"Even when the night changes, it will never change, me and you."
***

Two months later;

"Gianna. Gianna, wake up." A voice whispers, shaking me and I groan at the interruption of my sleep.

I roll onto my side, black hair matted onto the side of my face and look up at a blurry Celine. I rubbed my eyes with the palm of my hand until she came into focus.

"Is the building on fire?" I asked, my voice still groggy.

"What? No."

"Is someone dead?"

"No." she frowns.

"Then why are you waking me up so early on a Saturday morning?" I groaned, shoving a pillow over my head to block out the blaring sunlight.

"Because, bitch, it's not every day you turn nineteen. Get your ass up."

I sat up abruptly, my loose curls from the half-assed braid I put in my hair last night fell haphazardly over my shoulders. I grabbed my phone from its place on my nightstand and took note of the date. Sure enough, it was my birthday.

"Shit, you're right. It completely slipped my mind."

I scrolled through a few messages, one from my dad and a few from three of my other friends. Which I was totally fine with, who has time and mental capacity for more than three friends anyway.

"Happy Birthday my little homewrecker!" Celine suddenly yelled, from her new place at the edge of my bed.

"Homewreck-"

"Look I baked you a cupcake!"

I let the homewrecker comment go, for now, to stare at the goopy sludge on a plate that held on single unlit candle that looked like it was about to topple over.

"What is that?" I asked, grimacing at the sight.

Her smile dropped. "A cupcake."

"No. no it isn't. What is that." I asked again.

"I just told you—hanging out with your elderly boyfriend has made you senile. It's a cupcake."

"Okay first of all, I'm going to let that go because it's too early for violence and secondly, emphasizing the word cupcake isn't going to turn whatever that is." I pointed at the mess with a raised eyebrow. "Into one."

She gasps, "You are such an asshole, if you won't eat it I will."

I smirked and nodded, forcing her to go along with what she said and placing the sludge into her mouth, chewing for two seconds before she gagged and swallowed it down forcefully. "Tastes good?" I asked.

Celine coughed into her hand and tried to blinked back the tears in my eyes, she mumbled a quick "mhm" although I could see the need to throw up.

"Okay fine I'm a shit baker. Postmates it is." She picked up her phone off my bed and we decided on a breakfast place to order in.

Twenty minutes later, we both sat around the kitchen counter, munching on pancakes and streaks of bacon with cups of decaf coffee which I only drink—instead of regular coffee, to salvage my sleeping schedule.

"So, what's on the agenda today?" I ask, tapping my nails against the counter which causes Celine's gaze to drop down to them.

"First, nails. You're in desperate need of a manicure."

"Gee, thanks."

"The second appointment is a surprise." She wiggles her eyebrows and I feel my stomach churn. I hate surprises.

"Cel.." I start, my voice a warning.

The last time she gave me a birthday surprise I ended up drunk, throwing up expired taco bell over the Brooklyn bridge in a mini skirt at two a.m.

She waves her hand dismissively as if she knew what I was thinking about. "Oh, come on. It's nothing like that this time. You'll love it I promise." She winked.

I highly doubted that.

*

"What colour are you going for?" I ask, my eyes scanning the wide selection of nail polish colours. I take my time scrutinizing each one as if I'd choose any colour other than white.

"Hmm." Celine tapped her chin in thought.

"White?" she asked the same time I suggested it.

I swayed my feet back and forth in the warm foot tub, cringing at the feel of tiny tadpoles attaching to my skin. "This feels weird." I say, glancing over at Celine who has her head tipped back against the chair.

"They're eating off callouses its relaxing, just enjoy it."

Eventually the slimy feeling became slightly more enjoyable and I sighed, relaxing into a more comfortable position. Two women sat on either side of us, attending to our nails.

"Have any plans with Daddy today?" I opened my eyes and turned my head to glare at Celine. Knowing she wasn't talking about my actual father.

"No. he doesn't know it's my birthday, never told him." I shrugged. Alexander had texted me this morning to check up on me and let me know we couldn't see each other today, something about having a few extra business meetings which I completely understood.

The past two months had been incredible and freeing. I spent most of my free days lounging around his house in one of his old t-shirts and some sweats, occasionally playing with the kids. Not because I had to babysit them, but because I wanted to and I could.

When we first broke the news to them I was nervous. I didn't want to seem as if I was trying to replace their mother but Elena and Luca are still too young to comprehend the intensity of the situation and just seemed eager to have me around more often.

Although Luca mumbled something about me not being his girlfriend anymore because he couldn't share me with his father.

Alex and I don't show any affection in front of them just in case they weren't ready for that yet which was okay with me, whatever kept him and those children happy would keep me content too.

Celine nodded, a small suspicious smile on her face but I ignored it, instead focusing on the thought of seeing my man soon.

*

"Celine, no."

"Yes, come on."

"I am not doing this."

I slapped her hand, attempting to loosen the hold she had on my wrist.

"Yes you are, it won't hurt that bad."

"You're already on the chair wearing nothing but a sheet, step one complete."

"I want to go home." I knew I was acting like an insolent child but waxing, was the worst pain.

"We're already here babe."

While Celine and I bickered for a few more minutes, the door to our appointment room was opened and in walked a middle aged woman with a short purple bob and a nose ring hanging from her septum. She wore a nametag with the name Alyssa stamped onto it.

"'Hello, ladies." She spoke with a pronounced new Yorker accent. "Celine, it's good to see you." She brought Celine in for a quick hug and turned to me. "You must be Gianna." At my nervous smile she chuckled. "First time, huh? Don't be worried, I promise it doesn't hurt all that bad."

"Ready for your Brazilian?" my best friend asked, holding back her own laugh from the seat next to me.

"Do I have a choice?" I ask, looking around the classy salon. All the colours were a light pastel and suited the calming vibe perfectly. Not. I was a tremor away from full on shaking.

"Well, sit back and say goodbye to your waxing virginity." She mumbled, concealing a laugh with a devious smile that made my stomach curl up in knots. I have a sinking suspicion I'm going to hate this.

"You'll love it." She says, smoothing down my hair. Yeah, I doubt it.

Alyssa returns with her supplies and begins conversing with me as she fiddles with different wax melts. "Since this is your first time I promise to make it as painless as possible." She sounded sincere and I let out a breath of relief.

"So on a scale from one to ten how painful will it be?"

"Eh, nine." She shrugged nonchalantly.

My heart fell to my ass and I groaned, covering my eyes with my arm.

She explained the process to me in detail which only made me jumpier. Was I overreacting? Definitely not. The technician clapped her hands together and smiled. "For the next half an hour your vag is under my control. Let's get this started." I couldn't help but laugh, not expecting her to say that which made my nerves lessen a great amount. She pursed her lips together and they twitch with entertainment.

"Don't be shy, spread those legs for me, spread 'em wide."

What the fuck? I'm at a loss for words but do as I'm told anyway. Even though this feels like I'm in some cheap low-cut porno. I looked at Celine but she just winked at me and I rolled my eyes. "Calm down, Gi."

I gave her a hard stare. "Calm down? I feel like I'm about to get my ass ate."

"We do that too, if you're interested." Alyssa commented as if she was announcing the weather and my head snapped to her.

"Ass waxing, not eating." she gave me a duh look and I closed my eyes, embarrassed.

"You're going to want to pull your knees back a bit—yeah, just like that. Perfect." I pull them back further so the technician can apply the wax better. Even though I'm in a completely exposed position I can't help but laugh lightly at how funny this memory will be when I look back on it in a few years., which lessens my embarrassment slightly and I began to relax.

"Take a deep breath." Alyssa instructs, "I'll rip them off on the count of three."

I nod.

"One."

I suck my bottom lip under my teeth.

"Two."

"Fuck." I jerk back as much as I can without completely falling off. "You said three." I hissed, shutting my eyes as if that'll somehow take away the stinging sensation from below. That hurt. The pain is so brutal; unlike anything I've ever felt before.

She shrugs. "Easier that way." Before I have the chance to comment, Celine rounds the table and gawks at my freshly waxed goodies. "Oh that's fantastic. Alyssa, you are a goddess."

I roll my eyes just as she lowers my legs till their dangling off, then lightly taps my knees. "You did great. Enjoy the rest of your day." the woman scurries out of the room and I rush to get dressed despite the stinging sensation I still feel.

I wince at the tender feeling and Celine snickers. "Don't be such a baby. Pretty hurts." I send her a look over my shoulder and begin wiggling into my jeans.

"Tell me why we had to do this anyway?" she looks up from her phone and opens her mouth for a few seconds before closing it. "Take it as a birthday surprise, although not that fun but the outcome is amazing. And anyway, you had nothing else to do."

She had a point. If Celine never dragged me out I'd probably still be in bed, wasting away the day until I could see Alex tomorrow.

"I guess. Where are we off to next?" I ask, collecting y purse and following her out the door, watching as she types away on her phone.

"Okay, unless you're texting me the answer, I'm taking your phone away." But before I could reach for it she snatched it away and I eyed her suspiciously. "Why are you being so weird."

She laughs, waving me off with her hand. "We are going to pick Azalea up from the airport, her plane is arriving in twenty minutes."

Celine's girlfriend flew across the country to visit her parents and has been there for the past two weeks—much to my best friend's dismay.

The drive to the airport took less time than I thought it would. "I think you're driving the wrong way." I pointed out, turning my neck to point at the Airport sign we just drove past but Celine just stayed silent, a small smile on her face.

We drove into the private aircraft section behind the airport and more confusion settled into me, that is until we round the corner and my jaw instantly drops.

Standing a few feet in front of us was Alexander, behind him was a giant private jet, bigger than anything I had ever seen. My eyes widened and I felt my heart constrict at the sight of him.

Celine's hand lightly tapped my jaw. "Mouth closed honey, you'll catch flies." She murmured teasingly but the taunt flew right over my head as I continued to shamelessly check out Alex.

"The suspense is killing me." Celine whined from her place in the driver's seat.  "What are you waiting for? Get out there and see him."

I didn't need to be told twice. My feet moved before my brain could catch up and I was barreling towards his looming figure with fast steps, I decided on skipping the last two and instead launched myself into his awaiting arms, attaching my legs around his waist.

I heard a distant squeal in the background, but decidedly ignored it, opting to shift myself in his embrace so I could look into his eyes.

"Hi." I whispered, nibbling on my bottom lip to avoid smiling too big.

Alex's eyes crinkled on the sides with his grin, he brought his hand up, now holding me to him with one hand behind my back.

"How's my girl?"

I couldn't help but smile anyway. "Better now." I murmured, bringing my lips down on his to tangle in a heated kiss. It lasted about a minute before I heard a loud piercing sound in the background. I jumped slightly and looked over at Celine who waved frantically as she drove off and we both laughed as the car moved further away.

I pulled my head out of the crook of Alex' neck and whispered my question, not wanting to break the bubble we were in. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I just so happen to have a private jet that hasn't been in use for a while and figured we could use a little alone time for the weekend. What do you think?" his eyes twinkled as he awaited my answer and I felt myself falling for the man all over again.

How was this my life?

"Are you being for real?" I asked, still in a hushed voice.

"You bet, baby. Come on." He let go of me and I immediately missed the closeness. "I got Celine to pack your luggage with everything you might need for the next few days. She was extremely helpful after the initial squealing and pestering me for details."

I let out a laugh and glanced at the cluster of suitcases. "Where are we going?"

Alex grabbed my hand and linked our fingers together. "I guess you'll have to wait and see."

-

"We're in the Maldives?" I practically screamed, my face smushed against the jet window as I gazed out at the most crystal blue water. I had just woken from a long nap and knew I must've looked questionable with my hair sticking out at every angle but I couldn't bring myself to care.

I was so hopped up on adrenaline that I lunged from my seat opposite Alex' smiling figure and latched myself onto him. "Are you kidding? This is so insane."

He drew lazy circles around my back and grinned. "I think I heard you mentioning something about this place being on your bucket list? I couldn't help myself."

I felt my eyes go heavy with unshed tears. "I love you, you know that? Thank you, this is incredible." I made sure to maintain eye contact so he knew just how much this meant to me.

"Qualsiasi cosa per te piccola." I sagged against him, leaning into the tender kiss that he placed on my lips and knew that this would be the most memorable few days of my life.

Holy shit 😮 it's been FOREVER. I have no genuine and valid reason for disappearing on you all for so long other than the fact that I've been super busy and also completely lost my motivation for this book. It felt very childish and off and my writing kept changing. I hope to be back for good now <3

next chapter should be up in the next few days, it will be the last.