The evening stars

Amore mio

Sophie had already been living with Alex's family for almost two weeks and felt at home. The Christmas season was approaching, the evenings grew longer, and the street lights created a sense of magic. Sophie enjoyed every moment spent here and felt completely relaxed and happy.

One morning, sitting at the table and finishing her hot chocolate, Sophie noticed that Chiara was approaching her with a smile.

— Don't you want to go out with me to the city today to pick up some Christmas gifts? — Chiara asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

— With pleasure, — Sophie replied, her face lighting up with a joyful smile.

They drove into the city, and the journey was filled with warm conversation. Chiara was talking about various places and shops worth visiting, while Sophie was sharing her holiday plans and impressions of life in Italy.

— I'm so glad you're with us, Sophie, — Chiara said, her voice full of sincerity.

— I'm glad to be here too, — Sophie replied, her eyes shining with gratitude.

Chiara fell silent for a moment, as if contemplating what to say next.

— You know that Stephen likes you, right? — she suddenly asked, her gaze becoming more serious.

Sophie raised her eyebrows in surprise and hesitated a bit.

— I have an idea, — she replied, trying to remain calm.

— You really are special, — Chiara continued, — he has never introduced us to his girlfriends, even though we wouldn't have minded. You are something special to him.

Sophie felt her cheeks slightly flush with embarrassment. She didn't know what to say in response to such a revelation.

— Don't break his heart, Sophie, — Chiara looked at her with pleading eyes. — We all see how happy he is next to you.

— Oh, no, I didn't think so, — Sophie assured, her smile soft and sincere. — He is dear to me, and I appreciate him.

When they arrived in the city center, Chiara and Sophie agreed to meet at the car in two hours and went their separate ways. Sophie, looking at the shop windows, felt a bit lost. She knew that finding a gift for people who already have everything one could wish for can be difficult.

Sophie carefully examined the shelves of the store, where various Christmas decorations and souvenirs were displayed. From time to time, she lingered over a certain item, but none of them seemed perfect to her.

When she approached the checkout, her attention was drawn to a small display stand with keychains. They were laid out neatly, and one of them immediately caught her eye. The keychain was engraved with the inscription "Amore mio".

Sophie took the keychain in her hands and examined it closely. The small silver pendant was exquisitely crafted and had its own unique charm. The inscription was done in thin, elegant letters that looked like a true work of art.

— This is exactly what I need, — Sophie thought to herself, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

She imagined how Steven would hold this keychain, and a smile spread across her face. Sophie understood that this simple yet special gift would become a symbol of their relationship and her feelings for him.

Chiara approached her, noticing her enthusiasm.

— Did you find something, something special? — she asked, looking at the keychain in Sophie's hands.

— Yes, I think I've found the perfect gift for Steven, — Sophie replied.

Chiara nodded, looking at Sophie with understanding.

— Roberto always says that the best gift is the one that comes from the heart. It doesn't necessarily have to be something expensive; the main thing is that it conveys your feelings.

They approached the checkout, and Sophie paid for the purchase. The keychain was neatly packaged in a small gift box with a bright ribbon. Sophie felt a wave of satisfaction when the cashier handed her the gift bag.

When they returned to the car, Chiara noticed how Sophie was excitedly holding a bag with a keychain.

— You look like you've found a treasure, — Kiara said with a smile.

— That's right, — Sophie replied. — It's a little treasure, but it's very important to me.

On the way home, they continued their conversation, and Sophie eagerly awaited the moment she could give Steven that special gift. She imagined how his eyes would light up with joy, and that only intensified her feeling of happiness and contentment.

Roberto and Steven walked among the rows of Christmas trees, surrounded by the scent of pine. On the grounds of the enormous Christmas market, there was everything: from small fir trees to the tallest, slender trees adorned with barely noticeable frost. It was cool outside, but that didn't hinder their conversation.

— Steve, you know you can't escape this conversation, right? Roberto stopped, gazing at one of the spruces, and took a deep breath.

Stephen walked slowly beside, trying to focus on the choice, but the tension in the air was building. He knew what his father wanted to talk about, but he still wasn't ready for it.

— Are you talking about business? — he replied, trying to steer the conversation to a less personal topic.

Roberto nodded, not taking his eyes off the tree, and then shifted his gaze to his son.

— I'm not so young anymore. My ambitions are not enough to develop our brand the way you can. You are exactly what the company needs, Steve. And you know it.

Stephen took a deep breath, lowering his gaze to the ground. He understood that his father was right. But what was supposed to follow this proposal frightened him the most.

— I understand this, — he began slowly. — And I even agree with you. But if I stay, I will let Sophie go. And I don't want that.

Roberto, who was listening carefully to him, squinted his eyes as if trying to grasp the essence of his son's words more deeply. He knew that Steven felt something more for Sophie than just affection. It was evident in every glance he gave her, in every movement when they were together. But Stephen never spoke about it openly, and now the time has come.

— Are you afraid to scare her off with your proposal? — Roberto asked, realizing what was at stake right now. — What's keeping her there, Steve?

Stephen stopped by one of the tallest fir trees, stroking its rough bark with his hand. His gaze became serious, tense.

— She mentioned her unresolved issues, — Stephen confessed, finally breaking the silence. — She won't be able to just drop everything and go with me.

Roberto looked at his son with sympathy, but his voice remained firm and confident.

— You won't know what she wants unless you ask her directly. I'm sure she cares about you, Steve. Look at how she feels here, with us. Did you see her when she was riding? She shines next to you. She likes it here, and I think she wouldn't mind staying if you offer it to her.

Stephen looked at his father, realizing that his words made sense. She was here, next to him, and she seemed happy. But despite this, the fear of losing her, of scaring her off with his proposal, still kept him on edge.

— I'm afraid that if I ask, it will put pressure on her. She will feel obligated to stay, even if she doesn't want to, — Stephen admitted, and his voice sounded a little quieter than before.

Roberto placed his hand on his shoulder, his face serious yet full of understanding.

— Steve, if she loves you, she will want to stay, not out of obligation, but because she wants to be with you. Don't be afraid of her choice. You should only be afraid of what you will never know about her true desires if you don't ask.

Stephen pondered his father's words. He took a deep breath and finally said:

— You are right. I just need to talk to her.

Roberto nodded in approval, and they continued to walk between the rows of fir trees until they chose the perfect Christmas tree.