Married To Moretti

Ch 5 - Can You Feel It?

THREE YEARS LATER

The city was different now. Or maybe… I was the one who had changed.

The cab pulled up in front of one of the most popular restaurants in the city, Sofia wanted us to relax and have the night acting like the somewhat rich people.

A few minutes later, Sofia and I were already seated by the window, soft golden lights reflecting off the glass and catching in my wine.

“…and I’m sure they would have walked us out,” I said, holding back a smile.

Sofia burst out laughing, quickly lowering her voice when a security officer glanced over. “Okay, okay,” she whispered, leaning closer. “But you should have seen her face. I swear she looked like she was about to sue the entire building.”

I shook my head, lifting my glass. “You’re terrible.”

“And yet,” she grinned, “you keep me around.”

“Unfortunately.”

She gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest. “Wow. After everything I’ve done for you?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”

“Yes,” she insisted. “Who helped you stop hiding, start showing up, actually live a little?… Even if you still don’t want to put yourself first.”

I raised a brow and laughed, twirling the stem of my glass between my fingers. “You mean… making sure I actually maintain my spot on the stage?”

Sofia smirked. “Exactly. I couldn’t let you ruin what you don’t already like.” Then, she gave me a weird look, “and what pays you best.”

I rolled my eyes and eased my back on the chair, smiling. “I guess you’ve done your job well.”

“Always,” she said, winking.

For a moment, I thought of all the nights, the pushes, the encouragement… Sofia always had a way of pulling me out of my shell.

We just sat there, letting the gentle hum of the restaurant wrap around us.

Sofia studied me, a slow smile spreading across her lips.

“Yeah,” she murmured, almost to herself.

I glanced at her. “What?”

She shook her head, reaching for her drink. “Nothing. Just… look at you.”

I looked down at me, I was putting on a green slip-on dress. Nothing special.

I scoffed lightly. “Relax.”

“No, seriously,” she said quietly. “If I didn’t know you back then, I wouldn’t believe it’s the same person.”

That made me pause, but only for a second. “People change,” I said simply, taking a sip of my wine.

Sofia held my gaze for a second longer… then smiled. “Yeah,” she said. “They do.”

“Have you also looked at yourself?”

Sofia dropped her gaze, letting her dark hair to hide her face. “Stop it.”

I stretched from across the table, brushing her hair back “Yeah… now you see.” I relaxed back into my seat.

We both giggled.

Three years ago, I wouldn’t have known how to sit still and enjoy something like this. Now, I did.

And tonight… It felt good.

Sofia was still laughing as we stepped out of the restaurant.

She raised her hand, flagging down a cab with ease.

When it pulled over, she turned to me. “You sure you don’t want to come over?”

I shook my head. “Not tonight. I just want to sleep.”

She studied me for a second, like she was checking for something deeper, then nodded. “Alright. But text me when you get home.”

“I will.”

When I got home, I found my dad asleep on the sofa. He must have been exhausted from the café.

I stood there for a moment, just watching him, a small ache settling in my chest. The television played softly in the background, casting flickers of light across his face. He had no idea what my life looked like outside this house. And I made sure it stayed that way. For him. So he could sleep like this… without worry.

My sister still hadn’t visited. Not once since she left for school abroad. We talked on the phone, of course. She always said she would come soon, but soon never came. Sometimes, I wondered if she was waiting… Until she finished school. Or until this house no longer held the memories it did.

I missed her.

Dad missed her more. And if I had my way, I would have packed us up a long time ago, left this house and everything it carried behind, just so she could come back.

I quietly shut the door behind me, careful not to make a sound, and walked over to him. Up close, he looked… older.

The long hours at the café had carved lines into his face, and the gray in his hair had spread more than I remembered. For a split second, I just stood there. He used to be so full of energy. Always laughing. Always making plans for us. Now, most nights, he fell asleep right here without even making it to his bed. I reached for the cloth draped over the arm of the sofa and gently pulled it over him.

“Good night, Dad,” I whispered. He stirred a little but didn’t wake. I lingered for a second before heading into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my messages until I found her name. Alessia.

You still haven’t come home yet, I typed.

My thumb hovered over the send button. I stared at the words for a few seconds… then sighed and searched for Sofia instead, typing quickly.

Home.

Sofia replied almost instantly. Good. Sleep.

I smiled faintly and locked my phone. Then, I turned off the kitchen light and made my way to my room.

The next night at the club…

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. A lot had changed in three years. Not just my life… me. The way I looked. And for the first time in a long time, I actually liked what I saw.

My gaze dropped to my outfit… or lack of one. Red panties and red stilettos. That was the colour for tonight. The silky fabric clung perfectly, the way it always did, accentuating the curves I had worked so hard to maintain. I flexed my toes in my heels and felt the familiar rush of confidence that came every time I stepped into the club.

A groan resounded from the other side of the room.

“What the hell?!”

“I’m sorry, so sorry.” That’s Sofia’s voice.