Raison D'être

Sorellina

Anastasia

It had been a couple of hours since I'd last seen Chiara and Lorenzo. I wanted them to have some time alone since it looks like it has been awhile since they've last seen each other. It was interesting to see them in their sibling dynamic, and although I don't have a sibling by blood, or maybe I do but just don't know, I have Carla. And that'll be enough for me.

Walking down the steps when the aroma is Godsent. Lorenzo in the kitchen alone with a small rag hanging on his broad shoulder while he simmers something. I quietly trail behind hoping to scare him, but he ends up scaring me when says, "I thought you were sleeping?"

I huff, "I was trying to scare you..."

He chuckles, still simmering, "better luck next time tesoro."

The urge to hug him itches my fingertips. These days, I've been wanting to hold him, my mind's way of assuring myself he is in fact real. He's like my giant teddy bear and when I do, his muscles tense until I rub circles onto his torso. "I just wanted to leave you guys to yourselves for awhile..."

He tsks, "Anastasia, you don't have to avoid us-"

"I wasn't. I just wanted you to spend some time with your sister for a bit."

He stops simmering and turns around making me step back and crane my neck up to his eyes.

Holding my cheeks prisoner, he smiles dimples showing, my favorite, before finally saying "I love you, you know that?"

"I remember you saying that a couple of times..." I tease. He groans and lands a kiss on mine. Mindlessly, I let him slowly walk me backwards until I end up leaning on the counter. I can't concentrate when he moves and attacks my neck slowly and sensually. I relish his touch, because it's addicting...It isn't until I hear a giggle that my attention is diverted. I turn my head, with Lorenzo's hand still on the back of my neck and his face in the same spot. I can feel his breath as he huffs and groans, while I try to push him off of me.

"Don't stop on my account, I was just getting yogurt..." Chiara smiles cheekily.

"Today Chiara...." he presses so she hurries up.

"Lorenzo," I smack his shoulder and that finally gets his attention when he sits up and raises a brow, questioning that I actually just smacked his shoulder. 'Be nice' I mouth. He rolls his eyes, and hugs me, my back towards Chiara, while he converses with her. I don't mind being in the literal middle of their conversation, because in Lorenzo's arms I forget about everything and just enjoy this moment of contact between us.

"Dinner will be ready in 5, go set up the table Chiara, and don't eat that."

"Okay mom-" she jokes.

I snort, and Lorenzo hears me because he releases his grip, "so you think she's a comedian huh?"

I shrug, hopping off the counter to go and help Chiara set up the table. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Help your sister," I walk off before he object

As I walk in, I help set out the utensils and plates for everyone, while Chiara places a napkin on each plate laid out. She starts first, "I really like the way my brother has been with you..."

"What do you mean?"

"He's just-" she stops and sets down the napkins, "he's like the older brother I grew up with before everything. You know?"

"Everything?"

She looks at me in the eyes, searching for something before she responds, "life." She gives me a sheepish smile, while pouring glasses of wine for everyone on the table.

Lorenzo walks in with the main dish before I can ask more questions.

As everyone sits, Lorenzo gets up to serve before Chiara tsks, "you better practice before mom comes..."

He rolls his eyes, "well she's not home..."

I just look between the two confused as to what they are talking about, Chiara faces me and smiles, "the one thing that Lorenzo didn't take with him when he left home was saying grace."

I nod and smile, turning my gaze to Lorenzo, who already has his on me. He gives me a knowing eye roll and I just smile...

"Do you believe in God, Anastasia?" Chiara asks.

"I do. I just haven't spoken to Him in awhile..." it was the truth. I do believe there is a God, but the honest truth was that a small part of me blamed Him for all that's happened. Looking at it now though, where would I be now if everything that has happened didn't? I trust that He has a plan, it's what Laura keeps telling me. I can hear her words now, "abbi fede bambina mia." [Have faith my child]

"That's good...mom will like that..." she smiles cheekily giving Lorenzo a look.

He rolls his eyes before responding, "It's what I like Chiara. What I like." I smile getting the idea.

The dinner continues on with laughter as I watch Lorenzo relax around his sister. It's nice seeing him like this. Chiara is definitely one of the most interesting people I've met. I've learned that she is one of the heads of Amoretto Corp. where she deals with communications globally, keeping in contact with all the companies and industries they've invested in. It's quite amazing actually. Despite being the head businesswoman, compared to the ones I've encountered with, she's still a headstrong woman, but friendly. Not one I would usually expect in an industry full of men. And while I drool all over Chiara's success, her looks, and really all of her- I love her affect on Lorenzo.

He's so much more relaxed now that I look at him, as I steal a couple of glances here and there. I'm not trying to stare at him the entire time, though it's a bit difficult not to, not when he looks like that. This dinner with his sister is nothing like what I thought it would be. It's more comfortable, relaxed, as if we've known each other all our life and are just catching up. She has not once asked me about how Lorenzo and I met, my past, what I do for a living... She's asked about my passions and interests, things I value. It's refreshing, but I wonder what Lorenzo told her.

Thank you for reading!
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I KNOW AND I'M SORRY. I know I said next chapter would be longer, and although it technically is... this is not what I meant. I was a little behind on the updates and got mixed up with the special 50th chapter... which I am pretty pumped and nerve wracked at the same time. I promise, next one will be longer. I hope you enjoyed reading :)

Much love,

author:)

Photo credit: @frenchhlove