Hey Rom-Cubs,

I love you!!!!

What's going on?!!!!

Here's the thirteenth installation.

ENJOY!!! XD

Please

Stay Iridescent Loves!!!!

Thanks for all your support. XD

xoxoxoxoxo.

- Ang

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Niccolo's Chocolate House

Chapter 13

*Dari*

Niccolò pulled a chair for me and as I sat in it, I couldn't help the notion that I would never get accustomed to this side of him. He'd been this brute for as long as I've come to know him that I don't think I could find it within me to forget.

I surveyed the table, feeling like the odd man out. I had no business dining with these people, I didn't belong here.

Tionnè appeared, manoeuvring a cart into the private room, signalling to me that she would be one of the waitresses of the night. Experience taught me that at least two of us would cover one table in the event of a small private gathering. I'd done it many times before mostly when the other girls were on the clock.

It was only fitting that Tionnè appeared to verify my claims and remind me where I'd come from. She appraised me with a look that demanded my immediate explanation. However, in this climate, I would be under a microscope which meant that it would be less likely to get anything across without drawing attention to her. I didn't quite fancy the idea of my best friend being jobless.

What could I say anyway? That this was his sister's party? Tey already knew that much.

We hadn't been able to speak about this, being such a delicate topic, to begin with. A discussion would demand a resource we couldn't compensate for, time. Sometimes, if her family was in a bit of a rough patch, she would have no choice but to pick up the slack, pull the weight considering she was the breadwinner. The simple fact was that time, we didn't have many luxuries of it. Not at the moment, anyway.

Tionnè worked double-shifts and though I had basically been in the same position, with only my papa's health on the line. It would've difficult to find it within me to stomach two shifts back-to-back on my basic diet, predating Niccolò's sudden infatuation. Let alone find time to talk when the only time that could be arranged junctured with any chance of sleep and rejuvenation that would be set aside for my body and mind.

That and I had no intention of spending more time than I needed to at that wretched place when I could do better and spend more time with my papa. The idea that I could be working double-shifts one day just to find out that I missed my window to say goodbye did not sit well with me.

Fate couldn't have picked a better pair, not only did Tionnè appeared but Stephen also emerged though not pulling a cart. His eyes widened like a deer in the headlights as they settled on me. I looked away, instantly unable to hold the weight of his gaze. Besides the fact that I'd usually have trouble looking him in the eye, every time we were at work, I was embarrassed to be caught in the act.

Here were my friends serving me. I always thought waitressing was a respectable job, at least better than what true desperation could behold. However, I have been a waitress long enough to know that most who dined here didn't share my views. They didn't respect or give us as much credit as we deserved. Sitting in this chair, made me feel like one of them, only it felt like a betrayal of some sort.

As much as I tried to ignore and avoid their heavy stares, I couldn't be rid of the feeling that they were burning figurative holes into my back.

It was harder to avoid Stephen's though. He was, after all, the one I was in love with though he might only see me as a sister. However, his seemed something more tonight. For a long time and as long as I could remember, I've always wanted him to look at me the way he did tonight. To really see me, but it was too late. The tides were turning, things weren't the same anymore, none of the conditions that had been right before would hold any longer.

I was engaged. Moreover to a man, I couldn't imagine liked to share anything, let alone his women. Though in his defence, he had offered me and my papa a permanent place in his home. I guess that could count. Even so, I wouldn't let anything jeopardise this. Especially with so much counting on it.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I, Tionnè, will be your waitress for tonight. Please don't hesitate to ask for anything you want. I'm here to ensure you have an exceptional time here at Niccolò's Chocolate House." Tionnè announced, wearing a genuine smile. At least, the best she could muster given the situation.

I glanced around the round table to find myself almost in a bundle of nerves, even as the hour braved on and had just barely begun.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I will be your chef for the night. If you have any personal requests, please feel free to tell me and I will see to it you get what you desire." Stephen announced, at the sound of his voice, a wave of guilt washed over me.

Though he left the room, the guilt did little to subside. I felt as though I was being held captive under the most demanding gaze to settled on me and by no surprise, it belonged to none other than Niccolò, my fiancè.

Desire everpresent in his eyes as he placed his calloused hand on my thigh. It was so unexpected that I near started at the action. My heart hammered within my chest. I avoided his gaze to see Krysta, Liona and Lorenzo in a spat. They weren't paying us any mind at the moment.

Why did he have to be so sickeningly gorgeous? His thick wave of Italian hair, his stellar flecks, his pronounced jawline and the everpresent fact that there lacked an ounce of fat on him? God forgive me!

"Ada," He spoke low so that only I could hear. His voice was rich with his heritage and something else I couldn't place. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I-I'm fine," I tried to match his confidence although it was no shocker that I failed miserably.

"Good," he whispered in my ear as his hand inched further up my thigh.

I cleared my throat, causing the others to look in our direction. Krysta smiled as she glanced at us, winking at me.

"Liona, how has your vacation treated you?" Niccolò asked as though it was nothing out of the ordinary, what he was currently doing to me. His hand climbed another inch, sending me chills.

"Well, my mother and father thought it best if a tutor come along on vacation. They should've known better. He was out of there by the first hour. Who brings work on vacation, anyway?" Liona chuckled as Tionnè filled her glass with sparkling non-alcoholic wine. "Thank you."

Krysta smiled, obviously finding humour in her friend's confession. Was it odd for a girl Liona's age to be so bold and confident? Surely, it was. When I was that age all I could do was be obedient, take my education as serious as a heat stroke and pray to God that I was able to find a job that paid well to take care of papa. There was no room for rebellion.

It made me smile as well to see Krysta smile. She was another girl dealt a harsh blow by life but she chose to be happy, to smile even as she may feel sad at times. Not only did she lack a mother, but a father as well. It nearly broke my heart to know that her parents were not in her life. It's her sixteenth birthday, she was just a baby. I could feel her pain though I may only know a portion of what might plague her daily. She deserved a great celebration, one deserving of the woman she was becoming.

"Excuse, Miss-"

"-Tionnè," She finished as he glanced at her nameplate in confirmation.

"Bel nome," He remarked while surveying her. "Tionnè, please fix me something strong."

"How strong?" She smiled politely.

"Impress me," Lorenzo chuckled, following her movement as she went to her minibar to fix his request.

It was quite obvious that Lorenzo had taken a liking to her. Tionnè, however, was not as easily impressed as his usual women may be. I knew my friend well enough and believe me, she's not that simple.

Lorenzo stole a glance at Tionne's backside. Typical, but she didn't seem to care the way many men admired her. There was no doubt in my mind that he liked her. Several times, I'd caught him staring at her. Of course, anyone would be a fool not to, because my friend was a gorgeous catch but a hard one at that. She'd protected me in the kitchen this long so why wouldn't she be. It was quite usual for her to receive a lustful stare.

When she finally returned with his drink, Lorenzo flashed her one of his smiles which probably would've worked on other women. Tionnè, however, simply smiled politely before moving on to Niccolò who hadn't removed his hand from my thigh. Instead, as he told her what he would like to drink, his hand inched unbelievably close to my private area, causing me to jump and my legs to hit the roof of the table in anxiety.

The room became silent by then and I bowed my head, embarrassed. Everyone paused to surveil the scene before I turned to Niccolò to see him staring right at me with his lovely eyes and a smirk on his sensual lips. Why again did he have to be so stupifying?

"Sorry," I apologized moments before everything returned to normal. Tionnè studied me a bit longer than the rest, however narrowing her eyes at me. Are you ok, she mouthed, doing her best to multitask. I nodded subtly in response. "Excuse me."

Niccolò finally released my thigh. It was overwhelming, the effect he had on me. I shouldn't feel anything but lately, I have the nauseating urge to kiss him. Really kiss him. I can't explain it.

I left the room, entering the hall. It was vacant and quiet, except for the clatter of the kitchen. Suddenly, I was pulled down the hall and around the corner, only to be pressed against the wall. I gasped, not the least bit expecting the sight before me. Stephen?

Without much time to think, his lips found mine in urgency. His lips moved over mine expertly, sending me into a daze. The one thing I'd wanted to happen for a while, couldn't have happened at a worse timing.

I felt the heat burning into me but it was quite odd. I pushed against him, silently pleading for air. Stephen complied only to increase my anxiety. A shadow cast over the both of us. It might as well have been the devil himself but I think this was much worse. Niccolò!

"Are you finished?" He looked mad. No menacing. God help me, I think he was going to kill us.

Without much movement, he was upon us, prying Stephen away from me. I tried to defend Stephen but Niccolò swiftly dealt him two blows to the jaw, allowing him to crumple to the ground, leaving him there. As he walked towards me, I broke into a sprint, or at least, whatever a high heal would allow.

"Niccolò, please," I was despite myself, tears streaming down my face at his obvious distaste. Would I survive this? I turned the corner and at once a hand caught me, opening a door and pulling me in.

Oh, God! The door shut and I thought the place would crumble around me from the scary vibrations. I recognized the room and the sudden feeling of Deja vù swept over me. I stepped back, petrified as I felt the ceramic tile against me. There was nowhere left to go. Niccolò approved me slowly and I could feel the anger radiating from him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" His voice rang throughout the room.

Bel nome - Nice/Pretty name