@lithiumwolff It'd been around 6 weeks, things were calmer, quieter with no real issues arising. Alyssa was doing better, physically moreso than mentally. She was back at her home and now had the cast off her arm, able to use crutches and a walking boot. Trevor was back to guarding Ella, Alyssa able to handle having Raul nearby. Vince was back to work, watching Alyssa, but they still had to have another guard with Alyssa as he wasn't fully healed, yet, assigning Diego. Ella insisted a second bodyguard for Gage, adding Rex. The twins' father decided a party was in order. There were a few reasons for it. One was to help Alyssa, giving her something to focus on with planning and getting her to feel more comfortable back at the winery and restaurant. The other was always business - a chance to strengthen ties and/or gain new business. In this case, it was towards the legal end, working on the import/export business contracts.
Ella absolutely hated these parties. She and Gage were home, getting ready, having to dress up in fancy dresses and suits - including the bodyguards. The brunette was not shy about the fact she absolutely didn't want to go. Her hair and makeup were done - having someone there that did those things because Ella was not going to do it. She'd have gone with hair down and next to no makeup if left to her own devices. Even the dress was selected by Alyssa, trying to make it as painless as possible for her twin. It was not necessarily something Ella would pick, knowing full well this was more something Alyssa would wear. She also knew her sister was still struggling with PTSD, though they had the therapist for her to talk to now. She felt comfortable more covered up, still, especially wanting to ensure any scars were covered. Coming out of the bathroom, Ella sighed, glancing up at Gage, "We should skip it. I don't want to go to this. These parties are awful," she grumbled a bit. It didn't help she was wearing something more suited to her twin - though most of the formal attire they had was far more her twin's taste than hers. Walking towards him, arms slipped around his waist, "Can I talk you into staying home?" she asked, raising a brow, leaning up to press a soft kiss to his lips - something she only did because she knew the lipstick they put on her was the kind that wouldn't rub off onto him.













