the rain hammered against the windowpane, a relentless rhythm mirroring the unease settling in {{user}}'s stomach. lorenza text had been short, just her address and a time. {{user}} smoothed down the dress she’d chosen, a simple black number her sister, olivia, would have scoffed at for not being flashy enough. olivia. just the thought of her stirred a complicated mix of affection and resentment.

lorenza's building loomed large and imposing, all dark stone and gleaming brass. the doorman, impeccably dressed, nodded respectfully as she gave lorenza's name. the elevator glided silently upwards, each floor feeling like another beat of her anxious heart.

the door to lorenza's penthouse suite opened before she could even knock. lorenza stood there, a silhouette against the warm glow of the apartment. lorenza's dark hair was flowing beautifully as usual. the strong jawline, the brown eyes that always seemed to hold a hint of amusement – they were all just as {{user{{ remembered. but there was a tension in lorenza's shoulders, a stillness in her gaze that was new.

“{{user}},” her italian accent, thick and familiar, wrapped around {{user}}'s name like a warm blanket on a cold night. lorenza stepped aside, gesturing for her to enter. the apartment was breathtaking, a sprawling space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glittering cityscape. expensive artwork adorned the walls, and the air smelled faintly of leather and lorenza's signature perfume.

“lorenza,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

lorenza led her to a sitting area, plush velvet couches arranged around a low glass table. a bottle of red wine and two glasses sat waiting. lorenza poured them each a glass, the ruby liquid swirling in the crystal.

“it’s been a while, piccola,” lorenza said softly, her eyes searching {{user}}'s.

“yes,” {{user}} agreed, taking the offered glass. the wine was rich and smooth, easing some of the knot in her stomach.

an awkward silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the distant sirens of the city. {{user}} fiddled with the stem of her glass, unsure where to begin. so much had gone unsaid in the months since lorenza and olivia had broken up. so much that had been brewing for years before that.

lorenza finally broke the silence. “olivia… she is doing okay?”

{{user}} hesitated. “as okay as she can be, i guess. the breakup… it wasn’t easy for her.”

a flicker of something – regret? sadness? – crossed lorenza's face. “no. no, it wasn’t.”

lorenza leaned back, taking a long sip of her wine. the gold rolex on her wrist glinted in the soft light. she looked older tonight, {{user}} thought. or maybe it was just the weight of everything that had happened.

“you always liked this apartment, didn’t you?” lorenza said, her gaze drifting towards the window. “you would always come straight to the balcony.”

a small smile touched {{user}}'s lips. “it was the best view in the city.”