let go as much as I did, and a fast car was certainly the way to do it.
“His mansion is just down this street. If you are hungry, we can raid the fridge, but the servants will offer to make us something I’m sure. They know we are coming!” I yelled at Tess.
I saw the large white gates which were the entrance to Clint’s family estate. We stopped abruptly at the gates. The gates’ surveillance camera turned to get a better angle of us. I smiled at the camera and the gates began opening. I didn’t even have to give them my name.
I smiled at Tess like I had won the lottery, and she beamed back at me as we made our way up the long driveway lined with the huge cherry blossom trees. I stared at the trees as my memory flashed back. They were my first introduction to Clint Weston and his wealth, although in that first meeting, I had made this same trip with Josh in a limo, and under very different circumstances.
I only continued to smile, with my head thrown back while Tess stuck her head out of the car window like an excited puppy, trying to take in all the sights and sounds.
When we finally stopped at the grand stairway entrance, we both climbed out of the car and Tess looked up. Her mouth was gaping open. She turned to me, arms both gesturing to the mansion.
“Seriously?”
I sighed gleefully, and took her hand, helping her to move forward. It was harder than I thought because her feet seemed planted on the ground. The mansion appeared to be a huge intimidation which Tess couldn’t get the courage to enter.
A man, dressed in a very stereotypical butler’s uniform, came striding down the stairs. I had been introduced a few times before to Barrett, the Weston’s head butler. He was tall and lanky, with pointy features and very short black hair. He stopped in front of us, welcoming me with a warm smile.
“Miss Rossi, how lovely to see you again. Mr. Weston has informed us that you and your friend would be coming over and he told us make sure you were both well taken care of. If there is anything you need, please press any of the intercoms you see on the walls and we will be right with you.”
I nodded to the butler in appreciation. “Thanks Barrett. I really wanted to show my friend Tess around the house, as well as the gardens and the lake.”
“Most certainly. We already anticipated that you may want to go out there so we’ve prepared some food and refreshments for you and your friend. They are waiting for you on the terrace just outside the main kitchen.” He motioned for another servant, who appeared out of nowhere to take my keys and park the car.
“You didn’t have to do that Barrett, but thank you.”
I took Tess’s hand and started to lead her away, her feet finally remembering how to walk. I don’t think she realized she had been standing with her mouth open watching Barrett.
As we started to walk off, Tess turned to me again and behind Barrett’s back, pointed to him and mouthed silently, “Seriously?”
I giggled at her face and just nodded. I guess this was a very overwhelming place with its ostentatious size and wealth. I myself, was over-taken by the grandeur when I first came here too. Even being brought up with money, some people’s wealth could still take my breath away and Clint’s family’s wealth could easily suck all the air from my body.
As we made our way through the house, Tess stopped many times to take in all the glory that the mansion exuded with its extravagant fittings, magnificent decor and detailed structure. I couldn’t blame her. I had made Clint give me many tours through his home once we got back together. I had become very excited to learn more about the place Clint had grown up and what memories his home held for him. Clint didn’t talk too much about his childhood except to say that it was all very formal (whatever that meant) and that he and his sister were closer than his brother. His parents, although very supportive of our relationship now, weren’t the warmest of people. It was pretty obvious you had to fight for what you wanted in this house, especially if you wanted affection. Maybe that was why Clint was passionate when it came to love. Perhaps he