Aria

Chapter 30

-Aria-

It was the next day and I was currently in the kitchen with Leo.

Alessandro and Gabe left for work after breakfast, and Matteo left for the training center, leaving just me, Leo, and Zeno at home. Leo woke up a couple of hours after they left and we've been hanging out since. We finished some lunch and played board games before deciding to make a treat.

Leo was sitting in the chair next to the counter, searching his phone for a good chocolate chip cookie recipe. I was looking through the pantry for the essentials, like flour and sugar.

Ahhh there it is.

I move closer to the bag of flour, looking to see if an open one is nearby.

Unfortunately, there wasn't, so I prepared myself to pick up the 75-pound bag. After doing a few arm stretches, I take a deep breath and lower down. Just as I wrap my arms around the round bag, a hand appears from the top and lifts it effortlessly from the ground.

"How many times have I said not to do these things yourself my love?" Leo lifts the bag onto the counter and brings his hands around me to lift me up there as well.

I gasp and hold onto his shoulders before letting go when I was finally seated.

"Leo, you don't r-really expect me to just s-sit here and let you do all the work for m-me, do you?"

".... That's exactly what I meant."

"Leo!" I gasp and get down the counter, reaching for the bowls we will mix the ingredients in.

"I just want you to feel better and heal yourself, before," he grabs the bowls and places them on the other side, "you start helping me and your brothers."

I quiet down and lower my head, biting the inside of my cheek. I take a deep breath before saying lightly, "I-I don't want you or anyone thinking differently of me because of my p-past. I know I'm hurt but p-please let me help you. I don't want to u-use you, it makes me feel... bad." My cheeks and ears heat up from the silence. I slowly lift my gaze and see Leo frozen in place. I quickly lower my face once again, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have sai-" I get cut off with Leo hugging me tightly.

"Thank you so much for sharing your feelings with me. Never apologize for that." I bring my head closer to his neck and rest it there.

"Aria my love, you are our little sister and we love you heaps. We want to do things for you," He rubs the back of my hair with one of his hands while the other is still secured around me. I nod and take in a breath, getting comfortable. "I'm sorry for making you feel any less than the most amazing person you are." I squeeze my arms around him tightly.

After a couple of seconds we step away, Leo takes a hold of my hand. "Well my dear baker, should we get started?" He kisses my hand gently and grabs an apron. He ties it around me before getting his own and tying it.

"Alrighty, Aria, could you grab the wooden spoon with the red design on it? It should be in the first drawer on the right." I nod excitedly and let go of his hand, rushing to the drawer to get a hold of the spoon.

"Perfect my love, let's get started."