Love in Portofino

Picking up the heavy Louis Vuitton suitcase, Ajda huffed. Her other hand was carrying another heavy designer bag as she watched Narcissa, who was free of any luggage, laugh with Regulus. He also carried two suitcases, one being his and the other one… you guessed correct! Narcissa’s.

“And then he comes to me and says ‘Mummy is she a butterfly?’” Narcissa continued chuckling “Your nephew certainly took after you on cheekiness!”

“My Draco is going to be a class clown, oh God” Regulus tutted.

“Remind me again why we’re carrying your stuff, my fair lady” Ajda asked

“Well, I’m a delicate flower who just couldn’t possibly do this hard work.” Narcissa sends her a rare puppy eyes, “And I just got my nails done.”

Shaking her head, Ajda muttered a quiet “You will be the death of me” as Narcissa grinned.

“So what have you been doing lately, Superstar?” Regulus asked as he started climbing the stairs to the villa.

Her lack of sports background is showing as she tried taking deep breaths and heave the suitcase into another step “Oh… you know… same old”

“So you just write and sleep?” Narcissa reached the door and patiently waited for her to give her the keys.

“No, I write, I eat pasta, and then sleep.” Reaching the door as well, she threw the handbag to Regulus’ shoulder and as he let out a yelp, she started fishing for the key buried deep within her little knitted bag.

Finally finding the keys, Ajda opened the door and is met with the smell of the apple pie she baked this morning before going swimming. She takes a step in and is promptly shoved aside as the two young adults let out a war cry sounding suspiciously like “APPLE PIE!!!” and ran towards the smell.

Shaking her head with a smile, Ajda let out a breath as she closed the door and took off her shoes. Putting on her bunny slippers and getting out two more from the closet next to the door, she gathered the slippers in her arms and headed towards the kitchen.

The two cousins moved quickly as they searched for plates and forks. The dessert in question sat with all its glory at the middle of the counter. She had baked this for the two, knowing how much they adored the pie.

Moving to help the commotion going on, she set out three plates and a few napkins and sat on the stool, watching them.

Regulus started talking with his mouth full which Narcissa swatted his head for. “Ouch! Fine!” He rubbed his head, “So what are we doing tonight?”

“We are going out on a fancy dinner, lovelies!” Narcissa smiled. “I have some news for you two.”

Ajda groaned, “Please tell me you and Lucius are getting a divorce.”

“No!” Ignoring the ‘oh man!’ from the the other girl she continued “Why would we do that?”

“Because he’s a lazy billionaire who can’t tell the difference between an apple and a pear!” Ajda exclaimed, digging into the pie.

“Gotta agree with Superstar on that one.” Regulus muttered and took the biggest bite ever known to humankind.

“You two!” Narcissa huffed, “He has changed, he’s not like the last time you’ve met him.” She pointed her fork at Ajda and with a proud smile and said, “He’s planning on getting into the arts.”

“I know you like him but I’m just skeptical that an esteemed chemist like you is now married to the biggest dunce in Britain.” Ajda gently pushed Narcissa’s waving fork to the table and gave her a weak smile. “He once asked me if Switzerland was close to Australia.”

“And hold on, what was your answer?” Regulus asked, suspicious.

“I said ‘Of course! They’re neighboring countries, actually’”

Shaking her had and promptly ignoring the curly haired boy who started cackling, Narcissa continued.

“He’s trying and that’s all that matters to me.” She smiled comfortingly back at her. “And he’s an amazing dad, he’s very close with Draco.”

“Then, I support you.” Ajda sighed.

“Besides, he’s a great listener.” Regulus chimed in. “That’s an important quality.”

Narcissa nodded , “It’s very easy to communicate with him, he’s very sweet.”

“I suppose Lucius and I could go out on lunch and I could get a few people from the art department to talk with him.” Ajda said.

Grinning, Narcissa looked at them both and let out a high pitched scream “group hug!”

“No.” Ajda deadpanned.

“Yeah, no. I’m currently on a date with my lovely apple pie.”

                      —————————————————————————

The head of the waiters welcomed the trio into the luxurious restaurant. Heading towards the table the waiter had described as “Dai! our best one!”, the two cousins chatted with the man in Italian. She could pick up a few words here and there but her Italian was a bit miserable. She could never learn a language as easily as them both, who grew up learning French, Italian, and Latin. But Regulus had started giving her lessons last November and she could definitely say she had improved.

“And this is your table, godere!” Leaving them, the waiter headed to the bar which seemed to be so full that it made her dizzy. People on google were right about this restaurant, “Filled with people but the view is crazy.”

The table they sat on had many candles and beautiful details but the best part was that you were the closest you could be to the sea. They both had chatted on what to eat as they watched the sunset change its colors.

It was 30 minutes later when the sun has set and the indigo had begun to show that Narcissa cleared her throat. Having finished her meal, she watched as the other two looked at her while taking their last bites. “As I said, I have some news.”

They both nodded.

“I’m pregnant.”

Ajda choked.

“And it’s twins!”

Regulus gaped at her.

“And we’re naming them after you two!”

Looking positively like they both were going to faint, Narcissa watched them process the news with a mischievous smile.

“WHAT” Regulus screeched as Ajda got up and threw herself across the table to hug the woman.

“Oh my love, congratulations!” Ajda ignored the looks other people were sending them.

Sighing and continuing to eat his dessert, Regulus stared into the distance “I’m so going to spoil them.”

                      ————————————————————————

“But you’re pregnant!” Ajda argued as Regulus searched for a place they could sit at.

“I don’t need alcohol to have fun, darling.” Narcissa hummed and looked around the restaurant.

Regulus beckoned them over to a table and they both pushed past other people to reach him. As the two cousins sat, Ajda walked over to the bar to get her and Regulus’ drinks.

Pushing past dancing couples, she headed towards the barmaid who was currently serving drinks for a large group of friends. Maybe a week ago, seeing people enjoy their night out with friends would have made her jealous but now, with the two cousins bickering behind her at their table, she felt content.

Getting closer to the man and gathering all of her courage, she started asking for her drink in broken Italian “un…bicchiere? di…”

“Ajda?”

Turning to her left, she was met with about 7 people looking at her with surprised eyes.

“Avery?” Ajda gaped at the boy now standing in front of her with a shocked expression.

Clearing her throat, she took in his form. He seemed to be happy, at least more than when they were dating, his face held a glow that only a new relationship could bring and his golden hair was tossed to the side as if he ran his hands through it all night.

He was dressed smartly but comfortably with an expensive looking white shirt paired with white long shorts. And he was holding his drink in his hand with all his might.

“Umm,” Ajda chuckled, very awkwardly. “How have you been?”

Searching her face for a minute longer Avery quickly averted his eyes “Amazing.”

“Good.” Ajda tried to smile.

“Great” Avery quickly replied.

“Right” Ajda averted her eyes too.

“Book girl?”

Oh just fucking great.

“Oh… you” Ajda muttered as her gaze turned back to him. He was sitting very closely with a girl who had golden brown hair with mesmerizing green eyes that left Ajda speechless.

She was truly gorgeous.

And she was now taking over Ajda’s form with curious eyes.

“Well,” Ajda started moving towards her table where the two cousins were now probably looking for her. “I better get going, good night-“

“Wait,” Avery and Tom said at the same time.

Tom turned towards Avery with a surprised look. Avery now looked shameful as he stared at his expensive sneakers.

“Avery was the philosophy bro?” Tom let out incredulously. His bushy eyebrows shot up to his hair as he looked between the two exes with a peculiar expression in his midnight blue eyes.

“I beg your pardon?” Avery turned to Tom with a weird expression.

“Hello,” the gorgeous girl sat straight and smirked, “are you by chance the ex in this situation?”

Chuckling, Ajda smiled at her “I’m afraid yes.”

“Ajda Akarsu,” She stated, confidently.  "I love your work.”

“Oh,” blushing, Ajda moved closer to the girl “I’m flattered, miss…?”

“Suitlane.” The girl offered her delicate hand “Romy Suitlane”

Shaking the girl's hand, Ajda blushed once again.

What was up with her, why was she blushing all of a sudden?

“Thank you Miss Suitlane, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine.” Romy smiled mischievously.

“Superstar?”

Turning around Ajda was met with Regulus’ questioning look. Narcissa was not so behind him as she twirled a blonde curl and stared at the group of friends with an unfamiliar expression in her clear blue eyes.

“I’m coming, sorry for making you two wait.” Ajda coughed and gathered the now lukewarm drinks.

“Well, hello” Narcissa raised a brow, “I suppose you’re gathered here to celebrate Mr. Avery’s engagement?”

Stopping in her tracks, Ajda once again turned to the group of seven. Romy and Tom were still staring at her while Avery was now actively ignoring Regulus’ hard stare. There were three more boys and another girl who seemed to be way too drunk.

“Cissy,” the other girl stated something gibberish which Romy quickly pinched her to stop.

The two boys were unfamiliar with their red hair. They seemed to be twins, the one to the right had blue eyes while the other boy’s were brown. They both looked ready to puke which made Ajda take a step back.

The other boy sat on the corner furthest from the twins, seemingly wanting to take the same action Ajda had, with a disgusted look in his hooded eyes.

Narcissa was now glaring at the drunk girl who had short black hair and dark eyes. The girl tried to get up from the couch but Tom held a hand to her without leaving his gaze from Ajda’s.

Narcissa seemed like she wanted to punch the girl.

“You know what, we better get going.” Ajda hurriedly stated and started tugging the two cousins away from the scene. Regulus continued glaring at Avery while Narcissa reluctantly started walking back towards their table.

When they finally reached their table, Ajda turned to them with a questioning look, “What was that?”

Regulus shook his head with a somber expression while Narcissa continued glaring at the group who now stared back at the trio, “That, my darling, was The Knights of Walpurgis.”