ut one that was comforting and familiar. She tried to shift onto her back, her movements met my a restraint as she

ng back to her, her cheeks flushing red

was nice, she wasn't going to deny that, but he was her brother's best friend and another Mafia heir. She

ked him to begin with because she knew, he wouldn't have made such a stateme

arms. She worried her lip with her teeth, held in Paolo's sl

ng him, he hardly seemed to get any sleep anyway. Lifting his arm off her waist, she slid out from

ind her, her entire body tensing at

sitting in her study chair, leaning forward with his elbows r

" She stammered out in fright.

mfort Paolo, given that he has been an

hat's what

do know,

ver her shoulder to still see him sleeping. "Well...not reall

through his hair, seemingly pondering his n

so he's asked us to look after him." Her father began, scratching at his jaw. "And he can have whatever he wants to feel better, but...Ser

urted, catching onto what he was saying,

ertain expression on her father's face, wrappi

I wouldn't give myself to him so that he feels b

e in your room

, uncertain. "He came cr

? His best friend, literall

on't k

re ly

hat Paolo came to her seeking comfort because he wanted to be cl

abruptly from the seat, his harsh tone being en

up before joining her family for breakfast, the guilt of lyi

her that this was the boy everyone knew as the one who constantly smiled and made people feel better. Yet, despi

ryo

eon

o

hen his father was dying in pain. That thought was further accompanied by the epiphany that she hadn't seen nor heard

ish they all were, how selfish she was to greedily take i

ere for them. Someone to simply be there and not say anything or fix anythin

gh her hair, knowing that her brother had been aware of everything from t

. Now that one of them was dying and the other crumbling before him, who else was

that'

was o

" His husky voice brought her out of

r is, " She remarked teasingly w

and gave it a shake, the boy laughing at her antics before tugging at her. Stumbling on the bed, she landed beside him with an unceremonious 'oomph' as he ch

e into her hair, the girl not turning to meet

bo

red, his lips grazing her ear as she froze in his h

s a C

s a Re

her owed Ricardo a favor, nothing more, they weren't allies, not reall

t, pulling out of his hold and running out her bedroom

the hall and towards the door opposite her

bed, having been studying something when she had entered. "Wh

g her senses, forcing her to fidget in her spot. "I don't know

over his right forearm. Standing a good head taller than her, she could very easily nuzzle under his c

h of them sitting at the edge of it as she wiped at h

iends with a Costa? How did yo

r father. "I don't know...I don't know how we came to be friends, I just knew that we were frien

w he wants

ords, looking at her impassively a

ood from his place, walking a few

to me las

?" Salvatore exclaimed, suddenly ang

lo came crying to me last night and before he fell asleep he told me he'd marry me. I passed it off as one of those sleep-deprive

re

y the question. "I would never even thin

tudy table, pulling it open to take out a carton of apple juice, sipping

hat Paolo plans

at's what

that he wants to marry you n

ou think

his left hand over his prickly jaw since

he time we're all in our 20's we would have l

na murmured, running

out him?" Her twin brother asked, m

were completely platonic, but since then I don'

approach you in regards to that interest." Salvatore fini

ah.

d we'll deal with this later, but try not to wo

ed, slapping a hand over her fo

now what t

al di

up

am

ful lilac flowers printed on the white of the fabric, her black ha

Paolo had no longer been there, and in relief, sh

f hosting a wonderful gathering consisting of family and friends, it oft

already arrived, but only family at this point, like her brother Arsenio, and her uncles Vincent, Lorenzo, Marc

he greeted everyone, watching how her parent's friends arrived with gifts

she would engage someone in a conver

he hall, taking the glass of juice since she was allowed to d

er grabbed hold of her arm, standing before h

Roman

lvatore hissed. "S

him, " Serafina realized

ns are

on

roughly his age with dark hair and pale blue eyes, in a grey suit with a white undershirt,

brother trailed lookin

twins turning in the direction to see him s

re pulling away from her and

ng out at the beautiful flower garden which w

vy blue dress pants and a black button up under a waistcoat, his beautiful mist green eyes looking at her with raise

ed, watching him make a face. "Althou

here

ea

et a bottl

fore but wondering what sort of man in a suit preferred

ey noticed it be Serafina. Pulling open the fridge, she handed him a bottle of beer, as the man gave her a bedazzl

gardens?" He ges

ea

in the direction of the door before

man was about to sit down on the step, Serafina chu

ha

than you, just come and

se, " The man muttered behind h

at the table, Serafina sitting across from him, watching him roll back his sleeves to his elbows before taking out a packet of cigarettes from

resting her elbows on the table a

e man blew out a cloud of smoke b

nds of the Regnante's, a

you are, " The man negotiated, leaning for

afina insisted as

alvatore Romano, 23, " He introduced, S

izing that he had flecks of brown across his iris. "Well, Alessio, I'm Serafina Regnante, twin sister t

the words, leaning back from her as he co

?" He aske

id you thi

nor for a

mirked. "Wanted t

flirting, " Alessio chuckled, inhal

o,

t to

her wil

llious in your life?" Alessio s

her lips and inhaling, before a coughing fit took over her, Alessio bursting into a fit of laug

ions with Alessio as she couldn't help the smile across her face. Lo

r phone away before jumping bac

alk." He stat

ed innocently, s

what." He growle

ook her head

guy you were with." He gritted out a

ps. "He was really hot, wasn't he? Do you think I should give him a shot?

Paolo spoke

olo

p th

p wh

ow what

bad relation and experience life and love for myself before I get seriously involved with someone." Serafina stated firmly, looking into his dark brown eyes. "My definition of growing up is when I have lived life to the fullest, made stupid mistakes, had my first kiss, expe

et's see where we end up in ten years. Maybe you find someone else, someone better than me. Maybe I find someone for myse

him take in her words and ponder them. Chuckling lightly, he leaned down until their noses

ante." He smirked before closing the distance betw