the next morning billie wakes up at the crack of dawn, despite barely getting a bit of sleep. she heard footsteps and hushed voices in the hallway, then silence.

she sleeps for another hour before she drags herself out of bed to make the boys breakfast.

she walks through the penthouse towards the kitchen, but she stops shortly as she spots a familiar face sitting down.

"ana? what're you doing here? i heard you leave this morning."

"i did a lot of thinking last night, and you were right, i was being a coward and running away from my problems. i sent jade ahead and postponed my meetings to next week. i'm also turning this business trip into a family vacation, for all of us."

"does that mean-"

"pack your bags, you're coming with us to italy." anastasia said smiling.

a few days later

billie with the help of claudia are doing some last minute shopping for her trip.

"let's see, i've already packed my sunglasses, deodorant, plenty of socks-"

"sounds like an old lady's suitcase. where's the lingerie in this place?" claudia said smiling.

"claudia noo, it's a business trip to meet up with her fiancée and stay at her villa. plus, i've been trying to avoid her."

"wait? you're avoiding her? why?"

"cause i have no idea what to say! last time i tried to talk to her, it didn't exactly go as i imagined." billie said smiling nervously.

"details..." claudia said with a soft smile.

"i just don't know what to do. everything is such a mess." billie said sighing.

"aw billie." claudia wraps her arms around her.

"it sounds like you need to talk to her, no shenanigans. have a real honest conversation about what's going on, and what your future looks like."

"are you sure? you don't think i should like...hide in her bed naked or something?" billie said chuckling.

"i mean, i definitely do think you should do that, just make sure you talk to her before." claudia said laughing.

billie chuckles as she leans into claudia's embrace, feeling better.

"but! you still owe it to yourself to look amazing on that nine hour flight."

claudia pulls billie into one of her favorite stores. it only takes her a few minutes to find an outfit for billie to try on.

"imagine yourself relaxing in tuscany with a glass of wine in one hand while a gorgeous woman feeds you grapes." claudia said smiling as she handed billie the outfit.

-

billie emerges from the dressing room and spins around so claudia can get a full look.

"that looks amazing."

"thanks clauds."

"you know...i'm gonna require like, a daily update on what's going on over there, right?"

"i wouldn't expect anything less." billie said chuckling.

the next day billie leads the boys onto the monets private jet, avoiding ana's gaze.

"dibs on top bunk!" jason yelled.

"no fair!" jacob said yelling back.

the boys run through the main seating area, disappearing behind a door into the back of the plane.

"there's bedrooms on this thing?" billie asked shocked.

"yes ma'am. we're equipped with every amenity you could possibly imagine." the flight attendant said.

"really? even like a full body massage?" billie asked jokingly.

"actually yes. we have a mini spa as well. here's a pamphlet that lists all of our treatments if you're interested."

"oh. i was kidding, but thank you." billie said smiling.

"thank you ellie, that will be all for now." anastasia said.

"alright. i'll go check on the boys. push the call button if you need me." ellie said before walking away.

"you look very pretty. new outfit?" anastasia asked.

"yep."

billie slipped into a seat across the aisle from ana, still trying to adjust to traveling in such luxury.

she flipped open a magazine and started reading.

"what has you so absorbed over there?" ana asked.

"just some mindless reading."

"i'm not sure there's such thing."

billie turns to look at anastasia, really looking at her for the first time in days. "now you're talking to me?" billie asked.

anastasia chuckled and smirked. "last time i checked you were the one avoiding me. i've tried to talk to you several times over the last few days."

"well... I was just busy getting ready for this trip." billie said.

"thats why I let it slide. but now that we're stuck together for a while..." she chuckled a bit. "lets just say, I asked ellie to make sure the boys are otherwise occupied for the first part of our journey."

"what if I don't want to talk to you?"

"then I won't force you miss o'connell."

billie purposefully turns away, lifting her magazine to block anastasia out, she flips to the next page and sees...

a full page spread of herself at the charity gala, standing with ana.

"ana? have you seen this?" billie asked as she showed anastasia the magazine.

"no. but, didn't I tell you that you were a big hit that night?"

"right, I just cant believe I made it to the tabloids, its a good thing they didn't let cameras inside the gala...that would've been embarrassing."

"awe, are you embarrassed of what happened that night?"

"well no...but aren't you?"

"of course not. I may regret how some things were handled but nothing that happened that night."

anastasia moved across the aisle next to billie.

billie knew that the two of them still needed to talk, but right now, thats not what she wanted.

her eyes roamed anas face, settling on her lips.

"...billie?"

billies mind flashes with all the things ana could do to her, her body aches with need.

billie then wraps her arms arounds ana's neck, pulling her closer.

"I want you."

"if this is a trick to distract me from our talk-"

"its not...I just really want you."

anastasia bites out a curse before she captures billies mouth, settling into the seat.

she grabs a blanket nearby and spreads it over their laps, then slides her hands under it, her fingers find billies clothed pussy and starts rubbing slowly, billies eyes go unfocused as all her attention goes to the throb between her legs.

unable to stand anas teasing, billie moves to straddle ana's lap.

"so much for our security blanket." anastasia said chuckling.

billie chuckles and unzips anastasias pants and slides her fingers into her boxers, the rough fabric of her clothes rubs against billie as she pumps her hand up and down.

anastasia thrusts her hips into billies hand and lets out a breathy moan.

"fuck.."

"I love that sound, but you better keep it down.."

ana chuckles as she moves billies underwear to the side and pushes her own two fingers inside.

"shit.." billie says whimpering.

"I bet I can make you cum first.." anastasia says whispering in billies ear.

"we'll see about that."

-

"so..about our talk..what're you going to do?" billie asks.

"uhm, I dont know. I shouldn't have put you in such a terrible position." anastasia says as she rubs the back of her neck.

"terrible position? meaning...youre still going to marry victoria."

"yeah. i...I have to."

"you dont have to do anything." billie said upset. "are you ever going to take responsibility for your part in all of this?"

"youre right. I haven't been stepping up like I should. but im trying to change that now. and this engagement...its my way of trying to take responsibility for the boys' sake."

"the boys? what do the boys have to do with this?" billie asked confused.

"everything. I dont know what you've heard about me and victoria, but the arrangement was our parents' idea, a way to merge our families and companies."

"right. cause its the 19th century again?"

"something like that. ive known victoria for years, and I already married for love once...at the time, the engagement seemed like the right move."

"so...a way to secure a legacy for jason and jacob."

"yeah. after everything they've been through with their mom and previous nannies, I felt like they needed a stable motherly presence in their lives. my father is officially stepping down as CEO after the merger, and i'll take over him, as long as everything goes expected. it was the perfect plan, but then..."

"then you met me."

anastasia looks down and nods, billie feels her heart sink further.

"if I dont marry victoria, I lose everything. it'd be an easy decision if I only had myself to think about. and if jade takes over the company, jason and jacob lose everything too. and monet enterprise is their birthright."

"ana...have you talked to your dad about this? maybe if you just explain..."

she shakes her head. "we have talked about it. as much as he likes you, he's convinced victoria is the better match. he won't change his mind."

"well..I think we need to take a step back. you're engaged. you're going to marry victoria. until that changes, we cant keep doing what we've been doing."

"if thats what you want, i'll respect your wish."

hours later, they finally land in Italy, and make the drive to victorias villa.

"mom...will you take us to the beach?" jason asks.

"at some point, definitely. but we should check in with our hosts before we make any plans-"

"is that my sunshine I hear?"

victoria then emerges from the house and greets all of them with an airy side kiss.

"youre finally here! welcome to our humble abode. billie, that dress is divine. I was worried that...never mind, you'll fit right in."

billie takes a deep breath as victoria steps back.

"...thanks."

"come in, come in. it won't do for neighbors to see us standing outside all day."

"but victoria, there aren't any other houses around..." jason says.

victoria waves him off as she ushers the group through the house and to the back patio.

"ill just give you a quick tour so you dont get lost-"

"can we start with the pool?"

before victoria can respond, the boys take off running.

they race to the side of the pool and throw open their suitcases, looking for their swim trunks. soon, half of their previously packed clothes are scattered on the ground.

"billie, aren't you going to do something about this?"

"actually, as their future stepmom, maybe you should."

victoria huffs and looks at jacob and jason. "you two, stop it right now and clean up this mess!"

"no thanks!" jason says laughing.

"targets acquired." jacob holds a super soaker up in the air.

"how did they sneak that into their luggage?" billie asked shocked.

jacob quickly fills the water gun with the pool water, then starts spraying his brother.

"boys! enough!" victoria said yelling.

"jason and jacob both turn to look at victoria, taking the water stream with them and splashing victoria in the face.

"what the fuck!" victoria yelled angrily.

"sorry!" jacob said shocked.

billie fights the urge to laugh, but she knows she has to step in.

"alright, I think thats enough, boys, clean up your clothes right now."

"yes, billie..." jason says sadly.

"I really didn't mean to spray you victoria, I was aiming for jason."

"...I accept your apology."

victoria leads them to the back patio with a gorgeous overlook of the surrounding hills.

"its a stunning view." billie says amazed.

"and its the perfect place to play hide and seek!" jacob says excitedly.

"not it!" jason says as he starts to run towards the rows of vines, but victoria swiftly blocks his path.

"the vineyard is not for playing. its a rousseau subsidiary."

"oh." jason said sadly.

billie was about to lean over to tell anastasia to try to do something, but she steps forward before she can.

"victoria be reasonable. the boys won't hurt the vines."

"but these varietals take years to grow fruition. one misstep and-"

"please victoria..." jason said. "we promise we won't touch any grapes."

"and if anything does happen, i'll make sure to pay for it and tell your father it was my fault." anastasia said.

"very well." she said letting out a deep breath. "on one condition..."

"what?" jacob asked confused.

"...i'm not it either." victoria says smiling.

"wait uh, not it!" billie says stepping backward.

"not it!" ana says.

they all look at jacob.

"whatever, i'm good anyway." jacob says.

"this patio right here will be home base. you cant get tagged while youre here." jason says.

"yeah, yeah. but first you all have to hide." jacob says rolling his eyes.

jacob closes his eyes and starts counting as everyone scatters to find a hiding spot.

"billie slips between two vines branches just as Jacob shouts...

"ready or not here I come!"

billie can here his footsteps barreling down the path. she holds her breath just as he comes to view.

but as soon as she holds her breath, she feels a tickle in her nose, and a sneezing threading to come out.

she holds it in, and waits until jacob disappears down another aisle before peeking her head out to see If he's gone.

she slips along the rows of the vines, quietly making her way back to home base until...

"billie!" jacob says scared.

"oh crap." billie makes a run to the home base, spotting anastasia already standing there.

"come on billie I got you!"

"not if I get her first!"

as jacob stretches out his arm to tag billie, anastasia reaches for her, yanking her into her arms.

"safe!"

"...for now. ill get you next time."

"victoria and jason are still out there...unless you want them to win." ana says to jacob.

"never!" jacob rushes off, leaving billie and anastasia all alone.

anastasias arms are still wrapped around billie, not even realizing it.

"uhm, I dont think victoria would be pleased if she saw us like this."

anastasia looks down, almost startled as she realizes her hands are on her. "my apologies." ana lets her arms fall to her sides, but doesnt step back. shes so close, billie could feel her warmth.

suddenly, a loud shout from jacob interrupts the two of them. they both look up to see him walking victoria toward the patio, while jason jogs behind them.

"I got victoria!"

"she was talking on her phone! I saw the whole thing." jason says laughing.

"good job jacob." billie says happily.

"I had to take the call! they didn't know I was in the middle of a game."

"right. sounds like he got you fair and square." ana says smirking.

"which means youre it." jacob says.

"fine." victoria says as she closed her eyes and started counting loudly. the rest of them head back to the vines to hide.

billie follows anastasia down a row of vines, with a mischievous little flutter in her heart, she slips into the same space between two trellises with her.

"hi." billie says whispering.

ana jumped. " fuck you scared me."

"hellooo! I hear giggling!" victoria says loudly.

"sounds like shes going after the boys."

"yeah."

the two of them chuckle, billie can't help but notice the small space between them.

billie gives ana a soft smile, snaking her arm around her waist. despite what billies brain says, she wants to kiss her.

billie leans in and brushes her lips against ana's.

ana cant help but grip onto billies hips and pull her closer, kissing her thoroughly.

after a moment they both let go, and try catching their breath.

"sor-"

"gotcha!" victoria says making them both leap into the air.

"holy shit, how'd you sneak up on us so quietly?" ana asked.

'and how much did she see?' billie thought.

victoria smiles and holds up her high heels. "I took off my shoes for a silent approach."

"clever."

"too bad billie was closer. I was aiming at you ana."

they all keep playing until the jet lag finally catches up to them.

billie was shown to her room, and she falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.

hours later, after accidentally taking a much longer nap than intended, billie wakes up and heads into the kitchen.

"I just made a fresh pot of tea, want some?"

"victoria! you scared me." billie says.

"billie, if youre going to stay at my villa, you should get used to seeing me in it." vic says chuckling.

"sorry, i'm just out of it. id love a cup of tea."

"coming right up."

victoria turns away to pull the mugs out of the cupboard, just then billie hears a buzzing sound on the counter.

billie tries not to snoop, but as she glances down to pick up the phone, the text messages jump out at her.

╭───────────────╮
d.t.f.

last night was fun 💦

╰───────────────╯

'holy shit victoria's cheating on ana!?'