One Mistake: The Start of a Journey

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 Chapter Two

     As soon as we land and I get a signal, I send a group text to everyone back home. "Hey guys. I need one of y'all to do me a huge favor. I had to finally return home to Florence for some family business. I left my car in overnight and need someone to pick it up and take it to my house. The parking stub is in the glove box along with enough cash to pay for it. Who ever goes and gets it can keep the change. Thanks in advance. FYI Eddie is with me."  I'm sure it is still early there so I didn't expect a reply anytime soon. 

    It was just as I remembered. Florence was lively and bustling. Eddie was looking around in pure amazement. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind. We had spoken about my home before, but you could never truly describe Florence's beauty. 

    However, it wasn't the bustling city that I wanted to see. It was home. For the first time in centuries, I was ready to see my home again. It was magnificent. We had sprawling gardens filled with olive, orange, and avocado trees. We had beautifully shaped evergreens. We also had rosemary, thyme, boxwood, yew, laurel, and juniper. We had statues and fountains. Throughout the gardens we had paths, alcoves, and small ponds with benches by them.

    Our house itself was just as majestic to me. It was big and beautiful. It had columns, balconies, archways, and lots of windows. It was made from what looked like a white stucco and had a gorgeous red roof. There were ivy-like plants that hung from the balconies. 

    Behind the house, we had more gardens, but these were for food. Depending on the season, we would grow wheat, barley, rye, cabbage, carrots, peas, squash, strawberries, and melons. We also had more trees back there such as apple and pear. We had grape vines for eating and making wine. 

    The inside was opulent. We had granite and wood flooring. We had paintings, murals, tapestries, and statues everywhere. Every room had a fireplace. We had the best furniture and amenities available.  I'm sure that over the years, things were updated to match the times. However, part of me wished that it was still the same. I wanted to return to the same place I had left all those years ago. Yet, I feared that it wouldn't be.     I pushed the memories aside because I needed to tend to the business of renting a car. Eddie couldn't speak a lick of Italian. As we make our way to the rental place, a strange feeling came over me. The feeling of being watched. I nervously start to look around trying to figure out where I was being watched from. "Tori, are you ok?" "No, I'm not. Someone is watching me, well us." "What do you mean someone is watching us? No one but us knows we were coming." "Exactly, but I'm telling you Eddie, we're being watched." With this, Eddie starts to puff up his chest. As always, he's trying to protect me. Ever though I didn't need protection,  I still found it charming.     Eddie lets out a low growl. "I'll kill anyone that tries to harm you." "Eddie, you need to calm down. I doubt anyone will attack us here. Too many witnesses. We just have to be careful." I lightly touch his arm. The electricity is palpable. I can tell the he feels it too. He instantly relaxes under my touch. "Look, I know you can take care of yourself, but please stay close to me." He grabs my hand without thinking and starts walking in the direction of the car rentals.

    Use to this trip from the city center to home didn't take that long. I could walk it in no time. However, time doesn't stand still and the city had blossomed and grown over the years. Even so, making my way to my villa came naturally to me. I guess its the connection I have to it. It's where I first discovered that I had powers. Where I found love for the first time. It was were I was always centered, and didn't have to worry about anything. 

    I had to remind myself that I needed to focus at the task at hand. I can't keep living in the past. Even though it was my decisions in the past that brought me here today. Just then, I heard Eddie let out a low growl again.

    "What's wrong?" "You haven't noticed? We are being watched. We've been being followed since we left the airport." "We have!? I was so lost in thought that I didn't even think about. Don't worry, we're almost to the villa." I knew that just saying the words weren't going to put him at ease. He was on watch. I could tell that his wolf  was on high alert. Right now the only way I could calm him is to get to the villa. I punch the gas.

    We arrive at the gate and before I could even push the call button it opens. I found that to be weird. How was I expected when I didn't let anyone know I was even coming. Right now I honestly didn't have time to think about it. All I needed to do was get inside and get that gate closed. The tension in the care was becoming very suffocating. I needed to get Eddie calmed before something bad happened. 

    I didn't even have time to try and calm him down when Maggie rushed to the door. "Miss Vittoria. I'm so glad you're finally home." "I wish I could say it was good to be home, but we have a situation Maggie. Can you give me just a few moments then we can continue on with our pleasantries?" "Yes, of course, Madame." I turn back to Eddie, who is starting to shake. I know what that means. I grab him by the face and make him look at me. "Eddie, honey, I need you to concentrate. If you shift while we are still in this car, I'm going to get hurt. Listen to me, Eddie. You need to focus. We're safe. We're inside the gates. Breathe Eddie. Focus on my voice." I can feel his trembling start to subside.

    He finally looked at me. I could see the fear in his eyes. The fear that he could hurt me brought pain to him. "I would never hurt you Tori." "I know that you would never intentionally hurt me. But you know what happens when the wolf takes over. Rationality goes out the window and the animal is in charge." "I know this. You know how protective I am over you. Just knowing that someone is following you, and not knowing their true intentions infuriates me." He was starting to tremble again. "Eddie, CALM DOWN!" I hate getting loud with him, but sometimes its needed. With that the trembling completely stops and I can see a twinge of pain roll across his face. 

    With Eddie finally being calm, we step out of the car. Maggie notices for the first time that I am not alone. "Maggie, this is my friend Eddie. Eddie this is Maggie." "It's nice to finally meet you Maggie. Tori talks about you all the time. I feel as if I have known you for my entire life." "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Sir." "You don't have to call me sir. Eddie will do just fine." 

    Before I could say anything further, Maggie embraced me in a tight, warm hug. "Maggie, can you loosen your grip just a bit please. I'm having trouble breathing over here." She let out a little chuckle. "Sorry ma'am." "Maggie, why did the gate open before I could even push the call button. No one knew that I was coming home. And I didn't see a camera." "There is a camera, ma'am. I had it installed after your parents passed. I wanted to make sure it was hidden so that no one could disarm it. As soon as I saw your face on the screen inside, I opened the gate without hesitation." "Oh. I guess that makes sense. Did you happen to see a car drive past us?" "No ma'am. As soon as I closed the gate, I ran straight outside. Why do you ask?" "I'll explain later. Right now I just want to get inside, eat, shower, and try to get some rest. Do you mind?" "Food, shower, and rest sounds great to me too," Eddie said. With that, Maggie ushered us inside.

     Once inside Maggie turned to me and asked, "What would you like first ma'am? Shower, food, or rest?" "Honestly, I would like to shower and rest first. Eddie if you would like to eat first go right ahead, I'm going to my room." "Ma'am may I suggest a different room for you? Since you are now the rightful owner and master of this villa..." "No offense Maggie. I'm grateful for the suggestion, but since I haven't spoke to my parents in centuries, I don't think I should at this moment. It just wouldn't feel right to me right now." "I understand."