0023|moring reflections

Arabella Armani

The sun filtered through the curtains of my room, casting a soft glow across the bed. I stirred, my head pounding from the previous night's indulgences. The memories of the lounge, the dancing, and Alessio's piercing gaze came rushing back, making me groan.

I sat up slowly, rubbing her temples Sarah and Carter were still asleep in the adjoining room, their soft snores a testament to how much fun they'd had. I swung her legs over the side of the bed, slipping into my slippers before heading to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on my face, I tried to shake off the lingering tension from the night before.

A knock on the door startled me, and i wrapped her robe tighter around myself as i opened it. Alessio stood there, his expression serious but softened by the morning light.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and filled with a mix of emotions.

I hesitated, glancing back at her sleeping friends. "Now?"

"Please," he insisted, his eyes pleading.

i sighed, stepping out onto the balcony and closing the door behind her. The ocean stretched out before them, its rhythmic waves providing a soothing backdrop.

"What do you want, Alessio?" I asked, crossing my arms. "You made your choices clear."

He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. "I know last night didn't look great. But it wasn't what you think."

I raised an eyebrow, skepticism in her gaze. "Really? Because it looked pretty clear to me."

Alessio leaned on the railing, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "I didn't bring Sophia here to hurt you. Emilio thought it would be a good idea to invite her, and I didn't know how to say no without raising questions."

"So, you kissed her out of obligation?" I retorted, my voice sharp.

He turned to face me, his eyes filled with regret. "No, that was a mistake. I was trying to distract myself, but it only made things worse. I can't stop thinking about you, Arabella ."

My heart clenched at his words, but i forced herself to remain composed. "You can't have it both ways, Alessio. You need to figure out what you want."

"I want you," he said softly, stepping closer. "I've wanted you for a long time, but I was too afraid of what it could mean. I didn't want to ruin everything."

My emotions were swirling. "Then why did you push me away?"

"Because I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of what this means for us, for your dad, for everything."

I looked away, tears threatening to spill. "I can't keep doing this, Alessio. I need to know if you're serious or if this is just another game."

He reached out, gently taking her hand. "It's not a game, Arabella I'm done running from this. From us."

I searched his eyes, looking for any sign of deception. All she saw was sincerity and regret. My heart ached, torn between the pain he had caused and the love i still felt for him.

"I need time," I whispered, pulling my hand away. "I need to figure out if I can trust you again."

Alessio nodded, understanding in his eyes. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here when you're ready."

With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone on the balcony. The ocean's calmness contrasted with the storm inside me , but for the first time in days, o felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back to each other.

But for now, i needed to focus on myself and what i truly wanted. The path ahead was uncertain, but i was determined to navigate it, no matter how difficult it might be.

I lingered on the balcony for a few more moments, trying to process everything Alessio had said. The gentle sound of the waves helped calm my thoughts, but the emotional weight of their conversation still pressed heavily on me. I took a deep breath, deciding to put it aside for now and focus on the day ahead.

Just as i reentered the room, there was a knock at the door. Before i could answer, my dad poked his head in, a cheerful grin on his face. "Morning, sunshine. Time to wake up your friends. We're going shopping today. Be ready in an hour."

I smiled softly at my dad's enthusiasm, thankful for his efforts to cheer me up. "Got it, Dad. We'll be ready."

Dad gave me a wink before closing the door. As soon as he left, I turned to see Carter stretching lazily on the bed, his eyes half-open.

"Did I hear something about shopping?" Carter murmured, his voice still groggy.

"Yep," I confirmed, walking over to give him a gentle nudge. "Dad wants us ready in an hour."

Carter sat up, a smirk spreading across his face. "Your dad is such a babe. Seriously, how does he manage to look so good all the time? I mean, those eyes, that smile..."

I rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but laugh. "Carter, please. That's my dad you're thirsting over."

Sarah groaned from the other bed, pulling the blanket over her head. "Carter, it's way too early for this."

Carter shrugged, his grin unrepentant. "I'm just saying, he's got that whole 'silver fox' thing going on. Total DILF vibes."

I threw a pillow at him, laughing despite myself . "Okay, enough. Get up and get ready. We've got a mall to hit."

Reluctantly, Sarah and Carter dragged themselves out of bed, the three of them moving around the room to get dressed. The atmosphere lightened as we joked about the previous night, Carter's over-the-top commentary keeping them entertained.

after a bit i finally found what outfit i was going to wear

An hour later, we met dad and the rest of the group in the hotel lobby. Alessio was there too, his expression neutral as he exchanged a brief glance with me. Sophia stood by his side, but i ignored her, focusing instead on my dad and myfriends.

"Alright, team," Emilio said, clapping his hands together. "Let's make the most of this day. Shopping, lunch, and whatever else we can squeeze in."

The group piled into a couple of cars and made their way to a nearby mall. The place was bustling with tourists and locals alike, the vibrant atmosphere infectious. I found myself relaxing, the excitement of the day helping to distract her from the lingering tension with Alessio.

They split into smaller groups, dad leading one while Sarah, Carter, and Lila wandered off on their own. They browsed various stores, trying on outfits, laughing at some of the more outrageous options, and enjoying each other's company.

At one point, Carter held up a bright, neon-colored shirt and struck a pose. "What do you think? Too much?"

Sarah giggled. "Definitely too much. But you could probably pull it off."

I smiled, appreciating the lighthearted banter. "You'd be the talk of the resort, that's for sure."

As they moved from store to store, I felt a sense of normalcy returning. My friends' playful energy was exactly what i needed, and for the first time in days, i felt a little lighter. Even with the underlying tension between me and Alessio, the trip was starting to feel like a chance for a fresh start.

After a few hours of shopping, the group reconvened for lunch, sharing their finds and stories from the day. Emilio beamed at arabella , clearly pleased to see her enjoying herself. She gave him a grateful smile, silently thanking him for the distraction.

The day wasn't over yet, but arabella felt a renewed sense of hope. No matter what happened with Alessio, she knew she had the support of her friends and family. And that was enough for now.

_____________________________________