"He's so quiet," I whispered.

Theo gave me a soft smile while cradling his newborn son closer to his chest. I always found myself whispering around Elio because he was such a quiet baby. He barely cried or made any sound. That would probably change once he got older but he was very peaceful. He already had a lot of dark brown hair that stuck to his head almost like glue. His eyes were still indecisive.

Yesterday, I could've sworn that they were green but today they were blue like Theo's. It changed a lot in the first year and I was curious to see which colour it was going to be. My finger trailed over his chubby cheek and he simply watched me. Elio doesn't react much to his surroundings and doesn't get scared. It was like he already knew what life was like and nothing fazed him.

"We needed a quiet baby after Ezra," Silas commented while glaring at our nephew who was jumping up and down the couch.

It's been a day since Theo and Ariana came back from the hospital. Due to sudden complications, the doctors had to do an emergency caesarian. Ariana was upstairs in the room, sleeping and recovering. She had trouble walking and wasn't allowed to hold heavy objects, including her son, for the next weeks. That broke her heart but Theo did everything to find alternatives.

"Don't bash my baby. He just has a lot of personality!" Dahlia hissed at Silas.

That's one way to describe Ezra. He's only a little kid and filled with energy. It can be tiring but we still love him very much and he can be so sweet. He's been very gentle with baby Elio, which was good practice for his sibling that would soon come.

"I want a son like Ezra. He's fun!" Henry grinned as he caught Ezra who jumped off the couch.

Silas couldn't help but send him a glare. Henry soon would be a dad and it was still hard to process for our brothers. They haven't lashed out against Amelia and have been gentle with her, but they couldn't stop themselves from threatening Henry a few times.

"Let's hope that the baby inherits Amelia's brain because if it inherits yours, then it's screwed," Leo commented from his seat on the ground where he was playing with Fabio.

I tried really hard not to laugh but Dahlia and Silas burst out in laughter. Henry could easily brush those comments off but we all knew that they were true. He was a sportsman, a very talented one to say the least. But he wasn't the smartest and that sometimes made me wonder why Amelia still continues a relationship with him.

He's sweet and caring but he also lacks the basic knowledge of a lot of things.

Amelia walked into the living room followed by our parents. They had flown over to come to meet Elio and were informed about Amelia's pregnancy. My parents have been supportive of her engagement to Henry. Mama had even helped her organise her wedding that would take place in three months in Italy. But they were concerned. Amelia was still young and had big dreams.

Still, she has a great support system surrounding her.

"I have to go. I have a meeting in an hour." I kissed Theo on his cheek and gave Elio a big smile.

I did have a meeting in an hour but I was running away as well. Things were still awkward between mama and me. She has apologised but I could still see her struggling with accepting Alexander as my boyfriend. It hurts to see her embrace Henry like a son and watch her reject Alexander's handshake.

"Don't blackmail your employees again," Leo smirked.

Gossip travelled fast in our family. Silas couldn't keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it. My family had mixed reactions. Theo has been concerned about how that decision had impacted my mental health. It hadn't and I don't think it ever will. I don't lie awake at night or feel any type of guilt. Amelia and Dahlia on the other hand had applauded me for that decision. They can be quite sadistic. They always wish death upon people they hate, but who didn't?

If you don't, then you must be a good person. Like how the fuck can you be like that? Why choose the high way when you can be petty instead?

Leo dodged the pillow I threw his way and I groaned in annoyance. He's gotten ten times more annoying ever since Nico moved to Las Vegas. It's been years now and Leo still hadn't figured out his shit. They had been codependent all their lives and now they were separated. Leo took it the hardest. He hides his sadness behind his party-boy persona. He goes out every night and gets back home in the morning. I was worried about him because he was wasting his life away on liquor and women.

"Don't be late tonight!" Amelia warned me as I embraced her tightly.

"No no."

We had our monthly meet-up with our best friends. Our lives got so hectic so fast. I used to spend all my days with my besties and now we had to move mountains to see each other. It was sad and I hated this part of growing up. The adult world seemed to have no respect for maintaining friendships.

"Tell Alex I'll beat his ass if he distracts you again!" she raised her eyebrows.

I grinned in excitement. Last month Alex had been very distracting. How was I supposed to stay focused when that man was eating me out in the back of his car? I sort of lost track of time and was late, but we still had fun together! Cecelia stopped being angry the minute I told her who and what had made me late.

"See you later, Lia!" I kissed her cheek and hurried out of the door when I heard a car honking.

Paul appeared behind me the minute I stepped out of the house. Although Alexander wanted to organise my security detail, Hector had refused. I didn't mind that much because I've gotten used to Paul. He wasn't Ian, no one can be what Ian was.

Every time I thought about my first bodyguard, my heart dropped. It's been years but his death still weighed down on me. It's what made me a bit distant towards Paul. Ian sacrificed his life for me, so I shouldn't replace our bond that easily. He'll always be my favourite bodyguard.

"Bellissima."

Alexander sat behind the wheel of his car and my heart always picked up speed whenever I saw his sexy face. His hair had grown out a bit but he styled it out of his face so you barely noticed. I did notice. I always notice the small changes about him because I knew him better than I know myself. From the way he was manspreading and grinning at me, I knew his next words were going to be flirty.

"I'll enjoy taking those pants off you tonight."

I was wearing dark brown trousers that really accentuated my ass. He'd been grinning like a little devil when I put them on this morning. I liked it when he looked at me like I was the hottest woman he's ever seen. Like he worshipped the ground I walked on. He was obsessed with me and knew it all too well.

"Besties' night." I reminded him.

He groaned out loud as he started the car. I laughed at him while he pouted. Despite his effort to distract me before my besties' night, he always let me go. He knew how important my friends were to me and would never try to keep me all to himself. I'd punch him in his washboard abs if he dared.

The traffic was busy as usual but we arrived thirty minutes before my meeting. I still had plenty of time to relax in my office but Alexander had put his hand on my thigh while driving. His hand had been travelling up and up until it was nestled tightly against my pussy.

"I need you to heal my broken heart, amore" he whispered against my ear.

My breathing picked up as his fingers slowly pushed aside my panties. The cold air from the AC hit my wet lips and I met his gaze. His eyes were lustful and hungry. It didn't take much for him to get me in the mood. Everything about him was so incredibly attractive that I got horny without him doing something. I get wet from him solely cooking for me.

"I can give you ten minutes," I muttered.

We were parked in the underground parking of my building. Paul wouldn't come to bother us. He would see Alexander darkening his windows and would get the hint. It's happened before. I always figured that car sex was uncomfortable but it was thrilling and hot.

"Enough to rock your world," He tugged down my trousers before lifting me onto his lap.

I grinned widely as he unzipped himself. My arms went around his neck and I pressed myself close to him like I always did. He's been inside of me uncountable times but each time felt like the first time. That overwhelming feeling always took my breath away and made me close any distance between us. I needed to feel him, every inch of him.

"Ride me like a good girl," he pressed a kiss on my left ear.

He didn't need to say anything else.

////////////////////

Besties' night was by far my favourite day in the month. You don't really realise how much you depend on your friends until you're reminded of it. This night always reenergised me. An old part of me came alive. Little high school me that spent all her time with her best friends. I missed that period sometimes. We used to be super close and we didn't have to struggle to make time for each other.

It felt nostalgic to meet up in our old apartment. We had all come together to officially buy it so we could have our meet-ups here every month. I lived with my best friends for three years and it was the best experience of my life.

We settled in the couches with our takeout and started to catch up with each other. Initially I thought Amelia would have the biggest tea but Eunha surprised us all.

She lived on the West Coast and worked for a engineering company. It was a sad day when she moved across the country. I missed her hugs and cookies, so I didn't let go off her. Our arms were linked and I was eating myself sick on the cookies that she'd baked for me.

"I have a girlfriend!" She announced cheerfully.

Cecelia choked on her drink while Amelia and I stared at her in shock. Only August seemed to not be surprised and he gave Eunha a knowing look.

"You like titties?" Cecelia coughed out.

Eunha blushed slightly and nodded while August burst out in laughter. This was new to all of us except to him. Eunha broke up with her college boyfriend a year ago when she moved for her job. They ended things cordially and nicely. I was shocked when I heard they had broken up because they really seemed like the couple who'd get married.

"I wanted to tell you guys earlier but I felt confused. I've only ever liked men and then suddenly there she was..."

A smile broke free on my face. Eunha looked like a lovestruck puppy. I love seeing her happy and I already wanted to meet her girlfriend.

"Tell us more!" I urged her and pulled her closer.

Her smile grew and she told us all about her new girlfriend. They met three months ago at an animal shelter where they both volunteered. Her name was Willow and we got to see a picture of her. She had long red hair and pretty brown eyes. They were the same height and both were so wholesome.

"I'm happy for you, Eunha! But I want to know how August already knew. Did you tell him?" Amelia questioned.

Eunha shook her head while August leaned back with an all-knowing smile.

"It's my gay-radar. I can detect a queer from a mile away!" He grinned.

I burst out laughing and the girls joined in. I don't know if that's a real thing. But it explained his lack of reaction when Eunha came out to us.

"What about you, Cece?" I asked.

It was her turn to tell about her life. She simply shrugged and wove it off. I found it odd because Cecelia loved to give us a detailed update of her life.

Before I could ask more, August demanded attention. He's been wanting to talk about his drama the entire time. That's why we only allowed him to speak after we've said something, otherwise the night wouldn't be long enough.

"I have determined that I have a fetish for older men!"

We burst out laughing and I threw popcorn at his head which he caught with a smirk. August loved dating older men, especially sugar daddies. I don't even know why he does that when he was rich. He works for his parents' real estate company and will inherit it when they retire.

He went in to describe in detail how he hooks up with them. It was as if I was listening to a smutty book on audible.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Cecelia hugging her knees to her chest with a heavy look on her face. She was holding something back and I didn't know if I should push it. If she wanted us to know, she would tell us.

We've worked very hard to establish this friend groups' longitivtiy. After what happened with Daniel, we grew closer and nothing was going to break us apart.

I just wished that she knew that because then we could've avoided all the drama that was going to unfold.