Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Fifty-One | Reservations

Sunsets always felt a little more magical back then, sprawled out on my bedroom floor sharing a freshly baked pastry with Antonio.

We were twelve, a tangled mess of limbs and whispered dreams.

Unlike most preteens, the latest magazines held little interest for us.

Instead, we devoured travel brochures, carefully circling countries and cities on crumpled maps.

Our fantasies were never about what we'd wear to the next royal ball.

Instead, we fantasized about adventure, about exploring cobblestone streets hand-in-hand with our future significant others.

Antonio, ever the romantic, would sigh dramatically, sketching elaborate double-date scenarios on the backs of our homework.

In his world, we'd be strolling along the Seine in Paris, sharing stolen kisses with our chosen dates under the Eiffel Tower's twinkling lights.

My dreams, however, were a little wilder.

Imagine us two, backpacks loaded down with gear, trekking through the Amazon rainforest, decoding ancient ruins with our equally adventurous partners.

We used to joke about destiny, about how our futures were intricately linked.

We'd find love together—possibly conquer the world together.

Maybe it was naive, this unwavering belief that life would unfold exactly as we planned.

But back then, under the glow of the sunset across my bedroom ceiling, everything seemed possible.

Now, the fresh pastries are long gone, the travel brochures gathering dust in the palace attic.

Yet, somehow it feels as if our past manifestations are finally coming to fruition.

- Azzy

♛Chapter Fifty-One: Reservations♛

That night, Renata had a bouquet of pink tulips waiting for me with different designer dresses picked out for me to wear.

And while I found her efforts cute, I still seemed to be somewhat irritated by the earlier events of the day.

Even after sitting out by the pool alone for some much-needed space away from Renata.

"Zee."

I hummed, clipping in my earrings as I purposefully spared her a response.

Renata walked over to me as I stood tall in the bedroom, wearing a shimmery pink slip dress and matching silver heels.

"You look beautiful," she murmured, drawing her arms around my waist.

I bit back a smile, glancing over to her as she wore a black dress that clung perfectly to her body with matching black heels, and her hair secured back into a low bun.

"You look stunning as well," I whispered, dropping my hands from my ear that hung with the heavy diamond earring.

Renata hummed, glancing between my eyes as she said, "I have something for you."