Aces & Spades

End

Massimo:

I wander around aimlessly, with Anna hugging onto my arm. She looked even more beautiful tonight, wearing a familiar red satin gown as we greeted the rest of the guests in the ballroom, creating small talk as we went. But, they all seem to ask the same question.

"Where is Isabella?"

And I always have the same response.

"The maid? She left. Why?"

They would all have the same look on their faces, darting their eyes across to Anna and me whilst tutting.

"His memory..." They all barely whisper. I choose to ignore them all, trying to direct my attention onto my soon to be Fiancee.

"How do you like it so far?" I ask her as we finally take our seats, grabbing two flutes of champagne from the passing tray.

"I love it. It's so beautiful- so magical." She looks around in adoration as I chuckle. I couldn't help but let my mind wander into the thought of Isabella.

Where is she right now?

Does she even have a home to go to?

I mean she left why should I even care-

"Massimo?" Anna snaps me out of my trance by waving her slender fingers in front of my face. I grab them with my hand, kissing them one by one.

She lets out a small giggle before resting her hand atop of mine.

" I never thought I would have the opportunity of being here- with you." She says as she lays her head on my shoulder. I kiss her forehead before answering.

"Why don't you believe it amore mio?"

"Because. You're you and I'm...me."

I grab her face gently, turning her head to face me.

"You mean everything to me Anna. Everything. Without you I wouldn't be alive today. I love you."

I watch her eyes sparkle as she nuzzles her head into my palm.

"I love you too, Massimo."

Isabella:

No one said running in heels would be easy, especially when it's snowing.

But I'm doing it.

I need to reach a main road to get a taxi but I still haven't found one yet. I continue to speed walk into the night, my body shaking from the gentle yet biting cold surrounding me.

I should've worn a thicker jacket.

The bottom of my dress has become drenched from the ice but I ignore it and continue to go in the same direction I've been going for the last twenty minutes.

That's when I spot a sliver of the lamp posts and passing cars.

Finally.

I begin to trample on the snow harder and faster to reach the road before all the cars leave me in the dark. That was until my heel got caught on the train of my dress, pulling me down onto the soft, icy ground.

"Shit!" I yell as the cold seeps through my bones, startling me with its touch. I try to heave myself up but my body has other plans. My fingers grow numb by the minute as I try and try again to get up. But it's no use.

I'm stuck.

My vision blurs with unshed tears but before I release them, I try again.

"Come on Isabella. You can get up. Come on."