Elena was reviewing some documents in her office when the door slammed open and Sebastian barged in as if he owned the damn place, a casual grin on his face. "So, how's the transition coming along? Have you figured everything out yet? You know... abandoning your family and all for a dick?"

"Don't you knock?!" She hissed, and he just shrugged plopping down a seat opposite her desk. "And watch your damn mouth."

"No." Was his simple reply.

Elena set down her paperwork with a roll of her eyes. "I'll be gone for just a few months. And actually, it's going pretty well. I've been working closely with the team over there to make sure everything's on track. It's a lot of work, but I'm excited about it." A grin broke into her face.

Sebastian scoffed, reaching over to snatch the pen she had in her hand ignoring her glare as he played with it. "And Marco? I hear he's been pretty hands-on with helping you get settled. You'd think he's a nice guy."

Elena rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Yes, he's been incredibly helpful. He's really  making sure everything goes smoothly for me. He even put me in contact with someone to help with the process and legal documents and that other legal side I know nothing about."

"I'm sure he is." He snorted, throwing the pen on her desk just as she went to grab another one. "I thought you were a boss lady. You're letting some jackass do your work for you."

"Screw you. Everyone needs help when they're about to open a whole business in a whole other country." Elena glared at him and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You are a pain in my ass." She stated.

Sebastian sighed, shaking his head. "I can't believe dad is just going along with this." He said. "That's as close to a miracle as we'll ever get."

"I was surprised too."

Sebastian shook his head. "I don't like it. I don't like him. And I definitely don't like the idea of you moving to be closer to him." He groaned. "Now I feel like I'm all alone in this battle."

"Why does there need to be a battle?!"

"I do not like him."

"What is your problem with Marco?"

"He's like a damn robot." He hissed. "But also not, at the same time." He continued. "He's weird as fuck."

"He is not weird." Elena narrowed her eyes at him.

"Yeah. Weird isn't the right word." He nodded. "We grew up with the guy and I can't still can't figure him out. It's unsettling and I don't like it."

"Jason can."

Sebastian scoffed.

"You've always had a problem with Marco anyways." She chuckled.

"Because he's the Antichrist."

That got a laugh out of her. "He is not! Shut the hell up."

"I would expect a loyal follower to say that."

"Whatever." Elena rolled her eyes. "Have you talked to Jason since he left?"

"I think he blocked me from Victoria's contact. I haven't been able to reach her since they left." His brows furrowed. "So I didn't even try reaching out to him."

"He hung up on me when she called me."

"Uptight motherfucker."

"I'm telling him you said that." She smiled. "Why did you need her? Was it about work?"

"No." He shook his head. "Something else."

"What is it? Maybe I can help."

"No." He waved a hand at her. "You suck in this particular department. I need Vicky."

"Screw you." Her eyes narrowed. "Let me finish this real quick, then we can go eat."

He hummed, sitting more comfortably.

Elena's focus was entirely absorbed in the task at hand. Her brow was slightly furrowed in concentration, her lips pressed together in a thin line as she meticulously reviewed her plans for the shop's transition to Italy.

Every now and then, she would pause, tapping the end of her pen against her chin, deep in thought. She had always been thorough, leaving no detail unchecked, no decision made hastily. The shop was her mother's hard work, her legacy. She would be damned if she didn't do the job perfectly.

As she worked, over half an hour had passed and Elena was only slightly aware of Sebastian's presence in the room. It wasn't until she reached for a new sheet of paper that she glanced up and froze, her hand still hovering over the desk. He wasn't just sitting quietly; he was deep in thought, his expression unusually serious. He sat back in the chair, one hand resting on the armrest, his finger tapping a slow, steady rhythm.

His usual teasing, laid back demeanor was absent, replaced by a rare moment of quiet contemplation. He was tapping a finger rhythmically on the armrest of his chair, a subtle sign that something was weighing on his mind.

Elena studied his face, seeing the slight furrow in his brow and the way his eyes seemed distant, focused on one spot on her desk. It wasn't often that Sebastian let his guard down, but when he did, it was hard to miss. She felt a pang of concern, wondering what was going through his mind.

Breaking the silence, she asked, "What's on your mind, Seb? Something wrong?"

His brows furrowed even more. "I don't know."

She raised a brow at him. "You don't know?"

He sighed, running his hands over his face. "I'm hungry."

She frowned as she watched him, placing her pen down. "Seb, what's wrong?"

"You ever seen a piano concert?"

"Piano concert?" She repeated slowly. "Umh- No. Why?"

"It's boring as fuck." He grumbled.

Her confusion increased. "Why are you talking about piano?"

His brows furrowed more and he looked almost annoyed. "I don't know."

"What the hell is the matter with you?!"

His own eyes narrowed at her. "I'm starving and you're taking your sweet ass time. That's what's wrong."

She chortled, grabbing her purse as she stood up and rounded her desk. "Okay, okay. Let's go." She said. "Before you bite my head off."

"Fucking finally." He stood up. "I know a place."

"Of course you do."

As she followed after him, her head tilted slightly as she stared at his back.

Just when you think he couldn't be more enigmatic, he proves you wrong.

But slow and steady was the way to go with Sebastian if she didn't want to just brush things over. At least, she knew for sure that eating would lift him in the best mood.

******

Elena let out a long tired sigh as she leant against the kitchen's door frame, eyes landing on her mother. She was seated on one of the stools by the kitchen counter, a mug in her hands. Her phone was placed on the counter and her eyes glued to the screen.

Stella's eyes lifted up as she heard Elena's purse drop.

"Hi, honey." Her mother chuckled watching as her daughter kicked off her heels.

"Hi, mom." She breathed walking toward her and placed a quick kiss on her cheek, while looking at the mug her mother was sipping on. "What's that?"

"Apple tea."

"Yes." Elena groaned, taking the mug from her mother and moving to sit on the stool beside hers.

"Well, help yourself." Stella narrowed her eyes looking down at her now empty hands, making Elena laugh and some of her tiredness go away.

"I already did." She shrugged with a grin, while taking a sip. "Is dad home yet?"

Stella nodded, walking to a glass container with brownies. "He came home an hour ago, but he's in his office." She explained, grabbing a plate and placing a few pastries on it before walking back to Elena.

"I just came from dinner with Seb." Elena sighed, though they looked so good. "I'm not really hungry."

"At least eat one." Stella insisted.

Elena smiled, taking one. "Did you see the pictures I sent you about the shop remodeling?"

"Yes." Her mother snorted and sat back down while taking a brownie herself. "Though, it's not very different from the shop here."

"Nope. I don't want to be homesick. I want it exactly like the one here." She said, chewing on her chocolate goodie.

Stella scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You won't be. Your father has a trip to Italy scheduled once or twice a month. You'll be seeing a lot of him."

"I would have expected once a week. What you're telling me is a miracle." Elena smiled tracing the marble counter with her finger.

"He's also sent people to Marco's building for inspection." Her mother continued making her eyes widen.

"Inspection for what?"

Stella chuckled, taking a bite of the brownie. "Did you know that Marco is the only one living in that building?"

Elena's brows creased as she shook her head. "No I did not."

Now, Elena worried about how she would handle seeing him regularly, about how she would maintain her composure when just thinking about his proximity made her stomach flip. Would she be able to act normal? Would he notice how much he affected her? The thought of embarrassing herself in front of him again, made her cheeks flush with dread.

An empty building.

As in, no neighbors.

Goodness.

"Your father does not like that." Her mother added, but Elena could hear the humor in her voice.

"I thought he trusted Marco. Isn't that why he asked him to find me a place?"

"Your father doesn't trust anyone." Stella shook her head. "It just took a lot of convincing on my part. Ongoing convincing." She continued. And I don't know why he's so quiet about all of this. It's worrying."

Elena burst out laughing. "You married a man that constantly has you on edge. You're stressed when he's being himself, you're stressed when he's too cooperative."

"Because your father is not the cooperative type." Stella narrowed her eyes. "And I don't like the fact that he's so okay with everything. Something is not right. And I'll figure it out."

"Or maybe, he realized I'm a grown woman now and it's time to loosen his grip." She shrugged, placing her cup on the counter.

One beat passed.

Two, before both burst out laughing.

"I couldn't even keep a straight face." Elena laughed.

"Dream big, honey." Stella chuckled.

Elena laughed again and let out a yawn, making her place a hand over her mouth. "I need to go to bed."

"You go." Stella stood, taking her mug back to finish its content. "I need to get your father out of that office, anyways."

"When will you stop forcing retirement on him, mom?"

"When he accepts that he is retired."

Elena chuckled and stood too.

"Elena." Her mother's voice stopped her before she could walk out.

Elena looked up as her mother moved closer.

"I'm proud of you." Stella said, taking a hold of Elena's hand. "I don't think I'm saying it enough, but what you're doing with our business is phenomenal."

She raised a hand to cup her cheek.

"I've never regretted handing it over to you. Not once." She grinned as tears involuntarily filled her eyes. "And I know you'll keep doing wonders."

Elena's brows creased as her throat tightened. "Mom, don't make me cry or I'll wake up with a headache tomorrow."

Stella just pulled her into her arms.

Elena felt a rush of warmth and comfort wash over her. The familiar scent of her mother, the softness of her embrace—it was like being wrapped in a blanket of love and reassurance. The hug wasn't just comforting; it was grounding, reminding Elena that no matter how uncertain or overwhelming things might seem, she wasn't alone. Elena knows how rough her mother had it with her own mother. How manipulative and evil she was.

Stella had always been a pillar of strength for the entire family. Her own mother had been emotionally abusive, with sharp words and cold actions that had left deep on Stella's heart. Where her own mother had been harsh and unloving, Stella was infinitely patient and affectionate. Her love was unconditional, a steady presence that anchored Elena even during the most turbulent times.

In those moments when she hugged Elena, Stella wasn't just offering comfort; she was giving the kind of motherly love she had never received. It was a conscious choice she made every day, to be the mother she had needed, to ensure all of them always felt cherished, supported, and safe. Stella's ability to nurture and protect was a testament to her strength and the depth of her love for her daughter.

Elena let out a shaky breath, holding back her tears as she pulled away. "Goodnight, walking fountain."

Stella chuckled. "Goodnight, baby."

**********************

A/N: Enjoy!!

Little Stella praises in the end because rereading BEW and reworking on my AP outline made me emotional for her and made me realize how much I love our godzilla.