Kara's POV:

"Brooke, sweetheart, we're home." I said, slightly nudging her as I carried her in my arms, walking into the house.

I rubbed her back slowly in circles, humming softly as I kicked off my shoes, leaving them by the front door. I dropped my bag off on the table top and made my way to Brooke's room. I carefully placed her on the bed, as she stirred, raising her head slightly.

"Mummy?" 

"Yes little one. I'm here," I replied, "you go back to sleep sweetheart."

I took off her shoes, followed by her dress, changing her into her warm fluffy purple pyjama shirt and pants. I went into the bathroom, wetting a towel with warm water before dabbing it on her forehead. I moved the baby hairs away from her forehead, kissing her head before tip toeing out of her room, quietly enough not to wake her. She needed her rest, especially after her sugar crash.

After changing into some comfier clothes, I went looking for Hannah in her room. She looked up with her grandma glasses, as I opened her door. She placed the book she was reading down beside her and patted the spot next to her on the bed.

"I have so much to tell you." I groaned as I face-planted next to her, "but first, how was work?"

"Not too bad until some arrogant cocky little asshole walked into the hospital, claiming to own the institution himself." Hannah explained, with an irked expression.

"What a jerk he was. He even dared to call me cupcake." She exclaimed, cringing in disgust, "how rude."

I shared the same expression, pitying her for having such an asswipe of a boss.

"You won't believe what happened to me today." 

"Just tell me already," Hannah prodded.

"Well remember that guy from the club?" I asked.

"The one with cold, dark intense eyes with a look that screamed power and money?" She gasped.

"Yup," I said, popping the p.

"Well, Brooke ate too many cookies while I was in the meeting and puked all over his shoes," I said, feeling embarrassed.

Hannah couldn't keep a straight face to save her life as she burst out laughing. She twisted in the sheets, trapping herself as she rolled onto the floor with a thump. Serves her right for laughing her me.

"Thanks so much Hannah. I'm glad my embarrassing moments have proved to be such an entertainment." I sneered, popping my head over the edge of the bed.

"You must have offended one of the Gods in your past life. No one is ever this unlucky."

"Not helping," I screamed into a pillow, getting frustrated.

"Anyways, he seemed smitten with you at the club," she wiggled her eyebrows, "you've got a hot one there chica, I mean he's your man but damn girl, he looked divine in that suit. I bet he has a six pack hidden under all that glory."

"He's not my man Han," I interrupted, blushing, "there's no way he would even think so especially after today's incident."

His imaged sneaked into my mind as I recalled the way he carried himself, poised and elegant yet rough and rugged at the same time. Like he could win a fight without even lifting a finger. His dark brown eyes held darkness, fearlessness and confidence that could intimidate any opponent he had. His words were firm yet gentle, yet I had a feeling that he didn't speak to everyone like that. The smirk he had seemed to frighten everyone around him but somehow, I was intrigued. Like he knew something no one did.

"Well, you can't do anything about it now chica," she said, patting my back in consolation, snapping me back into reality, "how did your meeting go anyways?"

I perked up, "Good I think, although one of the investors didn't show up. Godfather will have an answer from the rest in about a week's time."

Our night ended with us binge watching our favourite television show, Big Bang Theory. God that show is addictive. 

*****

A few days later

Kara's POV:

 I jumped out of bed, marching straight to my bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

It was my graduation day baby! After 8 years in university, I was finally done. I had accomplished all my academic goals I had set out for myself when I was 16. Complete my bachelor of Science degree, check. Complete my masters in professional engineering, check. Complete my PhD with honours and invent a device that could change the medical industry, check. I was so proud of myself. I deserve to enjoy every bit of this occasion.

I rushed out of my room, seeing Brooke in the corridor, who was all better from her sugar crash a couple days ago, as I picked her up, spinning her in my arm, smothering her with kisses and blowing raspberries on her tummy.

"Guess what today is sweetheart?" I grinned excitedly.

"Gra-ad-uua-ton." Brooke tried to pronounce, her eyes rolling to the top, trying to remember the correct pronunciation of the word.

"That's right sweetheart." 

I bounced her on my hip as we made our way to the kitchen for breakfast. I placed her on her chair as I moved around the pantry getting the ingredients to make sandwiches. 

"Who's the smarty pants who's getting her PhD today?!" Hannah yelled, blowing confetti all over my face.

Unfortunately, I had my mouth open as I coughed out the pieces that flew into my mouth.

She gave me a big sloppy kiss on my cheek, congratulating me as I cringed in disgust. I wiped the imaginary excess saliva off my cheek as I glared at her back. Hannah gave Brooke a kiss on a her head before going to the fridge, getting us drinks. I placed the ham and cheese sandwich in front of Brooke.

"Thank you mummy." She said sweetly, digging into her breakfast.

"Your welcome sweetheart." I replied as we all sat down, enjoying each other's company.

After breakfast, Brooke sat down, glued in front of the television, watching The Wiggles as Hannah and I flipped my closet upside down searching for the perfect graduation outfit. I had planned my outfit weeks ago but now that the day come, I didn't think it looked right. 

"How about this one?" Hannah suggested, holding up a cute black flowy dress.

"Eh..no." 

This conversation went on for a while. 

"I give up. Maybe I should just go naked." I sighed.

"Yes please do. I want to see what the Chancellor's reaction will be when he sees their top and most promising student naked on this very special day." Hannah replied eagerly.

"Okay fine. Go to my room and salvage whatever you can. Good luck."

I was covered in piles and piles of clothes before a package caught my eye. It hadn't been open yet. 

"Hey Hannah! Can I open this package at the back of your closet?" I screamed across the hall.

"Yea sure." 

I opened the packaged and a white full body romper fell out. It had spaghetti straps on the top, slightly sheer from the thighs down. It was simple yet elegant. 

I screamed in delight.

"I got it! I got it!" 

I slipped out of my clothes and threw on the romper, looking in the mirror and instantly loving the fit. It hugged my curves in all the right places and elongated my short little legs. 

"Perfect chica." Hannah said as she popped her head in view, "I didn't even know I had that."

*****

Alessandro's POV:

I had been invited to be an honoured guest at a university's graduation ceremony today. One of the fucking perks of being one of the main contributors to the university's fund. They sent me 15 of their best students for internships and I provided a hefty 10 million dollar check in return. I couldn't even stand sitting through my own ceremony yet alone a random one. This was going to be interesting. Thank goodness Dante was invited as well. Misery likes company.

I walked into the bathroom to get ready, giving myself a quick shave, leaving a five o'clock shadow. Not like some teenage boy fresh out of high school. I had my suit delivered to my penthouse as Benjamin hung it on my door. It was a classic Givenchy black tie suit with a black velvet vest and a fresh clean pressed white dress shirt underneath. 

I clipped the cuff links securely on, running my hands through my hair, fixing it in the slightest way. I walked out of my room, greeting Benjamin, and slipped into my black leather shoes.

"Sir, cologne?" Benjamin reminded.

Fucking hell. I made a deal with Hugo Boss recently and one of the conditions was that I had to wear their cologne as my everyday smell. Ridiculous really. 

With no more interruptions, we headed off.

The moment I stepped onto campus, a perky blond came up to me. Oh that's fucking fantastic.

"Good afternoon Mr De Luca. Welcome back to The Australian Institute of Information and Technology," She said with enthusiasm, pulling her blouse lower, revealing her cleavage.

How inappropriate. Why do women like her have to act so undignified? Have some respect for yourself and your body.

I remained passive, keeping my stone-cold exterior as she continued, "It's an honour to have you here Mr De Luca." She purred as she tried to grab my arm.

I dodged her touch.

"Please keep your hands to yourself and find someone else who can do your job for you," I said coldly as I walked away, taking big strides to the Chancellor's office.

As soon as I stepped into the building, I saw Dante leaning against the wall, with a bored look plastered on his face. He pushed off the wall as soon as he saw me coming.

"Fratello, do we really have to be here?" He whined, "Let's just ditch this hellhole."

"Stai zitta piagnucolona piccola." I lashed out. (Shut up you whiny baby.)

"What crawled up your ass and died?" Dante responded, faking a hurt reaction.

"La stupida donna che l'università ha inviato era una fottuta puttana di thirsty." I grunted. (The stupid woman the university sent was a fucking thirsty whore.)

Dante nodded in understanding, knowing how much I hated desperate women who threw themselves at men. No self-dignity. No self-worth.

"Good afternoon Mr De Luca, Mr Valentino. What a pleasure it is to have you'll here. Please come in and take a seat, the ceremony is about to begin." The Chancellor greeted as he gave us both a firm handshake, leading us into the waiting room.

Once they informed us of the procedures and the progression of the ceremony, it was time to get the show on the road.

"Fratello dell'ultima possibilità," Dante pleaded, "possiamo scivolare via ora e non se ne accorgeranno nemmeno." (Last chance brother, we can slip away now and they won't even notice.)

I frowned at him and gave him a pointed look. He shrugged and said, "I tried" under his breath, as he straightened up, sporting his stoic professional face before walking into the opening ceremony with me in tow.

People gasped seeing the both of us walking nonchalantly after the Chancellor, settling ourselves in the guest of honour seats on the stage. It wasn't very often that we were seen participating in public events since we were businessmen, not celebrities.

As I walked up the stage, Dante elbowed my side. I glared at him as he moved his eyes, gesturing to the back of the stage where the graduating PhD students sat. There, in the first row, first chair, my tersoro sat, innocently as she twiddled her thumbs in anticipation. Well this ceremony wasn't going to be boring after all. I smirked.

Finally noticing someone was staring intently at her, her eyes moved in my direction as it connected directly with my orbs. She let a gasp, still maintaining eye contact with me as her cheeks turned a slight rosy pink. I smirked, glad that I had such an effect on her. I winked at her as she turned back to the Chancellor's speech, focusing back on the ceremony. My little genius.

As the ceremony progressed, I clicked my heels in boredom. When was this fucking going to end? I noticed Dante's head drooping as he dozed off. I jabbed his stomach discretely, waking him up from his slumber. 

"...we invite Mr Dante Valentino to hand out the certificates to our PhD graduates." 

Dante walked towards the front of the stage with confidence and handed the certificates to the graduates maintaining his professionalism with a calm and stoic exterior. When it came to my tersoro, he shook her hand and said something to her that made her blush, giggling as she walked off.

I frowned, not liking the exchange that they had. Once it was over, he sat back down next to me.

"Cosa hai detto a suo fratello?" I asked in a hushed tone, jealousy laced in my voice. (What did you say to her brother?)

"L'ho solo presa in giro per te," he replied with a smug look on his face, " non c'è bisogno di essere una gelosa principessa. Lei è tutta tua." (Just teasing her about you, no need to be jealous princess. She's all yours.)

I grunted as he chuckled at my expense.

"Now we invite Mr De Luca to hand out the dean's plague to the student who has displayed academic excellence throughout her days in our university, completed an insightful research paper way beyond her years and made a biotechnical invention that will change the medical field indefinitely." The Chancellor gleamed.

"Kara Coleman." 

For a split second, my eyes bulged out in surprise. I knew my tersoro was smart but I didn't know to what extent. My little angel stood up and walked towards me. Lord have mercy, she was a fucking goddess. I reached out my hand, meeting her hand in the middle. 

"Congratulations tersoro. Mio piccolo genio." I said in a low whisper, making me sound more husky than usual. (My little genius.)

"Thank you. What does that means?" She asked, her eyebrows furring together, trying to decipher my words.

I didn't answer her, letting the gears in her head continue to turn as we turned towards the photographer, capturing the moment.

Finally, the ceremony was over. All the graduates and their friends and family slowly made their way out of the location and onto the grass area in front where the refreshments were being served.

"Go talk to her brother. I can't stand that look on your face right now, " Dante said, gesturing to my starstrucked face.

Wacking the back of his head, I stalked towards my tersoro, ignoring the gawks and stares of the people around. I spotted her with her family and friends; mother, father, her friend that was with her in the club and her daughter. My piccolo. I've missed that chubby little face and those big ocean blue orbs.

It was the perfect timing to talk to her as her friends and family left to get refreshments, leaving her alone by the table, staring longingly at her plague.

I walked up behind her, with my hands casually in my pocket as I stated, "I think you owe me a new pair of shoes."

Startled by my voice, she whipped around, facing me as she held her chest.

"Fish nuggets! Are you insane?" she half-yelled, shelf-shocked, "You scared the hell out of me."

When she realised who she was talking to, she apologised.

"No need to apologise tersoro. It was my fault." I reassured her.

"I'm sorry about your shoes too. My daughter wasn't feeling too good the other day. I can buy you a new pair." She said with a guilty expression on her face.

"Not necessary tersoro. I hope she is feeling better now," I said sincerely, "walk with me."

She nodded, as I placed my hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards the campus gardens.

"What would you like to talk about Mr De Luca?" She asked, twiddling her thumbs. I noticed she tended to do that when she was nervous or excited.

"You. And please call me Alessandro."

"Me? There's nothing that interesting about me." 

"Academic excellence? Biotechnical invention? Dean's plague?" I repeated, lifting her chin to meet my eyes, "I don't think a plain jane can accomplish that much in one-lifetime tersoro."

She blushed, "Oh."

Once again I was captivated by her brown orbs, loving the effect I had on her.

"Well I'm 24, as you can probably tell, I am academically gifted, I have a daughter, I live with her and my best friend, Hannah, and I love puppies?" She listed, her voice going high at the end. 

"How old were you when you had your daughter?" I asked, intrigued to know who the bastard was that left her.

"Actually, I found Brooke in a dumpster when I was 21 years old, by the side of a hospital I was interning in." She whispered, "No one came for her and I became so attached so I adopted her."

"Wow," I was amazed at how strong she was. Smart, strong and beautiful.

"Oh yes, I have a question." She stated, looking straight into eyes, no longer intimidated by me.

I raised my eyebrows, urging her to go on.

"What did you say on stage just now?" She asked, curiosity pooling in her orbs.

"My little genius." I said in all honesty, watching her reaction. 

We continued staring into each other's eyes as a little human bumped into my legs.

"Mummy mummy, there you are." My piccolo screamed, holding onto my pants for balance.

Before my tersoro could pick her daughter up, away from my legs, I swooped down and gathered my piccolo in my arms, balancing her on one hip. 

Her jaw dropped as I looked at her in concern. 

"Usually she doesn't like strangers touching her." 

A smug smile etched on my face knowing that my piccolo knew she could trust me. 

"Hello piccolo," I said with a grin on my face. She giggled, hiding into my chest.

"Brooke, manners baby." My tersoro said sternly. 

"Hello Sir." My piccolo whispered before she went back to hiding in my chest.

"Call me Alessandro." I whispered back to the little one.

"Well, I better get back to my family. They're probably wondering where I am." She said, putting her hands out for my piccolo.

However, my piccolo refused to leave my embrace, gripping on my suit jacket with her little fingers. She squished her face deeper into my chest, her legs wrapping tightly around my torso. That's my little girl.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's gotten into her." 

"Don't apologise," I said, as I rubbed slow circles around my piccolo's back, calming her down.

We walked back in silence, where her best friend, Hannah, stood waiting. She gave Kara a pointed look gesturing at me with her eyes. 

"Your parents went back earlier to organise some things for the party," Hannah explained.

"Mummy," the first words my piccolo said from the walk, "can Aless come to the party tonight?" 

"No I don't want to intrude." I interjected.

"No no it's okay. Please come tonight," She assured, "give me your number and I'll send you the details."

I placed my number in her phone, secretly wanting to thank my piccolo for her innocent question. Definitely a better wingman than Dante ever was. My tersoro said it was time for them to leave but my piccolo still refused to let go of me, resulting in me carrying her all the way to her car.