I opened my eyes slowly, feeling a pleasant warmth enveloping me. For a moment, the soft glow filtering through the curtains disoriented me, but I soon recognized my room, although it felt different, more cozy. I blinked and the image focused: I was lying in my bed, and beside me slept Louie and Brianna. Louie was gently holding me from behind, his quiet breath caressing my hair, while Brianna, on the other side, was resting facing me, a serene and sweet expression on her face. The soft fabric of my shorts and tank top pajamas felt slightly wrinkled from their closeness.
A small smile touched my lips. I could get used to this, I thought, feeling a surge of affection and gratitude for my two best friends. Having them like this, so close, gave me a sense of security I rarely experienced in this house. The memory of the previous night, the whirlwind of sensations that had led me to seek refuge in the bathroom, began to dissipate under the warmth of their nearness.
Carefully, I moved slowly so as not to wake them. Louie's arm tightened slightly around my waist before relaxing. Brianna sighed softly in her sleep. I got out of bed silently, feeling the cool wood of the floor under my bare feet. I looked towards the window, where the first rays of sun were beginning to paint the sky in shades of pink and gold. We have a week, I thought with a mixture of relief and a pang of excitement. A whole week with my two pillars, in this mansion that, for the first time, felt like home. My family's absence was a palpable freedom, a breath I desperately needed. This week would be ours.
I sighed softly, feeling my body still a little numb from the strange but comforting night. I went into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water fully wake me up. After a while, I came out wrapped in a soft bathrobe and headed to my dressing room. I cast a quick glance at the bed where Louie and Brianna were still sound asleep. Those two, I thought with a fond smile.
With renewed energy, I entered the dressing room. My gaze scanned the clothes until it stopped on a pink pair of shorts with a matching belt and a long-sleeved white shirt. White sneakers would complete the comfortable and relaxed outfit for the day. I looked at myself in the mirror after getting dressed, gathering my long curly hair into a high ponytail that showed off my small earrings. I put on my usual little chain, a touch of my favorite perfume, and left the dressing room. Another quick look at the bed confirmed that my friends were still in dreamland. With an anticipatory smile, I went downstairs to prepare breakfast. The idea of surprising them with something delicious filled me with a simple joy.
Arriving in the kitchen, the sunlight filtering through the large windows illuminated the space, making it feel even more spacious and peaceful than usual. I opened the refrigerator and took out eggs, milk, butter, flour, and fresh fruit. The idea of preparing a hearty breakfast for my friends and myself filled me with energy.
While whisking the eggs with the milk, I hummed a soft melody. The sound of the whisk broke the morning silence of the house, but it didn't feel like an intrusion, but rather a cheerful welcome to the new day. I put the pan on the stove and melted some butter, the delicious aroma beginning to fill the air. I made fluffy pancakes, carefully flipping them until they were golden brown on both sides.
While the pancakes piled up on a plate, I cut strawberries, bananas, and melon, placing them on a colorful platter. I prepared some crispy bacon and put it to drain on paper towels. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee soon joined the mix, creating a warm and homey atmosphere in the kitchen.
Once everything was ready, I placed the plates, cutlery, glasses, and mugs on the large wooden dining table. The breakfast looked delicious and appetizing. I smiled, imagining Louie and Brianna's surprised and happy faces when they woke up and found everything ready. I went upstairs carefully, stopping in front of my bedroom door. I opened the door slowly, peeking in to see if my friends were still asleep. They were still sound asleep, oblivious to the feast that awaited them.
I smiled amusedly at the sight of my two friends snuggled in my bed. "Rise and shine, sleepyheads," I said gracefully, approaching Brianna first. I placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "Bri, wake up. There's fresh food downstairs," I whispered affectionately as she stirred in the sheets, trying to stretch.
Then I approached Louie, my heart beating a little faster. I placed a soft kiss on his still-sleeping lips. "Love, wake up," I said with a sweet smile. "I already made breakfast." I waited a few seconds, watching as his eyelids began to flutter before slowly opening, revealing his still-sleepy eyes but filled with a warmth that only he transmitted to me. The morning was beginning in the best possible way.
"What a good way to wake up," they both whispered in unison, their voices still drowsy but filled with a morning sweetness. Louie stretched out an arm and pulled me towards him, hugging me gently while Brianna sat up, yawning with a lazy smile.
"We could get used to this," Brianna added, looking at Louie and me with a knowing glance. The warmth of both of them beside me, the feeling of security and affection that emanated from this small morning ritual, was something I treasured deeply. The idea of waking up every day like this, surrounded by their love and friendship, was a deliciously tempting thought.
I smiled sweetly at their still-sleepy words. "Let's go have breakfast, guys, before everything I've prepared for you gets cold," I said softly, as I sat up and stood beside the bed.
Louie stared at me from the bed, his hair tousled and his sleepy smile giving him a carefree aura that was beginning to fascinate me more each day. "You look beautiful today, love," he said in a husky voice, his eyes running over me with a tenderness that made me blush slightly.
Brianna, with her hair in a funny mess, looked at me with a tender smile and nodded. "Louie's right, you look really pretty, Jo." Then, she turned her gaze to Louie, with a mischievous and amused smile. "What more could you want in this life, Louie?" she asked in a playful tone. "You have a beautiful, millionaire, attentive girlfriend who knows how to cook and, besides, buys you whatever you want or what she knows you like and would want to buy." Her comment made Louie smile even more and shot me a look full of affection.
Brianna let out a mischievous giggle before continuing teasingly in her voice. "And the best part," she said, winking at Louie, "she's only thirteen... imagine when she's older and you live together and can sleep together without my presence in the middle!" Her comment unleashed a laugh in the room, tinting the morning atmosphere with a playful lightness. I felt my cheeks warm slightly at the insinuation, while Louie gave me an amused and knowing look. Even with Brianna's humor, the idea of a future together, an intimate and uninterrupted future, fluttered in my mind, filling me with a sweet and slightly nervous anticipation.
Amidst laughter and knowing glances, Louie and Brianna finally got out of bed, following my steps out of the room. Upon reaching the dining room, they both stopped dead in their tracks, their eyes widening in surprise as they beheld the feast laid out on the table. The stacked golden pancakes, the platter of fresh and colorful fruits, the crispy bacon with its tempting aroma, and the steaming coffee maker created a delicious and inviting scene.
"Wow, Jo!" Brianna exclaimed enthusiastically, her eyes shining. "This looks amazing!"
Louie approached the table, putting an arm around my waist and kissing my temple tenderly. "You smell as delicious as all this looks, my love. You're the best." His voice was soft and full of affection, making me feel a warmth in my chest that surpassed even the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The surprise and joy on their faces were the best reward for having gotten up early. Now all that remained was to enjoy breakfast together, in this small oasis of happiness we had created amidst the solitude of the mansion.
The three of us sat down at the table, filling the dining room with our laughter and enjoying the delicious breakfast I had prepared. The atmosphere was relaxed and filled with a special warmth. Brianna, with her characteristic curiosity, soon steered the conversation towards more personal and exciting territory.
"Alright, lovebirds," she began with a mischievous smile as she took a sip of her orange juice, "so when's the wedding?" Her question took Louie and me by surprise, making us exchange a knowing glance.
Before we could answer, Brianna continued enthusiastically, "And the babies? Do you already have an idea of how many little earthquakes you want running around? And most importantly! What would you name them?" Her face reflected genuine curiosity and a touch of ilusión at the idea of our future together. The morning, besides being delicious, promised to be quite revealing.
I smiled amusedly at her overwhelming enthusiasm. "Brianna, take it easy," I said with a playful smile as I took a sip of my coffee. "Do you even remember our age?" I looked at her with a raised eyebrow, remembering that we were still quite young.
Brianna made a funny face but nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah, I remember! Thirteen, I know, I know." Then her face lit up again with anticipation. "But I'm sure you must have some future plans, right? Don't tell me you've never talked about those things!" Her curiosity was insistent, and I knew she wouldn't give up easily. Despite our youth, it was true that Louie and I had fantasized a few times about our future together, although always as a distant dream.
Louie, who had been enjoying his breakfast in silence until now, looked at me with a sweet smile. "Well, Bri," he began in a soft tone, "concrete plans, concrete plans... not yet. But we have talked a little about our future." He took my hand on the table and stroked my knuckles with his thumb. "We dream of many things, don't we, love?" His tender gaze made my heart flutter.
I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm slightly. "Yes... we've talked about leaving here someday, about having our own house, a place where we can be free." The idea of escaping the restrictions of my current life and building a future with Louie had always been my greatest longing.
Brianna looked at us with a wide grin, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "I knew it! I knew it! And what else? Tell me everything! I want to know the details!" Her enthusiasm was contagious, and although we didn't yet have concrete answers to her initial questions, the idea of sharing them with her, our best friend, felt comforting.
"Well," Louie continued, thoughtfully, "we've talked about having our own place someday, a space where we can decorate it to our liking, without having to answer to anyone." He looked at me with a knowing smile, sharing that longing for independence. "A place where we can have our own rules."
"I love the idea!" Brianna exclaimed enthusiastically. "And pets? Have you thought about getting a kitten that purrs on your lap while you watch movies?" Her mind jumped from one topic to another with glee.
I laughed softly. "We haven't gotten to the pets yet, Bri," I said fondly. "But we have talked about having a large library full of books, a quiet corner where we can lose ourselves in stories."
At that moment, Brianna looked at us with a suddenly serious expression, although her eyes still held a mischievous glint. "Now that I think about it... you two do resemble Romeo and Juliet a bit." She paused dramatically before adding in a slightly somber tone, "I just hope this story doesn't end in tragedy."
Louie frowned slightly, putting his fork down. "Why do you say that, Bri?" he asked with a note of concern in his voice. The joy of breakfast had dimmed at her unexpected comment.
Brianna looked at us with an unusual seriousness, her tone contrasting with the lightness of the previous conversation. "It's just that your love is forbidden, you know? Like Romeo and Juliet's." She paused, observing our reactions. "Of course, in a different way. There aren't families locked in a death feud, but technically it's the same. You can't be together freely because of Jo's family." Her gaze turned to me, filled with a somber understanding. "They're the Capulets, and you... well, you're you, and Louie is... someone they would never accept." Her analogy, although dramatic, had an unsettling ring of truth. My family's opposition to my relationship with Louie was a real and painful obstacle in our lives.
At that precise moment, the vibration of my phone on the table broke the tension that Brianna's words had created. The screen lit up, revealing the name "Josep." A chill ran down my spine. The joy of the morning vanished, replaced by a pang of anxiety.
Beside me, I felt Louie's body tense. His hand, which still rested on mine, squeezed slightly. "Can I answer it?" His voice, when he finally spoke, was husky and strained.
I nodded, my heart pounding hard against my ribs. I handed the phone to Louie, feeling the cold metal leave my hand. I watched his every move as he swiped the screen and brought the device to his ear.
His face, normally relaxed and smiling, was now tense. His eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to the voice on the other end of the line. Brianna watched us silently, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension reflected in her face. Breakfast, the atmosphere of morning joy, seemed to have completely vanished, replaced by the uncertainty of what Josep had to say. Every passing second felt like an eternity as we waited for the words that would come from Louie's lips.
Only Louie's voice filled the silence of the kitchen, his words directed at an invisible interlocutor on the other end of the line. I couldn't hear Josep's response, but the tension on Louie's face spoke for itself.
"No, Josep," Louie said seriously, his voice firm and without a trace of the warmth from a few moments ago. "I'm not Josephine, I'm Louie."
A brief silence followed, during which Louie's expression tightened even more. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were dealing with something unexpected.
"And what's the problem, Josep?" Louie finally asked, his tone now tinged with a slight irritation. "I'm her boyfriend, remember?" The question hung in the air, directed at a ghost on the other end of the phone, but resonating strongly in the kitchen. The uncertainty about the content of the conversation kept me on edge, wondering what Josep was saying to provoke that reaction in Louie.
"Yes, yes, I have the right," Louie replied in a serious and firm tone, his gaze now fixed on an invisible point beyond the window. There was a note of possessiveness in his voice that I had never heard before, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
Then, his gaze returned to the phone, and his next sentence was even more direct and defensive. "And what's it to you what I do with her phone, Josep?" The question sounded almost like a warning, marking a clear territory. The tension in the kitchen had become almost palpable, and Brianna watched us with wide eyes, not daring to interrupt. I wondered what was causing that protective and somewhat aggressive reaction in Louie. What could Josep have said to ignite that spark?
"Oh, you want to know?" Louie said with a seriousness that cut through the air. His gaze left the phone and turned to me. Without warning, he pulled me towards him and kissed me with a possessive intensity, a kiss that conveyed a clear declaration of ownership. A choked gasp escaped my lips at the surprise and force of his action. When he finally pulled away, my voice trembled as I spoke his name in another surprised gasp: "Louie..."
He turned his attention back to the phone, his expression now cold and defiant. "Is it clear to you that I am with her, Josep? Or do you also want to hear if I've already made love to her?" The crudeness of his words took me by surprise, leaving an awkward silence in the kitchen. The line between protection and territoriality had been crossed, and the intensity of the scene had left Brianna and me speechless.
"I don't care what you say, I don't even know if that's true," Louie snapped with a rudeness I had never heard him direct at anyone, much less Josep. His jaw was tight, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce determination. After another brief silence, he continued with unwavering firmness, "She's my girlfriend, Josep, and I'm not going to let anyone separate me from her. Not you, not her parents." His declaration resonated in the kitchen, setting a clear and unbreakable boundary. The possessiveness of his words took me by surprise, but I also felt a surge of protection at his firmness. It was evident that the conversation with Josep had deeply affected him, awakening a side of him I didn't know.
"Don't talk nonsense, Josep," Louie replied in a lower but equally firm tone, although with a hint of exasperation. He seemed to be dealing with something irrational on the other end of the line. The tension in his body remained palpable, but his voice had taken on a more warning tone, as if he were trying to reason with Josep. Curiosity and worry gnawed at me from within. What could Josep be saying to provoke such an intense reaction in Louie?
I approached Louie slowly, feeling the tension radiating from his body. I carefully raised my hand and placed it on his cheek, feeling the stiffness of his jaw under my fingers. His gaze, intense and full of a contained fury, turned to me.
"Love, what are you talking about?" I whispered softly, trying to calm the storm that seemed to be raging within him. My heart pounded hard, both from the surprise of his reaction and from the worry of what Josep might have said to him. I needed to understand what was happening, what had caused that explosion of anger in the man I loved.
"What am I talking about?" Louie repeated, his voice still charged with tension, although softening slightly at the feel of my touch on his face. He turned his gaze away from the phone for an instant to focus on me, his eyes searching mine with a palpable intensity.
But before he could answer my question, his attention snapped back to the receiver. His body tensed again, and a guttural cry escaped his lips, filled with an icy fury. "You're going to regret this, Josep, goddamn it!" The violence of his exclamation startled me, making me take an involuntary step back. The calm of the morning had been completely shattered, leaving in its place an atmosphere charged