Aces & Spades

Roses

Bella:

Waking up in the middle of the night seemed to be my new normal. 

I sigh as I get out of the sweat covered sheets and put on the oversized hoodie that was hanging off my desk chair. I quietly open my door, looking out for any sign of life, as I tiptoe out not wanting to wake anyone up. I walk down the cool hallway, the moonlight lighting up the grand staircase as I pass it and enter the kitchen. I open the glossy white cupboard and grab a cup, starting to fill it with water from the tap. The cool liquid quenches the thirst I didn't know I had, calming me down. 

"What are you doing up?" A deep voice asks as I jump from the sudden sound.

I turn to see a dark figure make its way over to me, parts of his body being lit up by the moonlight. 

"I-erm I needed a drink sir. Can I get you anything?" I ask politely as he leans on the counter next to me only being inches away.

"No." He says as he carries on staring at me. His eyes look grey in the darkness as they send a shiver down my spine.

"May I ask why you're awake?"

"Couldn't sleep." He replies bluntly. "Why are you up?" He asks.

"I couldn't sleep either." I reply truthfully turning my attention down to the marble floor.

An awkward silence fills the air as I place the now empty cup into the sink. 

"How's your hand?" He says as he points to the healed wound.

"It's good. Thank you for the cream it really helped to heal it over these past few days." I say and he just nods his head. 

"I'll see you in the morning then." He says as he begins to head out into the garden.

"Wait- where are you going?" I ask slightly intrigued. 

He turns around. "I won't be able to sleep for the rest of the night. So, I'm going to sit outside for a bit to clear my head." 

"Is there something on your mind- and before you object and tell me that it's not my business, I just wanted to ask to be nice." 

He takes a few moments in silence before nodding his head. "Yeah. I have a few things on my mind right now." 

"Can I join you? Outside I mean." I say and he nods his head. 

I step out barefoot onto the grass, feeling the strands tickle the bottom of my foot. There was hardly any light apart from the moon. I walk slowly at first, breathing in the fresh air. A small lamp lit a section of the garden that was filled with a beautiful array of flowers.

I notice a single red rose that was isolated on the flower bed, away from the commotion of colors next to it.

I kneel down, feeling the soft petals between my fingertips. 

"Do you like it?" He asks softly as he kneels down beside me. 

I tilt my head up to face him. "It's beautiful. Why don't you grow more?" 

"It's a long story." He replies.

He picks the rose out of the ground, facing me. He comes closer, only being a breath apart I shut my eyes for a second. His hand comes out tentatively, reaching over to tuck my hair behind my ear. He loops the rose through my hair, letting the red sit in the midst of the brown. 

I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in. It felt like he was closer now. Too close. 

But I didn't want to move and neither did he until he finally cleared his throat. 

"We're going to miss it if we don't hurry up." He whispers as he stand up, extending his hand out to me. I take it and he doesn't let me go. 

We walk hand in hand to the far end of the garden until we reach a large swing.

It had black cushions to sit on as well as a small hood to keep us dry. He sat down and patted down to the spot next to him. I sit politely as silence fills the air. Not even the birds were awake at this time. 

"This is one of my favorite spots. It's the best place to watch the sunrise." He says in a hushed tone.

I turn to face the sky in front of me. A deep amber shade fills the blackness that it was a few minutes ago as well as a deep mauve color highlighting the orange. The beautiful sky shifts to reveal the sun that was hiding for the last few hours. I turn to look at Massimo his eyes were glued to the scenery in front of us. He brushes his hand through his hair before letting it settle atop of mine. 

I don't budge my hand, instead holding my breath in excitement. I don't tell the butterflies to shush anymore I let them roam around freely. Because this feeling- felt unreal. 

I face the last remaining faint stars in the sky that were slowly being replaced by light.

"My mom used to always tell me that each star was a lost soul and when they collide, it means that they have found their other half." I say as I feel Massimo's eyes scan me, but I keep my view fixed on the disappearing stars. "If only I could heal every star in the sky. That way no one would be lost."

I feel Massimo's grip tighten around my hand, with his thumb grazing over my knuckles. A smile tugs at my lips as I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder, I feel his strong arm wrap around my body for comfort.

Massimo: 

She's beautiful.

Everything about her. Her ash brown hair. Her twinkling big eyes. The sound of her voice. The softness of her hands in mine- 

Fuck what's happening to me?

I tried to ignore that weird feeling in my heart- the racing it does around her, the weird flutters I feel when I touch her. But everyday it seems to get harder. Even when I try to act cold and distant towards her, she still affects me. 

Even when I tell myself that nothing is going on- I can't deny the truth that something is happening and I don't like it. 

I turn to look at the petite frame that is leaning on me. Her head, resting on my shoulder and her eyes tightly shut. I unconsciously reach out to stroke her cheek but, I stop myself a few millimeters away from her tanned skin. I can't do this. I shouldn't. 

She's still the enemy.

I sigh as I look towards the sky. The colors and stars have dispersed into the celeste blue that is now forming. I check my watch to see that its the morning. 

"Sweetheart?"

Only the soft hums of her breathing fill my ears. She must be asleep. I slowly stand up, whilst supporting her head with my hand. I pick her up bridal style, analyzing her whilst she's in my arms. Her plump ruby lips are pierced shut forcing her to breathe through her small button nose. The outline of her dimples were hiding away from me. I've only caught a glimpse of them when she speaks, but I wanted to see how deep they were when she smiled-

I snap out of my trance and start to make my way back to the house, being careful not to wake her up.

I take her to her room and place her on the single bed. Taking the thin blanket on the end of her bed, I cover her with it making sure to place it over every exposed spot she has to keep her warm. 

"Cazzo, cosa mi stai facendo? Non dovrei sentirmi così per tu tesoro, ma non posso trattenermi. Voglio te. Voglio tutto di te anche se significa tradire i miei antenati, così sia" I whisper out.

[translation: fuck what are you doing to me? I shouldn't feel this way about you sweetheart, but I can't help myself. I want you. I want everything about you even if it means going behind the legacy so be it.]