Chapter 15

The next morning, which was a Sunday, Elena woke up later than usual. Her husband had already been up since five in the morning, but he didn't want to leave her.

Kira, on the other hand, was filled with anxiety at the thought of their father possibly refusing to let her go to Italy, she had hardly eaten anything.

"You know that Father has never denied a request from Mother," reassured Aaron. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"I can almost believe that." replied Kira, looking up. "We'll see, there's always a first time for everything."

"Are they already up?" Myra asked her siblings, who shrugged.

"No, Miss Myra," replied Fatima, a kitchen employee with her oriental accent.

"Thank you, Fatima."

"You're welcome, Miss Myra."

"Dad must have worn her out until she could take no more," Kira remarked, looking towards the stairs.

"Kira, it's impolite to speak of our parents like that," Myra retorted.

"I know, but it's the truth. We all know that Dad never tires of Mom."

"Your sister is right," intervened their father as he approached the table where his children were gathered and grabbed Kira's ears.

"Your mother told me that you wanted to go to Italy?" he asked.

"Yes, Father. Do I have your permission?"

"Yes, but..." He tapped his son's shoulder. "...Aaron will accompany you. He needs a break too."

"We're all going," Kira exclaimed excitedly.

"I can't leave the country right now. I have a wedding to organize, remember." Myra pointed out.

"Then it will be you and me, brother," declared Kira, giving a teasing look to her father, then covering her mouth momentarily before continuing. "Mom threatened to come with me, didn't she, Dad? That's why you're letting me go!?"

"You think you're smart, don't you? I could change my mind."

"Sorry, so sorry. I won't disrespect you for months. Don't change your mind, please. S'il te plaît. Pretty please!"

"French is not tolerated in this house."

"Yes, dear Daddy."

Kira and their mother were the only ones who dared to be familiar with their father, to address him informally.

"When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow at the crack of dawn."

"So soon? Okay. You'll take the Jet."

"Thank you, daddy."

"Good day child ," their father replied, who had just come to have breakfast with him and his wife.

"I see I have no say in this," Aaron said to his sister after their father left.

"I know you don't want to leave me alone in a foreign place, dear beloved brother. Because you love me. And I love you too," she said, flattering him. "Pack your bags. You have all day. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

"She always does what she wants," Myra said while getting up from her chair. "Good luck and take care," she added, looking at Aaron.

"It's going to be hell."

"I'm here, you know. I hear everything you say," she told them as they both started laughing.

"Stop, it's not funny," she pleaded before joining in their laughter.

They laughed joyfully while their mother, upstairs, was woken up by their laughter.

"My sleeping beauty is awake?"

"The big bad wolf didn't let me sleep last night."

"I brought you breakfast."

"Thank you, dear. You shouldn't have...but I'm grateful."

"Really? Are you truly grateful?"

"Yes, dear, it's not every day you get breakfast in bed."

"If you're so grateful, could you grant me another round?"

"Ivan," she said softly, cheeks flushed and heart racing.