drabble dos

BRIEF FLASHBACK.
DECEMBER 25TH, 2020. - Christmas morning.<br><br>For many of us, this was considered to be the most wonderful time of the year. It was the time to be jolly and spread Christmas cheer — a time to spend celebrating  prosperity with your family. The atmoshphere within the Gallo home was peaceful. The windows were engarbed in Christmas lights, nothing over the top, but fancy enough to outdo the neighbors. Angela was competitive when it came to decorating. If there was any chances of her outdoing another soul in the universe, she was going to take it and God forbid anyone that dared to get in her way. I ran down the stairs with my hand caressing the railing slightly. The staircase was white with a mixture of mahogany, built with a gentle curve in its structure to add a layer of visual sophistication. My mother loved elegance, it was almost as if it had been engrained in her nature from birth. An amalgamation of aromas floated through the air like a mist in the wind. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla wafted through my nostrils, followed by cardamom and hot chocolate. It was a homely sensation, floral fragrances dancing amongst the soft melting murmurs.<br><br>"Well look who finally decided to come down and join us. It's about time you came out of the bathroom. I had to go all the way across the hall to use the other one." Angelina said with a huff. When it came to certain things in our household, she liked to keep things in arrangement to a certain degree. Things had to meet her standards or there would be hell to pay; unless you were her twin. I rolled my eyes, draping my arm across my sister's shoulders to pull her closer to me. I turned my head to the side, my lips inches away from her ear. "That's why we have more than one bathroom. Next time be quicker, you brat." I whispered. A giggle escaped through parted lips and I planted a quick kiss upon my twin sister's cheek. I pulled away from her with in a hurry, watching as she used the sleeve of her sweater to rub away my kiss in agitation.<br><br>"You're not rubbing it off, Angel. You're only rubbing it in. You can't escape this twin love!" I shouted. She picked up a pillow from the couch to hit me with and I ran off into the kitchen faster than a wildfire spreads. Although I tried to duck her wrath, she managed to hit me across the face before accidentaly whacking our mother as she carried a plate of cookies over from the oven. It was only through good grace that the cookies didn't spill from their placement. I pursed my lips, glancing over at Angelina as she stared back at me with a devious grin. We knew what was about to come next and we wanted no parts of it. We could see it in her eyes that she wanted to reprimand us for our behavior.<br><br><b>DING DONG!</b> Saved by the bell. Our mother glared at us before shoving the plate of gingerbread cookies into Angelina's awaiting hands. I curled my fingers around one of them, slipping it up from the plate before stuffing it into my mouth. My mother shook her head, golden brown hair cascading over her pale complexion. "What am I going to do with you two?"She asked. Turning on the heels of her feet, Angela sauntered off towards the door to open for whatever guests had decided to arrive a few hours early. Angelina and I had chosen to stick around in the kitchen for a moment and she leaned her head against my shoulder. "I really miss being here with mom, Ana. I don't want to go back to the dorms after Christmas break is over." She spoke. This was one feeling that I understood the most. It sucked not being able to see her as much as we used to. Although she didn't live too far away from campus, our time was still held hostage by our studies. A pout replaced my smile and I began to fiddle with the crescent bloodstone necklace that I was wearing. Angelina's eyes shifted over to view the ornamental jewelry that embellished my neck and she quirked a brow. "Um, did you go shopping again and didn't invite me? You sneak...you know we do this stuff together!" My twin shouted. Her cheeks reddened, swelling up like a puffer fish before I reached over and poked one — causing it to deflate. She made a playful hissing sound as if I'd punctured her cheek and air was spilling out from the core. "Calm down, drama queen. I didn't go shopping without you. Dante gave it to me the other night. He said that it was a keepsake that was passed down in his family and he wanted me to have it."<br><br>Angelina narrowed her eyes, glaring at her sister as she tried to figure out what was going on. Of course, she had something to say and her tongue was never one to hold back. "So he's just giving out important family heirlooms to you? Did you sleep with him? You did, didn't you? I knew it! You let him give you man cooties." She said to me. My eyes widened as I was caught off guard by her accusation. Reaching around, I slapped the back of her head and she wobbled forth with a chuckle. It was nothing like that. Dante never made me feel as if I had to give something in order to receive. Not like the rest of the guys that I'd been on dates with. He was taking his time with me, giving me the chance to bond with him first. "I did not! Stop being so loud. I'm still pure, not that it's any of your business." I furrowed my brows. "It is totally my business. I'm your wombmate. We don't keep secrets. When did you two get so close anyway? I thought you hated his existence." Angelina sauntered over towards the kitchen counter, carefully sliding the plate of cookies onto the countertop. Her soft curls bounced slightly as she spun around to peek over at me once more. The silence shared between us told Angelina all that she needed to know. She saw me trying to fight back a smile, folding her arms across her chest in a notion of amusement. "I do, I mean...I did. He's really not as bad as he seems." I spoke softly, brushing stray strands of hair behind my ear. We didn't have much more time to continue our discussion as the patter of footsteps against marble honeycomb tile filled the vicinity. I glanced forth only to see three of my friends charging towards  us at full speed. I braced myself for the football tackle that would soon  enclasp me, but I could only feel two pairs of arms. Ophelia and Tatiana wrapped their arms around me tightly, their chests bumping against mine as they almost knocked me over the kitchen island. Presley was right beside me with her arms clutching onto Angelina, who in return wrinkled her nose at such affection. "Ugh, get off of me. You're ruining my Oscar de la Renta dress with the mush that's seeping from your being." Angelina grimaced, but Presley held on for another second just to annoy her. I laughed softly to myself as I wrapped my arms around my friends, squealing with delight before we all released one another. Everything felt warm and nostalgic now that everyone was here to celebrate together. An extra set of legs came barging into the room wearing dark wash jeans. His physique slender but athletic as his arms beared gifts. "I hope you don't mind me intruding, but I have gifts to deliver." The male said.<br><br> "Lorenzo. Of course, we're happy to have you here. Where's Dante?" I asked him. However, he didn't say a single word. Instead, he walked over with eyes that looked so heavy. Eyes that looked as if they offered sympathy to me. He held out a box towards me and I chose to accept it slowly. I was confused, but curious as I read the small label on the box. To Ana, From Dante. My heart began to sink, why was I feeling uneasy? My hands placed the box on an empty section of the kitchen island and I opened it in a hurry. Inside of the box was a cupcake stuffed animal and the enchanted rose lamp that I had been raging about to him for weeks now. There was also a letter and my gut told me to open that first. Unfolding the sheet of paper, I clasped it in between my index finger and thumb — hazel eyes scanning the page slowly.<br><br>My dearest Anastasia,<br><br>If you're reading this, you're probably wondering why I'm not there standing at your side right now. I wasn't sure how to tell you this, but I knew that it couldn't be face to face out of fear that I'd change my mind. I paced around the room for the longest time trying to figure out how to say this. Too many harrowing thoughts are peregrinating within the depths of my mind. Thoughts of you seemed to calm that storm for a few moments. I care about you, more than I feel I care about myself at times. This is why it truly pains me to do this to you. There's a lot of things that I wish that I could tell you...but I can't. You wouldn't possibly understand it and might think that I'm out of my mind. I can't see you again and I'm so sorry, but it's better this way. You won't hear from me again after this, but I want you to know that I feel everything for you and I always will. I'm sorry.<br><br> Dante Morosini<br><br>My hands, they tremored like cold jelly as I read the contents of the letter. I could feel tears pooling up within my eyes, the salted liquid stinging before it came crashing down my cheeks like the  raging seas. I couldn't breathe. In fact, I struggled just to exhale. It felt like my lungs were being impaled by baselard daggers. I crumbled the letter in my hand and tossed it on the floor as I watched Ophelia lower her form to retrieve it. I didn't want to stick around for any of them to begin asking questions, so I pushed past them to go to my room. Who said this was the most wonderful time of the year?<br><br>January 1, 2021. - New Year's Day.<br><br>I sat on the porch with my back turned against the entrance door of my home, bathing in the moonlight. My fingers caressed the satin fabric of my dress, trying to fumble with anything that would help me relieve the pressure that was being placed on my mind. I sighed, pushing myself up from the ground in order to lean up against a banister. I felt a hand touch my shoulder, fingers digging into my ensemble, but in a manner of kindness. Turning my head to the side, I glanced over only to see Lorenzo offering me a  good-natured smile. "Is everything okay?" He asked. His angular jaws tensed up as he glanced at me, almost as if he was waiting for me to lie to him and tell him that I was okay. But the truth was...I wasn't.I felt abandoned by his brother. I spent most of the time I've known his just hating who he was and the moment I let my guard down, he proves to me why I should have continued to avoid him like the damn plague.<br><br>"She doesn't need you hovering over her to make sure that she's okay, brother. I asked you to do one favor and that's been done. You don't need to stick around like a bad pimple." Dante said as he walked out from the shadows. His legs moved in a confident stroll — urbane and sophisticated. At this point, this was the only thing that came remotely close to being charming about him. I was instantly filled with so much fury upon seeing his face. A matter of seconds spent within his presence filled my expression with revolt, twisting my countenance into morbid forms. "I'm just being her friend, Dante. Let's not make this personal." Lorenzo said, shaking his head. "I'll be inside if you need me." He continued to speak, shooting a glance over at his brother before trailing away from the path. I stood in silence even though there was so much that I wanted to say to him. I could feel his eyes on me, watching me and waiting on me to acknowledge him. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. He took a few steps closer to me, stepping onto the front porch and I lost every ounce of composure that I held within me. All of my anger came bursting out at the seams. Lifting my hand, I slapped him across the face with all of my might. His face turned, slanting while his blue globes flickered to stare back at me. <br><br>"I deserved that."<br><br>"You deserve more than that." I snapped in response.<br><br> "I didn't come here to upset you. I just came to say that I'm sorry, Ana. I had a terrible lapse in judgement and I acted on impulse. I thought that what I was doing was best for you, but it...." His speech soon came to an end as I would cut into it to interrupt, completely silencing him.<br><br> "You know, at first I thought that I was being too harsh on you. I thought that you were just someone that had bad life experiences and needed someone to show you a gentle hand. Someone to actually show you that they can care about you and that you are worthy of being cared for, but you're not. You're a selfish arrogant asshole that only cares about what you want. I hate you." My words spat out like venom, like another slap to his face.<br><br> He scoffed, trying to hide the pain that was already radiating beneath his cheekbones. "You don't hate me, Anastasia. You're angry, but you do not hate me. We both know it." He spoke up. How was he supposed make her understand why he did what he did?  He couldn't just admit to her that him staying out of her life was in hopes that he'd spare her from another gruesome death. That sounded incredibly insane to say to someone that could barely remember her last meal let alone their past together. "I do mean it. I hate you Dante. I hate you more than anything. I would rather die than ever have to see you again." I told him. I didn't really mean those words, but it was too late to take them back now. He stood still, his breathing even seized to cooperate with his body. For so long, Dante was cursed to watch her die over and over again, only to hear such a guttural statement being made by her. It was like his heart had been carved out from his chest and there was nothing he could do to rectify the situation. <br><br> "Leave and never come near me again. I mean that too." But did I mean it? I turned to face away from him, my boots clashing against the wooden planks beneath us as I groaned. I had plans to walk away in a dramatic fashion like my sister had taught me; until I felt a sharp pain protruding through the temple of my head. A mirage of memories flooded through my mind, all of my biological family and moments shared with Dante. Most importantly, I remembered the night that my sister and I were greeted with such a tragic fate. I screamed, feeling Dante's arms quickly wrap around me, embracing me from behind. "Ana? What the hell is going on? Are you alright?" Dante questioned me with genuine concern. I didn't know what to say to him. I was in utter shock as I fell back into him. I could see Lorenzo and my mother, or who I once thought to be my mother, rush outside to see what all of the commotion was. I shivered, afraid and angered by what I'd seen. Turning my head to glance upon Dante's visage, it was like a dream to have him so close to me. I couldn't help but reach out to him, the pads of my fingertips caressing his face before I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I - I remember you. You let your brother kill me."<br><br> No sooner than I spoke, I could feel the sharp pains returning as my head filled with sharp-edged ringing. His arms clutched around me tighter, and although my words hurt him, he held me as close as he could. "I didn't let him, I would never. I would never let anyone harm you. You have to remember that!" Dante bellowed. His hands gripped my face tightly within his palms and he searched my weary eyes for some kind of hope. There was none to offer. No hope for him, no salvation; at least not yet. I looked up at him, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.<br><br>"I'm sorry...do I know you?"