SWNOVELS Chapter 37: The Familial Home
"Are we going home after this?" Samantha asked, realizing it was still nearly six in the evening.
"No, Sam... The night is still, young," Ethan responded. He then moved closer and whispered to her ear, "I have another surprise for you." "What is it?" She asked, turning to his athletic face.
She nearly fainted, seeing Ethan's well-defined jaw-lines, and while she had seen this before, she could not help but appreciate it once more.
Samantha found herself lost in Ethan's intense brown eyes as he glanced at her for a second. She heard him say, "It's a secret. We still have two itineraries for today." Ethan did not miss pinching lightly on Samantha's cheek before reaching for her hand.
They wound up walking hand in hand, out of the cinema and to the lift. Still, the mall attendant was with them all the way.
After the mall, Edgar drove them to the Wright Diamond Hotel where a few of the company's employees saw their boss walk hand in hand with a woman with golden hair. Reaching the top of the company building, Samantha was stunned to see a helicopter on the rooftop. She screamed, "Oh, my God! Where in the world are we going?"
Since the propeller's sound was so deafening, Ethan could only raise his voice back in response, "It's a secret! You'll find out soon!"
It wasn't Samantha's first time riding a helicopter, but everything about it just made her nervous. Her mind could not help but second guess where Ethan was taking her, 'To the next city? An Island? It must be an island.'
As they lift off to another secret destination, Samantha could feel her heart racing. She turned to Ethan and said, "You are making my heart beat so fast?"
He merely gripped her hand and said, "I hope... in a good way."
"Kyle would love this! This is his thing!" Samantha announced, smiling from ear to ear while observing the city lights.
"Don't worry, Sam. We'll take the kids another time... This time is ours," he answered.
They were on the helicopter for twenty minutes tops, going past the city, into the harbor, and towards the sea.
Samantha guessed it right!
They descended on an island property, nearing Braeton City. It was a stunning vacation home that was known to be rented by prominent families.
The island had a rocky landscape. It formed boulders of rocks by the shores and rock-like cliffs by the edges of the place.
On top of the island were lush vegetation and beautiful oak trees, but its highlight was probably the stunning view of the vacation home's third level, where a balcony perched.
Getting off the helicopter, Samantha could not help but took a full turn, just to appreciate the island. She took a deep breath and savored the sea breeze, surging against her elegant face.
She easily turned nostalgic when she said, "This is so beautiful." Turning to Ethan, she grabbed his arm and pressed her face against it. She repeated, "Ethan, it is so beautiful. I love it!" "I'm glad you like it, Sam," Ethan casually replied.
Deep inside, Ethan sighed in relief. He had everything planned out before he left and he reckoned; he has never been so obsessed over choosing a place for dinner than that night. Hearing Samantha's remarks warmed his heart. It was the kind of satisfaction only his parents and grandparents could give him.
They made a ten-minute walk to the mansion-like estate, made out of brick walls and stunning verandas.
The entire time, Samantha's hand rested on Ethan.
Reaching the third level balcony, Samantha gawked at the beautifully prepared candlelit dinner, and on the table, a bouquet of peach and pink roses were waiting for Samantha. "Kyle said, you liked peach and pink," said Ethan. "Not the typical military-groomed girl, but I like the fact that you are still in touch with your femininity."
Samantha smiled as Ethan put the flowers in her hands. She unwittingly moved closer and pecked on his lips.
When she realized what she had done, she stepped back and bit her lip. She admitted, "Sorry, I was just so happy."
The man in Ethan could not help but act on her initiative. While he was a respectable and well-composed person, his desires were rising every minute that he was spending time with Samantha. He declared, "I deserve more... don't I?"
Samantha easily formed twinkling eyes. She chuckled at his words and gradually returned to close the gap between them.
Not minding the servers who were waiting on standby for Ethan's orders, they both shared a kiss on the balcony that faced the sea.
Samantha tip-toed to reach his height and rested her palm behind his neck. Ethan, on the other hand, wrapped his arms around Samantha's waist.
They shared not just one, but four long and breathtaking kisses.
Ethan and Samantha gasped at the end of their pecks. Only then did they enjoy dinner together under the bright skies and facing the calm seas.
At the end of their meal, Ethan said, "It's not as good as the way you cook, but I can't have you cook on our own date."
Samantha chuckled and responded, "It's still delicious."
"It's already passed nine. It's best that we leave for our third destination," suggested Ethan. "Let's go."
The couple returned via helicopter to the Wright Diamond Corporation building and drove off to the western part of Braeton City. Samantha remembered this as the usual place for residential homes of the rich and famous.
Once again, she was left to wonder where Ethan was taking her, but soon enough, her questions were answered, right after they entered a mansion with grilled fences around it.
They drove past a beautiful lawn with lights highlighting the place.
When they arrived at the driveway, Samantha asked, "Whose house is this?"
Truth be told, Samantha felt nervous. If that was the day she would meet Ethan's parents, she would faint outright.
Unfortunately, Ethan did not answer. He merely got off the car and let Samantha out from the other door. He told, "Let me show you this house first."
The doors opened for them with a butler holding the handle.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Wright," greeted the butler.
Two maids lined up to greet them as well, "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Wright."
'I am really getting used to this,' said Samantha.
Out of nowhere, Samantha whistled and said, "Wow!"
It was way grander than the mansion of her father. Her eyeballs were ready to pop out of her eyes, utterly in awe of the chandelier that dangled at the center of the living room.
"Let's go," said Ethan while offering his hand. He took her first to the kitchen and revealed, "I chose this mansion primarily because of the kitchen."
"Wow! This is so huge!" Samantha could not help but exclaim, seeing the spacious kitchen with countertops that were glittering clean.
"You like it?" Ethan asked with a smile.
"For a house kitchen, yeah!" Samantha answered. "It's as fancy as the First Diamond Hotel kitchen."
Samantha leaned over to Ethan and asked, "Why are we even touring this house?"
"I'll tell you later," said Ethan.
The next part of the mansion where Ethan took her was the pool. It had both an adult pool and a kiddie pool, making Samantha become envious of the home.
"Whose house is this, Ethan? I want to buy this." With a sneer, she said, "One day."
As they went from one part of the house to another, Samantha made compliments left and right. He took her to the master bedroom and utterly loved the European King bed!
The next was a room right across from the master bedroom. From there, Ethan said, "You can open it, Sam."
Samantha was reluctant to do so. She awkwardly chuckled and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Of course, Sam," said Ethan.
Taking a deep breath, Samantha pushed open the door. She turned to her right, and she felt her heart was ready to jump out of her chest. She turned to the left and then wound up crying.
She saw how the wallpapers were divided into blue and pink on each side. The names of their children were also painted on top of the bed.
The left side was Kyle's and the right side was Kenzie's.
From behind Samantha, Ethan said, "Sam, the title of this house already belongs to you. You just need to sign the transfer documents for formalities. You can have this house for yourself, but if you allow it... this can be... our familial home."
Clearing his throat, Ethan asked, "Marry me, Sam. I'll give you everything in my will and my power... Everything you have ever dreamed of for yourself and for our children."