the stars tell stories;

"As long as you always use Nathaniel in front of my family there won't be any hiccups." He gave her a reassuring smile, but quickly turned his attention to the delicious dessert she'd made. "Wow! You trying to get me into some new suits?" His teasing was likely just a deflection of comments from his mother in his youth and he scratched at the nape of his neck, hearing the critique from his therapist. Cosmo's chin rested on his leg and he rubbed his knuckles down his snout. "I shouldn't have said that. My parents can be unbearable and, sometimes, cruel. They're going to critique everything about you and I wish I could protect you from that. Samantha will be in our corner, but sometimes their privileged opinions slip through the cracks. I'm..." Nathaniel let out a slow sigh, taking a bite of the food and closing his eyes as he hummed with delight over the delicious slice of happiness. "I'm always going to do my best to be that barrier protecting you, but if we're spending our lives together I think I'll fail from time to time. It terrifies me that you might come to resent me because of them."

"Rest assured, I will save the nicknames for just us," Adelaide hummed in agreement about her using his full name in front of his family. Just as she was going to say something about him getting new suits, he spoke, and she listened intently, watching his expression as she ate her fill of the dessert she made. It had turned out well. After he was done talking, Addy scooted closer to him and placed her hands on his face gently. "Nate, listen to me, my love. Nothing your family does will make me leave you. I'm used to harsh and unrelenting critiques of me. Ballet wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Everyone from my colleagues to coaches and even strangers critiqued everything about me. My weight, height, what I ate, what I didn't. My teeth, hair, eyes, you name it, it was judged," she told him as her thumbs caressed his cheeks. "I endured it because I loved dancing, and when I was up on stage, it all fell away," nothing mattered when she heard the crowd applaud after a performance or having someone say they loved the dance or even children coming up to her and saying they looked up to her. "Modeling is harsh, but not as much, but what I am trying to say this," she took a deep breath before continuing, "short of you telling me you don't want me, I'm not leaving. You might have to tell me to bite my tongue if they turn those harsh words toward you," she grinned at him before kissing his lips softly. "My love for you might get me in trouble, not that I mind."

scar / injury related symbol memes… 

continued from [x]

Caitlin's smile widened when Paloma said she was correct, and mirth filled her eyes as she looked at the novelist. "I am glad I give off femme fatale vibes. Just what I was going for," she grinned. She had been called a cold-hearted bitch before by many - mostly men. "We really are more successful than men when it comes to murder. They often lack creativity or like to boast about their kills, seeking validation from other men," she agreed with Paloma, nodding as she sipped away at her wine. "So, have you heard of the poisoner, Giulia Tofana? She made a tonic of arsenic, deadly nightshade, and lead to look like cream and gave it to women in abusive marriages? It's a fascinating story," Caitlin told her. She always found the story to be thrilling. It happened for decades before she was discovered.

Once they parked, getting everything out of the car didn't take too long. The set up was nice, it looked good enough to spend majority of the day here and have fun. They kept on laughing and teasing one another and just as he was about to grab himself some water he caught the sight of her undressing to the bathing suit she had on. Usher cleared his throat and tried to be a gentleman, not starring so much in her direction.

Viktoriya tried to be as respectful as possible while Usher undressed, but no one could deny that the man was attractive. She was sure it was all due to his ranch work and his previous football player career. The nurse only adverted her eyes briefly before returning to watch him dive into the water. "Yes, you will. I seriously think I might have been a mermaid in a past life," Viktoriya mused. "My place even has a pool, so I can take a dive if I can't visit the lake or beach," she continued.

"Ouch. Come on you don't mean that," Violet winced as she clutched at her chest. "Can't your best friend be concerned about your well-being? Especially when you're being down right crazy in wanting to meet someone you've never met. Could be a murderer or married with kids for all you know just leading you on. Everybody lies on those damn dating apps. I don't want to see you hurt and disappointed," she huffed.

Zehra sighed softly as she ran a hand through her hair. Looking over at her best friend, Violet, she gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to sound harsh. Work had been stressful, and dealing with a difficult client didn't help matters. "I know you're just worried about me, and you're right." The architect agreed. Wanting to meet a complete stranger did sound insane. "How about you come with me? You could sit not too far from us in the restaurant, and if it's troublesome, can you come and rescue me? He does sound like a decent guy, but like you said, people do lie on dating apps, even if I don't," Zehra knew how men acted; of course, they could die to get her alone and do unthinkable things to her. "If it turns out bad, we could enjoy a meal on his behalf."

"Says who? It's been months and I don't get a hello nice to see you? Not even a phone call," a soft chuckle fell from her lips with her hands on her hips.

"Teresa," Orson said her name in a soft tone as he stepped closer to her. "It's not that I am not happy to see you. I really am," he said, being sincere with her. He was happy to see her—how could he not be? He enjoyed spending time with her. "I know I should have called. My job has just kept me busy," more like keeping him in constant danger. His last mission was kicking his ass. His torso and back were still bruised to hell and back. "Look, Teresa, there is something I need to tell you, but first, you need to sit down and have a drink because I don't think you'll believe me," he offered her, hoping she didn't think he was gaslighting her or making excuses, he wasn't. It was time she knew her safety depended on it.

Three Ways

"Nope. I'm an only child." Salvatore ceased from mentioning the potential brothers and sisters he would've had, had they not passed on. Salvatore learned when he was older the pain his mother endured with her pregnancies, and how he was the only successful one. He often thought of what could have been. "My cousins though, they're like my siblings." Salvatore had two older cousins, Raphael and Bianca. Raphael was the eldest by many years, he was twenty when Salvatore came to live with them. Bianca was his younger sister, and the consigliere of the family. Bianca was the sister he never had.

"I'm glad you have family you can count on, Sal," Siara told him warmly as she moved to close the door behind her and input the security code, ensuring the house was safe. No one was getting inside, or at least that was what she hoped. Her home was decorated warmly and cozy, with some of her photos framed lining the wall in the foyer and beyond. Above the mantle in the open floor living room was just a portrait of her family; her father, mother, Ezio, and her. Looking like the family she wished they had been. At his last question, she looked at him and hummed as she stepped into the kitchen. "Yes, Ezio believes that the Lombardis are behind everything that happens and has happened to our family," Siara answered as she started taking ingredients out of the fridge to make the dinner she promised him. My dad wanted me to marry their eldest son, Federico, but I declined, and with Ezio backing me up, all their plans went up in smoke." Her father had been furious that day and even tried to slap her. Luckily, Ezio had stopped him. "It was messy, to say the least," she mused as she started cutting up onions and garlic while olive oil and butter melted in a pot. "So, Ezio believes it is all retaliation because I refused to join the families," she looked up at him as she stirred her chopped onions and garlic in the pot. Everyone knew how cruel the Lombardis were, and Siara wanted no part of that family.

Not special enough to stick around. That's what Barbara wanted to say. She wanted to scream it at him, push him off her and yell till her throat was sore. But this was not the time. It never would be, she thought. "It's okay..." The woman mumbled. Her arms loosened around herself. Slowly, she began to calm down and pull herself together. Maybe it was the beer she had before her shift, or maybe it was the stress she was under. She could not be sure. "I was actually really happy to see you too..." Barbara was not about to lie and say she wasn't.

Ezio could feel the air come back into his lungs when he heard her say that she was also happy to see him. It made a small smile turn up the corners of her lips. When she asked if he could take her home, Ezio didn't hesitate in replying. "Of course, I have no trouble taking you home," he grinned softly at her as he stood up and fixed his clothes. He fought the urge to bring her close to him and kiss her. He wanted to offer to drive her home every single day she worked if he didn't feel as if he was overstepping his boundaries. He didn't want to scare her away. But he really would do anything to keep her safe and sound.