“Signora Maria! I’ve found some of your old entries in the attic~!” I said as I came in the living room with my arms embracing a crate filled with old papers of the past.

“Oh, whatever are you doing in the attic, Andrea?” she replied as she looked up from her knitting to face me.

By this time, I gently placed down the wooden box on top of the desk that was belonging to her husband, Giovanni Auditore. “I was just exploring the house and all…”

“That’s it?”

I fished out one paper from the pile and immediately scanned through its contents until a certain paragraph caught my attention. “Ooh~! What’s this? ‘There, I saw a man with such conviction that I found myself rooted to the spot, unable to look anywhere else.’” I read aloud, thinking that this might be the time she found her husband.

“Haha, a fine, young lady must learn to know the bounds of other people’s privacy.” Signora Maria said, in a gentle manner. As if reprimanding a child.

“Mi dispiace, teacher. I just wanted to learn new tips for my writing.” I pouted as I playfully put the paper back where it should be. “I know how famous you are and your works..”

“Not everyone can start out famous, Andrea. Still, never stop trying.” She stands up from her chair to place her hand on my shoulder as she notices me looking a bit depressed. “I told my son once that, ‘You must use your self-expression at any cost. It is vital to understanding and enjoying life.’ Writing is one of your major outlets.”

“Let me guess… You told Ezio that one, huh?” I said, smiling as I took a gander.

“You really do remind me of myself when I was your age. Why don’t you join us for dinner? It would give us great delight! I’m sure my sons and daughter would enjoy your company.” She suggested as her face lit up with the idea. “Claudia has been begging for your presence.”

“Ma’am, are you trying to pair me up with one of your sons again?” I suddenly got the pretense.

“You are a fine, young lady, Andrea. I would be honored if you agreed to be my daughter in law. I would like you to continue writing our history when I’m gone.”

~

It was raining so I had no choice but to stay for dinner. Hopefully, for the night, as Claudia would say. She is my closest friend, if you hadn’t noticed. The subject of delight is usually boys, particularly her brothers.  The city knows the fratelli Auditore for their reckless yet impressive skills in climbing buildings, scaffoldings and the numerous swiving of women. I do hope I would not fall victim to the ‘swiving’ part. But…. I think I will… Soon.

What am I saying? I am already! Ezio has been the subject of my writings lately. It’s still a miracle that Maria Auditore hasn’t checked up on my recent entries yet. Who wouldn’t be convinced with, ‘As I saw him jump from one roof to another, I was afraid he took my heart with him as he leapt.’?

Well, anyways. Here I am, sitting on the seat next to him at the dinner table. Oh, how my heart got faster in its beat as I did so.

“Salute, Andrea.” Ezio said as he smiles at me.

It took me almost an impossible nod to hide my blush that I’m having at that moment. I only need to keep this up for a few more hours. At least when the rain’s gonna let up. I hope it would soon. Oh, shut up, shut up, shut up! I wouldn’t want this day to end!

“Andrea would be joining us for dinner tonight.” Maria said as she came in the dining table with her husband.

“Is that so? Well, prepare the best bread and wine! This is a moment worth celebrating.” Giovanni says as he finally notices me as he takes his seat at the end of the table. “So, Andrea, is it? Tell me what you’ve learned from…” he takes a look back at Maria then chuckles. “From… Our resident writer..”

“Haha, well, messer Giovanni, I certainly learned a ton of words from her. Words that would satisfy a historian’s fantasy with art and beauty of my composition.” I said, making him get a dose of what I’m capable of.

“Ohhh, that sounds really profound. I could probably see you a few years from now as a distinguished writer for the Auditore family.” He replied as one of the servants poured wine on his chalice.

“Well, that certainly is an opportunity that I can’t miss.” Maria suddenly said, flustering me completely.

“And I hope it’ll happen sooner. So, Andrea… What are the topics of your works?” Giovanni asked me that make me choke a bit on the bread I was munching.

“Um… Uh.” Was all I uttered as I gulped down the rest of my food. I have to think this through. Have to come up with a lie… A very convincing lie, at that. Then it hit me. A lie that indirectly leads to Ezio, somewhat. “The Manners of Delinquents,” I said, keeping my fingers crossed behind me.

“I see.” Giovanni takes a piercing look at his sons, particularly at Ezio, hoping his son was listening to the conversation and he’ll hopefully get the picture. “I am looking forward to it.”

“So am I.” Maria said, smiling as she also looked at Ezio as she chewed on a grape.

Ezio, oblivious of the current subject and situation was now wondering why the two of his parents were now looking at him as he ate. As if he was a street dog in the midst of pedigrees.  He could only say a single ‘what’ with his mouth halfway filled with bread from the table.

Federico chuckled and took a sip of water and scratched his head. Probably a signal that his brother’s manner is unfitting to the setting. Now, Federico was a true gentleman. That I can admire about the brothers. Still, there can be times where even the eldest can get influenced by the sibling younger than him.

“Claudia, isn’t Petruccio joining us?” I asked as I noticed the empty seat beside Federico in front of me.

“Sadly, no,” Claudia answers, placing down her spoon and fork and gently dabbing her lips with a napkin. “He’s been sick lately. I’m afraid he’ll be sleeping through days.”

“I hope he’ll get well soon.”

“We all do.” Ezio said, startling me a bit since I didn’t know he paid attention to us since he ate.

~

The dinner went well. The wine was definitely intoxicating. Maria scolded Giovanni about making me drink too much, saying that a lady doesn’t get drunk by the drinks of man. Still, living life means breaking some limits.

“Guess she’ll just have to spend the night. A drunken woman out on the streets of Firenze doesn’t sound too safe.” Ezio says as he stands up from his seat, having enough of my gibberish nonsense.

“Oh, but please do, Signora Clara~ *hic* I’ve always wanted to be a courtesan!,” I said as I tried to draw spirals in the air and trying to shake off the dizziness.

“Take her to the guest room, Ezio.” His mother ordered, giving up from their firm argument between her husband and just let it happen.

“But that’s two floors up, mama. I don’t think she’ll make it.” Ezio replied, taking one look at me, then smiling to himself.

“Well, then, what do you suggest, my son?”

“She can take mine.”

“Oh, my little brother’s finally being a gentleman for once!” Federico joked as he nudged Ezio in the ribs playfully.

“Fottiti! I’m just trying to make a good impression for once so she won’t write me in her book…” Ezio snapped back at his sibling as he takes my seemingly limp arm and placed it on his shoulders, lifting me up from my seat.

“Ehi, put me down, you brute…” I managed to say, groggy eyes and all.

“You’ve certainly proven yourself to be quite a drinker…” Ezio said as he leaned away to escape my weak slaps to his face.

“… I see a rainbow… Out of your ears, haha…”

“Alright, alright. Enough of that. We’re here.”

“Cazzo, I don’t want to go to bed yet…” I mumbled as he opened the door to his room.

“Now, now. Don’t be the subject in your books.” He chuckled to himself as he dragged me to his bed.

My head ached all of a sudden. I guess my body knows a bed when I sit on one. I didn’t stay seated for long as my body started to lean back and before I know it, my torso was surrounded by fabric. I tried my best to stay sane or pressing myself to be sober already. This was utterly embarrassing for me, having to get helped by Ezio and stuff.

“I’ll leave you to it..” he says as he notices me not saying anything since I laid on his bed.

Right then and there, my senses started to kick in a bit. A BIT.

“W-Wait… Stop right there..” I managed to say, holding up a weak index finger at him.

Surprisingly, he did stop. There was a small smile crawling on his face, deforming the scar he had on his lower lip. Oh, no, I feel the intoxication rising up again. Must… Resist…

“Tell me a story, pretty please?” I couldn’t hold those stupid words any longer.

He approached the bed, smirking. He lifted me up and placed my head on his pillow. I felt limp like a ragdoll. I am never going to drink again. That’s for sure. He covered me with his blanket. Oh, how warm it was on my skin. I can smell his scent on the blanket, relaxing my senses.

“Really, Andrea,” he said, gently pushing my body down to rest. “Get some sleep. You’re not yourself and it’s…”

“.. It’s what, now?”

“Disturbing.” He managed to squeeze in a chuckle at the end.

He was about to get up again to leave me to myself but, I still wasn’t convinced to sleep. Liquor gives you a side you never knew existed in yourself. Plus, it also gives you a major headache. It was like my mouth had a mind of its own and I couldn’t stop it.

“How’s Cristina, Ezio?” I suddenly asked, getting his attention once again.

“Good night, Andrea.”

As he was about to get up for the second time, I immediately sat up to hug him from behind. I don’t know if it was the liquor making me do it but then again, I feel like I wanted to anyway. He was shocked by my sudden action but realized that it might have just been the wine taking over again.

“It’s not a good night without you.” I said, snuggling my red face on his back.

“Andrea…”

“I don’t care if *hic* that Cristina loves you,” I don’t ever want to let him go. “I’ve loved you longer than she has anyway…”

Ezio was silent, still not knowing how to react to my semi-unconscious confession. His voice was steady while I was trying to battle myself whether or not to stay awake. Just as I was about to let slumber win, I felt a warm hand grab mine that encased him. Thinking that I was weak from my sleep, he gently removed the hands that kept him in my arms.

“Andrea,” his voice awakened me, realizing that he was finally free from his hug. “It’s.. Harder than it looks.”

“What do you mean?”

“Look, y-you’re drunk and like I said, you should get some rest.”

He sounded rushed yet sympathetic at the same time. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was just the wine. I couldn’t wrap my head around by what he was implying. If I were in my normal state, I would have begged him for an answer but this time, I let sleep overpower me.

-

The rain did not stop.

I awoke, head still hurting and a bit hungover from last night. I remember talking to Ezio and something that left me sleeping with a hole in my heart. I couldn’t recall what it was. Just as I was busy trying to trace my steps last night, Signora Maria came in the room, greeting me with warm eyes.

“Buon giorno, Andrea,” she said, pulling the curtain to reveal a gray, rainy morning. “Did you sleep well?”

I wanted to tell her the truth but I don’t want to make her worry. “Fine, Signora. Buon giorno to you as well.”

“I suppose Ezio didn’t give you any trouble?”

“None at all.”

There was silence for a moment and I couldn’t help but stare at my hands that touched the man I hold dear. Signora Maria seemed to notice my melancholic behavior.

“Look, I know something’s wrong,” she said, sitting on the bed and lifting my chin up to face her. “Tell me, Andrea.”

“It’s just that…” I couldn’t find it in me to tell her the truth once more. “I’m bothered as to where Ezio slept last night.” I lied.

“Don’t worry, Andrea,” she smiled. “He slept in the guest room.”

It took me a lot to get a fake smile on my face in accordance to that lie.

“Come, breakfast is almost ready.”

-

Again, everyone was there on the table. Morning noises filled up to dining room. The only one quiet about it was Ezio. I took the seat next to him, not knowing what to say about what happened last night. Everyone got quiet as soon as Messer Giovanni finally came in the room.

“Forgive me, Andrea about the wine fiasco last night.” He said as he took his seat beside his wife.

“I’m alright now, sir,” I replied, smiling. “And I’m very much sure I won’t do that amount again.”

“I most certainly believe you will.”

With that, everyone started putting on food on their plates, the sound of forks and spoons clashing against silverwares. Since there was nothing left to talk about other than the wine last night, Messer Giovanni addressed me once again.

“So, any luck with your book?” he said. “I’m sure Ezio has given out some information while you were with him last night.”

“Giovanni, you knew she was drunk last night, how could she even—“ Maria commented until I interrupted.

“Actually, I think I’ve hit a dead end,” I replied, not even looking up at their surprised faces. “I don’t even know what to write anymore.”

The most shocked was Ezio’s face, next to that was Signora Maria’s. They were all shocked and everyone seemed to stop eating. Seeing that I have somehow caused some discomfort to the dining table, I stood up from my seat and prepared to take my leave.

“Please, excuse me.” I said as I bowed at the family.

As I was finally out of the room, all I could hear was Signora Maria’s, “Ezio, what are you doing? Go after her!”

-

I was fixing my hair, not really knowing what to do since I know it’s going to get drenched in the rain anyway. Yes, I plan to leave now. Maybe the feel of my home would soothe things down. Then suddenly, a knock was heard on the door.

“Come in.”

Ezio came in, looking sheepish and a bit confused. Then he notices me getting ready.

“You’re leaving?”

“Clearly.”

“But, it’s still raining, Andrea.”

“Can’t kill me.”

“Andrea..”

“Look, Ezio, whatever I said.. Just..”

I don’t know what to say after that. My mind just blacked out. I ran out of words to say. Maybe I was saying the wrong words.

“Just bury it deep and forget about it!” I finally burst out.

“I can’t.”

I stopped in my actions. I want him to explain what he meant by that just to be sure. He walked closer to me, blocking my chances of escape from him.

“Andrea, last night.. You said you loved me longer than Cristina has, right?”

I didn’t have the will in me to answer.

“Well, just yesterday, the two of us broke up. So I wanted to have some time to think it over before..”

“Before… What?” I felt my heart race as he said those words, giving my whole being hope of what comes next.

This time, he was the one who didn’t answer. He just lightly cupped my face in his hand, his warmth transferring to my red cheeks. This was the moment I’ve waited for. This feeling was one I couldn’t explain and it weighed heavy and light at my heart at the same time. It was as if time managed to stop just for the two of us.

“Andrea, if only you told me sooner,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I would have slept last night without a broken heart.”

I still don’t know what to say. I let him get closer and there, he finally placed a soft kiss on my forehead. His action finally shook me out of my sub-conscious state and I reacted by hugging him the same way I did last night.

“Who knew getting drunk was a great idea?” he managed to say that cracked a laugh out of me.

-