I was home and it was oddly comforting to have a place to call home. Nothing has changed apart from our lives the calm this place brought to me is ineffable and I wish for it to remain this way being one of the few things that bound me to my sanity.

Alessia looked at the house in pure awe registering the features of the house I took her hands in mine "What do you think?" She looked at me puzzled "I think the place is too nice for you to hide me" laughing at it she goes on to explore the house as I follow her around.

We now stood in my room which was earlier used by both Enzo and I but as we grew up and I left the country with Enzo's will to stay behind he made a couple of changes including the much larger bed contrary to the one before also separating his stuff assembling it in a different room that he now calls his own. Enzo never liked the mansion back in the city since mamma's death and often spent most of his time here grieving her absence every now and then though his visits have reduced yet he makes it his utmost priority to be here on her death anniversary drowning himself in self loath.

I draw my attention from my thoughts to the girl standing infront of me who is intently watching one of the family photos hanging on the wall of memories
"You look cute" she said pointing at one of the pictures I drag her finger a bit to the left
"This is me" I saw her face go red in embarrassment which she quickly concealed "Now we know who's the hotter one out of the two of you" she joked "Careful with your words,need I have to remind you which one makes your heart race?" Stepping closer to her I cage her to the wall her pupils dilating parting her lips she take in a low breath moving closer to her face I look at her one last time before capturing her lips. I don't know what eternal salvation or atonement feels like but this moment is like drinking the very elixir of life.

We kissed each other as if we longed for it forever and knowing that it's finally happening takes us both to an edge of fulfillment until I felt her crying so I part our lips away but she pulled me closer slamming her lips to mine kissing me with such urgency like I'd disappear into thin air. I knew what those tears meant exactly knowing I'm part of a reason for it makes me wish to unalive myself.

I let her take control if that's what she needed while slowly rubbing her waist at last she pulls away a little then place her head on my chest still holding on to me tightly "I like this sound" she said her face nuzzled into my chest and looked at me fondly "What sound" she then again placed her head to my chest snuggling closer "The sound of your heart. Its music to my ears" I used to find such words annoying but coming from her mouth it actually made me blush.

We sat down in the living room with Alessia sipping the hot choclate "I uh wanted to talk to you" she looked at me keenly waiting for me to continue "About the marriage I uh" before I could form my next word she spoke up "It's a contract marriage. Marriage for life long where both the families are going to benefit from each other" "I know what a contract marriage is" her mouth formed an O but my next sentence caught her off guard "I want you to marry me" its already been approximately 10 minutes since I proposed her and in return all I got is utter silence so I tell her "Ive loved you longer than you know. Waited for you longer than you can expect and I'm willing to wait howsoever long it take except I wouldn't sit back and watch you marry him" Enzo didn't really like this idea nevertheless he couldn't deny the fact that it remains the best possible solution.

Al didn't necessarily need to know the details not now all she should care is the outcome which is going to be fruitful unlike other wars there won't be any collateral damage atleast that's what I hope so. All of a sudden she finally broke her silence "It doesn't matter whether we love each other. The news is out and the event is in like 8 hours moreover there's some serious crisis in the business I cannot say yes to you" I heard her patiently as I felt sad for keeping her in the dark but I couldn't possibly tell her the news until I was positive myself.

I too got the news of the agreement few hours ago had it not work out I was kind of planning hiding her here anyways kudos to me I didn't have to resort to the most unreliable backup plan "You don't need to worry about it. I've got everything in control all I need is a yes from you. I want you to know that it's solely your decision to make if its not me I'd make it sure its definitely not him" I was dead serious I would kill that man before he could say I do besides I'm more than ready to wage war against the Pazzi's except she didn't need to know fully aware of the after math.