Hope you enjoy! This is the beginning of something very new, and I'm so excited for you to read it!! :)
1 month later…
Britta's POV-
"I'll take a water thank you," I replied as I handed the drink menu back to the waitress.
"I'll have lemonade," Taylor smiled as the waitress sauntered away.
"Okay," she turned to me, "what is so important you came all the way to LA to bother me about."
We sat in a quaint café in downtown Los Angeles. Paparazzi buzzed around us outside the windows and I fought the urge to flip them off. I fiddled with my fork and then looked up at Taylor. Her long blonde hair was all pulled over covering her right shoulder and she wore a light blue and grey flannel shirt. Just looking at her I could feel the jealousy oozing out of my pours. I remembered back to how nervous I was to meet her years earlier, and now she was one of my closest friends.
"So how are things?" I asked her, avoiding the subject.
"Things are good," she replied, "getting ready for tour, so I've been busy."
"Yeah," I shook my head, "sounds fun."
The waitress brought our drinks and asked if we were ready to order. I asked for a turkey wrap, while Taylor got a chicken salad sandwich.
"How are the boys?" she asked me, once our orders were taken.
"They're good," I replied, "Hawke's at Eric's mothers and the twins are with Kennedy's brother."
"Can't believe you got away to Los Angeles without any of them," Taylor giggled.
"No, everyone knew I had to get away."
"What do you mean?" Taylor asked.
"After everything that happened, I needed like a mental break."
"Britta, what happened?"
Lacey's POV-
My first time in Italy, and I couldn't even enjoy it. I gripped the annulment papers I'd received from the town hall in my right hand and Antonio's address in the other. The bus ride had already lasted about 20 minutes and I had no idea where I was going. Italy was beautiful though, I couldn't believe I was here.
"Excuse, excuse!" I heard someone calling. "Ma'am!" I looked up and met eyes with the bus driver.
"Yes?" I replied.
"This is where you get off," he pointed towards the street and I stood.
"Oh, okay. Do you know where Antonio Benicia is?"
"No," he shortly replied and turned back around. Thanks a lot.
I stepped off the bus and coughed as it kicked up dirt driving away. Slipping my bag over my shoulder I started towards town and looked for anyone that might be able to speak English.
A small market sat to my left and a woman at the counter caught my eye. She was undeniably beautiful and had Antonio's eyes. I stepped inside, well…under the cloth roof, and approached the counter.
"Hello, do you speak English?" I asked.
"Si," she replied. Soon she giggled and shook her head, "sorry, yes I do. Can I help you?"
"Yes!" I exclaimed, "I was wondering if you knew where this address was?" I showed her the piece of paper and she read the scribbled words.
She looked up at me, looking almost confused, but also relieved in a way. Tossing her apron on the floor, she yelled something in Italian I didn't understand at a young boy sitting across the market and came from around the counter.
"I'll take you right there," she replied, grabbing my hand and leading me outside. As soon as we stepped out into the sun her glossy black hair revealed streaks of lighter brown and different shades of burgundy. She had high cheek bones and perfect pink lips. Brown sugar skin coloring and eyes that knocked me off my feet. I had just met her, but I felt as if I'd known her my whole life.
"So how to do you know Antonio?" she asked as we approached a villa.
"It's a long complicated story," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"I've got time," she smirked and I began to explain.
"Well Antonio was my niece's teacher and he was in the States on a temporary visa. When his time ran out…"
"You married him so he could stay in the country," the woman finished my sentence.
"Yeah," I shook my head, "how'd you know?"
"Antonio's told me all about you," she chuckled, "he said you were very beautiful, I wasn't expecting such a…such a…babe."
"Well thanks," I replied, feeling flattered as ever. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."
"It's Sophia," she replied and pushed her bangs out of her face.
"So how do you know Antonio?" I asked her.
"I'm actually his sister," she replied, "so I guess that means you're my sister too."
"I guess so," I replied, a little crestfallen. "I'm Lacey by the way. Lacey Monroe."
"Lacey Benicia I think you mean," Sophia winked and led me inside.
"Oh right," I shook my head.
"Antonio, you have a visitor!" Sophia yelled into the back room.
"Sophia, stop yelling. Nonno dorme..." He noticed me and stepped closer into the room.
"Your wife's here," Sophia sing-songed.
"Lacey, how did you find me?"
"Madison's school told me you came back to Italy to take care of your grandfather and…"
"Antonio!" I heard a weak voice call and Antonio turned to leave. "I'm sorry Lacey, one second."
"It's fine," I replied.
"Here, you can put your bags in my room," she led me down a short hallway. Their house was very beautiful, and obviously quite old. It held so much history.
"What's that in your hand?" She asked, referring to the annulment papers.
"Oh nothing," I replied, "just some tourist information." I shoved the papers into my bag and stepped into the room behind her.
"So Lacey," Sophia inquired as I set my bags down, "why did you really come all the way to Italy? Cause I'm guessing you're not in love with my brother."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, I noticed you have a tattoo of the name John on your hip…" she pointed and I looked down. I didn't realize my shirt was short. I tugged it down and slightly pulled up my jeans.
"John is my boyfriend's name," I replied.
"You have a boyfriend, and you married my brother?" Sophia chuckled, she loved this.
"I married Antonio so he could stay in the country; I've always been in love with John," I explained.
"I understand," Sophia shook her head, "so what's going to happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's going to happen when you fall in love with my brother?"
"What are you talking about?" I chuckled but Sophia kept a straight face.
"You're serious?" I replied, "Sophia, please don't take this as any offense, but I couldn't love your brother. I'm in love with my boyfriend John. That's why I'm here!"
"You're halfway around the world because you love your boyfriend?" Sophia wrinkled her brow.
"John and I are getting married, but I can't. Antonio never signed the papers…"
"So problem solved, Antonio sings the papers and you get to go home and marry John and live happily ever after, right?"
"Right," I shook my head.
"Whatever you say, Lacey Benicia…oops I mean Lacey Monroe, or wait…what's your boyfriend's last name?"
"Gomez," I replied. "John Gomez."
"Someone should probably tell him to start searching for a new wife," Sophia sighed.
I laughed it off and followed her out of the room, "Whatever you say Sophia; I'm not going to fall in love with your brother."
"Okay, I'll remember that." Sophia pretended to write the words into the air. "Can I quote you?"
"Quote me!"
Britta's POV-
"Britta what happened?" Taylor asked again, after I failed to answer the first time.
"I did something terrible," I replied.
"What did you do?" she begged.
"I slept with someone," I answered, hanging my head low.
"Britta you didn't!' Taylor exclaimed.
"I did," I began to tear up; "It was a mistake!"
"How did this happen?" Taylor asked in shock.
I looked at her, then my wedding band. "It was a mistake and now I don't know what to do."
"Britta I just don't understand!" Taylor exclaimed, "How could you cheat on Kennedy!"
"He was dead!" I exclaimed.
"He was…?"
Thanks for reading :)