‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

VENICE MARCO POLO AIRPORT
venice, italy
october 9, 2024
wednesday
9pm

as alexa and i arrived in venice my eyes darted around the airport, taking in the stunning surroundings. "i always forget how beautiful venice is." i commented, my voice filled with wonder.

alexa nodded in agreement. "even the airport feels like a work of art." she then looked at me and smirked. "not that you haven't been here before."

i rolled my eyes at her comment. "yeah, yeah, i know."

we walked through the airport, following the rest of the crew and cast for the press conference. the thought of seeing drew again weighed heavily on my mind. i could practically feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

~~

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celebsightings azaria raine seen leaving and signing at the venice marco polo airport in venice, italy.

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user1 my wife

user2 venice?? she's in my city??

~~

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

HOTEL CIPRIANI
venice, italy
10pm

as we entered the lobby of the hotel where the press conference was held, the atmosphere shifted.

the lobby was filled with other celebrities who were staying at the hotel for the event. photographers and reporters swarmed the outside of the hotel, ready to capture every moment.

alexa and i checked into our shared room before making our way up to our room which was on the fifth floor.

as we walked down the hallway towards my room, i noticed a tall figure with a buzzed head walking into a room nearby.

my heart skipped a beat as realization dawned on me.

'could it be? no, it's probably just my mind playing tricks on me.' i thought to myself.

however, my mind wouldn't let me not think about it.

~~

after unpacking, alexa and i both realized how hungry we were.

"we should go get something to eat," i said, my stomach growling in agreement.

"i agree. i'm famished," she replied, her hand on her own stomach. "there's a restaraunt here at the hotel." she suggested.

"lead the way." i said as i slipped on my shoes.

we made our way to the restaraunt, which was conveniently located on the bottom floor of the hotel we were staying in.

the smell of Italian cuisine wafted through the air, making my mouth water as we approached the entrance.

alexa and i were seated at a table for two near the window, giving us a view of the venice night sky. the city lights twinkled outside, creating a romantic ambiance.

as i looked out the window i couldn't help but think back to the countless amount of dates i had gone on with drew in tuscany.

i was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't notice alexa calling my name.

"zari? you there?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

i snapped out of my thoughts and looked at her. "huh? sorry, i was lost in thought. what were you saying?"

alexa chuckled, shaking her head. "i was asking if you were ready to order."

i quickly apologized, feeling a bit sheepish. "yeah, of course. i think i'll get the spaghetti bolognese."

alexa nodded, then proceeded to order for the both of us.

as the waiter walked away to give the kitchen our order, she looked at me with an expectant expression.

"what were you thinking about when you were gazing out the window?" she asked curiously.

"um," i started to say but then i saw drew walking into the restaurant. his hair freshly buzzed. he was wearing black pants with a blue button up shirt and black converse high tops. "that's what i was thinking about." i said as i gestured towards drew.

alexa glanced at where i was gesturing before her eyes went wide. "well, i'll be damned."

drew looked around the restaurant until his eyes were met with mine. he looked a bit surprised to see me but quickly regained his composure.

he started to make his way over to our table. as he approached, i felt my heart skip a beat.

alexa seemed amused by the whole situation. "this should be interesting." she muttered under her breath.

"drew, hi." i greeted my ex.

he smiled warmly at me. "hey, azaria. it's good to see you again. and it's good to see you, alexa."

his voice sounded exactly like how i remembered. warm and soothing. i could feel the butterflies in my stomach acting up.

alexa smiled back. "nice to see you, too, drew. fancy seeing you here." her eyes darted between us and i know she was secretly enjoying the whole situation.

drew chuckled and sat down in the empty chair next to me. "i had to grab something to eat before tomorrow." he explained.

alexa raised an eyebrow. "and you just happened to feel like eating here, huh?" she teased.

drew smiled sheepishly. "okay, so maybe i had a hunch i'd see a familiar face here."

i felt my cheeks heat up a bit, but i tried to keep my cool.

"you know what, i'm actually going to the ladies." alexa said as she got up. "i'll be back."

i shot her a panicked look, not wanting her to leave me alone with drew. but she just smiled innocently as she walked away, leaving me with him.

drew chuckled a bit once she was out of earshot. "she's not subtle at all, is she?"

i shook my head. "i don't think she even tried to be."

he chuckled again, a sound that i had missed hearing. "well, while she's gone..." he leaned a bit closer to me and lowered his voice. "can i talk to you for a moment?"

my heart skipped a beat as he leaned closer. "sure, what's up?" i asked, slightly anxious.

he looked around to make sure nobody was listening before speaking. "i just wanted to...clear some things up."

he leaned even closer to me. his scent was the same and it was driving me insane.

"sure," i said with a nod.

he hesitated for a moment, seemingly trying to find the right words to say.

"look...." he started, his voice low and serious. "i know things between us ended on a bad note, and i wanted to...apologize."

i was slightly taken aback by his apology. "you...you're apologizing?" i asked, slightly surprised.

he nodded, looking a bit remorseful. "yeah, i've had a lot of time to think and i...i was an idiot. i shouldn't have acted the way i did when we were together. i just-" he exhaled a deep breath, running a hand through his buzzed hair.

i listened to him intently, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. i could see the regret in his eyes and hear it in his voice.

he paused for a moment before continuing. "i know i messed things up, and i'm sorry...i'm sorry for hurting you."

his words were heartfelt, and i could tell he meant what he was saying.

i bit my lip, unsure of how to respond. "thank you...for apologizing." i swallowed hard. "it means a lot to me."

he nodded and watched as i took a sip of my wine. "i'd never ever cheat on you, azaria. that thought never once crossed my mind. i was wrong to be hanging out with odessa in the shadows and i recognize that."

i was surprised to hear him bring up odessa. it had been a touchy subject when we were dating and it was surprising that he was now acknowledging it.

"why...why were you hanging out with her then?" i asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

he looked down at the table, avoiding eye contact for a moment. he seemed to really consider his answer before speaking. "i think she was just...my best friend for so long and...i don't know."

"i never wanted it to be like i was pulling you away from your friends, drew. if you wanted to hang out with her, fine, but you could've communicated it so i didn't find out from paparazzi photos. because then it looks...bad. very bad." i said.

he nodded, his eyes still fixed on the table. "yeah, i know...i was wrong. it was a shitty thing to do and i should've just been upfront with you." he lifted his gaze to meet mine. "i never wanted to hurt you."

"how have these weeks been for you? the ones since our breakup." i asked curiously.

he paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating his answer. "these past weeks? they've been...rough." he admitted, his voice a little hoarse. "i've missed you. a lot." he sighed, "you saw me at the festival. that new look? it wasn't on purpose." he said referring to the blonde hair and mustache.

i bit my lip softly, trying not to show how much those words affected me. he had obviously been just as affected by our breakup as i was.

"i've missed you too." i found myself admitting. i quickly caught myself and looked away awkwardly. i tried to change the subject. "i liked your new look anyways."

he let out a small, sad laugh. "yeah? you liked the pornstache?" he asked jokingly.

i couldn't help but laugh as well. "yeah, it was cute." i smiled at him before suddenly realizing how close together we were sitting. our thighs were practically touching. "what made you go back to the buzz? and lose the stache?" i questioned.

he chuckled again, his hand subconsciously moved closer to mine on the table. "i figured i might as well look a bit more put together for tomorrow, and the mustache...well i wasn't completely sure if you hated it or not." he joked.

our hands were just barely avoiding touching, our pinkies almost grazing each other.

i chuckled at his comment, feeling my heart flutter a bit. the tension between us was undeniable.

just then, alexa returned to the table, a smirk plastered on her face.

she took one look at drew sitting next to me and then at our hands and let out a loud cackle.

i shot her a glare, silently telling her to stop meddling.

she just smirked wider, taking her seat and glancing between the two of us. "i'm not interrupting anything, am i?" she joked.

"welcome back, alexa." i said as i moved my hand away and downed the rest of the wine that was in my glass.

drew chuckled awkwardly as alexa sat down. "you're fine, don't worry." he said, his eyes flickering back to me.

alexa continued to smirk as she noticed the chemistry between us. she clearly found the whole situation amusing.

~~

the rest of dinner passed by fairly smoothly. alexa and i kept up lighthearted conversation, while drew joined in every now and then.

every once in a while, i would catch drew's gaze lingering on me. his eyes would meet mine, and he would hold them for a moment before looking away.

alexa seemed to pick up on the subtle tension between us and kept sneaking glances at me, clearly amused by the whole situation.

after we finished eating, drew insisted on paying for the meal.

alexa and i tried to protest, saying we could split the bill.

however, drew shook his head firmly. "i got it. it's fine." he said as he handed the waiter his card.

alexa and i reluctantly agreed and let him pay. i tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach as i watched him handle the bill with ease.

once the waiter left and the bill was settled, we all stood up from the table to leave.

"let me walk you all back to your room, yeah?" drew said with a small smirk.

"yeah, okay." i said.

alexa gave me a knowing look, but didn't say anything. "sure, that's fine."

we started making our way out of the restaraunt, and i could feel drew's presence right beside me. our arms occasionally brushed against each other, sending a surge of sparks through my body.

the walk back to our rooms was filled with small talk. alexa and drew talked about the press conference tomorrow while i just listened.

i couldn't help but notice the way drew's hand occasionally grazed mine. the gesture was subtle, but it didn't go unnoticed by me.

finally, we reached the hallway where our rooms were located. my heart was pounding in my chest as i stopped in front of my door.

alexa glanced between me and drew with a knowing smile before saying, "well, i'm gonna go shower and then crash, 'kay?"

"right behind ya." i said as she gave a smile towards me and drew and disappeared into the room.

"i'm right down there," drew said as he pointed to a door. the same door i saw him at earlier today.

i smiled, "so we're neighbors."

he chuckled and nodded. "yeah, looks like it."

we stood there in silence for a moment, both of us seemingly unsure of what to say.

the air between us was thick with tension, and i was hyper aware of how close we were standing. i could almost feel the heat radiating off his body.

"are you ready for the conference tomorrow?" i asked him.

drew exhaled a deep breath, his eyes fixed on mine.

"ready as i'll ever be, i guess." he said with a small shrug. but i could sense the hint of uncertainty in his voice.

there was something else on his mind, and i wanted to know what it was. i took a step closer to him.

"you seem nervous." i stated bluntly.

he chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "that obvious, huh?"

i nodded, a soft smile playing on my lips. "just a bit."

he sighed, looking down at his shoes. "i don't know. just anxious about all the questions that are gonna be thrown at me. fans, the press, the media...it's a lot."

i nodded, understanding his anxiety. i reached out and placed a hand on his arm.

"i get it." i said gently. "but you'll handle it just fine. you always do."

he looked up at me, his eyes meeting mine.

even though i was trying to remain calm, my heart was racing and my breath hitched in my throat. "and hey, you can throw questions in my ballpark if you need help."

he smiled at me, and i could feel the butterflies in my stomach acting up again.

"yeah, thanks. i appreciate that...and the same goes for you." he said.

he was so close now. our noses were just inches apart. i could practically feel his breath on my skin.

our eyes locked, and the tension between us was practically electric.

i swallowed hard, my hand still resting on his arm. i could feel the muscle and warmth beneath my touch.

i had the sudden urge to reach out and touch his face, to feel his skin against mine. but i restrained myself.

we stood there, just looking at each other in silence for a moment until drew spoke up.

"azaria...can i ask you something?" he said, his voice low and serious.

my heart skipped a beat at his words.
"yeah, sure. what is it?"

i couldn't believe how close we were. i felt lightheaded and it wasn't from the wine.

"amo. why'd you go back to him?" drew asked, referring to seeing amo and together at lulifestival.

my heart skipped a beat at his question. i wasn't expecting him to ask that.

i sighed, knowing i owed him an explanation. "it's..." i paused, trying to find the right words. "honestly? i don't know...when you and i broke up, it was a bad time for me and he comforted me weirdly enough. but it was a mistake."

drew nodded, his eyes searching mine. he seemed to be processing what i was saying. "i see." he replied softly.

the silence between us was deafening. the tension in the air was thick and i could practically feel the electricity between us.

i couldn't help but look at his lips. they looked so soft and inviting..

"i missed you, seriously," i admitted.

drew exhaled deeply, his eyes locked on mine. "i missed you too. a lot..." he said. his voice was low and strained, as if he was holding back.

we were standing so close to each other now that i could feel his body heat radiating against me. my heart was pounding in my chest and i could feel my breath hitching.

he looked down at my lips and then met my eyes. "may i?" he asked.

my heartbeat quickened at his question. i could sense what he was asking.

"please." i breathed out.

he didn't hold back any longer. drew cupped my face in his hands, tilting my chin up towards him.

and then, his lips were on mine.

it was like fireworks going off. electricity shooting through me.

his lips were soft and firm against mine as he kissed me hungrily. he pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around my waist, holding me tightly.

i melted into him, my hands gripping his shoulders as i kissed him back with equal intensity.

we stayed like that for what felt like eternity. our lips intertwined and our bodies pressed against each other.

it was a moment of pure passion and raw emotion. both of us had been holding back for so long, and all of those feelings came rushing out in that single kiss.

as we eventually pulled away, i was breathless and my head was spinning.

drew's hands were still holding my face, his eyes locked on mine as he spoke. "just as i remembered." he said, his voice slightly hoarse. "even better maybe."

i smiled at him, my heart still racing. his words sent a jolt of electricity through me.

"you're not so bad yourself." i joked back, trying to keep my cool.

he chuckled, still holding me close to him. "we should...probably go to bed." he said reluctantly.

i nodded. "big day tomorrow."

"yeah." he said, not making a move to let me go. "we should get some rest."

we stood there for a moment longer, neither one of us wanting to break contact. but eventually he did. he reluctantly dropped his hands from my face and took a step back.

"i'll see you tomorrow?" he asked, his eyes lingering on me.

i nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from the kiss.

"yeah, i'll see you tomorrow." i said. "goodnight, drew."

"goodnight, azaria." he said quietly.

and with that, we went our separate ways into our rooms.

~~

a/n

THEYRE BACK!!! yes this is moving fast and i mean that to happen