Anime gemelle - ENG

4.

The next day Maya had a tour in the morning, it was a short walk around museums and certain ancient buildings in Italy. As she strolled through the streets of Italy and admired the artwork, sculptures and details of each place, she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Vic. She had a few days left in Italy and she wasn't about to leave without talking to Carina about her feelings, even though it terrified her, she needed to know if Carina was also attracted to her or if she saw her just as a friend. Just thinking about it made her stomach twist. What if Carina didn't feel the same way? What if she ended up pushing her away? Even though she had just met her Maya was no longer able to imagine a life where Carina wasn't around. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket.

C: Ciao bella! How's the tour going?

M: Hi! Incredible, I'm falling more and more in love with this place.

C: Do you have plans this afternoon? How about lunch with me and Andrea?

M: I would love to.

C: Perfect, I'll send you the address of the restaurant in a little while.

M: can't wait.

Maya arrived at a very picturesque restaurant, with tables outside, full of flowers and plants that gave the place a very natural feel. As she approached she noticed that Carina and Andrea were already at one of the tables, immediately a smile formed on her lips when Carina noticed her presence and waved her hand indicating her to approach.

- Maya! You have arrived. Said Carina excitedly getting up from the table to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, which Maya happily received. - This is my brother Andrea, Andrea, this is Maya.

- Hi Andrea, nice to meet you. Carina told me so much about you that I feel like I already know you.

- Ciao Maya, I hope she told you only good things. Andrea said as she shook Maya's hand in greeting. - Carina, you never told me your friend was so beautiful. Her comment accompanied by a wink caused Carina to roll her eyes, while Maya couldn't help but let out a small laugh as she watched the scene between the two siblings.

As they ate lunch and talked Carina noticed how her brother kept flirting with Maya, it was something she expected, she knew her brother was a flirt. But seeing Maya smiling at every compliment gave her a twist in her stomach that she couldn't explain. In one of those she couldn't take it anymore and got up running to the bathroom without saying anything. Maya, surprised by the way Carina got up all of a sudden, could tell that something wasn't right and went behind her to see what was going on.
 - Carina, are you okay? She said as she walked into the bathroom right behind Carina.

- Yes, why wouldn't I be? Carina replied with a fake smile.

- Well, from the way you left the table, it looked like something had upset you.

- Not at all, it's just that you and Andrea looked so happy that I thought I'd leave you two alone for a while. You know, maybe I was wrong and it turns out he is your type after all. This time her tone of voice sounded less calm and she kept pacing up and down the small hallway of the bathroom.

- Calm down Carina. Maya said as she grabbed her arm and completely stopped her movements. - Don't tell me you're jealous? Maya couldn't help but smile imagining the possibility that Carina was jealous and what it implied.

- Jealous? I have no reason to be, you and I are friends and my brother is single and handsome so it's no problem for me, you can do as you please. This time she tried to release her arm from Maya's grip, but Maya wouldn't let her, holding her tighter and moving closer to her causing both of them to shiver at the closeness of their bodies.

- You're right.

- What do you mean I'm right? The annoyance in Carina's voice was becoming more and more evident.

- We are very similar, Andrea and I. I like him, I think we'll be good friends.

- Friends?

- Yes, friends.

- But if you don't stop laughing at his compliments, he seems to be charming you.

- I laugh because your brother is funny Carina. Besides, I'm being nice, I know how important he is to you and I want my friend's family to like me. But his compliments, they don't move me a hair I assure you. At that instant Maya could feel Carina's body relax and couldn't help but smile at her, causing Carina to smile back. - Can we go back to the table, I can't wait to try dessert.

- You and your stomach, I don't know how you're so fit if you never stop eating. This time Carina let out a small laugh, infecting Maya who let go of her arm for a moment only to put it back in place so they could go back to the table arm in arm.

When Andrea saw them approaching she couldn't help but notice the sparkle in the girls' eyes and the huge smiles on their faces, Andrea knew his sister well and seeing her so happy holding Maya's arm was enough to understand why Carina had been upset. Although he didn't understand why she hadn't said anything to him before, they always told each other everything and if Carina had told him she had feelings for Maya he would never have flirted the way he did.

They continued with dessert, amidst laughter and more conversation, this time without flirting from Andrea, who had understood perfectly well that they were not going to be reciprocated. When they finished, the DeLuca siblings offered to drop Maya off at her hotel, since it was on their way, and Maya couldn't refuse the offer. Carina was in the pilot's seat and Maya next to her in the co-pilot's seat, while Andrea was in the passenger area which gave her a perfect position to observe the dynamic between the girls. At that moment it seemed that Andrea had become a ghost, the girls were so wrapped up in themselves that they seemed to have completely forgotten his presence. They kept smiling all the way and although Carina tried to keep her eyes straight ahead, it was inevitable for her not to look at the beautiful blonde next to her. Maya on the other hand did not limit herself and never took her eyes off the Italian. Arriving at the hotel, the guys said their goodbyes and Andrea quickly took the front seat next to her sister.

- So Maya and you huh, why didn't you tell me anything?

- Maya and I what? Carina asked as she put the car back in gear.

- You like her and don't try to deny it, I know you well Carina.

The comment took her by surprise, but she couldn't deny it, she liked Maya and apparently she wasn't doing a good job hiding it.

- Yes, but we're just friends and she doesn't even like women. Or at least that's what she told me.

- Well I don't know Maya very well, but from what I saw at lunch and on the way to her hotel I would think you two are a lot more than just friends. Besides, she didn't take her eyes off you the whole way there, she looked like she was thrilled.

- Stop imagining things Andrea, Maya sees me just as a friend and although I would love to be more than that, I would rather have her just as a friend than lose her forever because I can't control my stupid feelings.

The drive to Carina's house was quieter than expected, Andrea decided to leave the conversation about Maya aside. However, he was sure that there was more between them than just friendship and he was determined to make them admit it and cut the bullshit. 

later that day

A: Ciao Maya, Carina gave me your number I hope you don't mind. Do you have plans tomorrow night? Carina and I are going dancing and we would like you to join us.

M: Hey, yeah, yeah, count me in. Just let me know the time and where to meet you.

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A: Carina, don't make plans for tomorrow night, we're going dancing at the usual place. I already invited Maya and she accepted so you can't refuse.

C: You're a pain in the ass, you know that?

A: But you still love me. See you tomorrow sis and make yourself pretty.