Kara's POV:

"No fucking way," Hannah gasped in disbelief, "he did not say that."

"Yes he did," I said, catching Hannah up on all the highlights of the trip.

"You're done for chica. I heard that whenever Mr De Luca has his eye on something, he never backs down till he gets it."

"I can't think about this right now, I've got to get Brooke up," I said, walking away from the living room.

After the Singapore trip, I was given two days off by human resources to catch up on rest and revamp my system. Over the two days, I haven't heard anything from Alessandro. It seemed as though he went awol on me.

"Brooke, little one, you have to get up now," I nudged Brooke awake, tearing her comforter from her body, letting the cold morning air seep into her skin.

"No...no," She murmured, curling into a little ball, squishing her face back into her pillow.

"Come on lazybum," I urged, tickling the soles of her feet.

She shrieked, scurrying her feet away from my hands, shuffling away from me. However, she still wouldn't wake up. Good cop didn't work, so bad cop it is. I walked into the bathroom adjacent to her room and filled it with freezing cold water. Brooke was still there on her bed, sprawled out like a starfish.

I crept closer to her bed, not making a sound. Once I was right over her sleeping form, I sprinkled some water on her face as a little warning.

"Stop mummy," she said sleepily.

"Last chance little one," I warned.

She hummed, refusing to get up. Okay then, 1, 2, 3.

"AHHHH," she screamed as I poured the whole cup onto her.

I laughed heartily as my little daughter glared at me, reluctantly moving to the bathroom to get changed out of her wet clothes. Satisfied with my handy work, I went back to the kitchen.

"Oh Kara, your parents called and said they can't look after Brooke today," Hannah said as she flipped some omelettes on the stove.

"Crikey!" I cursed, "what about you?"

"Sorry, I'm heading to work in 5 minutes."

"Hopefully Alessandro won't mind if I take her to work with me," I whispered to myself.

I slipped out my phone from my pocket and sent a text to Alessandro. Better safe than sorry.

Kara: Hi. Is it alright if Brooke comes to the office with me today? I can't find anyone to babysit her.

To my surprise, he replied instantly .

Alessandro: No worries. See you later tesoro.

Phew.

After Brooke and I got dressed and had breakfast, we headed out the door and into our designated vehicle. The drive there was faster than usual with little to no traffic on the freeway. Today's going to be a good day. I can feel it in my gut.

Once we reached the office, I held Brooke's hand in mine as we headed to Alessandro's private elevator. Every employee must have gotten the message by now since no one refrained me from using it ever since that faithful day. The only downside to this ordeal was the staring. Once we entered the building, all eyes were on us; some gawking at us, some taking quick and subtle glances and others, just plain old staring. What's going on?

As we reached Alessandro's floor, we headed straight to my office, greeting Russo on the way. I swiped my key card as the door clicked open. I pushed the door open, ushering Brooke in.

"Wow," Brooke gasped in awe as she twirling around my office, "it's huge mummy."

I giggled along with her, setting my belonging down on my desk, "Alessandro was very generous."

I set her television show on the screen, leaving Brooke to get herself comfortable as I logged into my company laptop, checking my emails. Once I saw that Brooke was occupied with her show, I started my work. First with emails for the day, followed by report analysis, management of procedure and so on. I glanced up a couple times to check on Brooke but she was perfectly fine on her own.

"Mummy, I'm hungry," Brooke said after a few hours, "can we get some snacks?"

"Sure little one. Let's go to the pantry."

I halted my work, placing my feet back into my high heels, holding Brooke hand as we walked out of my office. The moment we reached the pantry, I lifted Brooke onto the island counter, grabbing a couple packets of biscuits and chips for her to munch on.

"Thanks mummy," she said, stuffing her face with food.

"Your welcome little one," I replied, smiling lovingly at her.

Once Brooke's stomach was content, we headed back to my office, passing the conference room on the way. Being the curious little munchkin she was, she peaked into room, seeing Alessandro at the head of the table, on the edge of boredom and frustration. I tugged her back in the direction of my office, however, my little daughter had another idea as she released herself from my hold, running towards the opened door of the room.

"Brooke," I whispered, desperately wanting her not to disrupt the meeting, "come back here, you little rascal."

Brooke disregarded my warning as she burst through the room, sprinting towards the head of the table. Oh goodness, I sighed.

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Alessandro's POV:

I have been sitting in this meeting for the past 30 minutes and I couldn't be more bored out of my mind. I tapped my pen against the table, my tongue running over my lips several times. I clenched my fist tightly, trying to refrain myself from cursing out my employees and calling them "fottuti idioti". (fucking idiots)

Just as I was about to lose my cool, a little dark haired girl burst through the doors, crashing right into my chair. I looked down at her cute little pig tails, her sweet innocent smile and her bright blue ocean eyes that stared straight into mine. My piccolo.

"Hello piccolo," I said kindly, all my anger completely diminishing from my body, "what are you doing here sweetheart?"

I picked Brooke up settling her into my arms as she hugged me, wrapping her little arms around my neck.

"Hi Alessy," she whispered, making me smile at the silly nickname she gave me. Only she could call me that. Anyone else would have their heads ripped off from their shoulders before they could even finish the word. Maybe Dante too, I haven't killed him just yet.

Being distracted by my piccolo in front of me, I heard a cough from the room. I looked up at six shocked faces, their eyes wide open, mouths gaping as they took in the scene before them. I narrowed my eyes, glaring at them, daring them to say a word.

"Alessandro- , I mean Mr De Luca, I'm so sorry for the intrusion," Kara entered the room, a guilty expression appeared on her face. The men in the room took in a deep breath when she said my name. They haven't heard a soul in this building ever say my name, especially one that worked for me.

"Come on Brooke," she said sternly, "let's go. Don't disturb Mr De Luca. Come on now."

Brooke shook her head vigorously, hiding herself deeper into my body, gripping on my suit jacket tightly.

"Brooke, don't be naughty now. You can see him later today alright?" She tried.

Brooke didn't answer, pride immersed my chest. My piccolo wanted to stay with me.

"Don't worry Kara, I'll take care of her," I reassured, rubbing circles on Brooke's back, "you go back to work, I'll bring her to your office once I'm done."

"Are you sure?" She said, still not convinced.

I nodded my head as she headed out the door. Once Kara's footsteps could no longer be heard, Brooke lifted her head from my shoulders, giving me a cheeky grin. I kissed her forehead as she turned around to face the men in the room, still resting comfortably on my lap, learning the back of her head against my chest.

"Continue."

Throughout the meeting, Brooke was very well behaved, she stayed quiet the whole time, occasionally playing around with my cuff links and tracing letters on my hand. With Brooke in my arms, there was no way for me to burst out in anger or cuss them out. It was a blessing for them. A real blessing.

Brooke was twisting the family heirloom on my finger, as she gazed at the words imprinted on the ring. She tapped my shoulder, looking up at me with her big blue eyes.

"Alessy."

"Yes piccolo?"

"Can we go to build-a-bear one day?" She asked confidently.

"Of course piccolo. Anything for you." Honestly, I would buy the entire company if that made her happy.

"Promise?"

"Promise." I never understood the need for these statements but I was willing to go along with it just for her.

"Alessy."

"Yes piccolo?" I repeated.

"W-what does that s-say?" She asked, lifting my hand in hers.

"Lealtà. Sangue. Cuore." I whispered, "Loyalty. Blood. Heart."

"I like it," she said as her eyes fluttered, struggling to stay awake. I held her head in my hand, guiding it to my shoulder, softly petting her to sleep.

Once she fell asleep, I mumbled, "One day, it will be yours piccolo."

With Brooke soundly asleep in my arms, I discontinued the meeting, walking out and heading to her mother's office.

-------

Third person POV:

"Hannah! We're home!" I shouted, kicking off my heels, rolling my sore ankles while Brooke ran to her room.

"In the living room," Hannah shouted back.

Kara walked to the kitchen beforehand, grabbing a bottle of water and a stick of cheese from the fridge before heading to the living room. She slumped on the coach next to Hannah, heaving a big sigh.

"Rough day at work?" Hannah asked, her eyes still fixated on the television.

"Yup," Kara replied, popping the 'p', "I've never type out so many documents in my life. My fingers are about to fall right off."

Too tired to continue the conversation, Hannah and Kara spent the next two hours glued to the television.

"Mummy, can I play Animal Ranch on your phone?" Brooke asked.

"Sure, it's in my bag." Brooke retrieved the phone from her mother's bag and went back to her room.

While Brooke was engrossed in her game, her mother's phone rang.

Caller ID: Alessandro

"Hello?" Brooke said.

"Piccolo?"

"Hi Alessy!" She said excitedly, her face lighting up instantly.

"How are you little one?"

"Good. I'm playing games on mummy's phone."

"Oh...where is your mum?"

"She's watching tv with aunt Han Han."

"Well that's a shame, I wanted to talk to her," Alessandro replied, "but that's alright, I can call her later."

Mummy seems to like Alessy and I really want Alessy to like mummy, she thought. Not wanting to waste this opportunity, she blurted out, "Wait....maybe you can talk to her tonight....over dinner? At your place?"

Alessandro chuckled through the phone. Alessandro knew that Brooke was trying to play matchmaker but he couldn't help but thank her for it. What he wanted to discuss with Kara could be done tomorrow at work but dinner at his place sealed the deal. Brooke might just be the key to Kara's heart.

"You cheeky little munchkin," Brooke giggled, secretly hoping he would agree.

"Okay, let your mummy know I'll be over in 20 minutes to pick her up," Brooke cheered silently, doing a victory dance in her head.

"Okay! Bye Alessy."

"Bye piccolo."

The second the call ended, Brooke jumped up on her bed, bouncing in the air, cheering loudly, proud of her accomplishment. She ran out of her room, bouncing her way to the living room to tell her mum of the good news.

"Mummy!" She yelled.

"Yes little one?"

"Alessy called." Kara sat up instantly, all the tiredness disappeared from her body, "he wanted to talk to you."

"Oh that's okay. I'll call him back later." She said, dismissing it quickly, laying back on the couch.

"You don't have to mummy," Brooke said happily, "he'll be here to pick you up for dinner at his house."

Kara jumped up from her position, fumbling to steady herself. Her jaw dropped and eyes widened, struggling to get the words out of her mouth. Hannah was right next to her as the chips she had placed in her mouth earlier dropped out as she stared at Brooke in disbelief.

After both of them had absorbed some of the information and overcome their shock, they screamed simultaneously, "WHAT?!"

"You're joking with mummy aren't you little one," She said, hoping her daughter was playing a mean prank on her.

"He'll be here in 20 minutes," she replied, "you better get ready mummy, you don't look too great right now."

Kara scrambled to her feet, banging her toe against the coffee table, silently cussing in pain. She grabbed Hannah by her collar and dragged her still shell-shocked body off the ground and into her room.

"Snap out of it Hannah," she said desperately, smacking her face, "we only have 20 minutes to make me not look like a slob."

"God help us all," Hannah replied dejectedly.

*****

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