Sephora

CHAPTER 34

The next few days seemed like Sephora was in a bubble yet her bubble seemed unreal.

The thought of her kids not knowing that she had finally found someone she could be happy with gnawed at her in a very prickly manner.

Sephora poured herself a cup of coffee, her hands trembling slightly as she gazed out at the breathtaking Sicilian landscape. The sun cast a warm glow over the lush greenery and vibrant flowers, a stark contrast to her inner turmoil. Her kids chattered excitedly about their plans for the day, oblivious to their mother's secret.

Looking out towards the beautiful home she still hadn't stopped appreciating, a beautiful villa nestled in the heart of Sicily brought a warmth feeling in her heart.

Sephora had hoped that this vacation would be a chance for her kids to connect with something new and beautiful and to also forget about their hectic lives back home and  she had hopes  for things to finally work between she and Aries, gladly it worked out.

After a while she went down for Breakfast, unsurprisingly, it was a lively affair  with mama regaling them with stories of Sicilian traditions, and Ella sharing tales of her endless adventures.

Sephora tried to join in, but her nerves got the better of her. She kept glancing at Aries, who smiled reassuringly, but she couldn't muster the courage to broach the subject.

As the meal drew to a close, Sephora's anxiety peaked. How could she possibly explain her relationship with Aries to her children.

For the first time since forever, She felt like she was living a double life, pretending everything was normal when, in reality, her world had been turned upside down.

After the chattering and a lovely breakfast, Sephora pushed her chair back and suggested a walk to the nearby village.

The kids cheered and soon enough the group set off, leaving Sephora to wonder when she would find the right moment to reveal her secret.

As they strolled through the narrow streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the village, Sephora couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt. She had always been open with her children, sharing her thoughts and feelings with them. But this time, she was scared of their reaction. What if they didn't accept Aries? What if they felt betrayed by her secrecy?

She knew that they loved him dearly, she knew that they adored and favored him quite a lot, probably more than they even did their own father but what if that didn't extend to them wanting him as more than an uncle if in the near future their relationship evolved to that extent.

The sun beat down on them, and Sephora suggested a stop at a nearby café for some Gelato, she was too mentally exhausted to be walking.

As they sat at a small table, Aries beside her, Sephora felt her heart racing. She knew she had to tell her children the truth, but the words stuck in her throat.

Aries seemed to sense her unease and placed a gentle hand on her arm.

     "What is it that bothers you so much?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

Sephora forced a smile, trying to reassure him.

     "Yeah, just a little overwhelmed," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aries nodded understandingly, but Sephora knew she couldn't keep her secret hidden forever. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation that would change determine her happiness.

Except she still couldn't come out with a way to actually start so she kept calm instead, for someone who claimed to be confident, this was really humiliating.