Chapter Twenty-Eight.

❝I pass quietly by you, you pass quietly by me, and yet I hear the noise we make.❞

That morning Alexia was already at school, but something about the conversation she had yesterday with Paolo made her nervous.

So she avoided him in the morning, the boy approaches her and smiles happily looking at her from the side in the school hallway.

- Hi, let's go to the movies tonight," he raised his eyebrows, still walking beside her.

- Yes," she smiled wryly, scratching behind her ear, and grasping tightly the strap of her backpack.

- What's wrong?- He walked in front of her and started to walk backwards looking at her - You've been acting weird all day!

- It's nothing. - She looked around.

Alexia, you can either lie to me or tell me the truth yourself. - He grinned.

- Oh, you know what it is. -She looked up at him and played with the bracelet on her wrist. - She rolled her eyes. - And I know you have! And I don't want you to be disappointed.

- Alexia doesn't have to worry about that, he took the backpack off her back. - You're afraid of something like that, it's not like you... -He pressed his lips together, bumping into a person apologizing.

- There Paolo, I have feelings, okay? - She smiled. - I'm just not whiny, and emotional like you, she approaches your school locker.

- Okay! I'm not that much of a crybaby," Paolo said with a corner smile, stopped in front of the locker next to hers and opened it, putting his books.

- Ah Paolo! You cried with a lying wife! - He crossed his arms, and gestured with his hand - Which is an Adam Sandler movie! - She looked at him with narrowed eyes.

- Okay, okay, okay! But what can I do, we watched it on a day when I was emotional. - He shrugged his shoulders and giggled.

Alexia's cheeks reddened and he moved closer, his eyes looking deep into hers.

He put his hands on her face and took a deep breath saying: - Alexia there is nothing to be afraid of ok? I feel like the luckiest guy in the world to have you.

- So it's settled, movie and then Mcdonalds! - She closed her eyes and pointed her finger at him. - But if you cry at Wonder Woman 1977 I swear I'll walk out of that room," she laughed.

He nodded, and held out his hands to her, and the two walked to the classroom.

As Cybele walked to her mother's house, and thoughts come into her head, it was a great morning with Pietro, it made her heart so happy, but she needed to stop omitting what she knew about her family, and then she stops and the memory of ...

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As Cybele walked to her mother's house, and thoughts come into her head, it was a great morning with Pietro, it made her heart so happy, but she needed to stop omitting what she knew about her family, and then she stops and the memory of how they met hovers in her head.

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↓ Flash Back Start ↓

Months before... (The night Pietro and Cibele met)

Cibele was at a party that had deafening noise, she was on business, she never found herself in the middle of so many rich people.

Cibele always preferred silence to noise and crowds, except the noise of the rain, she loved it when it fell and paid more attention to the sound of falling water than to her own feelings, the rain calmed her

She was sitting at the table next to Iris, when it started to rain outside, she watched the party as Iris talked at the table.

- Belle, little sister, are you listening to us, Marguerite said that there is a vacancy at Vitoria Secrets," she widened her eyes and looked into Cybele's eyes.

Cibele seemed to be in another world. He then stood up.

- What do you have? -Iris asked, getting up and taking his arm. - That's good for our contract!

She put her hands on her neck and looked around, "Nothing! I just need some air, okay! I'll be right back, sis, I swear! - She raised her little finger in front of Iris.

Iris intertwined her little finger with hers, and smiled. -Ok, but come soon! - she said, and turned and sat down at the table.

There were thoughts about the break up with Apollo, the exam next week, and the fashion show she had to organize at work and the rent arrears on the apartment she shared with Iris, Milan was expensive to live in... And very, very homesick.

While he was walking around the party, what we call a significant encounter happened, something romantic that made his heart flutter when he looked at the other.

And that's how Pietro felt looking at Cibele when he accidentally bumped into her, he looked deep into her eyes. And his heart beat strong in sync.

For Pietro that night he was in the wrong place, wrong party, weird people... But as he met her gaze, he didn't seem to be anymore.

All the noise seemed insignificant, and everything around him seemed to be in slow motion. He excused himself and she walked away, he asked for a conversation, she said she was going outside for some air, he asked her to accompany him.

They felt the cold winter breeze hit their faces as they crossed the automatic doors of the hotel where the party was taking place, and waved goodbye to the hotel heater.

Pietro asked her if she wanted to get out of there and she said yes, they went to a nearby restaurant.

Cybele noticed that it was very fancy, but she contained herself but all she thought when she entered was "I can't believe I'm here?

She laughed as she ate and they looked like old friends.

They shared things about themselves, and talked so much that they didn't see the hours pass and at the end of the night the desire to go home was nil...

- Let me take you home! -he asked, taking her hand as they left the restaurant.

- No! -Cibele shook her head, biting her lips.

- Let me, please. - He drew his eyebrows together and approached her, his lips quivering with cold.

- I always came back alone and on foot. Then, no!" She giggled, and pulled her red coat over her dress, looking around.

- Give me a better reason. I'm trying to be nice. - He threw his arms in the air and pointed around. - It's dangerous late

-I know. The problem is that you're going to know where my house is. - She twisted her mouth against the cold wall of the restaurant.

- E...? - he asked, clasping his cold hands together.

Soon small drips of snow fell on them, he looked up quickly, then back at her.

- And that I'm trying to be a mysterious woman ok, she smiled broadly and put her hands in her pockets, shivering with cold.

- But you are attractive, even without being mysterious. -He pressed his lips together and stopped in front of her, realizing that she was shivering with cold. - Here! He took off his gloves and gave them to her. Classic rookie mistake, Milan's winter is too harsh.

he couldn't even smile from the cold.

- Thank you! She put the gloves on with flash-like quickness, and looked at him with sparkling eyes. - You know how to make a girl feel special. And no, I'm no beginner, I've lived here for four years.

- So that's one point for me. He held out his arm to her, standing beside her, "Now let me take you home! He raised his eyebrows.

- So insistent! You don't intend to kidnap me if I get in this car, do you?

- That's a hypothetical! - He put his hands to the glass, his coat had no pockets, it was blue with cold, he put his hands on his arms trying to soften the cold.

- I'm not kidding," she said, pulling her head back a little.

- Me neither, he smiled and shook his head - I guess to steal your heart, sighs and kisses and smiles... - He looked at her from head to toe - For you it would be worth committing a "crime" like that.

Pietro shook his head, staring at her with his eyes shining. Cybele took a deep breath, caught in his brown eyes, and answered:

- Wow! She lifted her chin and giggled, -You're good! - She wiped her snow-covered shoulders and put her hands on her waist, "Okay, I'll let you take me home, but just know that if I disappear, my phone has a tracker!

- Thank you. You also know how to make a guy feel special," he smiled broadly and rubbed his palms together, wanting some warmth.

She looked at him and stepped forward, taking off her glove and giving him her left one, and held out her hand to him.

- Here, put it on your right hand, and give me your left so we can warm up!

- Oh, you already want to hold my hand on the first date," Pietro looked at her ironically.

-And who says this is a date? We're just two people who were getting along at the party!

- Oh sure, I know. - He took her hands in his and she looked at him sideways.

And the rest we already know what happened.

↥ End of flashback ↥

Cibele stopped in front of her mother's house when her phone rings, she is startled and reaches for her purse, it was just a number. Cybele answers with one hand scratching her forehead.

It was a small Greek clothing brand, their designer had made a deal with them, so they had her resume, and called her for the fashion show, but there was a catch, the show would take place in two days, Cybele accepted anyway, it would be a challenge but it was great to be back in her aria.

She jumps for joy, and Apollo, who was passing by her house enjoying his day off, sees her happy there in front of her house, he walks up to her.

- Belle, what is the reason for such happiness?

She let out a deep breath, and with a broad smile said: - I've been called to organize a parade! -She jumped up and hugged him.

- Wow, that's great Ci !- He hugged her tight, and felt her heart happy, He thinks how good her hug was, it was like home.... It still was...

He gets out of the hug and says: - Listen if you came to talk to someone she's not home, her aunt, mother and grandmother went to the fair, I know why they asked my mother to look at the restaurant! -He scratched behind his ear.

Cybele pressed her lips together and her smile fell apart, her face closed hard. She felt a sharp pain in her lower belly, and heartburn intensified as she bent down with her hands on her stomach.

Apollo frowned and took hold of Cybele's arms.

- Hey, are you okay? Do you want me to call someone?

Cibele feels her legs weak and feels sweat all over her body, and can't speak and groans in pain as she feels a stronger pain.

- Come on! I'll take you to the hospital. - He takes her in his arms and walks with her.

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Arriving there, Cybele was attended to immediately, Apollo waited for the result of the test along with Cybele.

- Apollo! - She laughs- Stop playing with the medical accessories, she puts her hands on her belly,.

-I'm not kidding. - He grimaces, -I'm just examining. - He tasted his shoulder and looked at her with a nostalgic smile.

- He feels her shoulder and looks at her with a nostalgic smile.

He asks if she is all right and she nods. Apollo had a playful way about him and Cybele loved it.

- Do you remember when I broke my nose? -He said, raising his eyebrows, and scratched his nose rapidly.

- Oh my God yes! - You and I stayed here all night, there weren't many doctors then, I remember you crying and asking to go home, you were always afraid of doctors," she laughed wryly.

He looked at her seriously. - Of course not, I'm a doctor," he winked at her and straightened up in the seat he was sitting on.

- You're a doctor of biology, that's different. - She leaned back against the hospital bed and looked at him with narrowed eyes.

The two of them stare at each other for a while, at that moment good memories with Apollo invade her mind, while those blue eyes of the man she loves so much stare at her and it's strange.

She is awakened, seeing the doctor enter, Cybele smiles and fiddles with her curls.

She enters holding the results of the exam and approaches her saying:

- Cybele you have had hormonal and uterine expansion pains, you are fine! But I want you to stay away from weight and stress, okay? - She put her hand on her lab coat - This is quite normal in pregnancy but I know that pain at the beginning can be scary! But don't worry, ok? You're free to go.

Cybele gets up and thanks the doctor, Apollo takes her hand and together they go to the exit just when Pietro arrives.

He joins his eyebrows and takes a deep breath, hated the idea of Apollo is with her there, but gave thanks to God she is well.

- My love, I only saw your voice mail just now, I was taking care of some things! - She came closer and hugged her, wrapping her in her arms.

Apollo looks a bit dull, his arms still hanging along her body.

- Well, I guess I'll be right there!

Pietro turns around and extends his hand to him. - Thank you for coming with her! - He raises his cheeks, and gives a half-smile.

- It's no big deal, Cybele is ... She's my friend who needed help. - He held out his hand and shook it. - Now I'll leave you two alone.

He waved his hands, bidding her goodbye.

She turned her head toward him. - She said, pushing her hair away from her face, "You're more than invited to the parade! -She smiled.

Pietro takes her home and she tells him the news, he seems happy and at the same time, a little sad.

Silent all the way home, they arrived at her house.

- Is everything all right?" She stopped in front of her house, and leaned against the wall.

- Yes, yes! He gestured with his hands, "I have to go to Italy to solve some family problems! But obviously I'll come to your fashion show okay. - he puts his hands on her face and smiles.

- Yes, I understand, but, what's wrong, you look worried," she shrugged and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Their bodies were closer together and he felt his heart beat faster.

-No, nothing! -You bring me peace, you know. And that's why I want to talk about me moving in with you.

She stands with her mouth open and gives a wide smile, -Really? Are you sure? - She raised her eyebrows, "Because you love living in Italy! -She said, biting his chin.

He laughed and sealed his lips, "But I love you more! -But I love you more," he said softly.

Her heart pounded, and she couldn't believe it.

- You just said that you love me, is that really what I hear?

- Yes! I know, I know, it may seem too soon. - He brought his hands up to cup her forehead, then reached behind her neck and pulled her head closer-and you don't have to say anything, I just wanted you to know?

She swallowed dryly, and didn't know what to say, at that moment Alexia passed by her extremely perfumed and tidy.

She turned her face and looked startled.

- Alexia, where are you going all dressed up like that? -She raised her eyebrows and looked at Pietro.

- Paolo and I are going out, officially as boyfriend and girlfriend," she fixed her dress. - But do you think it's too much? -She held up her thin green shoulder bag.

- No, I think you look great," Pietro says, shaking his head.

- Oh, Pietro, don't be nice! -I'm kidding, you look like a princess! Cybele scratches her hair, and curls her mouth -The Fiona!

- Cybele," Pietro scolded, looking at the two of them. He shook his head smiling, still with his hands on her waist.

- Oh, don't mind Pietro! - She threw her hands in the air -Is that jealousy! Because she knows I'm the most beautiful daughter. - She giggled, and tongued her sister. She runs her hands over her dress and adjusts it.

Cybele reciprocates and says: - I'm kidding, you look beautiful!" she smiles looking at her sister.

Alexia threw her hair ironically and took a mirror from her purse, looking at them.

- Well, I'll be going bye-bye," she kissed them both.

Pietro laughed as he witnessed a classic moment of sisterly misunderstanding.

- I grew up alone, and it was kind of lonely, and I want him to have a big family!

She put her head back and leaned back against the wall - Oh yeah, you've barely had one, you want another! She smiled, turning red.

He stared at her and put his head to her ear and spoke softly: - With you yes, I want everything! I want a soccer field, I want to love you every day of my life...

He came closer and grabbed her neck, and their mouths met in a passionate kiss...