Chapter 5

• ***
• Writer's POV:
• Believe it or not, Reena and Maude boarded the same plane for Miami, two days later. Same class and everything but never did they see or come across each other.
• Reena was some seats ahead of Maude and her friend, Karen. Throughout the flight, Reena dozed with her headphones on while Maude read a beautiful romance novel she really loved. Life could be funny at times. The girls had never decided to stop being friends but because of the scary incident they'd all experienced, they walked out of each other's lived suddenly and abruptly. They'd tried calling each other but it'd been at the wrong time as both had changed their phone numbers. After a few more attempts to get in contact, they gave up and moved on with their lives.
• ~~
• They arrived hot Miami and each took her direction, still without having seen each other. However, that wasn't going to be the last time they would be at the same place and at the same time.
• **
• "Do you know when you will return?" Sophia asked from behind Lorenzo while she massaged his shoulders.
• He'd gone to her place to inform her about he and his siblings going to Miami.
• "When there's nothing to be taken care of anymore. We have a lot of work."
• Sophia too was related to the mafia as her uncle was a member.
• "Hmm, you know I don't like you away from me." she grumbled, wrapping her arms around him and bending till her cheek rubbed against his. Lorenzo was a little lost as he was busy manipulating his phone.
• "Lorenzo, I am talking to you." Sophia frowned a little, shaking him.
• "I have to go, darling. It's not like I have a choice." Enzo replied, still using his phone.
• Sophia pouted and stood straight, going round the armchair till she was in front of him. She took his phone and put it on the table.
• "Sophia, I was doing something important." Lorenzo said lazily, rolling his eyes.
• She laughed and sat across his thighs instead, wrapping her arms around his neck. She pecked him playfully a few times and they then ended up sharing short but sensual kiss.
• When they broke it, Sophia smiled and hoped that that was enough to flatter him so that he would not refuse what she was about to ask him.
• "Take me with you." she suddenly said to his surprise.
• He stared at her for a short while but then answered,
• "No."
• Sophia frowned.
• "Why?!"
• "Sophia we're going there for business and we'll definitely be messing with dangerous people. It's a no."
• "Lorenzo, you always forget that I can defend myself. I'm part of this business too."
• "No, you're not. You just have an uncle that is and being related to him doesn't make you part of the mafia."
• "Aargh!" she groaned in annoyance and got off him, "You're always like this."
• "You know damn well that I'm right and that it's all for your own good."
• "I'm your girlfriend and you're supposed to be my boyfriend and not my babysitter." she scoffed.
• "You're not coming with us and that's it, babe. Don't argue." Lorenzo ended, staring at her.
• Sophia knew damn well how firm her boyfriend could be and it really annoyed her most of the time. And what annoyed her even more was the fact that Lorenzo almost never gave in to her tantrums. He was a hard shell. Both were but Enzo was harder and maybe that was why they argued most of the time.
• Seeing that she was never going to get a yes from him, she tried a different approach.
• "I don't even know when you'll return." she grumbled, "How will I see you?"
• "Facetime." Lorenzo replied casually. She could've lost her temper at his plain reply but she was already very used to his way of being.
• Lorenzo had gone back to his closed to emotionless way of being. He was back to hiding his emotions and not giving all of himself to his partner. Yes, he was back to being unnecessarily careful with every single person. He was back to being all stuck up. This because, the first time he'd really ever opened up, his heart had been broken real bad. Well, that experience built a new wall around his heart with every other partner he'd had right after. Just like Al, he'd dated someone before Sophia and the girl had had a hard time trying to understand him. Sophia too did sometimes and several times she'd wanted to break up with Enzo but had changed her mind. Honestly, not only was she with him because she actually liked him, but it was also a matter of power and his family's influence. She wanted that recognition of being his girlfriend and gain some respect.
• ~
• "Facetime?" she repeated, "Lorenzo how about I come visit you at least once with Luena so she sees Alejandro, too."
• Lorenzo thought silently for a while.
• "Alright. That's possible. But I'm warning you, if you come visiting and refuse to leave after, I'll kick your ass out of the house." he said with amusement lingering in his eyes. Funny thing was, he meant it and Sophia knew. It made her laugh.
• "I know, I know. So, once there, we'll talk over the phone and then see how Luena and I can come visit."
• "Oki."
• ~
• A similar conversation had held on Alejandro's side and had ended with the same idea of Luena coming to visit when possible.
• *
• "Come with us." Lèaina said to Dino with a smile.
• The two were in his room and she lay on his bed, watching him fix his closet.
• "To Miami?" he chuckled.
• "Yeah. You've decided to rest for a year and stay at home. Why don't you come with us? It's still summer and Miami's gonna be fun."
• Dino shrugged and turned to her.
• "I don't know."
• "It's not like you need your parents permission, Dino. You're a grown man."
• "My parents aren't the problem. They let me do whatever because yes I'm an adult now."
• "Then what's the problem?" she asked, sitting up.
• "I can't just leave. What will I tell Louisa?"
• "Your girlfriend?" Noemi mused, "That you are going to visit your aunty and her family in Chicago. Though you'll be in Miami with us."
• "That's not fair." he chuckled, "We just got together and I'm already making up lies?"
• Noemi rolled her eyes.
• "There's no lie. For sure the twins and I at some point will go visit our grandparents in Chicago. You can come along and use the opportunity given to visit your aunt." she said, getting off the bed and going straight to him till they were face to face.
• He admired her features and caramel skin, though Lea didn't really notice.
• "You really want me to?" he smiled at her.
• "Yes." she smirked.
• "I guess I can talk to Louisa and explain things."
• Lèaina chuckled and clapped happily, a habit she'd gotten from her father.
• "Great. We'll have fun." she mused and they hugged tight.
• ~~
• And so it was, they were all going to travel the next day and everything was already planned.
• ***
• After heartily good byes from their family, the Enrique siblings and Dino left to board the the private jet. Next up, Miami.
• ~
• While Dino and Lèaina were busy chatting in their corner of the fancy jet, the twins were dosing. Well, Lorenzo was a little. Al was busy reading a magazine until Enzo spoke.
• "You checked the apartment?" he asked.
• "Yeah. It's at a beautiful spot. All the apartments of that building have a beautiful view on the beach. The one I chose for us has four rooms and enough space."
• "Perfect. You are the best." Enzo smiled and they fist bumped.
• "Now's our time to shine."
• "For real. I'm kinda excited."
• "Same. And I'm happy it's not Chicago we were being sent to."
• "Yeah." Enzo nodded, "Made the worst memories of our lives."
• "And the best as well." Alejandro muttered, pretending to go through his magazine. Lorenzo swallowed and looked out the window.
• Yes, the boys had gotten over the hearty issues but it was almost impossible to forget what had happened. They ignored them all but unintentionally, conversations about that particular period in Chicago would resurface. Like it was now.
• "If we'd gone to Chicago instead, it would've been weird to run into some people." Alejandro continued to mutter.
• "The chances would be low. It's a big place." Lorenzo answered, still staring out. And then he spoke again, surprising Al, "If you were to run into Maude, what would you do?"
• It took Al off guard and really surprised him. It was the first time in years that Lorenzo had mentioned any of the girls' names.
• "I don't know." Al chuckled awkwardly, "I'd probably just wave or say hi before walking away."
• "I don't know what I would do." Lorenzo said with a scowl his twin noticed, "I'll probably ignore the fuck out of them."
• Alejandro was silent and then dared to ask,
• "Are you really over hating Reena like the psychologist had said?"
• He saw Lorenzo's jaw clench he stared out the window.
• "I'm not sure of the answer, Al." he finally looked at his twin, "I'll be sure of the answer only when I'll see her or come face to face with her, which I'm pretty sure won't happen anytime from now or ever again, and so, let's change topic please."
• Alejandro pressed his lips together, nodding and leaning back into his seat to relax. Lorenzo did same and they slowly dozed off.