Hey guys,

These past weeks have been brutal. I've been suffering from chronic writer's block. I don't have to tell you how that goes.

I hope that you're still with me.

Please

All yours.

- Ang

He gazed down at me through his strikingly pale blue eyes near melting my insides with the intensity of his smoldering gaze. His strong arms held me so close to him, almost as though he was afraid I would fall apart if he released me. His solid form was pressed against mine and even through the fabric of his navy Armani tux and my simple gown, I felt the contours of his torso because it had been forever burnt into my memory. A breathtaking smile warped his features, his skin wrinkling slightly at the outer corner of the eyes. I was transfixed by his smile ever since that first day when we'd been to the market. When I'd been fortunate enough to earn one. They were so rare ... his smiles which made me appreciate them more every time I caught one. His weren't anything less than contagious nonetheless, coaxing one of my own as I reveled in our moment.

"What are you thinking about?" Niccolò asked, pressing his soft lips to my ear despite the wandering eyes that seemed to follow our every move.

"How happy I am to be here with you," His smiled broadened in response, and I couldn't help thinking it was well worth the wait as my heart skipped a beat.

In truth, I'd been thinking about a lot of things though my confession was by no means a lie. I was happy to be here with him, to experience this together for the first time. However, I couldn't help but think about papa's steady recovery due to the care Niccolò had promised he'd receive. About how nice it was to have Krysta indulged him in a game of chess before we'd left. It really warmed my heart that there was yet another to look out for my papa. I was able to relax in my husbands able to relax and really enjoy the evening out with him.

The banquet wasn't at all what I'd expected it to be. I'd met lot of prominent people, that is before Niccolò lead me through the dancing couples and found us a spot. They weren't exactly friendly but polite, though most of their facial expressions seemed perplexed as to my presence. All in all, the event wasn't peachy but neither was it half bad or as nerve wracking as I'd initially thought it would be. Maybe because I wasn't there alone. Maybe because as long as we were together my world seemed alright. Either way, I reveled being in his arms like this, swaying to the melody that filled the room. The heat of his pulverizing gaze seared throughout me body, bringing me out of my reverie. He held my hand, sending me in twirl before pulling me back into his arms.

My gosh he smelt heavenly. I could stay like this, in his arms all the day long, and be content. Just looking at him, here and now in this moment, I wanted nothing more than to tell him. I'd told Tionnè of my most embarrassing encounter yet, that day I threw up on Niccolò's shoe. How he'd been frantic with worry and feverish he'd been at the thought of losing me. He'd even gone so far as to suggest that I saw a doctor, but I'd refused. At the revelation, my best friend had quite possibly become the biggest pain in the butt by then, giving me all kinds of weird tests to take. I'd done them all if only to soothe her woes. However, when they all came back positive I was scared shitless. That was before she told me what it meant. That she was going to be an aunty, that I was carrying Niccolò's child.

A baby. Countless times I wondered what a baby would do to our budding relationship. To say I thought about it a lot was an understatement, and I was going to tell him when we were in his office earlier but he already had so much on his plate. I didn't want to add to that. No, I decided to tell him tonight whenever we settled in to sleep when he'd be more receptive. Especially since I didn't have gauge as to what his reaction would be like, whether promising or forlorn. It was important that I did so in a timely manner. There's no telling how react to such delicate information if I kept him in the dark for much longer. What if the news changed the dynamics of our relationship? We'd grown very close over the past weeks days and I had no desire to jeopardize that. It could destroyed that beautiful bridge we'd been working so hard to build. I don't think I could survive losing him, not now, not when things were finally getting better.

He rubbed circles into my back, bringing me back to consciousness, surprising me with such an intimate act at such a publicized event. It was like he couldn't keep his hands off of me, ever since we became a couple. It especially caught me off guard considering our brief history prior to his eccentric proposal and even after. I'd come to the understanding that I was fortunate. Fortunate, to be the one to unravel this tender side of him which no one else could boast of ... and I loved every bit of it. Being on the receiving end of such intimacy from him made my belly do a flip-flop. The notion, alone, was enough to make me feel like I was on top of the world.

"You are so stunning my love. For the life of me, I've been debating whether or not I should tear that gown from your body." He touched my ear with his lips, his voice low resonating on my chest, sending my heart palpitating.

"Nicky, this isn't the time nor is it the place-" I began before his interjection.

"-Relax Bella, you are so tense." He chuckled pulling back a bit to search my eyes. "It's nice to finally have you back. Your mind is far."

"I'm okay," It didn't help that ever since we'd arrived at the door to the ballroom, marked by the exquisite carpentry, it hadn't escaped me that we were under surveillance.

Many eyes had been following us. Mostly women, keeping a wary eye around the polished floors which had been occupied by other dancing couples. I may be naïve but I was not the least bit dense. My husband was blessed with wealth, influential, renowned and was insanely gorgeous. I had no doubt that he caught the attention of most of the women here over the many occasions he'd attended similar events with Krysta. It must have been common knowledge that he was a bachelor and that the beauty who'd accompanied him several times before was in fact his younger sister. It wasn't that much of a stretch considering his trust issues where women were concerned. I imagined, by no means, did he have the time nor energy to find a suitable date.

I can't even imagine the thoughts that must've crossed their minds, the precise moment we'd arrived. I didn't envisage that it was by any means pleasant considering he chose me for his company tonight. There was no doubt in my mind the trail of broken hearts left behind would be many.

"Ada what's wrong?" Niccolò's voice reached my ear, prompting me to look into his eyes.

"It's nothing-" I wanted it to be nothing but I couldn't help it. It was apparent just how many options he'd had at his disposal. Women who probably fainted at the thought of him, impossibly gorgeous women might I add. Yet again, I wondered why he chose me, why he even gave me so much as second glance. It was a mystery to me even though we'd already exchange vows. There were many women who would've made better choices without much prompting. I had a lot of baggage, a lot of issues and he chose me. Why?

"You're upset," He held my chin tenderly so that I was forced to meet his hypnotic gaze. Noticing that I was troubled, he took my hand leading me through the crowd until we were at the edge of the room near the exit. "Please tell me what's the matter."

"I don't want to ruin your night Nicky," I began, noting the concern evident in his features, the softness of his usually hard gaze.

"Not possible," He dismissed, gazing upon me expectantly as his hands slid down my arms to intertwine his fingers with mine.

"Do you know the effect you have on women?" He seemed amused by my question which only served to get me more riled up. "Have you even noticed the yearning looks and dowy eyes they've been making at you ever since we got here?"

He was silent and for about a minute he did nothing but allow his eyes to roam my face as I tried to read his. All I gathered was the smug look on his handsome face.

"I'm glad this amuses you." I said flatly.

"I find it quite amusing that you are jealous." I looked away unable to hold his probing gaze. "However, I assure you that there is no need to be because I see no other the way I see you."

His deeply voiced confession caught me completely by surprised, as did that tender look in his eyes. All I wanted was for him to be mine exclusively. I couldn't stand the thought of another woman seducing him from my reach and he'd just basically said that there wasn't the slightest chance of such a development. I wouldn't be able to handle it, I knew I wouldn't and by the despondent looks on their faces, their intentions weren't that far off.

"Sorry for the intrusion," Mr. Lancaster, a elderly man I'd met earlier, appeared drawing our attention. "Mrs. Casimiro could I possibly borrow your husband for a moment? There's some business my colleagues and I would like to discuss with him."

"By all means," Not wanting to come across as selfish, rude or offensive I gave my assent with a slight nodd. I didn't want to hold him back, to keep him from success. His eyes never left mine for one second even at Mr. Lancaster's intrusion. He looked at me so hard that I thought he would bore a hole in my head.

"Will you be okay on your own?" He asked, his pale eyes darkening with desire as they glancing from my eyes to my lips and back up again, and I knew then that he wanted to kiss me more than anything else at the moment, because I felt it to. Suddenly, I felt warm despite the permeated compound, a lump forming in my throat and my palms sweating like never before, as a result of my nervous energy.

"I-I have to be," I breathed out suddenly in need of something to wet my throat, which had gone dry from such a heated stare. I watched as Mr. Lancaster walked with Niccolò in tow leading him into a clearing before the crowd swallowed them both up obscuring my view. A server approached me, one I didn't recognize, bearing cute little lasagna cupcakes. I helped myself to two of them smiling my thanks before popping one of them into my mouth. I didn't mind being alone with my thoughts but at the moment, two items seemed to knock around endlessly in there. 'How would I tell him?' and 'How would I tell him?'

I popped the other in my mouth crumpling the napkins in my hands, before I thought to look for a bin. As I was about to head over to the first that caught my sight, a man blocked my path. His eyes were a fierce green contrasting drastically with his classic slick-back boy cut ebony styled hair. He wore a panty-dropping smile which no doubt charmed his prey with ease but for some reason, it didn't seem to work on me. He was dressed in a well-tailored black tux together with a pair of dark fancy alligator formal men's shoes. A button was undone on his white shirt giving anyone an ample view of his neck and upper chest which marked the beginning of the tattoo covered skin. If I had any doubt in my mind that he was a playboy before the expensive watch on his hand confirmed it. Papa always says that you can tell the type of man by his wristwatch.

"Good evening dear," His green eyes lingering on mine.

"Hello," I began politely.

"Is this your first time?" He began making small talk. I couldn't be certain but I thought his accent sounded European. "I would surely remember a belle like you."

"If it is?" I glanced from him to the crowd and back again, noting the mischievous glint in his eyes. It was only a matter of time before we came up on Nicky's radar.

"Then I'd say your date is the luckiest man in the world." Like clockwork, and in only a few strides, my husband navigated through the crowd to stand beside me.

"Yes I am," Niccolò said circling his arms around my waist. I was relieved to have him beside me again as though I could only breathe whenever he was near. "I'm her husband and you are?"

"Sorry," He glanced from Niccolò to me with a shrug of his shoulders before sipping his champagne.

Niccolò was urged forward no doubt about to ring his neck at his nonchalance. I stepped in front of him blocking his path as I pressed my hand against his chest. His eyes softened against me. "I leave you alone for two seconds."

"That's an exaggeration," I rolled my eyes at his antics, causing him to chuckle, while I was grateful for his discretion in the way he handled that. I sent a silent prayer up thanking that I wasn't made a spectacle on yet another occasion.

Suddenly, a dizziness washed over me causing me to lose my balance briefly before Niccolò circled his arms around my waist holding me against him.

"Hey ... are you ok?" He asked, all humor forgotten.

"I need to use the ladies room." Nicky nodded, taking my hand before leading me through the dispersing crowd. We met one of the staff and got the directions.

"I'll be right here when you get back." He tilted his head to peck me on the lips before releasing my hand.

The ladies room smelled of a subtle yet enticing fragrance I noticed as I entered the facilities. At the moment, a woman who stood there reapplying her make up apparently oblivious to my presence. Her gown was ebony, sculpted exquisitely to suit her impeccable form. Her hair was pulled up though a few tresses were allowed to fall to the sides of her face making her appear younger. There was something vague yet familiar about her. I took the opportunity to examine myself in the mirror that stretched from wall to wall above the sink. My brown eyes appeared a shade darker in the lighting even as my dark skin retained its healthy glow.

My hair was pulled into an elegant up-do leaving the sides of my face and neck unshaded, and my shoulders bare. My face was unadulterated by makeup and the only accessory I wore was a medium-sized pair of golden hoop earrings. The pale pink heartline evening gown which Nicky had left me in our bedroom did well to compliment my complexion. The dress clung to my every curve though leaving enough room for me to breathe without much effort. The gown flared from my knees down in a fishtail. Sequins littered the fabric at the bodice and fishtail paralleled to the outer line in an intricate design. I wasn't one for heels but at my feet, I managed a pair of 6 inch pumps the same shade as my hoops. I didn't like flashy but I thought looked pretty regardless.

I stood behind the counter, finding my balance as I therapeutically inhaled and exhaled as I played with my wedding band around my marital finger, reveling in the way I felt whenever it caught my attention. A noise brought me from my reverie.

"That gown is just darling on you even if it is last season." The woman said so sweetly that it almost didn't sound condescending at all, but I knew better because the smug look on her face. She held my gaze through the mirror.

Was it just me, or were the people here big on small talk? I smiled briefly in acknowledgement grateful for a reason not to respond to her snide remark. I fetched some tissue folding it neatly into quarters before I opened the tap slightly. I held it just below the allowing the water to dampen it a bit then I applied it to my face and around my neck. Grateful that I felt refreshed, and not caring for another of her insults, I promptly washed my hands before leaving the restroom. Nicky stood off to the side grinning in relief at my return just as the door opened again behind me.

"Niccolò?" Came the familiar voice.

"Mother?" Nicky said staring passed me, his jaw clenching in anger.

*END of Chapter Twenty-four*