Stefano woke up that morning beside the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. He did not plan to sleep beside her, but she refused to let him go all night, so he had no choice. It was not easy for him to sleep beside her and not touch her all night. He craved to have her body against his all night but knew better than to touch her after what she experienced. The minute he walked out of the club with her in his arms, she wasted no time falling into a deep slumber. He was so grateful to God he was able to save her last night. It was a good thing they went to one of his clubs, and he was around. He knew his sister and Andrea came to the club together, so the minute he did not see her, he wasted no time searching for her. Luckily he found her before that bastard could harm her. He feels a deep need to protect her and make her never leave this room, but he knows better than that.
Stefano gently strokes his fingers against her cheeks. This causes her to snuggle closer to him. His heartbeat suddenly increases with her closer to him. This is one of the effects she has on him, and he does not know if he likes it or not. He gently untangles his arm from around her head and walks out of the room. While walking down, he hears his sister's voice calling his name but pretends not to hear her.
"Stefano, I know you can hear me; I am waiting for you in the kitchen," Aurora says,
"Good morning to you too, sister," Stefano says as he walks into the kitchen.
"How is she doing?" Aurora asks with worry laced in her voice. She feels guilty for what happened to Andrea. She can't believe her little trip to the bathroom put her friend's life in danger. She did not think her quick stop to the bathroom to vomit will cause such a horrible thing to almost happen to her friend.
"Fine, she is sleeping," Stefano answers curtly.
"Did he harm her in any way?"
"No, I got there in time."
"Thank God," Aurora says and releases a breath of relief.
"Yeah, and if that's all, you can leave. I will drop her at home when she wakes up."
"That's not the only reason I am here. I came to talk to you about Andrea."
"What about her?"
"Stefano, you can't keep doing this? Andrea is a human being; she has feelings. You have to either let her go or make her happy."
Stefano was not prepared to have this conversation with his sister this morning, but he knew better than to ignore her.
"I know that, but I can't decide. My heart is telling me to be with her, but my brain keeps reminding me why that is a bad idea," Stefano says, frustrated.
Stefano knew his heart yearned for Andrea, but anytime he acted on his feelings, he had to remind himself why he shouldn't.
"What happened years ago was not your fault, and Andrea is different. She was born into the same lifestyle like yours; she can protect herself."
Stefano never forgave himself for what happened years ago, and he never wants to repeat it.
"Wow, and yesterday proves how much she can," He says with sarcasm dripping in his words. He knows the only reason she is sleeping soundly in his bed is because he arrived on time.
"Yesterday is not enough for you to judge whether she can protect herself. She was drunk. You have seen her in action, so you know she is a strong lady, and she can protect herself."
"I know that, but I care about her too much to put her life in danger because of me."
"Stefano God Forbid, when that time comes, Andrea will protect herself. You have to allow yourself to experience love again."
"Hopefully, there won't be any need for her to protect herself, and I don't know if I am worthy enough to experience love."
"Of course, you are worthy enough to experience love. If you don't do it for me, then do it for Andrea."
"I will think about it."
Stefano knew there was nothing to think about. His confused ways of showing affection were hurting Andrea, and he needed to set things straight.
"What about this? Just try dating; just try dating like normal people."
"What?" Stefano was surprised by his sister's suggestion
"You heard me, try dating; it might shock you; you guys might not even be good together."
"I am sure we would be amazing together," Stefano says with confidence. He knew more than anyone that Andrea was the perfect woman for him.
"Then date her and prove me wrong."
"We will," Stefano answers without overthinking what he just said. All he wanted was to prove his sister wrong, or so he is telling himself. He knows more than anyone that he just needed an excuse to tell his brain so that his heart could be allowed to feel that thing called love.
"Good, and before you ask my dear friend on a date, please apologize to her. You have caused her a lot of pain by avoiding her this past week."
"I will"
He never meant to cause her any pain. He felt avoiding Andrea was the best way to get over her, but that only made him think about her and miss her.
"Thank you for listening to me," Aurora says, smiling
"It's not like I had a choice."
Andrea woke up the following day to a painful headache, and she is not surprised. She opens her eyes and finds herself in a different room than hers. Andrea gently steps out of bed and walks around the room to find out where she is. There are pictures of Stefano and his family, so this must be his room if she is correct, but why was she here. Every time Stefano took home her drunken ass, he never brought her to his room, so what changed now. Andrea could not think of any reasons why he brought her to his room this time, but it could explain why she felt someone touching her face earlier. She assumed it was something else, but now that she knows, she slept in Stefano's room. She knows for sure they slept in the same bed together. She couldn't believe Stefano, and she slept in the same bed. Even though nothing happened between them and she was asleep the whole time. It still feels surreal to her that she woke up in his bed.
Andrea was so happy Stefano saved her yesterday. She does not know how he knew she was in trouble, but she was grateful he saved her. She was too drunk to save herself and can't imagine what would have happened if he did not show up. She shakes her head to drive away such thoughts. The good thing is she is safe now, and that man is dead.
Andrea walks to the bathroom to freshen up so she can go home. She walks downstairs to find Stefano making breakfast. She walks into the kitchen and takes her seat on one of the stools.
"Good morning," Stefano says with his back to her. Andrea can't help but admire him while he makes eggs over the stove. He looked very sexy as he flipped the eggs. She was surprised he was the first to speak, given how he avoided her the past week.
"Good morning"
"How are you?" Stefano says and turns around to face her. He pours the eggs into a plate and gives it to her with coffee.
"I am okay; thank you so much for saving me yesterday," Andrea says and takes a sip of the coffee.
"You don't have to thank me, I will always protect you, and I want to apologize."
"For what?"
"For avoiding you this past week."
"Oh," Andrea was surprised he was apologizing to her for his childish behavior.
"Yes, I am sorry, and I would like to make it up to you."
"Oh, it's fine; you don't have to make it up to me."
"I want to, and I will. Once I drop you off at home, be ready by five. Take enough clothes to last you a week."
Stefano did not know precisely what he wanted to do to make it up to her, but he felt they both needed a trip away from here before he could do that. He plans to speak to Aurora and come up with a plan later. He also wanted to allow himself to experience that thing called love. He knew he had deep feelings for her, but he won't call it love yet. He was ready to try and date Andrea as his sister suggested.
"Where are we going?" Andrea asked, excited that Stefano was finally trying to build something with her. Be it friendship or romance; she was just happy to see him take the first step.
"I would love to keep that a secret."
Stefano did not know where he was taking her yet, but he loved the expression on her face. He was happy he was the reason for it.
"I can't wait to find out," Andrea says, smiling.
Andrea
Once Stefano drops me back home, I waste no time and start packing. I actually have many clothes now because of all the shopping Aurora and I have been doing. While arranging my clothes, my phone rings and it's Santiago calling. I drop the cloth I am holding and answer his call.
"Hi, Santiago"
"Hi sis, how are you."
"I'm good, and you."
"I'm good too."
"So, how can I help you?"
"Could you give me Emily's number?"
"Why would you want your Ex-girlfriends number" I smile because I know why; I just want him to say it. I can't believe even after so many years, Santiago is not over Emily.
"Do I have to give you a reason?"
"Yes, you do."
I can picture him rolling his eyes right now.
"Andrea, I know why you think I want her number, but that's not the reason. Some of her things are still with me from when we were dating. I want to call her to come and pick them up, nothing more."
"Wow, I never knew you were such a good person. You kept her things with you all these years. Amazing"
I am actually surprised he kept them all these years. I know he is looking for an excuse to see her and talk to her again. He can just mail everything back to her; he doesn't need her number.
"Andrea, will you send me her number and stop with your rubbish talk."
"Alright, I will send it to you on one condition."
"What do you want?"
"You have to tell me why you guys broke up."
"Not this again, sis, just drop it. It's better you don't know."
"I want to know, and the more you guys hide it for me, the more curious I am."
"Andrea, just let it go. The reason we broke up is better kept away from you. Trust me"
"I really want to know, but I can't force you to tell me. I will send you her number once we finish talking."
"Thank you"
"You are welcome; bye, I love you."
"Love you too, sis," He says and hangs up the phone.
I continue packing, and while I am doing so I realize, I can actually fly back home from wherever Stefano plans to take me. I can't believe I have spent two months here in Sicily. I am going to miss this place a lot and Aurora. I walk over to her to tell her my plans. I knock on the door before entering her room to alert her of my presence.
"Hi, Andrea"
"Hello,"
"I heard you guys are going on a romantic getaway," Aurora says, smiling
"It's not a romantic getaway. Stefano is just taking me somewhere as a way of apologizing for ignoring me after we kissed"
"You can tell yourself that, but don't forget to take pictures and send them to me."
"I won't, and I came to tell you that I am leaving. Once Stefano and I are done with our trip, I won't come back to Sicily with him. I need to go back to work."
"Andrea, I can't believe this is goodbye," Aurora says with tears in her eyes.
"I know, but this won't be the last time we see each other"
"Definitely, we will fly between countries and make sure we keep in contact this time."
"Yes, we will," I say, wiping my tears as I pull her into a hug.
Goodbye, this time is different from last time because Aurora and I are closer now.
Once the clock hits five, Stefano is already waiting outside for me. I say goodbye to everyone in the house before entering into the car to be on our way to the airport. I haven't told Stefano that I plan to go home after our trip. I don't know how he will take it, but I hope he does not think I am running away from him. Once we board the plane, I decide to tell him.
"Stefano," I say, trying to get his attention away from his phone
"Yes, Andrea," He says, putting his whole attention on me
"There is something I have to tell you."
"I am listening."
"I plan to fly back home after our trip."
"Why did I do something wrong?" He says, looking worried he might have
"No, you did not do anything wrong."
"Then why are you leaving after our trip."
"Stefano, I have to go back to work."
"Oh, so you are not leaving because of me."
"No, I am not."
I feel a little happy he is concerned with why I am leaving.
"Alright, that's good."
After our conversation, I decide to sleep a little before we reach wherever we are going. Stefano still refused to tell me where we were going. I just hope I have a wonderful time with him where ever we go.