Memories and misunderstanding_118

Selene's POV

The living room was quiet, dimly lit with the soft amber glow of the antique lamp Antonio insisted on keeping. I sat curled up on the plush cream couch, my knees drawn close to my chest, a warm blanket around my shoulders. Antonio entered with two steaming mugs of hot coffee, his grey t-shirt a little creased, and his hair a beautiful mess.

"Peace offering," he said, offering the mug with a small smile.

"For what?" I arched an eyebrow.

"For all the confusion I created back then," he replied, sliding beside me. "Especially with the dogs."

I snorted, almost choking on my first sip. "You chased actual dogs toward me, Antonio."

He laughed, the kind that made my heart flutter. "In my defense, they were harmless. And I needed a dramatic entry. A real-life movie scene to sweep you off your feet. I told you ya?"

"Well, you did sweep me. I fell flat on my face before you 'rescued' me," I said dryly.

"Still worked," he winked.

We shared a moment of silence, the air softening around us with memories. Then, he looked at me more seriously.

"Selene… do you remember the time you went by Atasha?"

My eyes lowered. "Yeah. I thought… after everything… I needed to disappear. Reinvent myself."

"You thought I left you for Alina," he said, gently.

With regret in his eyes he looked at me. "She had twisted things. Said we were dating. But I was too focused on finding you again, I didn't realize how it all looked from your side."

I looked up at him, a sad smile playing on my lips. "And you thought I changed my name to run away from you."

"Yeah. I thought I lost you forever."

There was another pause, heavy but healing.

"And then when we met again, and you saw me with Mira and Amara…"

"Oh god," I groaned, hiding my face in the blanket. "I thought you had two girlfriends. Sisters? Really? You never mentioned them!"

Antonio burst into laughter. "You avoided me for three weeks because you thought I was in a love triangle with my sisters."

"I was protecting my dignity," I said, grinning.

"You were hiding behind bookshelves."

"Don't expose me."

We both laughed again, the sound of it echoing through the still room like soft music. Then, he reached out, brushing my hair away from my face.

"I'm glad we're here. Together. That we got past all that."

I leaned into his touch. "Me too."

And then he whispered, "Still think I'm some kind of movie hero?"

"Not just some kind," I whispered back. "You're mine."

He smiled — soft, genuine — and pulled me into his arms. And in that moment, tangled in memories and the quiet promise of the present, I realized: even through chaos and confusion, we were always meant to find each other.

later then,

It was one of those warm golden evenings where time seemed to slow down. The house buzzed softly with the scent of fresh-baked cookies and the mellow background of an acoustic playlist. Mira and Amara were curled up on the living room beanbags, debating over which movie to watch while Antonio and I lounged on the couch, tangled together like we belonged there.

"I still say we should've watched The Proposal," Amara argued, waving a cushion in protest.

"You just like the idea of Sandra Bullock bossing people around," Mira teased.

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

Antonio chuckled. "Hey, before the movie starts, Selene and I have a story for you two."

Mira raised an eyebrow. "Another love story?"

"More like a cautionary tale," I said, smirking.

Mira and Amara looked intrigued, setting their snacks aside.

Antonio started. "So, Selene once thought I had two girlfriends at the same time."

Both girls blinked.

"What?!"

"Excuse me?" Mira gasped.

"Yep," I said, mock-proudly. "He was seen with two stunning women. Always talking to them, laughing with them, hugging them even."

Amara narrowed her eyes. "What the hell !You were cheating Our dearest sis in-law Brother, I didn't expect that from you."

Then came Mira," Wait wait wait,That was us, wasn't it?"

I gave them a teasing look. "Exactly. And I didn't know you were his sisters at the time. I thought he was some flirt juggling girls."

Amara burst into a laugh, nearly choking on her juice. "That's so tragic. And hilarious."

"Oh it gets better," Antonio said. "You remember when we first met?"

"Of course," Mira replied. "Selene was red as a tomato every time you came around."

"That's because he chased dogs at me!" I exclaimed.

They stared.

"What?" Mira blinked.

"Real dogs," I clarified. "He sent them running toward me so he could swoop in and save the day like a Hollywood hero."

Amara shrieked with laughter. "Antonio! You lunatic!"

"I was desperate, okay?" he defended, trying to hold back his own laughter. "It was the only way I could talk to her again. I had one chance to be her hero."

Mira wiped her eyes, still giggling. "And you, Selene? You fell for that?"

"I fell on the pavement, first of all," I said, tossing a cushion at her. "But yeah, it worked. I hated how much I liked it."

We were all in stitches by then, the room echoing with laughter and teases. Mira was clutching her side, and Amara had tears in her eyes.

"Oh god," Amara wheezed. "This is the greatest rom-com I've ever heard."

"You two are actual chaos," Mira said, shaking her head fondly.

Antonio slid his arm around my shoulder and pulled me in closer, resting his chin on my head. "Still glad she didn't run away from me again."

"I almost did," I admitted. "But something told me to stay."

Amara smiled warmly. "That's called fate."

"Or foolish optimism," Mira teased.

"No," Antonio said with a wink, "that's called love."

The room melted into soft smiles and gentle warmth again. These were the stories we'd laugh at for years — the awkward beginnings, the misunderstandings, and the moments of pure, ridiculous romance.

And I wouldn't trade a single second of it.