"Everything means nothing if I can't have you."

- Shawn Mendes

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"Shh honey, it's okay." Amara hugs me.

"No, it's not," I glare at her through the tears in my eyes. "I'm crying for no reason."

Amara sighs, "You are on your period Victoria, it's normal."

I cry harder for no reason. "It's not, I never act like this."

"There is just stress in our lives right now, your hormones are a bit of a mess right now," She rubs my back. "Cry it all out."

"My cramps were also never this bad," I say clutching my stomach. My tears coming down non-stop.

"Should I call Christian?" She asks then answers herself. "I should call Christian."

"Stop, don't. He is working," I say then groan when another wave of pain hits me. "Just help me stand up," I take her hand and stand up. "Shit."

"You okay?"

I take a deep breath and when I don't feel anything, I stand up, "I'm okay now."

We move towards the bathroom but just as we reach another wave hits me that makes me slide down the nearest wall, crying.

"That's it!" Amara scolds. "I'm calling Christian." I don't object this time. The pain is too bad and we can't go anywhere alone.

I see Amara talking to Christian using my phone but I block her out.

"He is coming. He is close," Amara tells me.

Not even ten minutes later Christian comes barging through the door kneeling beside me, "What happened to her?"

"She is on her period and the cramps, they are just way too much," Amara clarifies.

"Was it ever this bad?" I shake my head as my answer. He touches my forehead, "She is burning!"

"I know, just take her to the hospital or call a doctor." Amara snaps now.

"Francis call Doctor Barne," Christian orders Francis who I didn't was even there.

"On it," Francis says.

"Put her on the bed Christian," Amara practically orders him which he follows, surprisingly without arguing.

Christian carries me bridal style and that small movement causes me to cry out in pain.

"Did you give her pain meds?" Christian asks while sitting on the bed with me in his arms.

"Of course I did, they are not working." Amara sits beside me.

Christian rubs my stomach under my shirt which soothes a little pain, but only a little. "Keep doing that," I whisper, looking up to him.

"What?" his hand stops.

"No," I put his hand back. "keep rubbing."

He nods and keeps rubbing, "Amara please tell one of the maids to make some hot chocolate for Victoria."

"With marshmallows," I add to Christian.

"With marshmallows," Christian tells Amara and smiles at me.

Now we are finally alone.

"Are you okay?"

"No," I shake my head. "I just can't stop crying."

He hugs me closer, "It's okay, you'll be fine."

"This never happens to me, I'm sorry if you had to leave work because of me, I--"

"I was doing nothing important, you come first okay?" He says kissing the top of my head.

I just nod cuddling more into his chest, inhaling his scent. "You smell so good."

"You smell even better," Christian chuckles and presses his lips to my temple.

The knock on the door interrupts us, "The doctor is here."

The doctor comes in with a warm smile but now Christian is stiff under me.

The doctor gives me a heavy dose of pain killer that just made me really sleepy and tells me to sleep it off.

And that's what happens, I go into a deep slumber cuddled up with Christian while he rubs my back gently.

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"Christian I really am fine now," I sigh.

"You sure?" he cocks his head at me.

"It's bearable Christian, but I have to move or exercise so the pain stays away."

He looks at me hesitantly, contemplating the situation, "Okay."

I smile sweetly at him and stand up wincing a little, "So what did the doctor say?"

At that Christian returned me is wiped off his face. His expression is serious.

I raise an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

"Doctor said the pain is mostly due to stress." His face is flat.

I roll my eyes, "Thought so."

Before I can turn away he holds my hand and pulls me on the bed next to him. He cups my face, "What caused that much stress?" He seems really worried.

I sigh, "Christian I want you to understand things from my perspective, okay? Keep an open mind."

He nods telling me to go on.

"It's been a little while since I've known you, and look at me I'm here in Italy with you. This is all because I'm feeling too much for you. It's overwhelming on so many levels. With all the mafia revelations. You being a mafia boss, it's too much, ya know?" I say. "I thought all this Italian mafia and stuff happened in books and now I'm literally going through that. You get me?"

He says nothing for a while but nods, "I'm sorry, I never realized it before."

I smile softly at him, "You have nothing to be sorry about okay? We just have to get through with this once."

He slowly brings up his hand and brushes his knuckles on my cheek softly, "You're amazing, mia dea."

I blush looking down, "You have to move your mom to the hospital soon, she needs to be operated."

He retreats his hand and sighs, "I know Tesoro, I hope everything goes well."

"It will go well, don't worry." I take his hand and stand up pulling him up with me, "Come on let's go check up on her."

I pause. "First I gotta change."

Christian chuckles and I run into the closet throwing on some Jean shorts and a with a crop top. I freshen up and come out. I take Christian's hand again.

He smiles at me and we both go downstairs holding hands, just as we reach downstairs we are greeted by Rico whom I haven't seen since my first day here.

"Ciao Bella, Chris." He nods at us but his expression is way too serious and Christian notices it too.

"What's wrong Rico?" Christian leaves my hand and takes a step towards him.

"Tuo padre è qui." Rico says in a hushed tone, but I manage to listen.

What's wrong if his father is here?

"Why is he here?" Christian asks, frustration evident in his voice.

"He obviously heard about Karla's operation," Rico rolls his eyes as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. "He's in with her right now."

Christian clenches his jaw. I look between the two not saying anything.

"Just go and introduce them to each other. I'm sure Karla has been talking about her since he went inside," Rico states. "She's smart and will be able to handle herself."

Christian sighs, "I guess you are right. Now better than later."

Rico nods and looks at me, "Listen here piccolo angelo, Lorenzo Vasquez is the most manipulative man you will meet on this earth, he is the man we should keep you away from but unfortunately he is Christian's father and your soon to be father-in-law," I give him a look he ignores, "-But right now you are going to go in and meet the man, talk as less as you can and don't let him get into your head, capire?"

"Okay now you are just scaring me," I say backing off. Christian throws a subtle glare his way.

"Don't worry mia dea he is just being ridiculous, just be yourself and you will be okay," Christian reassures me.

I nod. Once satisfied, he takes my hand and leads me towards Karla's bedroom.

Let's get this over with.

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We are almost at 1k so I thought, why not post another chapter for my lovely readers.

Enjoy!

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