casuistry

They found themselves close together, a mix of different kinds of love reunited once more. Monica pressed kisses to Billy's chest and smiled with a satisfied glow. She craved a lover who adored her.

Someday, I want you to leave Los Angeles, leave the States, and live with me here in Europe. We could live by the beach in some paradisiacal mansion, with no one to bother us," Monica said, kissing his chest again.

-Give me time. I still have to manage the company. Growth and development are crucial right now. Once the business is stable, maybe I can find the time to live in places like this... but for now, we can buy a vacation home and visit it whenever we can. When we're tired of the cameras and the people with their fake smiles, we'll take a drink and come here when it's the right time.- replied Billy, taking Monica's hand and bringing it to his lips for a kiss, one filled with love, followed by another as she held him close.

-We have to go to the museums; I can't wait around forever for you to be satisfied.- Monica teased, jumping out of bed and throwing a kiss as she made her way to the shower.

The shower was running, likely a cold one to wake her up, the kind that would energize her to explore every street in Italy. Billy sent a quick message to his security team, who were now dressed in civilian clothes, ensuring his safety from a distance. He was used to it by now, a routine of sorts, seeing them trailing behind him like shadows, their watchful eyes never losing sight of him.

-Blackberry pastries.- Monica mentioned.

-Let's get some.- Billy agreed, taking her hand. They walked slowly, each of them attracting glances. Monica's graceful, seductive stride and Billy's confident, upright stance made them look like they owned the place.

-When I was little, I loved blackberries, but they were rare. My mother would only make blackberry desserts occasionally, with some ice cream and crusty bread. It was delicious, to see the bread blend. I loved letting it melt. Sometimes she'd make it with lemon or tangerine.- said Monica, savoring each treat as if it were ambrosia.

-Now you have blackberries for desserts every day.- Billy replied, giving her a gentle kiss.

-Where's Anne?- Monica asked curiously as they wandered through the museum halls.

-She'll be here soon, in the next few days.- said Billy. Anne had postponed her flight with last-minute excuses, but he understood the real reason. Anne was nervous. She always had been, that powerful woman who barked orders and reprimanded and was small and vulnerable when it came to emotions, denying things just like he did.

-I see, it doesn't matter. She'll be here, and I'll hear all about it.- Monica added. –Someone so punctual and set in her routine wouldn't change her travel plans like that.-

-A true investigator, huh? Maybe I should hire you to figure out who's been following me everywhere. Sometimes I see shadows. I could use someone like you, connecting the dots like in those mystery novels.- Billy remarked with a smile. The business was business, and if Monica didn't understand when the time came to sign contracts, he could only begin again. His priority was the wealth he was building, the legacy of Lux Animation.

***

Anne was organizing her desk for the third time, her hands trembling slightly, a bit lost in thought. The mind can be the sharpest weapon, both for those who wish to harm and for oneself. She was trapped in certain golden, intricate dilemmas, admiring the gold accents in her office, even if they were just subtle touches.

Grabbing a basket, she stepped out of her home office, hearing the children shouting over control of the remote. She couldn't deny that their voices brought a sense of calm, filling the house with life. She headed to the kitchen, and the smell of meat made her mouth water, a flavor she'd known all her life—hours of slow cooking with a sweet, spicy sauce that enhanced each bite. Served with potatoes a salad, and a glass of apple juice. The perfect evening was one with a lively table, where the kids would eat without a fuss.

-You should learn the recipe, for when your man finally decides to come around.- her grandmother teased, seated in her usual spot, with a playful, rebellious grin.

-I could learn it. Will you let me? You never let my mother learn it, and I know you argued with my aunt over it.- Anne replied.

-Bahhh. We all make mistakes. Your aunt never needed it. I taught them many things, and always gave them the best. They wanted it out of pride and ego, not necessity.- her grandmother remarked, her words weighed down with a life's worth of regrets and nostalgia. She was stubborn.

-It's just a recipe.- Anne countered. –That's what bothers me. We're family, we give each other everything we can. Our blood and our happiness shouldn't be diminished over a recipe or a way to prepare meat.-

Her grandmother narrowed her eyes, looking deeply at her.

-You're hiding something.-

-Tell me about this man, don't change the subject. You've been sighing for ages. You always hide your heart, and always pretend to be strong. But I've seen the truth, all my life, watching you as that beautiful, hardworking woman.- her grandmother prodded.

-There's nothing. There is no man.- Anne replied.

-Then it's that—missing someone you love. Things are always more complicated than we think.- her grandmother said. Anne turned her back, feeling that everything had been said. Billy was just a contract, unpredictable, but binding in ways she refused to admit. When the time came to be bound by contract, her intuition told her everything was set in stone. The smell of meat suddenly made her queasy, and she rushed to the bathroom.

-You're feeling sick?- her grandmother asked.

-It's just a bit of indigestion.- she replied.

-No more wine for you, then. You need to take a pregnancy test.-

Anne's eyes widened like two full moons, reflecting a river like an owl hearing something it shouldn't.

...