Chapter 3

"Congratulations Mr DelMonte. This case was quite a tough one but as always you managed to prove your client not guilty and won this, congrats again" the sides of his face wrinkled up cause of his wide smile and I returned it with a stiff nod and a tight lipped smile.

He walked away and i felt arms around my waist making me spin around to find Ms Cheryl, the client who I had just won a case for. I didn't know how to react so I stood with no definite emotion and let her have her emotional moment.

She finally pulled away and offered me an embarrassed smile while trying to stop the tears from rolling down. "Here" I gave her my handkerchief and she thanked me before using it.

"I'm really sorry about my behavior Mr DelMonte, I.I just got carried away by my emotions. I..if it weren't for your help I would be rotting behind bars for a crime I didn't commit" I offered her a little smile and patted her shoulder.

"That's fine Ms Cheryl, It is my job" she passed me a grateful smile which I returned with a nod. "Cheryl we have to go now. You need a good.... The man's words fell dead on his tongue when his eyes fell on me and a smile graced his thin lips.

"Mr DelMonte thank you so much for all your help. You really don't know what this means for all of us" i waved him off with a nod

"If you don't mind sir. C..can you give us three months to p.pay off our de... "Take your time Ms Cheryl, whenever you feel like you can pay off the remaining fees you know how to contact me" she thanked me again and I had to leave before I witnessed another episode of emotional break down.

I checked the time to see it was getting really late and i have to reach home before the sun was down. I picked up an important file from the office before heading to the mansion.

"Good evening sir" Becca, one of the maids greeted with her head bowed. "Where's she?" I looked around the living room searching for a particular brown orbs.

"She's up in her room with your..... "Daddy" all negative emotions washed away from my body and a smile spread on my lips as I watched my precious gem scurry her way to me.

I dropped my stuff on the couch and effortlessly picked her up into my arms and pressed a kiss on her temple. "I missed you daddy" she smiled cheekily and tried cupping my face with her little hands.

"Daddy missed you too gemma but you'll have to tell daddy what got you all cheerful like that" I pulled her cheek and her light giggles filled the room which lightened up my dark mood.

"You see, uncle Antonio and aunt Sophia.. She didn't get to finish her statement when they both made their way down the stairs. "I see you had a lot of fun today" she smiled and nodded cheerily.

''But daddy" her face fell into a pout which made my brow furrow at the sudden change in her mood.

"What's wrong princess?" She remained silent while playing with the chain around my neck and I was able to figure out what she wanted to ask but the little queen refused to say anything cause she wanted me to take a guess.

"You want us to go out today?" Her eyes lifted up and she nodded eagerly as if wasting a second would change my decision.

"That's fine with me princess, you have to get ready while I speak with your uncle and auntie" she smiled widely and pecked the corner of my lips.

"Thank daddy, I love you" I wrapped my arms around her body and buried my face into her flora scented neck. "I love you too princess"

"I have to go get ready" she wriggled out of my grip and began hopping up the stairs. "Be careful tesoro" I yelled out worriedly cause I was frightened that she may trip.

"Yes daddy" she giggled but didn't stop making me shake my head in amusement.

Once she was out of sight I directed my attention to my friend and his wife. "What a surprise Antonio, you didn't tell me you were coming over" he exhaled deeply and tucked his hands in his pocket.

"Sorry man, we didn't have this plan for today and when i tried reaching out to you your phone was switched off then I remembered you had a hearing today. So how did it go?" I sighed and pulled the blazer off my body and started heading towards the dinning room while I narrated the case and the final verdict.

"You know, If I didn't know you personally and the skeletons in your cupboard I'd have taking you as a role model" Sophia commented which made shoot her a glare and to annoy me further she had to smirk but I didn't have it in my bone to get annoyed cause I was too tired to do so.

"So have you thought about what we spoke about the last time?" Antonio piped out and I bucked a brow up in confusion. "What did we...  Realization dawned on me but i said nothing instead I took a sip of my drink while thinking about our last conversation.

"I didn't give it so much thoughts" he rolled his eyes and shot me a glare. "Are you kidding me Riccardo? You know how much she needs a mother right?"

"Uhm I have to agree with him on this one Riccardo. The moments we spent together today I saw how much your daughter yearns for the love of a mother. Don't get her wrong Ricky, she really loves you and appreciates your love, attention and all you provide for her but she still needs a mother figure" I said nothing cause I knew they were right.

"I'm certainly aware of that but when it comes to my daughter I can't compromise and this would be such a big decision to make so I have to look for the best for her" they glanced at each other then at me.

"We understand where you are coming from Riccardo, if you want we can set up an interview... "No, I wouldn't want to do that. If I should get a mother for my daughter I want someone who wouldn't do it for materialistic price. I want someone who would last for a long while until she is old enough to understand a lot of things" they nodded in understanding and a brief silence settled amongst us until Sophia had to break it.

"Are you ever going to tell her about... I glared at her and immediately she kept shut and focused her attention on her drink while Antonio stared at me with intensity trying to read what was going on in my head.

I can let anything in this world but I can't let any pain befall my princess nor endanger her precious life, and meeting the woman who gave birth to her and brought so many pain to her right from the very first day she took her first breath is walking her right into her nightmares.

"Aunt Sophie" she screamed loudly as she hopped down the stairs and ran into Sophia's arms. "What's wrong princess?"

"Auntie please come help me pick a dress, I don't like the one nanny chose for me" Sophia's lips stretched into a smile and she stood up with her in her arms.

"Alright let's go pick a very nice outfit for you" she giggled and snuggled her neck into Sophia's neck and I stared at them until they were out of sight. She does need a mother.

"You're thinking about it right?" I steered my eyes back to him and ran my hands in my hair.

"I always think about it Antonio but it's become worse. I know she tries to hide it sometimes in order not to make me feel like I'm not enough but I know my daughter very well. Whenever we go out together I see how she stares at other kids playing with their mothers.

Sometimes she comes home from school looking sad and when I ask she denies it but I know my little girl damn well to know what she is thinking about and it saddens me cause i promise to give her everything but there's one thing I can't give her and that's the most important of them all" he rested his hand on my forearm and gave me a sympathetic gaze.

"I want to believe you aren't doubting how good of a dad you are cause we all know you are one of the best dad out there. You raised her on your own for five years despite the fact she wasn't a planned child not everyone would have done that my dear friend. Most would have abandoned her with a nonchalant family or left her with an orphanage but you did otherwise.

You really don't have to kill yourself on this issue cause Sophia and I are here to help you find the best woman for your precious gem" I passed him a grateful look and stood up to go get changed.

~~~~~

"Do I look beautiful daddy?" She twirled around and i analyzed the yellow summer dress with a smile glued to my face. "You are always beautiful gemma" I told her and her dentine were on full display. "And you are always so handsome daddy, the most handsome man in the whole world" I chuckled and picked her up placing a kiss on her forehead.

"And what about me princess?" Antonio butted in with with a teasing smile. "You're after daddy uncle" he held his chest dramatically and she giggled.

"One day I'm going to be the first, right princess?" She shook her head and placed her palms on my face.

"No uncle, daddy will always remain the most handsome man" she kissed my cheek and I couldn't feel anymore blessed to have the gem in my life.

"We have to go now princess" she waved at Antonio and Sophia and we left to the garage. "Which do you want to go in tesoro?" She looked around the fleets of luxurious cars and chose a white Mercedes Benz, her favorite.

"Nice choice amore" i smiled and got the key. I gently placed her in the front seat and strapped the seatbelt before getting in. The car was filled with her singing along with the nursery rhymes and kid songs that sang from the speaker and for some reasons I enjoyed it.

The moon and stars are beautiful lights that makes the night beautiful and without darkness they wouldn't exist same goes to my gem and I. I made so many reckless and dark decisions. I lived in havoc and darkness for so long until she came into my life.

She was a result of one of my mistakes but she can never be a mistake cause she became the light in my darkness, the joy to my empty life and the remedy to my sore heart. I once wanted to be a Lapidarist cause of my love for precious stones but i gave up on that dream when I created the most precious of all stones and that's one of the reasons I'll love and protect her with my whole life.

We arrived at our favorite restaurant and i carried her out of the car in my arms. "Daddy please drop me, i can walk on my own, I'm a big girl now" I laughed at her expression and pulled her cheek.

"You think you're a big girl princess?" She nodded with a smile which was too contagious to resist.

"Why do you think so?"

"Because I'll be turning five soon and uncle Antonio also told me I'm a big girl" her reasons made me chuckle and I shook my head.

"You know what princess?" She shook her head and stared at me with a keen look waiting to hear what I had to say.

"No matter how old you grow you'll always remain daddy's little girl" I tapped the tip of her nose and she giggled.

"I know that daddy, does that mean I'll always be your favorite princess?" I smiled and placed her small hand in mine. "You'll always remain daddy's favorite princess and his precious gem" she smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"I love you daddy"

"I love you too princess"

~~~~~

"Esmeralda" I called her warningly when I noticed she was trying to be stubborn. "Sorry daddy" she pouted and reluctantly got down from the swing, the foul expression on her face making me sigh in guilt.

"I'm sorry sweetheart but we have to go now, it's getting late and you know you have to rise up early for school tomorrow" I bent to her level and cupped her cheeks while speaking in the softest voice I could utter to make her understand.

"I understand that daddy" she muttered and I took in a deep breath. "If you do understand then show daddy your pretty smile then I may just consider taking us to your favorite ice... I didn't get a chance to finish with my statement when a bright smile appeared on her face.

"Really?" I nodded and carried her into my arms. "Yes really, let's go before it's too late" she thanked me with a wide smile and snuggled her face into my neck.

With all the sugary desserts she had today I'm probably not getting any sleep tonight but I'll rather have a sleepless night than see her disappointed face.

I can never let you be sad tesoro.