Captive of My Heart | Ch 5, pt 1.

“Now, I know you said your future potential husband was cute,” Ria began, making her sister groan. “But that man who showed up here last night was hand-crafted by God himself. And the man upstairs obviously took his time. Remind me again why we’re fighting him so hard?”

“Damn, Ria. Can I get my ass in the massage chair good before you start peppering me with questions?”

Although she was sure he’d perceived it that way, Aella hadn’t been being petty when she told Cassius her day was booked. Her morning was filled with meetings; she and her sister had a nail and lunch appointment, and they had a business gala to attend later in the evening. She was already exhausted, and it wasn’t even two p.m.

“No. I’ve been impatiently waiting all day to get the tea on you and Mr. Man.”

“There is no tea. He’s attractive and full of shit. I don’t have time for it.”

“Elaborate,” Ria demanded as their pedicure service started.

“He’s hot and cold. I don’t like inconsistency. It feels like he thinks random visits, a little flirting, and a smile will have me melting in his palm.”

“Well, that’s what women who aren’t used to having anything tend to do, so I can see how that became part of his playbook. I can’t lie, though, him refusing to take no for an answer last night and popping up at what he thought was your window was kind of romantic.”

“Please,” Aella rolled her eyes. “It’s more like his inability to accept rejection.”

“Damn, bitch. You strict.”

“And you aren’t strict enough.”

Ilaria shot her a dirty look. “A’ight now. All that wasn’t even necessary.”

“You stay out of my business, and I’ll stay out of yours,” Aella snickered.

“Anyway,” she flipped her hair. “Switching subjects, around about when do you plan on squashing your beef with Daddy? The awkwardness in the house is stifling.”

Aella released a heavy sigh. “I know. Things have been so hectic that we haven't had a moment to address the elephant in the room. I’ll talk to him in the morning. I do miss the old man.”

“I know he...” Ilaria trailed off as the shop's door jingled, signaling someone was walking in. Instinctively, the two looked up, and Ria’s face immediately contorted in disgust.

“What the hell is she doing here?”

Shrugging nonchalantly, Aella turned away, reaching for her glass of champagne. “I don’t know, just watch your temper. I don’t have time to break up a fight today.”

“As long as she doesn’t say shit to me, I won’t say anything to her." Ilaria spat bitterly, snatching her glass from the tray between them, downing it in one gulp.

While Ilaria sat fuming, Aella discreetly surveyed their sister, Braxton, who hadn’t seemed to realize they were there. The word complicated didn’t even begin to cover their relationship.

Their family didn’t find out about Braxton’s existence until Aella was fourteen and Ilaria was ten. Somehow, Braxton learned her true father's identity and, in her excitement about having two sisters, reached out to them via social media.

What she didn’t know was that her innocent intentions inadvertently started a war within the Torrisi family that they almost didn’t overcome. Years later, Ilaria was still furious by Braxton’s existence, while Aella was indifferent. Upon reaching adulthood, she’d tried to extend an olive branch to Braxton to forge just as close a bond with her as she had with Ilaria.

Braxton rebuffed her attempts, and Aella hadn’t bothered since. As far as she was concerned, they were sisters, and if Braxton ever needed her, she would be there. If she wanted to be left alone, that was fine too.

“Relax, Ria,” Aella murmured, feeling her sister’s heat radiating from her.

“I just don’t understand why she’s on this side of town," Ilaria didn't bother to keep her voice down. "It’s almost like she—”

“It’s almost like I what?" Braxton’s voice reached Aella’s ears. "Am a grown-ass woman with the right to go wherever the hell I want to go?”

“Elle, get your sister,” Ria snarled, refusing to look up.

Aella’s nail tech bounced a pair of nervous eyes between the three.

“Y'all chill. This room is more than big enough for everybody to ignore each other.”

“I’ve been ignoring her for years, yet she still finds some way to insert herself into whatever we have going on," Ria mumbled.

“I’m sorry,” Braxton folded her arms, tilting her head. “I didn’t know this was your space. I must have missed your name on the sign out front.”

“I bet your stalking ass didn’t miss me posting it on social media, though, did you?”

“Ria, enough,” Aella demanded exasperatedly. “Damn.”

“Contrary to what you think, Ilaria, I don’t sit around watching your every move. Trust me, I’d rather not be anywhere the two of you are.”

“Brax, take that bitter shit elsewhere,” Aella waved her off. “I haven't said a word to you.”

“Nor am I, and that’s the last bit of talking I’m doing before I get out of this chair.”

Braxton’s laughter reverberated around the nail salon. “Is that a threat, little sister?”

“Bitch—”

“No, ma’am,” Aella’s arm shot out like lightning to block her youngest sister from moving. “Chill the fuck out, Ilaria. I'm serious. Today isn't the day.”

Ilaria’s sweet smile let Aella know she was about to take the situation too far.

“You’re right. We have an event with our daddy to attend later. But you wouldn't know what that feels like, would you, Brax?”

“Ria,” Aella snarled.

Though she kept a straight face, Braxton couldn’t hide the touch of hurt in her eyes.

“Fuck you, Ria,” she muttered, finally walking away.

“Right back at you, love,” Ilaria winked.

Aella smacked her arm sharply. “I know you two have your differences, but that was fucked up. She didn’t deserve that.”

“We don’t deserve to be harassed by a stranger, but here we are. Fuck her, Elle. Brax is good for starting shit, but when she gets it back, suddenly she’s a victim. I hope her stupid ass sits at home crying about it for the rest of the night.”

Aella bit back her response, knowing it would do no good. Ilaria and Braxton both harbored ill feelings about Braxton’s existence but refused to take it up with the man who created the situation. Instead, they took most of their lives taking shots at and insulting one another.

“Ria, none of this is ideal, but you could at least have empathy for her.”

“For what? Because her mother was a side chick who never bothered to tell daddy he’d fathered her child?”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with Braxton. She didn’t ask to be here, and she missed out on a lot of things we got to experience.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you’re the outside child.”

“You—”

“Why the fuck are you defending her so hard?” Ilaria snapped. “Do you remember what it was like around the house when Ma and Daddy first found out about her?”

“Of course,” Aella replied gently. “I also remember how empty the house felt when Mama left for a little while. But that’s Daddy’s fault. He’s the one who created the situation, not Brax. She’s a victim too.”

“Hmm,” Ilaria tapped her chin. “That’s funny. Every time we cross paths it seems she’s less of a victim and more of a bitch begging to get punched in the mouth she never closes.”

Biting back her response, Aella sat back. Continuing to argue the point would do no good when Ilaria’s mind was made up. Not only was she stubborn, but she was just as bitter as Braxton. She laughed, thinking about how alike the two were. If they could bury the hatchet and get past the bullshit, they’d probably be the best of friends.

“I don’t think I’m feeling lunch after this,” Ilaria announced after about thirty minutes of silence. “Seeing Brax put me in a bad mood, and I wouldn’t be good company.”

“Oh, I know you well enough to know that was coming. I’m surprised it took you this long to say something.”

“Hopefully, I’ll be over it tonight.”

“Bitch, as you’re the one giving the speech to try to persuade these people to donate to our family’s latest humanitarian endeavor, you'd better be.”

While Aella had her hands in their father’s not-so-legal business ventures, Ilaria was the charmer with the golden tongue when it came to their non-profit organizations. Her ability to talk patrons into pulling out their checkbooks was unmatched.

“You know I’m nothing if not professional,” Ilaria sighed as they finished up, put on their shoes, and headed to the front to pay. “I’ll make it happen.”

“Thank you,” Aella pulled out her card to pay for their services.

Dropping her head onto Aella’s shoulder, Ilaria delivered a sheepish grin. “I’m sorry for being such a bitch.”

Aella kissed the top of her head. “You’re forgiven on my end. But I’m honestly not the one you should be apologizing to, Ria.”

“Well, if you mean that girl we allegedly share DNA with, it’ll be a cold day in hell before she ever gets it.”

Chuckling, Aella returned her card to her wallet and signed the receipt before leaving a tip for each tech. “Girl, you are something else.”

“That I am, but you love me, though,” Ilaria grinned as they exited the shop.

“That I do.”

“I love you too. Thank you for today.”

“You’re welcome. Text me when you get to the house and let me know you made it. I’ll see you later.”

“Will do. You let me know when you make it to the restaurant.”