Chaos beyond the grid

Charles knew Riva yachts from their sponsorship of him, and the work he has done with them over the years, so he knew just how much this luxury yacht would have cost – Nonna and Nonno didn't just 'have money' they were loaded. He had so many questions going through his mind as he and Eleanore walked around the yacht. They would be staying on the main deck in the master suite which had a beautiful bench seat by a huge window that was at water level Charles knew they would sit there and read together, and he couldn't wait. The lower deck was all the guest rooms and staff quarters – for if/when Nonna and the family had people chartering it. The next few days, however, it would just be Charles and Eleanore – no staff, even if he had known that was an option he would have turned it down, having friends in the villa was one thing, but he didn't know how Eleanore would be with any strange men sleeping in the same area, this was not something he would have been willing to risk. He wanted the next few days to be as peaceful and happy as possible, as he unpacked their things he was lost in his thoughts until he was brought back to the present moment when Eleanore wrapped her arms around his waist and placed light kisses between his shoulder blades. His hands immediately went to hold hers.

Eleanore: this was a perfect idea.

Charles: yeah? Are you feeling ok?

Eleanore knew he was worried, she was too – she just didn't want to admit it, but since she told Pietra about Ethan she had felt the fear inside her building back up, and while the house guests had certainly helped in keeping it at bay – now there was no one but Charles. As good as she might think she was at hiding things, he was reading her like a book, turning in her arms to look at her he could see the fear she was desperately trying to conceal.

Charles: listen, anytime you want to go back to the villa – we will. If you want Kika and Pierre on the boat, I will call them. Whatever you need or want Eleanore, I will do it.

She took a deep breath, looking into those green/blue eyes, she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek, knowing that he would change the plans for whatever she wanted was enough to set her mind at ease – at least until the sun went down.

Eleanore: thank you, Charles, for the way you have cared for me and looked after me these last two weeks... I can't put into words how much that means to me.

Charles: you never have to thank me for loving you Eleanore, it is my pleasure.

Charles softly kissed her forehead and then took her hand as they went up to the top deck to start the yacht.

Charles: so, ready to learn how to drive one of these?

Eleanore's face was pure shock, she had not been expecting this at all. Her eyebrows shot up and her eyes were so wide one might think they would fall out if she didn't blink soon. Charles laughed a little at the reaction and tilted his head as if to silently repeat the question.

Eleanore: you want to teach me to drive this?

Charles: Yes. I agree you and the girls could have use of Sedici, so you need to learn. Come on, it will be fun – I am a great teacher.

Something in the way he said this made Eleanore doubt how great he was, sure with her he was patient and gentle – but he wasn't trying to teach her something. She had a gut feeling that maybe when driving a vehicle of any kind he may be less patient – especially given his discomfort at being a passenger. Discomfort – that was an understatement and she nearly laughed at loud when she thought about it, how had he put it when describing himself, oh yes, 'the worst passenger' – so she wondered how he could be a great teacher when he hated being a passenger, and she didn't have the heart to tell him she knew how to drive this and any other boat she was exceptionally good at sailing. Her grandparents prized possession – their sailing boat was moored in the marina just a few slots down from the 'Eleanora' that they were currently on. That she had taken that sailboat out on her own for a week at a time since she was 15. As she looked at the control panel of the Eleanora she felt so loved that Nonna had named this after her – well, the way Nonna calls her anyway. Eleanore decided to have some fun and see how patient Charles was as a teacher, so she nodded enthusiastically and went about pretending not to have a clue.