Marianna's POV
Both Helena and Castle left early in the morning. They are the busiest pair of people. I was about to ask her how she intends to spend time with Nicko when she's not even around but then she introduced me to a nanny. She's a serious older woman who Nicko has taken a liking to. She's always hovering around making it impossible for me to plan an exit. Helena also has guards at all exits. Nicko is not getting out of this penthouse.Other than that, we are okay. It's not that I have a personal problem with Helena, it's that I don't want to leave my son behind when I go to London. It's a brief visit, a week or so give or take. It may be longer but I can't leave him.
"All dressed up. You look like a young man now!" I fixed his perfectly straight hair. I have straight hair too. Nate has curly hair. I think Nicko would have been super cute with curly hair.
"You know I could have done t
Helena's POV"That cup of tea must be exceptionally sweet this morning for you to smile like that."Castle has no idea how pleased I feel. From the moment Nathan met Nicko to the moment he kissed Marianna... especially when he kissed Marianna, I was just over the moon! I should not have watched but hell! It was deep! Seeing the three of them together gave me the perfect idea. It convinced me that they should be a family. There's no room for Wayne."Well, when a good plan comes together, I can't help but celebrate.""How did you get him here that fast?""You know I'm resourceful!""Clearly. What did you say to him though? Did you tell him you are on your death bed?"I rolled my eyes. "Nathan is capable of sensing the urgency in my voice. I asked him to come home and he did. What is the big deal?""The big deal is that you're s
Marianna's POV"I can't accept this." I gave her back the check. I don't think monetary compensation is necessary for everything I do for Nicko. He's alive, happy and healthy and that's enough payment for me.Helena received the envelop. She opened it and I saw an irritated look flash in her eyes. "Why not?""I think you are an amazing woman. I think you're very hard working and quite influential. I think... I believe you're the kind of woman people can look up to. I have no doubt in my mom that if you were in my shoes, you would have done exceptionally well. I know payment wouldn't be necessary ane you wouldn't accept it. I'm grateful that you got Nicko back and I respect you for the woman you are...""Where is this going? Get to the point." She snapped at me cutting me off.I disregarded that. "I think you're meddling and you should stop."She leaned
Marianna's POVI have been cooked up in my room all day. I like my room. It's quite comfortable. There's nothing personal about it but it's comfortable. Unlike the other couple of days when I got to roam free in the penthouse, Nate is around. I'm avoiding a conversation with him for now. So instead I have read an entire romance novel, I have made this ridiculous plan to go to college. Courtney talked me into it. She's in MIT studying mechanical engineering. It's her second year. I'm not that clever; not like Court. I want to ask Helena to give me some guidance. She's after all financially successful but after the confrontation she's not even looking at me. So there's that. I think I'll ask Castle. He is the friendliest person in this house after Nicko.Maybe I can be a nurse. Maybe a teacher. Maybe a secretary. I want something simple that gives me time with Nicko. I don't want to lose myself in a career and not pay att
Nathan's POV"You don't get it from him. Your father was a calm man. He never exploded under pressure. He kept it together. You get it from me. I sometimes lose my temper like that and I get physical fast."I paid attention to the city below. Everything is normal. It's the same everyday and I'm bored to death. I would rather be on the ship. I'm used to that, not this domestic lifestyle where I have nothing to do. I'm working towards being an Admiral like my father. In terms of my career I know where I'm going. In terms of being a father, I'm clueless. A husband perhaps but she doesn't want me and it hurts. She has a whole life I'm not part of.I am not proud of hurling her across the room like that but she provoked me. She was being sarcastic and rude. I'm not happy about yelling at her. I'm not proud of being around and never looking for them. I was a mess. I needed time. I felt she was better off without me
"Where is everyone?"Castle gave me a strange look. "You don't know?""Know what?"He let out a sigh. "A day like this two years ago is when Alexander was murdered. They are both miserable. I checked on Helena a little earlier and she's not okay. I tried to check on Nate but his door is locked. I have to go to work so it's up to you to take care of them. Be gentle even when they are total pains. Okay?""Okay." I agreed feeling infected with the sadness as well.After he left I went about my usual morning routine of feeding Nickolas, getting him bathed and dressed. I set him in front of the big TV."What do you want to watch today?""Toon!" He answered.The nanny introduced him to cartoons. It keeps him distracted. The more colorful and loud, the more he pays attention. I turned up the volume so that I can sneak away unnoticed.
Giovanni's POV"What happens if we hit another brick wall Don Giovanni?" The young boy who had been my little best friend asked. He has accompanied me for the last two years after I found him wandering the streets of Rome begging for food. I touched the top of his head giving him an assuring smile. "Will we have to go back to Roma? I don't want to go back. I don't want to live on the streets."I came down to his height. "I will never let you sleep on the street ever again. As long as there is breath in my lungs, I'll take care of you."Perhaps when I saved him it was a strong need to prove to myself that I'm not a failure. I have been looking for Maria for two years and this is the last clue on my list of crossed off places to find her. The last private investigator I have hired insisted on this place just when I was about to give up. He said it was a tip. Private investigators have taken advantage of me by b
Helena's POVI must speak to Castle. Something happened and it's big!I ran into Nate. Since our last conversation about him taking a desk job, we haven't been speaking to each other. His decisions bare beginning to upset me beyond what I can tolerate."I'll marry Marianna." I stopped to listen. "I'll marry her before the year ends." He informed me."Will you drag her down the aisle? Because there's a lot of friction between you two. A child is all you share Nathaniel. A marriage is so much more than a child."I observe them and it's not going as I had hoped. Marianna is nervous and scared around him. He's overly domineering and he doesn't even have to say a word. My son doesn't know how to love and I think it's my fault. He's as cold and as emotionally detached as I am. It takes patience to love people like us. Alexander was really patient wit
Nathan's POVI find it interesting that for the first time in my life I have fallen in love with a woman. I have been with many, some even a mere few minutes but none of them has caught my attention the way Maria has.I don't want to leave her side. I don't want to get out of bed this morning after we have made love repeatedly. She softens my rough nature. The ice around my cold heart thaws when she's close. She's making me soft and mellow; something I'm not.I pressed my lips on her bare shoulder. I want us to wake up next to each other like this; naked and thoroughly satisfied just so that we can do it again and again. I kissed her neck cupping her full breast in my hand. I have dreamed of this reunion for so long! She stirred awake when I squeezed her. "Nate..."I love how she whispers my name. It's the sweetest word I have heard when she says it."Good morning agapi
Marianna's POV"Rock-a-bye babyin the tree top.When the wind blowsthe cradle will rock.When the bough breaks,the cradle will fall.And down will come Baby,Cradle and all."I kept humming after her eyes became heavy with sleep. She can't keep staring at me. She's giving up. Her pretty brown eyes won't last. I hummed softly lowering my tone until i kept silent. I lay her down in her crib. She's really pretty. I'm truly blessed to have her.I straightened the picture frames on her dresser taking a seat in the rocking chair just to take it all in. It's been a crazy twenty five years. If anyone were to ask me to narrate it I wouldn't know which story to tell first because so much has happened since Nate proposed to this moment right here. My favorite story has to do with the simple go
Nathan's POV"Don't forget what we have agreed on." I kept up with her fast pace. "I'm getting him at sixteen. You have promised me that.""Why not eighteen?""You bend the vine when it's still young Nathaniel. Marianna and i have a deal. Honour it. Please honour it.""Consider it done mom. He'll be all yours at sixteen. We will still do our part."She squeezed my arm peering into my eyes. "Are you alright Nathaniel? You seem lost.""I'm just dealing with something. Nick is starting school pretty soon.""You can afford it, right? I'm aware of your financial limitations and I know I have made it impossible. You've risen to the challenge every step of the way and I'm so proud of you. You never asked for help. You never failed even if you gave up your comfort for your son.""I love that boy. I'll give up anything for him. Yes I'
Marianna's POVNathaniel and I can't keep our hands off each other. The night of the overflow opened up a new world for us filled with ecstasy and passion. It's hot as hell in this world and often as much as we don't speak we certainly sound our satisfaction. There's no limit as to where we have sex. As long as no one is looking, we carry on. Once daddy almost caught us. Nate couldn't find his pants in time so we had to stay really silent until he left. But we had a good laugh and yes, we finished.I can't get enough.It will never be enough.He's still residing in the guest house. I want him in my room. He's come up the window twice for the fun of it so that's we can feel like teenagers. He did it with ease. He's amazing not just in the way he loves my body but how he takes care of me before he goes after for his own release."Can I make a polite request?" Daddy spoke to me
Nathan's POVMy mother and I haven't had much of a conversation since she disinherited me. We only greeted each other the day Nickolas vanished. It wasn't even a greeting. It was more like:"Nathaniel.""Helena."She kept her eyes focused far into the distance. She has gotten much older. But she's every bit as difficult. "What?" She asked."Can we talk?"She glared at me. Helena can be a good mom but she can be a bad one too. Any onlooker wouldn't believe she is my mother. She's treating me like a stranger and it hurts. "What about?""May I sit?""No because you're not staying."Gio invited her to something he calls 'the overflow'. According to him, he gives away free wine to his neighbors because he has hit his profit margins. "I live here.""I still don't understand why Gio allowed you to."
Marianna's POV"I need to talk to you."I paused my conversation nodding my head. Nate entered the bedroom. "Have you eaten? Has Nicko been eating?""The only thing he is happy to do is eat. We are okay. We miss you though, I miss you. When are you coming back?""Soon. It's just a few more days. Are you sure Nicko doesn't want to speak to me?""It's not just you. He's not speaking to anyone. I think Mr Bale broke him." He laughed in a mean way."I love you. Tell him I love him. See you soon. Put nonno on the phone.""Am I having a third grandchild?" He laughed as soon as he spoke.I paid attention to the handsome man sitting in an armchair. If we get back together and we are stable enough, I'll definitely consider a third child. "No you're not.""Good because you two have a lot to work out. It's not
Nathan's POV"Buddy, no no no!" Chris sighed. He placed the bottle of wine on the counter. His facial expression is borderline funny. I almost want to laugh but then I'm tired from not sleeping too well. The sofa isn't comfortable. I even tried the floor. "What are you doing there? Didn't you get any?""Sleep?""No blondie. Didn't you get laid?""Buddy you're the blond. I simply have silver hair.""Point taken but still..." He looked at me expectantly making weird expressions.I woke up six times to walk to Marianna's door but I couldn't bring myself to enter. It seems to them like I'm not trying but the battle I'm going through is intense. I want her badly yet after thirteen years, Nicko may be more experienced than I am. I have no idea where to start. I don't want to mess up the 'first time'."Nothing.""You need a drink."
Nathan's POVI feel stupid for thinking it would mean anything to her by showing up today. Perhaps I'm delusional for assuming that time heals all wounds. Even if it heals it doesn't change anything else. Maria will only see me as Nicko's father. Regardless of the kiss we shared, I'm just Nicko's father and I'm not allowed to be anything else. She's my everything. It hurts but I'm responsible for her decision to keep me at arms length. I did this to myself."Nathan! Nathan wait up!"Courtney hurried to catch up with me. I noticed the others as well. "Where are you going?""I'm going back to Italy. I have a troublesome teen to deal with.""So that's it? Wilton just leave with your tail tucked between your legs?""What do you expect me to do Court? She's fine without me. She has someone else in her life! I'm not going to get in the way.""I expect you to go back
Marianna's POV"What's all this for?"I smiled at my assistant. The whole dressing room is full of an assortment of flowers."A lot of people are congratulating you. The collection is beautiful." I closed the door shutting out the loud music from the runway show. A popular pop musician is singing as the models make their way down the runway. The audience is excited.I invited Court, Chris, Freya and Frank to see the collection. Nate stayed in Italy to watch Nicko and Tony. Raúl is also in the audience separate from my friends. The only thing giving me relief is Nate's absence. I can't introduce him to Raúl. Something tells me it won't end well. I picked up the biggest bouquet."These are from Raúl." I read the card. He is always sending me red roses. They smell divine."I think these are the most beautiful ones." She offered me a bouquet
Nicko's POV"We barely made it out." Lupe held a pack of frozen peas over my swollen face. She held her own pack over her face. The girl can fight! She held her own until Julio stepped in and finished the fight.There was the issue of the gun.That day nonno shot at dad, he dropped a gun. I picked it up and hid it. That's the whole reason I was locking my room and not the magazines. I wouldn't care if they found the magazines but the gun? Mom would go nuclear on me.I fired it but it wasn't loaded. That sacred them but it is Julio who really saved us. We got separated when the Belucci bodyguard started to pursue us. We got lost while passing through the estates and in the end Lupe brought me her home. It's not much."How do we look? Are we still beautiful?" I laughed."I don't know about you but I know I am."I set the frozen pack of peas dow