Chapter 4 Ten Years And Roses

• Ten Years Later…
• The scent was like magic.
• It could wrap itself around anyone, soft like the wind, and carry them into a quiet world filled with peace. Aura had missed it, badly.
• The scent of roses.
• God, how she had missed La Rosa Villa.
• The soft hum of a sleek Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled up the long driveway, sunlight kissing its glossy surface. Roses lined the sides of the path, each bloom soaking up the light like they’d been waiting just for her.
• Aura smiled, eyes glimmering with memories. Over ten years had passed, yet the feeling hadn’t changed. Her gaze stayed on the flowers, circling the mansion like loyal guards. Home.
• Then the car came to a stop. And right on cue, she heard the soft breathing of someone asleep.
• “Isadora...” She turned her head and looked at the little girl beside her. Freckles dotted the girl's pale skin, and long, raven-black hair spilled across her face.
• “I can’t believe she knocked out like that,” Aura said with a tired sigh, turning to the front seat.
• There sat Luxia. Her honey-brown eyes sparkled, and even though she was older now, the woman’s beauty hadn’t faded one bit.
• “Do you blame her, Luxia? Shopping with you should be considered a sport,” Aura muttered, rubbing her neck.
• “I swear, next time I’m not coming.”
• She reached over and gently shook Isadora’s shoulder just as the car door opened. The sunlight came flooding in, warm and blinding.
• Isadora stirred, groaning quietly, her head turning toward the light.
• “Mammina…” she mumbled, still half-asleep.
• “Yes, my baby?” Luxia leaned into the car, scooping her daughter into her arms. Their resemblance was clear as day—like mirrors across time.
• “I don’t want to go shopping with you anymore,” Isadora pouted, her tiny lips sticking out.
• “I second that,” Aura said as she stepped out of the car, towering now at 5’9”. She shut the door behind her.
• “Oh, come on! You both have been saying that for the past ten years,” Luxia laughed, shaking her head. Aura smiled too, her heart full.
• She had meant it literally—it had been ten years since the accident, ten years since her life turned from grey to bright, all because of this family.
• That crash, which should’ve been the end of her life, turned out to be the beginning of something better. She had collided with angels.
• Aura turned slowly, her eyes landing on the giant, elegant mansion in the heart of Milan.
• La Rosa Villa.
• The home of the famous La Rosa Sisters. And to Aura, it was more than just a house, it was her sanctuary.
• She was so caught in her thoughts that she didn’t notice the group of maids coming out to greet them.
• “Sorellina?” Luxia’s voice pulled her back to earth. Aura blinked, looking up.
• “You do have gifts for the others, right? Or should the maids take them up?”
• Aura's eyes widened. “Oh crap! Yes, I do. Hold on!”
• The trunk of the car was already open, stuffed with soft, luxurious shopping bags. Some of the maids looked overwhelmed, it was clear they were new. The older ones knew: when Rosaluxia La Rosa went shopping, you needed several cars.
• “Let me grab a few things first,” Aura said, brushing her red-straightened hair behind her shoulder. Her fitted brown gown hugged her curves perfectly as she walked back to the trunk.
• Luxia glanced at her buzzing phone, and the moment she read the message, her whole mood shifted.
• “Dear God,” she whispered, her lips tightening and fear flickering in her eyes.
• ★
• Aura was in heaven, or at least what heaven would look like to a book lover.
• Massimo, the old butler with a shiny bald head and a crisp tailcoat, walked beside her down a long hallway. He carried three bags.
• He’d served the La Rosa Sisters for years and had always had a soft spot for Aura. The feeling was mutual.
• They arrived at a wooden door, deep black, polished. It opened to reveal a cozy study that seemed to stretch forever upward.
• Rosavera La Rosa’s private haven.
• The sweet smell of roses still floated through the air, but there were also other scents now… sugary, rich smells.
• “Smells like a bakery in here,” Aura joked as she stepped in.
• Massimo chuckled softly. “Signorina Vera hasn’t changed. Still obsessed with sweets.”
• “And lazy?” Aura teased.
• He laughed again, and they walked past tall bookshelves stacked to the ceiling. Sunlight poured through big open windows.
• Then, there she was, Vera, curled up in a massive bed, completely surrounded by chefs holding plates of desserts.
• “Thick cannoli shells… bitter fillings… ugh,” Vera whined, dragging every word like she had all the time in the world.
• A young chef started to panic. “I-I’m sorry, Signorina! I’ll—”
• “You know what?” Vera sat up slowly, lips puckered. “I think it’s time we break up. Not you. Not the food. It’s my stomach.”
• Aura burst into laughter.
• Vera’s eyes locked with hers. “Rosa?!”
• Joy lit up her face like Christmas lights. Without thinking, she leapt off the bed and into Aura’s arms.
• “I missed you so effing much!” Vera squealed.
• The chefs stepped back quickly, letting her barrel into Aura like a human rocket. She was older now, over 30, but her energy was that of a teenager.
• Massimo handed Aura a red velvet box as they hugged. She nodded her thanks and smiled.
• The chefs began quietly cleaning the dessert disaster zone. The moment Vera pulled back, Aura held out the box.
• “I brought you something.”
• Vera tore it open.
• “Oh my God. A croquembouche?!” she screamed.
• She jumped like a child, her wild strawberry hair flying everywhere.
• Massimo shook his head, laughing.
• And then, a loud snort echoed.
• “I knew that noise had to be you,” came a sarcastic voice.
• They all turned.
• It was Maria, dripping in sweat, her hair in a tight bun, clearly just back from training.
• “Amour, you’re back!” she said, her tired face lighting up.
• “I am. And I missed you.” Aura walked up with another bag in hand.
• “I got you something.”
• She pulled out a simple but stunning watch and fastened it on Maria’s wrist.
• “It’s beautiful,” Maria whispered, hugging her tight.
• Behind them, Vera grumbled. “Hmph. I want a dessert-themed watch instead.”
• Maria rolled her eyes.
• Aura turned back to Massimo and grabbed the rest of the bags.
• “Alright, who’s next?”
• She paused. Her smile slowly faded.
• “I need to see Rosabelle.”
• The room quieted.
• Maria’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure? You two didn’t exactly leave on good terms… and Munda’s not home. If things get heated—”
• “I don’t care.”
• Aura’s voice was sharp. Calm, but firm.
• “I didn’t come all this way to ignore her. I came to make things right. And if she doesn’t want that…” She swallowed. “Then I’ll leave.”