||K a t h r y n||
"Get up, Kitty." Kitty lifted the covers from her face and opened her right eye to peek at her best friend.
Annie stood with her hands clasped in front of her and a stern expression on her face. But then, Annie's expression was always either stern or stoic. Except the night of the gala, with Kanji. Which is why Kitty was sure Vito's best friend was a user of black magic because if you weren't anyone she'd known for years, getting Annie to smile was a miracle.
Kitty studied her best friend. Her vivid red hair was tied back but it looked like it was about to break free from the hairband.
She donned black sailor pants with a black tunic top tucked into it and navy blue suede sailor shoes.
Her emerald green eyes, though usually cold, were full of love and compassion. Annie had been Kitty's best friend for eleven years, she knew Kitty better than anyone in the world. They weren't just friends, they were sisters.
"I'm tired, Tina" Valentina was Annie's middle name and Kitty had taken to calling her Tina. "I know, Tesoro. But you have to be at work today, you have meetings and we have to be at the airport later" Kitty groaned "I'm the boss, I don't need to go to work."
Annie sighed. For a moment Kitty thought she'd go downstairs to get the wooden spoon. In the many years the two women had been friends the most important thing Kitty learnt was that you do not, under any circumstances, fuck with an angry Italian woman with a wooden spoon.
Instead Annie lifted the covers, kicked off her shoes and climbed into the bed next to Kitty. Kitty immediately snuggled into Annie while Annie stroked her hair.
This was why Annie swore Kitty had the soul of a cat. "We used to do this all the time when we were younger." Kitty laughed, nodding "we'd get a world of junk food and spend a week in bed, just escaping the world."
"You always neglected to brush your rats nest during that week" Annie said. Kitty mock gasped "my rats nest? Have you seen your hair" Kitty knew Annie was rolling her eyes "shut up, Kathryn" both women burst into a fit of giggles.
Kitty remembered why she loved her best friend. Annie's past was darker and more painful than Kitty's and the woman was drastically mysterious but Annie had never failed to be there when Kitty needed her. In fact, Annie seemed to have a sixth sense for knowing when Kitty was in distress.
"You're my sister, Kitty. You have been for eleven years. I love you and I will always be here for you. And as your sister I have to tell you that you need to get out of this dam bed and take a shower because you stink."
Kitty shot up, gasping "Tina!" Annie burst into laughter "I'm being honest, Sorella." Kitty pouted and Annie kissed her forehead "now, don't pout. Come, we have things to get done" Kitty sighed but got out of bed.
Annie pulled her shoes back on and stood up. "I'll be downstairs, with breakfast" Kitty grinned, suddenly feeling better. Annie's food was the best.
After a much needed shower, Kitty pulled on a black swing dress with a red ribbon tied around it. She slipped her feet into a pair of black heels and grabbed black wrist length gloves.
She pinned her dark, shoulder length hair back and painted her lips her signature red. "There's my sister" Annie smiled when she sat down at the table. Kitty rolled her eyes "shut up, Tina."
An hour later Kitty sat in her office with a pile of paperwork in front of her. "I fucking hate paperwork" she whispered, but got to work nonetheless.
Khol burst into the office after their last meeting "Boss, Ms. Montoya is waiting for you downstairs and she's scary. So please, go."
Kitty leaned back in her chair and laughed "Khol, are you scared of my sister?" Khol glared at her "don't mock me, you know I'm scared of her. That woman is terrifying and she doesn't even have to speak. So go, before she takes my head off."
Kitty stood up and grabbed her bag, "bye Khol, I'll be sure to tell Tina not to murder you" she had just enough time to see Khol's scowl before the door closed.
Annie extended her arms and kissed both of her cheeks in greeting. They walked to the car together and conversation flowed effortlessly, as it always did.
When they arrived at the airport Matteo, Annie's personal bodyguard, opened the door for them and followed them into the building.
Kitty had argued with Khol, Annie and Vlad for months that she didn't need a bodyguard and could take care of herself before they gave in and allowed Kitty to travel without a guard.
They sat in the uncomfortable chairs for twenty minutes before they heard her voice "KITTY! ANN!" Kitty shot up from her seat while Annie stood gracefully, rolling her eyes at her sister.
"For fucks sake, Kathryn, stand up straight, you look like a question mark" Kitty had no time to reply before the tall girl collided with her. "KITTY" she screeched, her accent distorting the name.
Kitty squealed in excitement and hugged her back "Jesse, darling! Oh I missed you" Kitty pulled back to study her.
Jesse was taller than both Kitty and Annie and she was beautiful. Her amber eyes glinted with mischief and her shoulder length chestnut hair fell around her in waves.
She turned to hug Annie "I missed you both so much!" Annie chuckled and kissed the eighteen year old's forehead.
A tiny body collided with Kitty once again and Kitty squealed once again as she lifted the bundle of joy into her arms. "Auntie Kit!" Lila grinned widely and attacked Annie.
She then turned to Jesse, hands on her hips and glared "Momo! You left me alone!" Jesse's eyes widened and she scooped her daughter into her arms "I'm sorry, Princess. I was excited" Lila smiled and kissed her Mom's cheek "it's okay!"
"Come, let's go home. I'm sure you must be tired" Annie took Lila from Jesse and Matteo grabbed their bags.
"I'm hungry!"
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