Ciao Amores,

Thank you for believing in me. For not giving up on me. For your timeless patience.

Cheers to the forty-forth installation of Italian Coffee House. We made it!!!!! 😂❤❤❤

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Which are the most memorable quotes from each of the following characters:

- Adaramola

- Niccolò

- Krysta

- Tionnè

I will choose quotes for every character to be featured on : . Please go show me some of that dynamite love. Hit that follow button.

ENJOY XD.

XO,

Ang

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Niccolò's Chocolate House

Chapter 44

*Nico*

Awakened by the sound of a latch, I shot up and almost out of the bed before my sister came into view.

"Uh-uh-uhh," She chided. "Get back in bed."

"What are you doing here?" I began, perplexed as to when and how she ended up in the Salvatore den. In Italia, altogether. "Krysta?"

"I was worried about you." Krysta churned, looking over me with a clouded expression. "You disappeared on me."

It made sense that my sister would have insecurities about my hasty departure. The extent of which, hadn't crossed my mind until just then. With everything else going on. "I'm sorry, not knowing where Ada … Where's A—?"

"—Ada's safe. She's helping Ortensia with dinner. I know you were worried about her. I'm sorry for behaving like some narcissistic pompous bitch. My behavior was unacceptable. Especially, when you needed me the most. My behaviour was inexcusable. I know you raised me to better than I acted the last time we saw each other. I just was so torn between mother's return and Ada's abduction. I—I lost it." Krysta's eyes were glazed over with unshed tears. There was no mistaking the pain in their depths before she propped her forehead by the tips of her fingers.

It was obvious that she needed a moment or she would succumb to tears, so I gave her the time to gather herself.

"She just left, you know, without an explanation. Without a word. I wondered what we would've meant to each other if she would've stayed. But life's a funny thing."

"What do you mean?" I asked, detecting a hint of sarcasm.

"When you vanished, I followed your trail, applied my resources and wound up in Italy." Her words almost shocked me, but what could I expect? She learnt all of that from yours truly. "And I got answers. They might not be what I wanted, but i got them nonetheless."

"Krysta you could've been hurt —"

"—So could you, Nikki. You left me wondering. I could just wait around. What if something morbid had happened to you? What would you have me do then? Because chances are I might not have found out until it was too late to do something."

"Do what Krysta? You're sixteen years old?" I fumed, anger rising in my voice. Not particularly directed at my sister but at myself for leaving her in such a volatile state.

"That's selfish Nikki. You know if the roles had been reversed you wouldn't have hesitated." Krysta countered, matching my temper in spades. "I wasn't about to be orphaned again."

"Oh God, Krys, I love you. I'm not our mother." I pulled her into a hug. We lay in bed for a minute. She tried to be strong, but on the inside she was still that little girl, waiting for her mother to come home. "I wouldn't do that to you. Ever. Do you hear me?"

"I know that, but could you have guaranteed that you would make it back to me in one piece. Not knowing what happened to you was driving me crazy." She continued. "I had too know but when I got too close, Mr. Salvatore's men intervened. They knew who I was, even told me that they were your allies. I didn't believe them at first. But I knew if I wanted answers then I would have to take the risk and bare the consequences. I was desperate. They brought me here just as you call came through."

"God I hope my children take after their mother. If you're any indication, I'm screwed where parenting is concerned." We shared a lighthearted laugh.

"You don't give yourself enough credit. I would've been worst off without you." Krysta always knew the right words.

"Thank God it didn't come to that." I squeezed her lightly in my arms. "I'm so proud of you. Taking risks and pushing boundaries. As soon as we get home you're grounded."

"Thanks and truth be told, I'd rather be grounded than lose my family altogether. My choice would be the same every time." She beamed, showing off her pearly whites. "And Nikki?"

"Yeah?" I met her gaze.

"I know you're going to be a great father. Despite you hard exterior, you are a good man." Krysta mulled. "I know daddy would be proud."

"Of us both," I added.

"I know you're worried that something could've happened, but take comfort in the fact that it didn't. Besides, I knew I'd made the right decision when Mr. Salvatore explained the situation. True, to his word he got you and Ada back."

"About that, Krys do you mind staying here a while?" I was about to go see Demetrius and what I was about to talk about, the subject of our discussion, I would rather my sister not hear. "I would like to have a word with Demetrius."

"If that's what you wish, I will stay behind. However Nikki, if this is about our mother I'd rather you don't hold out on me. I couldn't promise that I won't go digging for answers. I'm not as fragile as you think." Krysta offered. "Too often you try to keep me in the dark, safeguard my feelings. Life isn't a bed of roses and I'm not getting any younger. I like the truth point-blank. It wouldn't be the truth any other way."

"And what if it's not what you want to hear?" I knew my sister as the back of my hand. She could be stubborn but I didn't want her to hurt any more than she already was.

"Nikki, that phone call—I heard everything." Krysta eyes held a knowing tinge that scared me more than anything else. "I promised him that I wasn't a housewife but he didn't heed my words. He was swept up in what he thought was love. I never loved the man, he was only a means to an end and the girl, well, she's her father's daughter."

"Krys—"

"—It was what I needed to hear. Now I know where she loyalties lie and that it was never with us. I know you have looked out for me and I'm grateful forever grateful, but now I don't have to wonder. The best way to keep me safe is to be honest with me so I don't end up doing some dumb shit. Part of growth is getting hurt. "

"Wow," I gave her a weak smile. "When did you become a woman?"

"I've been for a while now." She joined me at the door before I pulled her into a bear hug. "I love you too by the way."

"I never doubted you." And I never will. We were too close for that. I believed in my sister more than I believed in myself. She was the reason I had achieved what I did. She was my motive.

Together, we make our way pass the living area to the conference room. I knocked twice, we entered. The atmosphere was as before. Men and women working in tandem to achieve a common goal. If not for their diligence, I might not be standing here right now.

I was anxious to see Ada but it wasn't in me to go to her without a shred of good news. I couldn't bare it. These last few days have been very taxing on the brain, not to mention an emotional and physical upending. I wanted her to rest well tonight, knowing that it was all over.

"Niccolò," Demetrius approached us, shaking my hand. "Krysta."

"I can't thank you enough for all that you've done." Honestly, a tremendous weight has been lifted. "Thank you."

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for family," Demetrius smiled.

"Family?" Krysta interrupted.

"Yes," He smiled bittersweetly. "Your father, God rest his soul, was my brother."

"So that makes you Uncle Demitri," Krysta rebranded him, only to gain a lighthearted chuckle.

"Yes … if that's what you prefer," Demetrius beamed like his world was complete. "Please follow me."

We complied, following the path he lead, to a corner office. He opened the door, standing aside, allowing us to go in before he closed it behind us.

"You are here about your mother." Demitri supplied and I nodded my response. "She along with her accomplices have been apprehended, her network disbanded. They are being held in secure facilities. They will help us make sense of few issues."

Their methods were by no means amiable where foes were concerned. Our mother was in for a rude awakening. Did I care? Quite frankly, I couldn't admit as much after all the pain that my sister and I, and now Ada had endured at her hands.

What's more? Mya wasn't by any means concerned for Krysta's welfare. All she care about was getting a big round paycheck. Unfortunately for her and the others involved, that wouldn't be happening anytime soon.

"What's going to happen to her?" Krysta asked. Clearly, she was coming to terms with the things our mother had said.

"Nothing less than what she deserves." He said, outright.

"Good," I approved.

"I'd like to point out that I wish we'd met under better circumstances. Your father always wanted you as far away from this as possible." He indicated at his office with both hands before leaning on his forearms against his desk. "His views were his own, regardless I saw to it that his wishes were realized. Now I see that he was right."

"How noble of you," Krysta supposed. Demetrius shook his head defiantly, clearly disagreeing with the notion.

"Believe me, Petal, I'm no saint. Emilio and I had our share of arguments and fights but we always respected and loved each other. He was noble to his core." He must have been devastated when his brother died. He spoke so highly of our father. By the looks of it, he wasn't over it. In truth, neither were we. "Our family may have its differences but we may never give up on each other."

"On that note—" I began, standing from my seat.

"—Go to her," Demitri interrupted. Krysta raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively. Was my eagerness to see my wife that obvious? It was almost as if they expected no less.

"Thank you for—everything," I nodded, outstretching my hand to which Demetrius accepted. I really couldn't say it enough.

"As I said before there's nothing—" He smiled, shaking my hand firmly.

"—You wouldn't do for family." I nodded.

Krysta giggled, obviously amused, a gleam in her eyes. Probably because of the fact that one of us kept finishing the other's sentences.

"Sis will you be ok?" I asked.

"I think I'm going to stick around," She supplied. "See you later alligator."

I was almost out of the door but not before I heard, "Krysta have you met your cousins?"

There was no souring the mood I was in. That was the best news I'd heard in a while and I was incredibly anxious to tell my wife. There was no need to hide. Mya was the orchestrator of her abduction and she couldn't hurt us anymore.

As Krysta mentioned, Ada and Ortensia were cooking up a storm by the enticing aroma that emitted the kitchen. My stomach roared with fury indicating my state of hunger. I stood in the doorway, admiring how well they worked together.

"So paprika is your go-to?" Ada chuckled. "I never would have taken you for a fan of paprika but you have me convinced."

Ortensia noticed my presence long before Ada did, so she wasn't prepared when my arms circled around her waist to rest at our baby bump. She sighed in contempt, placing her palm over mine.

Ortensia had turned the fire low before leaving us in the kitchen.

"It's over," I was bursting with so much excitement that I could just barely get the words out.

"Demitri was kind enough to let you tell me, but I had my suspicions." Ada chimed, as I pressed a long kiss at her temple.

"I'm glad he did." There was no better thing he could do for me than to allow me the opportunity to put my wife at ease. I spun her around leaning in, until my forehead touched hers. Her lips were so tantalizing, I was unable to resist, capturing them in a kiss. She moaned into my mouth, her utensils already abandoned as she circled her arms around my neck.

Gently, I hoisted her atop the kitchen counter settling between her thighs. God, I missed this. I missed her. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer while her fingers grazed the stubble of my chin. God, she smelt so good.

"I love you," Ada whispered against my lips.

My hands sat at her hips before massaging her thick thighs. "Tell me again."

"I love y—" My lips crashed against hers with more urgency this time in an effort to sate my hunger. Unfortunately, the more I tasted the more I wanted.

"Ewwww," came a childish shriek interrupted. I suppressed a groan as Jazmin came into view. Ada erupted in laughter and my heart soared again. There was no better gift to end these past few days. They had been laced with tyranny and obsolete horror.

"That reminds me, are you ready for more interruptions like that?" Ada chuckled, her hands gently gripping my t-shirt near the hem. "There's certainly going to be a lot more where that came from."

"I look forward to it," I smiled, recapturing her lips. Her fragrance enticed my senses and I felt myself go rigid. God, it took all within me not to take her right here. I needed her.

"Alright," Another voice interrupted. Turns out it belonged to none other than the lady of the house herself. "I've been a remarkable hostess don't you think?"

"The least you can do for me is refrain from copulating in my kitchen. Certainly, not in full view of my children. Dinner is on the fire. Heavens, quit behaving like horny teenagers." Ortensia scolded in a playful manner, extinguishing our flame.

Ada hid an amused smile behind the back of her hand. It was a conscious struggle to suppress our laughter. Strangely, the thought of being caught red handed devouring my wife didn't scare me as much as it probably should have. I stepped back, helping her down as she met my gaze.

"This isn't over, not by a long-shot" I promised, whispering into her ear, pressing a kiss to her lips. "I'll see you later."

"Shoo shoo," Ortensia said, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.

Leaving left the kitchen, I entered the hall making my way until I stumbled into Jan. He was clad in tactical gear. He regarded me with a curt nod, about to continue on his way when I stopped him.

"I'm not exactly sure what is your role in all of this but I know you had a part to play in getting Ada back," Jan and I had definitely gotten off on the wrong foot but he had in some way helped to get my wife back. That made him ok in my books.

"I was just doing my job." Jan said, surprisingly humble. So much so I wondered if we had all misread him altogether. "I'd appreciate it if you and the others don't breathe a word of this to Tionnè."

"It's the least I could do," We shook my head. It seems like he was smitten. Even if he would never admit it.

Dinner was served at nine pm Central European Time. The table was covered with various assorted dishes. All favorites of the Salvatores. Krysta and Ada sat on my left and right respectively as we accompanied Demetrius, Ortensia and their twin girls at the table. He blessed our meal as we joined hands in prayer.

The atmosphere was much lighter now that my wife was back and my sister here in Italia. Something so complete about sharing a meal with family and loved ones makes it infinitely more satisfying. What's more, an old chapter of our lives was coming to a close. The future was never more promising than it looked right now.

*End of Chapter Forty-four*