The car came to a halt as we both stepped down of the car walking towards the entrance together. I was soon engulfed in a hug by mom, retreating her figure she caressed my face with her hands which immediately gave me the warmth I was so in need of "It's been so long since I get to properly look at you. I'm sorry I was too busy with the paperwork these days that I had little to no time to spend with you both" she said looking towards both of us as she held out her other hand caressing Piero's face "You shouldn't be worried about it instead you should watch out for yourself, I can see some wrinkles forming on your forehead" he said teasing her.

Our mother goes over the top to take care of her skin and she has done a commendable job on it, she's aging just like a fine glass of fine. It's almost too embarrassing for me because I've never really given much efforts when it comes to skincare so the only products I'm aware are the basic ones which I guess every toddler uses "You both should head straight to bathroom, you guys stink. Be prepared for the dinner and Piero please be on time" mom said interrupting my thoughts "Well I'd rather not wash up if it means not having a leech hanging around my arm" he said as he laid himself on the couch.

"I don't want anyone to be stinking near my food" she said slightly hitting his head "I'll be sitting far away from you" he said smirking and ran as fast as he possibly could away from mom before she lounges on another attack.

As I was walking downstairs I could her distant laughing sounds coming from the hall so I took a deep breath in preparing myself to somehow spend this dinner with utmost decency and with a smile on my face.

The very first face came into my view was none other than that of my father's who gave me a slight smile signaling me to sit down when I looked around to find an empty seat which was fortunately the one next to my brother's. Walking as gracefully as I can with my head high with confidence on the contrary I had none, I make myself sit beside Piero when he gives me a slight nudge as he leans to my ear and says "Thank me later, those dickheads tried to earn a seat next to you" and leaned back with a smile on his face. I looked upto see both their eyes on me so I simply gave a slight forced smile with that I focused on the food already set on my plate "Since everyone is settled down, I would like to finally address the elephant in the room for which our families have gathered here" Matteo said as he held onto his wife's hand "I would want Lorenzo to explain it. I think the kids would like it that way instead of coming from an outsider" looking at my father's direction he spoke as we too looked at him waiting for him to speak.

Sometimes we wish that things could've turned a bit differently but what we fail to realize is that sometimes it's no longer in our hands to turn the steering wheel the other way around and that is what happened today, the news at the dinner was horrendous and disturbing something none of us expected atleast not me neither did my brother.

Our parents bid the Pazzi's goodbye while Piero and I didn't move an inch as we sat glued to our seats still expecting things to somehow turn out differently when our parents entered the hall with careful steps and stood a bit too far hoping for one of us to maybe through some stuff around "We are not expecting an answer from you today or tomorrow. You both have time, take as much as you can but yes when either of you decide to give an answer I'm hoping to get a yes" he said, his voice vincing zero warmth belittling our emotions when mom said trying to sugar coat what he just said "There's no pressure dear, just..I hope you take decisions wisely considering the present circumstances" "Bullshit" Piero said with a scoff "Do you actually care?! You guys are fucking trading your children lives!" "Language!" Father yelled at him which he paid no heed to and continued "Have you always considered us for someone whom you could exploit at any given time?" He asked on the verge of a mental breakdown, he's gone through alot since his childhood which sometimes make me question his ability of how well he keeps up with it.

Our parents went back to their bedrooms except the two of us who stayed behind in complete mess and how could we being stuck in a situation that will completely change your lives. Father didn't answer to Piero's questions maybe somewhere he do realizes how wrong he's been with the two of us mostly to Piero who has his memories of childhood wiped clean slate given that his mind couldn't possibly handle it well so in order to save guard himself he remembers nothing.