ALESSANDRO'S POV

"Today is WHAT'' screamed Julia in Emilion's face after he just told us today is Lydia's birthday.

"What do you mean today is her birthday" asked Armando, of course it's him asking that damn question. "What do you not understand idiot" replied Emilion sarcastically. "Why the hell didn't you tell us" Lilianna spoke, glaring at Emilion. "Oh because I wanted to ruin her day" he told her with a fake smile as she gasped at his response before he continued "OBVIOUSLY I DIDN'T KNOW"

"Would y'all shut up for a second" I finally said, having enough of these people. And then I started to wonder where Lydia is to begin with. "Where is she?" I was the last to ask a question and as usual it was not answered. I groaned quietly before I started making my way upstairs, they only know how to argue but not find the birthday girl.

I checked each room but she was nowhere to be found. Last room was Akila's which wouldn't make sense if she's there, however I like to use that as an excuse to see her.

I knocked on her room's door gently knowing she'll hear the lightest sound. I waited outside her room feeling my heart get slightly nervous. It's not that she won't open the door, it's just that I'm about to see her. It's always this mixture of feeling nervous and excited.

"Hey" I looked up to Akila standing in front of me wearing a dark blue oversized silk shirt half-tucked in black shorts. "Hey" I said, already smiling at her adorable figure. She pushed the door to her side, giving me full permission to get in. I looked at her one more time before stepping into her room. My favorite thing about her room was her scent everywhere.

I took my usual seat on the bed and as I turned around, she was standing in front of her desk organizing some papers. I watched her for a few minutes until she suddenly looked at me giving me her back. She tilted her head waiting for whatever I came here for. "Oh" I whispered to myself, remembering I was here for something. She smiled at me softly before turning her attention back to the papers.

"Have you seen, Lydia" this feeling better stop or I'll slap myself right on the spot. "No but she probably ran away"

"What do you mean she ran away" Akila slowly turned around as she rested her hand on the desk chair. "I mean she's gone" she said smiling wildly. Why in the living hell is she smiling.

My mind started getting all over the place. How and when did she even leave, she can't just pass the guards and where were we when she decieded to run away.

"Don't panic, I let her out myself"

After we held eye contact for a really long time, Akila finally spoke "It was around three twenty seven in the morning, I wanted a cup of water so I went downstairs and found her laying on the floor doing absolutely nothing. I minded my own business and didn't care but that somehow annoyed her. I walked past her and then she started sighing as if I'm supposed to ask what's wrong" she stopped for a second when I got the chance to add something "annd let me guess, you didn't ask" I told her one hundred percent sure she didn't. She took a deep breath before continuing "I didn't ask"

I smiled proudly of myself but then I remembered there's more into the story. "As I was getting my water, I heard her mumble something which yet again I didn't care about nor gave any thought into. She was acting as if I was doing something wrong when I was not. She literally not once called my name" I sat quietly, listening to a cute frustrated Akila. "And then she raised her voice and said that she wanted to get out of here so I let her" she finsihed off her sentence with a shrug and then went back to her papers.

I bite into my lips unable to decide whether this is cute or I should feel concerned. "Well that was really generous of you" she raised her left hand and gave me a thumbs up. I chuckled at her and kept going "but don't you think she's too young to explore the city alone" I said in hope she would realize or at least understand my point. "Well it's not really my business, she asked for something and I simply helped" she answered casually and then said "You should be proud of me because let me tell you something, I never help anyone" she stopped looking at me intensely as I yet again chuckled. I slowly stood up and took a few steps to where she was standing. "Who said I'm not proud of you?" I asked playfully while she looked at me up and down trying so hard keeping in the smile forming on her lips.

"You did" and there I was only a few inches away from her. I sighed, not sure whether I should take another step or...

I took a breath in and reached her waist and grabbed her right hand "I am proud of you" I spoke softly when she finally smiled which automatically made me smile even harder. Her smile is just so bright, full of addiction and life.

"Will go and find her, then we will take her out for birthday dinner. Do me a small favor and join us" I spoke to her gently and hoped for her to join our little dinner. "Wasn't it enough the last couple favors"—"It is enough, i'm the one who can't get enough"

"Get out Santoro" she demanded, glancing at the door then back at me. I let her hand go, knowing it's now warm because of me. I turned around to look at her one more time before I closed the door of her room.

[V]

Eventually, we found Lydia. She was nowhere far, in fact she was sitting on a bench in a park a few minutes away from the house. After we found her, everyone got ready including her. We told her where we're going because it was too obvious. And what I didn't hope for happened, Akila did not show up.

I was not mad about it, she probably had a good reason but I sure wished she was here. We went to this fine dinning restaurant and as we got in all eyes fell on us so I booked us a table at the vip. There was a small playground for kids where Lia and Lydia went straight to while we ordered the food. Armando went up to the staff and told them to gather around after we finish eating to wish Lydia a happy birthday.

Two waitresses came up to our table, they wore a tight dark red shirt tucked in a yet again tight leather skirt. One of them started taking the order of Emilion and would through in a couple flirty lines as he spoke his order. Kira tried to stay calm but it didn't last for long. As we all guessed, Kira flipped over. And while she was putting the waitress in her place, I found the other one staring at me and winking.

I completely ignored her and made my order along with the others. Although we sat around vip tables where rich people don't care about other famous and rich people, they still stared at us, mainly me. I've never felt uncomfortable receiving people's stares. I got used to it from a young age so it didn't annoy me as most people get.

We waited about ten minutes before the food arrived. Julia got up and called the girls to eat, Lia sat beside her older sister as the waiter placed her plate of food carefully in front of her. She ordered a basic chicken burger with fries and Lydia got herself some steak. Another waiter came to us for drinks but I declined for the whole table. I don't like when adults drink in front of kids.

The food was mouth melting, each one of us got a different dish and it all was perfectly cooked. As soon as everyone was done with their plates, I signed the waitress to bring the cake.

Everyone gathered around our tables as the staff brought out the cake with Lydia's name on it, we all started singing happy birthday and other tables joined us which was nice. We all sang happily and everything was on point, Lydia's smile kept growing and it felt like a mission accomplished.

After the night was over, we got back into our cars and Lydia had one request before the day ended. "Can you speed" and you know how I can't reject such a request.

With that being said, we arrived home in less than seven minutes. Lydia had so much fun in the passenger seat, don't worry she was wearing the seat belts.

We parked the cars and I was making my way to the door Lydia when called out my name. I turned around, giving her my full attention. She struggled to speak so I waited patiently for whatever she wanted to say.

"I wanted to say, thank you" she told me politely with a small smile crawling up her lips. "You are very welcome" she nodded before running past me into the house. I looked up to Dante smiling at me and I knew what he was thinking right away. I rolled my eyes at him and turned around to get in the house.

I finally arrived in front of my room and couldn't wait to take a shower. I didn't feel like sleeping so I could use the time to finish some work. I walked in the room and turned on the lights. I was about to take off my shoes when I noticed something on my bed.

I got closer to the bed and It was a piece of paper with something written on it. I picked it up and read "meet me in the garage, motorcycle section. A. L." My eyes focused on the message in my hand, I've never seen Akila's hand writing before, it's so pretty. I folded the paper and put it in my pocket before making my way out of my room.

My heart beating kept increasing as I got closer to the garage, what could she possibly want. She never leaves me messages like this, she never asks me to meet her.

I took the deepest breath I could and opened the door of the garage. God make this easy on me.

I looked up to Akila sitting on a Shark street GP I've never seen before. When she noticed my presence, she got off the motorcycle and started making her way towards me. I was confused, why was she here and where is she going with that motorcycle. She wore a black leather jumpsuit and tied her hair up in a ponytail.

When she finally stood in front of me, she didn't waste a second and told me very seriously "Look, I need you to listen carefully" she stopped, looking deeply into my eyes as if she didn't want to do this. "I have to leave Alessandro"

My heart dropped as these five words traveled through my head and body. "I will not tell you anything further about this" she spoke confidently, so strange for some reason.

"I will be back when I can, maybe I won't" she said her last words coldly, it was like all of a sudden she didn't care and maybe she never did. I just don't get it, we were doing great these past few days. I for once had hope that we could fix whatever the hell was happening between us and now she's doing this.

I'm sick of her mood swings, one day she opens up and the next I don't even see her. If she regrets telling me so much she can go on with her life, but I can't deal with someone who can't make up their mind. I can't take her smiling at me and then speak to me in that way, I've had enough.

"Enjoy" I said, almost whispering as the words didn't want to come out. All I wanted was for us to be close, I thought we had something, anything, but I'm the one who took it the wrong way.

I watched her getting on her motorcycle and left me standing there all alone. What am I supposed to do now because I won't break down and deal with this shit over again. I closed my eyes and shook my head before I looked at the ground, there was nothing to do.

And without another thought, I took myself back into the house. All of sudden it felt quiet, it felt like there was no one to reach even though there were millions. But I didn't want them, it was her and now she's gone with no explanation. Maybe she'll come back, maybe she won't and not having an answer is getting tiring. I'm tired to the point I don't want to handle it, I don't want to fix it anymore. It's this feeling where you don't want to be yourself for a moment to get away from all your problems and worries.

In the end, there was no point in it at all. We were once again acting like strangers, and she was acting like I didn't mean anything to her. It hurts you and it burns how you could be so honest with one person and they can't give you the same, I let my feelings and heart out there and she still decides to run over it like it's nothing. All I wanted was for her to be clear, she once made me feel like she'll never leave and now that's exactly what she's doing.

I've come to a point where I regret feeling but then I remember I never regret. I never did a lot of things before her, but here I am.

What upsets me the most is, if one day she comes back I know I'll open my arms for her to rest on my chest and take all the warmth left in me and I would let her with the wildest smile shine across on my face.

I have got nothing to do anymore, all I could do is wish her the best because I can't in a million year wish anything bad would happen to her.

And if she's meant to come back, maybe she will but I'll never have high hopes, I don't need anymore disappointments.

Every step I took, a memory of us crossed my mind. The ups and downs, from where I first saw her to now. The many nights on the rooftop followed with when we kissed each other. How I was mad with her but still gave her my food and let her have the rubber band, just everything. It was like everything rewinding for one last time.

And maybe it was the last TIME.

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