In the middle of the night, Vanessa woke up with an overwhelming feeling. She wasn't sure if it was the baby kicking or if it was just her own longing, but all she wanted was to be close to Vincenzo. She had missed him, needed him, but she forced herself to push the feelings aside. Vincenzo had so much on his mind, so many things to deal with. She didn't want to add to his worries.
With a sigh, she settled back into bed, trying to ignore the ache in her chest. Sleep eventually took over, but not without leaving a lingering tension behind.
---
The Next Morning
Vanessa woke up feeling more tired than before. The thoughts that had kept her up were still swirling in her mind. When Brain brought her breakfast, she wasn't in the mood.
"Vanessa, what's going on?" Brain asked, noticing her lack of energy.
"I don't know, just… leave me alone for a bit," she muttered, her irritation clear even though she didn't want to show it.
Brain raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Ahh, so you're rejecting breakfast because you're thinking about Vincenzo? Want him again, huh?"
She couldn't help but smile at his joke. But before she could say anything, the door opened, and Vincenzo stepped in. He looked as handsome as ever, his black jacket fitting perfectly. She found herself lost in the sight of him.
"I'll leave you two to it," Brain said, winking at Vanessa before slipping out of the room.
Vincenzo moved toward her, and before she could say anything, he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. "What's got you so worked up this morning?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
Vanessa wanted to tell him how badly she wanted him, but the words got stuck in her throat. She didn't want to make things harder for him.
"I'm fine," she said, avoiding his gaze. "Really."
Vincenzo didn't look convinced. He cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing over her skin. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, very sure," she lied, her heart pounding in her chest.
He searched her face for a moment, his eyes filled with something soft. Then, he kissed her deeply. Vanessa felt her resolve crumble as she kissed him back, letting go of everything she had been holding inside.
But then, she pulled away, gasping for air. "Vincenzo, stop," she whispered, her breath shaky.
He looked at her, clearly confused. "Okay… if you say so," he murmured, a slight edge of disappointment in his voice.
Vanessa quickly changed the subject, feeling embarrassed. "I need to get ready. Are we going out today?"
Vincenzo smiled, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. "Yeah, I thought we'd take a little trip. Just you and me."
Her face lit up. "Really?"
He nodded. "It's just for today. I'll handle everything, don't worry."
Vanessa hesitated for a moment. "Are you sure your father will be okay with it?"
Vincenzo smirked. "He doesn't get to decide. It's just for one day."
With that, he turned toward the door. Vanessa quickly got up, eager for whatever the day would bring. It was a small escape from everything else, and she was ready to enjoy it with him.