Raison D'être

Ice Cream

Anastasia

I see the same buildings as I have countless times before, only this time passing them by a fraction of a minute, I ask "Brent do you know any place that has something sweet to eat? I'm craving ice cream."

"Oh, I know a place. It's Mr. Amoretto's favorite."

He pulls up to a small brick building lodged in between two boutiques. Walking inside is a luxurious feel as the marble tiles are splayed across the floor reflecting the late afternoon light. I scan the variety before deciding on the strawberry and vanilla swirl. I get a caramel swirl for Brent as well. "That'll be $18.95."

After receiving my change, I smile at Brent before handing him his cone. "Here you go, Brent."

"Ah, Ms. Anastasia you shouldn't have."

"Oh, it was no biggie. I figured you'd like it because of the caramel cupcake I gave you the other day."

"Yes, Miss and my girls at home appreciated those very much."

"I'm glad to hear."

"Would you like to go anywhere else?"

"No it's okay, I better go back to work at home."

"I see, but I don't think Mr. Amoretto would mind."

"I know, I just wouldn't know where to go even if I wanted to."

"Ahh. Well, I am an excellent tour guide. I could show you around whenever you're available."

"Thank you, Brent. I'll let you know when I'm free."

"It's my pleasure. Will classical music suit you today or are you feeling a bit of pop?"

"Pop," I smile wanting to add to my upbeat mood.

"I was thinking the same thing," I laughed while finally tasting the sweetness that I was craving.

Rihanna starts playing and an out of mind experience occurs as I bob my head to the beat and sing along. "Not really sure how to feel about it, somethin' in the way you move. Makes me feel like I can't live without you... It takes me all the way, I want you to stay... "

Brent eyeing her in the rearview mirror smiles at seeing her so relaxed. As she gets out of the car, Brent says, "You have a wonderful voice, Anastasia."

Blushing, "oh stop it, Brent. I didn't know you heard my screeching in the back."

"I'm quite serious. You sounded wonderful."

"Thank you, Brent."

"Anytime Ms. Anastasia. Good day."

He walks back into the car before driving off towards the front gate. As Anastasia skips up the steps, she washes her hands in the kitchen humming Rihanna's more sensual songs while bobbing her head.

"Well if you keep shaking your hips like that, I might teach you the tango."

Turning around, she sees Niccolò'. "Hi," she says shyly. "What are you doing here? Lorenzo's not home."

"I know. I came here to see you."

"Me? Did I do something?"

"Today is training."

"Oh, but I still have work."

"Training counts as work. Come now," he offers her arm to which she takes.

"How come you don't have work?"

He smiles slyly, "I finished my work ahead of schedule."

"Oh. Why did you come here though?"

"Do you not want me here?" as he pretends to be pained.

"Oh no. I'm sorry that's not what I meant. It's just that for me, I usually take a long nap after work."

He chuckles, "I don't nap. I sleep for a certain amount of hours and keep myself busy. I need a clear mind."

"Wow. I barely get any sleep. You see these eyebags? I need all the sleep I can get," chuckling.

He smirks, "well you still look good. Beautiful? Eh, you could use those hours."

She scoffs and pushes Niccolò's on the chest. "Jerk." He laughs and opens a door to the basement in the west chamber.

"Wait, Laura and Lorenzo told me not to go down in the basement."

"Oh this is not considered the basement, that one is in the main hall. This is the training room." As he walked down the stairs I followed. The floor transitions from Italian marble to mixed concrete as we walk down. The rooms are separated by glass walls: mats on the floor in one room, punching bags in another, and a bar and tables in the far end. We continued to walk down the hall until we came upon a room with targets placed on the wall. An array of metallic and matte colors were displayed on the wall. All the knives and guns lined up looking like shiny new toys. But these weren't toys, they were weapons.

"Here we are."

"Woah."

"Don't feel intimidated. We're just training."

"All this? I'm just a maid."

"As I said, even Laura knows how to do this."

"What is this exactly?"

"Throwing knives with precision, knowing how to use a gun, and she can throw and block a few punches that come her way. Basic training," he shrugs.

"Basic?"

"Yes, we'll get you started today and you'll be good by the time the week is over."

"I do this every day?"

"Yep, for about 5 hours, and then you'll be good to go. Just think of it as an intense workout."

"Okay," but the surety in her voice was nowhere to be found.

Thank you for reading!!

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Sorry for the short chapter, but the next one is definitely one of my favorites and is a long one as well :)

Till next time,

Much love 🧡.... the author