

  “I am going to try to make this trip so amazing; you want to go home.”

  I smiled. “Your sister, Diane is still telling me to stop by their store.”

  He chuckled. “They’re going to keep bugging you until you go.”

  “Can we go shopping tomorrow?

  “I’m going to get you for this Diane!” Kaden joked.

  I laughed. “I’ll save her from your evil grip!”

  He smiled. “How are you feeling about becoming Kyle’s friend?”

  “I’m still not too sure on it. I apologized for being mean and he apologized for being annoying.”

  “Well. You guys are getting there.”