Mi Salvador

Gstaad

Ascella's POV
I stood in Rafael's apartment, watching him pack. My arms were crossed along my chest and my brows furrowed in frustration. Rafael turned to me and smiled, "Only a week..."
"That's too long." I pouted, "I don't understand why you're packing early..."
"Because I wanna spend as much time with you as I can before I head to Gstaad." He kissed me gently, "And thank you for doing those write ups..."
"And thanks for giving me my job back. Sorry I can't be at the office though..."
"Ella, it doesn't matter."
I sighed and looked away, "You're gonna be so far."
"You survived separation when you were with Enzo."
"That's because you didn't leave the city...or country."
He chuckled and cupped my face, "Okay, I'll make you a deal...I'll come back the day after Christmas if you relax...take some time for yourself and not school or work like me. Deal?" Rafael turned back to his suitcase. I smiled, "My sister is gonna be here soon and leaves on the 24th...I think it'll be perfect for me to take a break from work and school...and men."
"Huh?" He turned to me, causing me to giggle and shake my head. He hugged me tight and laid us on the bed next to his suitcase. He hummed gently into my hair and I sighed.
"I wish we could be more open about this so I could spend more with you out of the office and this apartment."
He rubbed my back, "I know..."

I sat in class, doing more bookwork as usual. Hank went over to me and smiled, "What's up, Amaro?"
"Do you ever do work, hank?"
"Ha! You're funny."
I rolled my eyes and wrote more notes. He chuckled, leaned against his hand, and propped himself up on his elbow, "What are you doing for winter break, Amaro?"
I hummed, "Just staying home with my dad...my sister is coming to visit from D.C. so I wanna spend as much time together with her as I can. This is our first Christmas apart ever since she was born."
"Why's that?"
"My parents separated before summer break."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine." I smiled to him, "You should get that work done so you'll have none over break."
"I think I get it." He smirked before looking back to his book. At the end of class, I got up and packed my stuff. I moved through the crown at the door and walked out of the building. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out.

Rafael: Up for a little meet
up for lunch?

I smiled and started to text him back before someone bumped me, causing me to drop my phone. I sighed and picked it back up, wiping off some snow from it before looking up. It was Hank's little group passing by and Mackenzie had bumped into me. Hank rushed to me and picked up a notebook and earbuds I dropped, "Sorry about that, Amaro."
"It's fine..." I put them back and wrapped my arms around me, "I'm gonna head back inside. It's freezing."
"I'll walk you back."
We walked quietly, making small talk. We made it to the library and stood at the doorway.
"Thanks for walking me."
"It's no problem." He smiled, "They're improving. Mackenzie is just grumpy a lot...a lot." He rubbed the back of his neck and looked around, "Wow, never really looked around here. It's-" he looked up, flustered. I furrowed my brow and looked in the same direction. I felt my heart skip a beat as I saw the small plant hanging above us.
"Mistletoe." We said in unison. Oh shit oh shit oh shit. I don't wanna look like an ass and not kiss him! But he's my friend! Maybe even less. I could see people looking at us from the corner of my eye. We stood there awkwardly before my phone buzzed rapidly. I looked and felt relief, Rafael was calling me. I picked up and looked at Hank.
"Hello? Yeah I got your text. Where do you wanna go? Okay, I'll meet you there." I hung up and sighed, "I actually gotta head...lunch with a colleague."
"Oh! You're working?"
"Yeah. DA's."
"Wow."
"Yeah..." I bit my lip and looked away awkwardly. Before I knew it, I leaned in to kiss his cheek quickly, "See you later, Hank." I walked away, my face burning.

I arrived to the place I was going to meet Rafael and saw him sitting down. He smiled and raised his eyebrow, "You okay?"
"What? Um, yeah..."
He took my hand and kissed it quickly, looking around, "I'm glad you made it...I'm glad to be with you..." His comment caused me to smile and look away. He chuckled and picked up his menu, "You're cute when you blush, you know that?"
I could feel my face burn more. He's so fucking smug and charming. I hate him. I scooted down the booth and sat next to him but not close enough to be touching. He turned his head and placed his hand on my leg.
"I know I'll only be away for a short time, but I'm gonna miss these meals with you..."
I nodded and held his hand, "Me too...I'm glad I didn't go to Harvard..."
His face fell gently and he looked back to the menu, "Um...What are you hungry for?"
I furrowed my brows, "Rafa-"
"I was thinking we could share a small pizza or the pasta."
I nodded, "I think the pizza sounds good."
He nodded and ordered. As the waiter walked away, he turned to me and cupped my face, "I love you, you know that?"
"Rafael..." I kissed him gently, "Of course I know that..."
He nodded and ran a hand through my hair. I furrowed my brows, "Papí..."
"Don't worry..." he murmured, "Let's enjoy our time, okay?" I nodded and smiled.

Winter break started that weekend and I spent more time with Rafael and was able to get some work in the office before he goes to Gstaad. I unbent myself from the desk and fixed myself as Rafael sat down. He sighed and smiled, running his hand along my leg as I redid his tie. Rafael was leaving tomorrow...
"How am I gonna leave this for 5 Days, huh?"
I rolled my eyes and kissed him, "Same way I left for a few months."
"Mm." he chuckled and slapped my ass as I walked away.
"Raffa!" I laughed and picked up the files on his desk, "I'll organise these and check if Liv called, Okay?"
"Yeah..." he propped his feet on his desk and chewed on the bottom of a pen, "Keep walking." He looked me up and down.
"Once I walk out, you better remember your manners," I opened the door and looked back at him over my shoulder, "Jefe."
I could hear a low growl emit as I closed the door, which caused me to smile. I walked to my desk, put the files away, and picked up my desk phone. That night, I had dinner with Rafael and he dropped my off home.
"I love you, Raffa." I whispered, kissing him between words. He smiled and looked out the window, "You sure your dad isn't home?"
"Yes. Let's just stay like this more." Our lips locked again. After a few minutes I pulled away and sighed, "You should head soon..."
"Yeah."
I searched through my bag and pulled out a box, "One of my gifts to you."
"One?" He smiled and opened it. I looked at his reaction and smirked, "It's a crucifix...mine. I got it from my mom..."
"Ella..."
"Please keep it...I want you to take it."
He nodded and kissed my One last time, "Thank you...Feliz navidad."
"Feliz navidad." I smiled and got out of the car before heading in my house.

The next day, I sat at home alone as dad still worked. There were rapid knocks at the door as I cooked. I rushed over and saw Zara, making me smile.
"Hi!"
"Ella!"
I picked her up and hugged her tight. Maria stood there at the doorstep and grinned, "Ran into some other people."
Opal and Shireen stood there, causing me to gasp and rush to them with squeals escaping my lips. We all went inside, but Maria went to her car.
"I gotta go back down. See you on the 24th."
"See you." I nodded.
"Bye Bye mommy!" Zara called as she drove away. I closed the door and turned to them.
"What do you guys wanna do?" I went back to the food I was making. Opal sat on the counter and turned off the stove.
"Tell us what's been happening?"
Shireen nodded and sat with Zara at the dining table. I sighed and leaned over the counter.
"I met a guy named Enzo...we dated. Found out he had a son. Kept the relationship going before he went back to his baby mama."
"Bastard."
"Language, Opal." Shireen hissed. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Are you back with...Nevada?"
I nodded, "Yeah, but he's in Gastaad right now."
"Aww, no first Christmas together?"
"Girl, I didn't even get that with Olly." I laughed softly. Shireen got up and hugged me from behind, "And the therapy? How's that going?"
"Not a therapist. Psychiatrist. She's put me on anti-depressants, anti anxiety, and sleeping pills." I huffed, "I hate it. And I think my anaemia is back."
"Jeez."
"Let's talk about you guys now, okay?" I looked at my phone. There was a text from dad.

Dad Cop 👮🏻‍♂️: Did you know
Barba was in Gstaad?

Yeah, why?

Dad Cop 👮🏻‍♂️: The sub we got is a
bit more annoying. Don't tell him,
but I'd rather have Barba than this guy

This caused me to laugh. I cannot wait to tell Rafael.

XOXOXOXOXOXO
happy new year. Was gonna write a birthday thing since Ascella's birthday is on New Years, but it's like 1 am here. I'll do it later when I've gotten sleep haha