Shadows of Affection (GxG)

Chapter 55: Love Reclaimed

-small time skip

The night was still as Alessia stepped into the mansion, the faint scent of gunpowder still clinging to her suit. The meeting had gone smoothly—well, as smoothly as a mafia meeting could. With the necessary alliances reaffirmed and threats dealt with, she was relieved to be home. To be back where she belonged.

Her sharp eyes immediately found Lily curled up on the couch, a book resting in her lap, though she wasn't reading. The moment Lily's gaze landed on her, Alessia felt it—that indescribable warmth, the way Lily looked at her like she was something precious, something worth loving.

Without a word, Alessia walked over, shedding her suit jacket along the way. She lay down beside Lily, her head resting against Lily's lap, arms wrapping loosely around her waist. A deep sigh left her lips, tension melting away as Lily absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hair.

For a while, neither spoke. Alessia simply breathed in the scent of her lover, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Then, she turned her head slightly, catching Lily staring at her with an expression so tender, so full of adoration that it made her chest tighten.

"What?" Alessia murmured, smirking lazily.

Lily blinked, as if caught in a trance, then suddenly shot up from the couch, nearly making Alessia fall off.

"Where are you running to, amore?" Alessia chuckled, sitting up properly, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.

Lily didn't answer—just disappeared down the hall in a blur, leaving Alessia utterly puzzled but smiling nonetheless.

Alessia remained on the couch, one brow raised as she listened to the soft sounds of Lily moving around in another room. She leaned back, stretching her arms over the backrest, her lips quirking into a fond smile.

What was that woman up to?

She glanced at her watch. It wasn't too late, but late enough that she had expected Lily to be winding down for the night, not running off like she just remembered something important.

Alessia shook her head with a quiet chuckle, rubbing her temple. The exhaustion from the meeting still clung to her, but now a curious anticipation was creeping in, pushing it aside.

Lily's reaction had been... different.

The way she had looked at her—so open, so full of love—it had been deeper than usual, like she had made up her mind about something.

A part of Alessia wondered if it had to do with her disappearance. With how she had shut Lily out before losing her memories, and how much Lily had suffered because of it.

She had spent the past week making it up to her in every way she could. Cooking for her, pampering her, touching her with reverence, whispering how much she loved her every chance she got. But maybe, no matter how much Alessia did, Lily still felt something was missing.

The thought made Alessia's throat tighten.

She was about to stand, to follow after Lily, when she heard soft footsteps approaching.

Lily appeared in the doorway, her breathing slightly uneven, her hands clutching something small and delicate. Her fingers trembled slightly, but her eyes—those stunning, expressive emerald like eyes—held nothing but certainty.

Alessia's amusement faded, replaced by something deeper, something raw.

"Lily?" she said softly, standing up.

Lily took a steadying breath, then walked toward her with purpose.

Alessia's heart pounded.

She had been right. Something was about to change.