‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
tuscany, italy
friday
july 19, 2024
6am

i awoke to the smell of coffee and the sound of distant voices. i stretched my arms out, my hand smacking against something hard. i opened one eye and saw drew's chest right in front of me. right. he was here.

"sorry," i whispered, not knowing if he was awake yet.

i did however know one thing, that today was my 28th birthday, given that drew and i hadn't gone far into birthday topic in conversations, i wasn't sure if he even knew today was my birthday.

drew stirred slightly, his eyelids fluttering. he looked down at me, a sleepy smile playing at the corners of his lips. "morning." he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.

"morning." i returned, propping myself up on one elbow. "sorry if i woke you." i said, feeling a tiny bit guilty.

"you didn't." he reassured me, rolling onto his back and stretching his arms. "i was awake, just dozing." he glanced over at the clock on the nightstand, a look of realization crossing his face. "happy birthday." he said, a sly smile turning his lips up.

i was a little surprised he knew it was my birthday, as i hadn't been able to sneak it into conversation. nonetheless, a smile spread across my face. "thank you. how did you know?"

he chuckled and sat up, running a hand through his buzzed hair. "i'm not going to lie, i had to do a little sleuthing to find out." he admitted, a hint of a grin on his face. "but i wanted to make today special for you."

i felt my heart flutter in my chest. he had put effort into trying to make sure my birthday was special. i leaned over and gave him a kiss. "thank you, drew." i said, feeling grateful for his thoughtfulness.

"no problem." he beamed, a playful glint in his eye. "so, what would you like to do today?" he asked. "i had a few ideas, but nothing is set in stone."

i considered his question for a moment. what did i want to do for my birthday? the day we thankfully had off. there were so many options, but i wanted to spend it with him.

"how about a nice beach day?" i said, my voice optimistic. "we could go swimming, sunbathe, and just relax for a bit." i added, giving him a hopeful look.

his face brightened, clearly liking the idea. "i love it. a beach day it is. but first," he leaned in close, his lips brushing against mine. "just know that i have a surprise for you." he murmured.

i felt a thrill of anticipation run through me. a surprise? i didn't know what to expect. "what is it?" i asked, trying to contain my curiosity.

he gave me a mysterious grin, not revealing anything. "you'll have to wait and see." he said, his tone playful. "but i promise it will be worth the wait."

i couldn't help but smile, my excitement building. i was eager to see what he had planned for me on my special day.

"when will it be?" i questioned.

he got up from bed and smiled. "tonight...oh man, you're gonna love it."

a night surprise? i was getting even more excited. "it better be good." i said with a smirk, i knew it would go beyond my expectations.

~~

INSTAGRAM
drewstarkey

👤: azariaraine
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drewstarkey happy birthday to @azariaraine, my ❤️.

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user1 life isn't fair

user2 SHES 28????

azariaraine thank you bb 🥰🥰😘😘

madisonbaileybabe happy birthday beauty queen!!

~~

INSTAGRAM
alexademie

liked by hunterschafer and 2,183,013 others
alexademie happy birthday babydoll 😘 i love you

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user1 i want a friendship like theirs.

user2 can they act in another film together??

azariaraine i love you more alexa ❤️❤️

~~

INSTAGRAM
ayoedebiri

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ayoedebiri @azariaraine it's your birthday and i give you full permission to party hard.

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user1 aww

feliciathegoat hbd @azariaraine

azariaraine i will 😉😉 miss youu

user2 can you guys film another season of the bear please.

~~

INSTAGRAM
milahaynes

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milahaynes happy birthday to this real life doll, i love you so so much babycakes. come back to los angeles so we can celebrate together.

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user1 🤢🤢🤢

azariaraine thank you baby 💓💓 love you!

hunterschafer too cute! happy birthday @azariaraine

user2 @azariaraine, happy birthday. i love you, i'm you're biggest fan!!!

~~

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

STREETS OF TUSCANY
tuscany, italy
11am

after eating birthday cake for breakfast with drew, we walked down the streets of italy hand and hand.

we didn't have a clue where we were going but we wanted to walk around before heading to the beach, which was a perfect way for me to get rid of my bloated tummy.

we strolled down the cobblestone streets, the sun shining down on us with a warm, comforting heat. the streets of tuscany were bustling with activity, people going about their daily lives.

i found myself completely enamored by the beauty of the city. the colors, the architecture, the smell of fresh baking bread - it all felt like something from a dream.

drew, seemingly oblivious to my wonder, looked down at me and squeezed my hand.

"what are you thinking about?" he asked. his gaze warm and attentive.

i shook my head, a smile spreading across my face. "i was just thinking about how beautiful this place is." i told him truthfully. i squeezed his hand back.

drew nodded in agreement, his own eyes taking in the surroundings. there was a comfortable silence between us as we continued our walk, our hands intertwined.

"can we sit there?" i said pointing towards a little step near the lake that was right in the center of town.

he nodded, leading me towards the little step overlooking the lake. after making sure i was comfortable, he settled himself down next to me, our legs touching. "this is a nice spot." he remarked, looking out over the water.

i smiled and faced the people. "believe it or not, i'd much rather people watch than look at the lake."

he laughed, turning his gaze to the crowd of tourists and locals. "really? you find them more interesting?" he asked with a hint of amusement.

"yeah, just look at them." i said, nodding towards a group of people taking selfies. they were all smiling and laughing, clearly having a good time.

"they're here, having a great time. it's like we're seeing snippets of their lives. it's fascinating." i explained, my tone soft and pensive.

drew raised an eyebrow, studying me. "that's an interesting way to look at it." he remarked, a hint of understanding in his voice.

i shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious about my observation. "i don't know, it just interests me." i said quietly. i shifted my attention back to the people, studying their different expressions and interactions.

drew seemed to sense my moment of vulnerability and put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "i think you're fascinating." he said, his voice sincere.

a small shiver ran down my spine at his words. i turned to him, my eyes meeting his. he was looking at me with such warmth and tenderness, i found myself getting a little embarrassed.

"thanks." i said awkwardly, my heart fluttering in my chest. "i think you're fascinating too." i added, my voice barely above a whisper.

the corner of his lips curved into a subtle smile, and his gaze lingered on me for a few moments longer. "we should continue people watching, huh?" he said, breaking the quiet tension between us.

i nodded, feeling a little relieved to have a break from the intensity of his gaze. "yeah, let's do that." i said, turning back to the crowd.

drew wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer. we sat like that for a while, watching people of all ages pass by us, each with a different story to tell.

~~

INSTAGRAM
celebsightings

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celebsightings azaria parker and drew starkey seen in italy near the tuscan lake chatting it up.

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~~

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

THE BEACH
tuscany, italy
1pm

after leaving the busy streets, we finally made it to the beach. the pristine sand and the blue water were absolutely breathtaking. i couldn't help but take a moment to just appreciate the beauty before us.

drew noticed my wonder, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "come on," he said, "let's get comfortable." he gestured towards the water.

we waded into the lukewarm water together. it felt refreshing on our skin, especially under the scorching sun. drew playfully splashed water at me, his laugh echoing in the air. i couldn't help but join in, returning the favor with a splash of my own.

after a while, we sat down on the sand, still wet from the water. drew laid down, resting his head on my thigh.

i ran my hands over his buzzed hair, marveling at how comfortable and content he looked. it was a simple moment, but it felt perfect. we sat there in silence, listening to the soothing sound of the waves gently crashing against the shore.

"today is pretty much perfect." i said softly, my eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the ocean.

drew reached for my hand, holding it in his own. "i couldn't agree more." he murmured, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin.

i smiled, feeling a rush of affection for the man beside me. we stayed like that for a while, watching the waves and basking in the warmth of the sun.

as the day went on, more people arrived at the beach. we watched them play in the water, build sandcastles, and soak in the sunshine. it was a beautiful sight, witnessing all these strangers finding joy in the simple moments just like us.

"i love you." i said randomly. my voice soft and gentle.

drew looked up at me, his eyes filled with warmth. "i love you too." he said, a soft smile curling his lips. we kissed briefly, our lips lingering together. "happy birthday." he said softly, his voice filled with love and sincerity.

after our moment of affection, we decided to cool off by taking a dip in the water again. i jumped up and ran towards the ocean, feeling the soft sand beneath my feet and the cool water splashing around me.

drew followed behind, his laughter echoing in the air. "hey, wait for me!" he called out, playfully trying to catch up to me.

the water was refreshing and invigorating, and i felt carefree and joyful as i ran deeper into the ocean.

drew caught up to me, his long legs making strides through the water. he wrapped his arms around me, spinning me around and dipping me down into the water. i squealed with laughter, feeling completely immersed in the moment.

we played like this for a while, our laughter carrying across the water and mixing with the sounds of the lapping waves.

~~

after spending the day at the beach, we decided it was time to head back to our villa. we gathered our belongings and walked back hand in hand, our faces flushed with sunshine and our bodies feeling relaxed and refreshed.

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
tuscany, italy
4pm

once we arrived at the villa, drew pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply. "we have to get ready, we have somewhere to be." he said, breaking the kiss.

my curiosity was piqued. "oh really? where is that?" i asked, my eyebrows raised in anticipation.

he chuckled and shook his head, a mysterious grin playing on his lips. "that's a surprise, zari. now go ahead and take a shower." he said, releasing me from his embrace.

i nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. drew was being quite secretive about our plans for the evening.

i headed to the bathroom to take a shower and prepare for whatever surprise drew had in store for me. the warm water soothed my sun-kissed skin and relaxed my muscles. i let my mind wander as i cleaned myself and wondered what the night would have in store for me and drew.

after my shower, i returned to the bedroom and started to pick out an outfit. i selected a form-fitting off white dress with spaghetti straps and a deep plunge. it hugged my curves in all the right places and made me feel sexy and confident. i completed the look with a pair of white heels and a small black clutch.

as i finished getting dressed, drew appeared at the door, looking handsome and dapper in a black suit. my eyes widened at the sight of him. he looked absolutely stunning and i found myself drawn to him even more than usual.

he raised an eyebrow, taking in my appearance. "beautiful." he said simply, his voice gravelly.

i felt a flush of heat rise in my cheeks at his words. i gave him a small smile, feeling a bit shy and self-conscious. i turned back to the mirror to adjust my hair, but drew came up behind me, resting his hands on my hips. i could feel his breath on my neck, sending chills down my spine.

he leaned in close and whispered in my ear. "you have no idea how beautiful you are." his voice was husky with desire. he kissed the sensitive skin of my neck, his warm lips igniting a fire within me.

i closed my eyes, reveling in the sensation of his touch. i tilted my head slightly to give him better access to my neck, my breathing growing heavier. i could feel his desire and mine merging into one.

"drew..." i murmured, my voice filled with longing. he responded by turning me to face him, pressing his body against mine. we kissed passionately, the tension between us growing with every passing moment.

i wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. i could feel his heartbeat racing in sync with mine. this was more than just a kiss, it was a connection on a deeper level. we were two puzzle pieces finally finding their fit.

drew pulled away again, taking my hand and leading me towards the door. "we'll finish that later." he said with a wink, his voice full of promise.

we walked out of our villa and toward the awaiting car. a gentle breeze blew through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over everything.

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

TENAX DISCOTECA CLUB FIRENZE
tuscany, italy
8pm

we arrived at the club. it was dimly lit, with flickering neon signs and loud music blasting from the speakers. i could feel the beat pulsing through my veins.

drew led me through the crowded dance floor towards the back of the club. i kept my eyes open, eager to see what the surprise was.

"drew, where are we going?" i asked, my voice tinged with curiosity.

he didn't respond, simply leading me to a secluded area of the club. the music was quieter here, barely audible. he stopped in front of a door and turned to face me.

"are you ready, zari?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

my heart leapt in my chest, my anticipation growing. i nodded, unable to speak.

"okay, close your eyes." drew instructed.

i obeyed, my heart racing in my chest.

the moment drew opened the door, i heard loud cheers and applause. my eyes flew open in surprise, and i took in the sight before me.

there were balloons and streamers and banners, and my favorite people in the world were there. all of my friends, who i hadn't seen in a while, were gathered around, smiles on their faces as they shouted "surprise!"

tears welled up in my eyes, overwhelmed with happiness and shock. i couldn't believe drew had done all of this for me. he looked so happy, witnessing my reaction to the surprise party. i wrapped my arms around him, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"thank you." i whispered, my voice choked with emotion. i pulled him closer and kissed him deeply, pouring all of my love and appreciation into that one gesture.

drew held me tightly, returning my kiss with equal passion. i could feel the love radiate between us, and in that moment, i was the happiest i had ever been. i couldn't wait to spend the rest of the night surrounded by the people i cared for the most.

the night was full of dancing, laughter, and cherished moments with my loved ones. drew stayed by my side the entire time, always attentive and caring.

as the night went on, i mingled with all of my guests. i chatted with alexa demie, bella hadid, and mila haynes, our conversations filled with warmth and familiarity. i shared a warm hug and catch-up with jeremy allen white, and even spoke with timothée chalamet, who had flown in from paris to attend the party.

the celebration was a perfect blend of friendship, love, and laughter. it was a wonderful reminder of the meaningful connections that i had in my life.

~~

the night continued to be filled with joy and merriment. i was caught up in the moment, completely smitten with drew's thoughtfulness and the presence of my friends.

suddenly, my phone started buzzing in my clutch. my heart skipped a beat, wondering who could be calling me at this hour. i excused myself from the group and stepped away for a moment to take the call.

"hello?" i said, i hadn't looked at the caller id.

as i answered the phone, an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach. for a moment, there was only silence on the other end, save for the sound of shallow breathing. i waited, my heart pounding.

"hello?" i repeated, my voice trembling. "who is this?"

the person on the other end cleared their throat. "uhh, it's me." the man said. "happy birthday, azaria."

a mix of emotions washed over me as i heard amo's voice on the phone. i hadn't been expecting to hear from him, especially on such a special night. "amo?" i said, my voice a mix of confusion and annoyance.

amo's voice came through the phone, his tone nonchalant, though there was a hint of tension. "yeah. long time no talk, right?" he said with a chuckle.

"yeah, it has been." i said softly, leaning against the wall.

"yeah. so, i just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. it's been, what, a month since we spoke?" i could hear him shuffling on the other end, his words sounding casual, but there was an underlying tension in his voice. he sounded distant, almost cold.

"mhm, a month." i echoed, my stomach twisting into knots. "so, uh, how are you?" i asked lamely, struggling to find the right words.

"oh, you know. i've been busy. work has been picking up, you know how it is." he said, his tone distant, his words curt. there was a moment of silence, then he cleared his throat. "so, how's it going with drew?"

i sighed deeply, my heart sinking. the mention of drew sent a pang of guilt straight to my chest. "it's going well." i said quietly. "how'd that date go, you know the one you were cooking for?" i said referring to our run in at the grocery store about a month ago.

amo hesitated for a moment, i could almost hear his heart beating faster. he cleared his throat again, his voice taking on a softer tone. "it went well." he said, his voice barely a whisper. "it went..." he paused, searching for the right word. "it went swimmingly." he finally finished.

"swimmingly?" i repeated, my eyebrows raising. something is off. i thought to myself. the amo i knew never used the word "swimmingly." something was definitely up. the silence on the other end was deafening, and i could practically feel the tension between us. "well, i'm happy to hear that." i said truthfully. i was happy with drew and no longer had any thoughts about amo, i hadn't for a long time.

"are you at a party?" he asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence. i was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.

i paused for a moment, trying to figure out if i should answer truthfully. i decided there was no point in hiding the truth. "yeah, i am." i confirmed. "it's a surprise party for me."

"oh, yeah? and how's it going?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "having a good time?" his tone was borderline cold, but there was a lingering sadness behind his words.

i frowned, feeling a pang of irritation at his tone. "yeah, i am. everyone is here, it's a great party. what are you doing?" i asked, curious despite myself. i couldn't help but feel a bit concerned about him, he sounded very off.

"oh, you know. just hanging around. relaxing." he said, his voice low and distant. there was a momentary pause, then he spoke up again. "i've got to go, though. happy birthday, azaria." his voice had a sense of finality to it.

"amo?" i said gently.

he was silent for a moment, and i could practically hear his heart racing through the phone. "yeah?" he asked, his voice suddenly softer.

i took a deep breath, unsure of what i wanted to say. "are you...okay?" i asked hesitantly. his behavior was so bizarre, he wasn't usually like this, at least not with me.

there was a beat of silence before he responded, his voice strained. "i'm fine, azaria." he said shortly, the use of my full name feeling odd. "happy birthday. just...have a good night, okay?" there was a hint of emotion behind his words that i couldn't quite place.

i sighed, feeling worried but not wanting to push him further. "okay...take care, amo." i said quietly.

"yeah, you too." he said, his voice almost a whisper. and just like that, the call ended. i was left standing there, confused.

a million thoughts raced through my mind. that conversation had gone nothing like i expected. as i returned to the party, i couldn't get the bizarre interaction out of my head.

~~

INSTAGRAM
celebsightings

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celebsightings some familiar faces heading to @azariaraine birthday party in tuscany, italy.

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user1 aw channing

user2 🤢🤢👎

user3 alexa!!!

~~

a/n

good lord this chapter took forever to write.

drama coming in next chapter