I learned the hard way
That they all say things you want to hear
And my heavy heart sinks deep down under you and your twisted words,
Your help just hurts

You are not what I thought you were
Hello to high and dry
Convinced me to please you
Made me think that I need this too
I'm trying to let you hear me as I am

(Sara Bareilles; Love Song Lyrics)

~~~~~
Unedited

The Petropoulis family was very happy to meet the De Luca family, except Guiseppe. He never came after that encounter with Nicolas. Mikaela and Sergio had found new friendships in Melaina and Lachesis. Nicolas whole family was feeling so comfortable with the company of Adriana's family.

Victoria was a year older than Adriana, she's 27 and Brianna is 24. Victoria and Brianna already made a soft spot in Adriana's heart. The two was very lighthearted and ebullient. It was refreshing to talk to them after long years she outcasted herself with her friends, except Francine. Ashley was now happily married with Mario and they lived in New York.

Nicolas watched his sisters cheerfully chatting with Adriana and he was pleased that they all get along well. The lunch was hearty and my family decided to join the De Luca family as they insisted and Nicolai was so happy with his dad. He knew that his dad had been longing to had grandkids especially grandsons, a heir to their empire and as Nicolas sees it, he was smiling more than he could remember.

Now, everyone was having their tea at their small balcony.

I glanced on my watch and check the time. I agreed to David to see the houses. I just had to find a way to steal Adriana away from his sisters.

She didn't agree, but this house is too small. And, we'd love to come visit them anytime. It would be convenient if they lived in a big house, with pool preferably.

When the time struck one, I stood up and approached the three girls animatedly talking and laughing occasionally.

I left dad and mom with Sergio and Mikaela and lead my legs to Adriana's direction.

I stood in front of them and the three look at me in curiosity. "Can I borrow Adriana for a moment?" I asked and gingerly tug Adriana's arm without waiting for their response, and she stood up.

"Excuse me. I'll be right back!" Adriana smiled to Victoria and Brianna. The two grinned mischievously.

"Take all your time Adriana!" Victoria said in mischief with her eyes twinkling with mirth as she winked at Nicolas simultaneously.

Brianna giggled softly with her eyes brimming wickedly.

Adriana smiled forcefully. And followed Nicolas to the living room, then to the door. "Wait, where are we heading?" Adriana asked in curious tone with her eyebrows slowly compressing into thin line.

"To check the house." Nicolas responded in nonchalance as he stood on the side of the doorway and motioned Adriana to pass. Adriana quirked her eyebrows in annoyance and comes to a halt.

"We are not going anywhere!" Adriana responded shortly gritting her teeth. She already told him that they don't need a bigger house. She and her son is going with him in Athens. Her parents doesn't need a bigger house and especially if it's from charity. Courtesy of the man she hated.

Wrong missy! You forever loved!

Shut up! Adriana hissed to herself inwardly.

"Don't you like to visit them often?" Nicolas asked. His searing gaze is melting the cold shield I'm trying to established. And, yes. Adriana wants to visit them often. He really knew how to hit her weakest spot.

"When we visit them we need a room too and a bigger bed. Your bed is too small for us." He continued on with his hot steely gaze glued to me. I squirmed when his words sunk in my head.

He surely thinks I will sleep with him? I'm not done in making him suffer.

"We won't be sleeping together Nicolas! We only live together in one roof because of Nicolai!" Adriana reminded him and Nicolas face turned stony and cold.

"Still we need a bigger space. And don't be stubborn Adriana! Just get your ass here and let's get going or I will drag you to the limo! You're choice?" Nicolas stated sternly. His cold stoic face became more pronounced and Adriana knew she had push his buttons- yet again.

"No, you-"

Before Adriana could finish her line, Nicolas close their gap and he picked her up in one smooth move, and slung her over his broad shoulder effortlessly like a sack of rice.

Adriana squealed in surprised and then fisted his back furiously. She felt her cheeks burned in embarrassment.

Nicolas was already mad that his family just suddenly came into view. He had so many plans for this week and his family just knew when to show up and ruin his plan.

Nicolas tried to restrain Adriana's struggling to get off from his hold not wanting her to fall on the ground.

"Mettimi giù , figlio di una cagna !" (Put me down, you son of a bitch!) Adriana swore furiously as she pounded on Nicolas' back. Nicolas temper flared up and he slapped her jeans covered bottom hard. Adriana yelped in disbelief with her eyes grew widely. He can't believe he just did that.

Alessi and Lorenzo look away hardly stifling their laughters. Nicolas tossed her inside the limo and then, slid inside. Alessi quickly closed the door and climbed inside the driver seat so as Lorenzo.

"I hate you!" Adriana hissed passionately with her eyes blazing with indignation, as she scooted closer to the window and never look at Nicolas' direction. Nicolas felt remorse, but he was too mad and Adriana was making it so hard for him.

Nicolas ignored her burst as he tried to calm himself.

He has so many things in his head. He had forgotten to call Demi about Collin Lambert as well.

The whole ride to the first house was a hell of tension. Nicolas wants to apologize, but he was too mad and her sassy attitude didn't help at all.

The limo stops at a brick house and David's car was parked in the driveway and obviously, he was waiting for us.

Nicolas quickly slide out of the limo and waited for Adriana to come out. He extend his hand to help her out, but to his annoyance she just brush past his outstretched hand and stood a bit farther beside him.

That gesture didn't settled Nicolas' feelings and mood. It worsen. I shot her a disparaging look and walk to David's direction.

"David Patera? Nicolas Petropoulis," Nicolas introduced as he extended his hand for a handshake. Then Nicolas looks on Adriana who stood beside Nicolas and gave a poker face to both of them.

"This is my girlfriend Adriana De Luca," Nicolas continued on, with his impassive look, still holding his temper that was close to its pinnacle.

"David Patera," David replied as he smiled sweetly to her.

Adriana smiled back and shook his hand. I thought the handshake took a little while than it was supposed to be.

Adriana saw Nicolas glaring at their laced hands and David. She couldn't believe that even that he gets to feel mad about it.

"So this is the house." David pointed on the brick walled house. "It's a three story house. It has two master room with ensuite washroom and five rooms," David started as he led them inside the house.

As soon they entered the house, the a small foyer leading to the spacious living room or welcome room for visitors. Then, on the right side of the spacious living room was a spiral stairs to the second floor. And a hallway to the big kitchen and bar before the staircase, with a connecting balcony to the backyard. It has a big swimming pool with a decent size lounges area.

Then another living room or family room, across the kitchen. 

Adjoining the family room is a spacious room that could be an office room or guest room.

On the second floor, where a master bedroom with ensuite washroom and two other rooms. The third floor was another master room and another guest room and a store room.

It has basement too mainly for entertainment with bar.

Nicolas look at Adriana if she likes the house and her face says it all.

Nicolas didn't say anything since he wants to see the other house. So after half an hour touring around the house, they left to the next house which wasn't far from the first house.

The house was a two story house with five rooms including master bedroom but has no pool. Adriana seemed to not liking the second house.

So they went on to the third house which is an old house, but has a six big rooms and a big guitar shape pool. The backyard is very big and could fit two big pools. The place is huge, but Nicolas knew the house is a money-pit house. And, he doesn't want another things to think about.

But if Adriana would want the place then he's not against it. He may have to tore the house down and rebuilt it in the next couple years, judging how the ceiling and the paints was worn out and  coming off.

Nicolas walked to Adriana's direction and stood beside her, as David walked into one room.

"Which one would you think suits you best?" Nicolas asked audibly, hoping she'll not give him a hard time with her sassy attitude.

Adriana felt torn between making him miserable and liking the first house so badly.

"None!" she responded toughly, chewing her inner cheeks as she instantly felt the regrets surging swiftly to her cells.

Nicolas shot him a dangerous glare and Adriana cringed inwardly.

"Just pick! Treat it as a gift to your parents for helping me taking care of my son, during my absence because of your selfishness!" Nicolas shot her a disparaging gaze, gritting his teeth, with controlled tone.

Adriana's ears turned red in rage as she shot him with venomous glare, matching his.

"So it's my fault that you missed five years?" Adriana scoffed raising her eyebrow in utter disbelief and raging exasperation.

"At some point, yes!" Nicolas responded blatantly, pursing his lips into thin line after.

"If you have kept your mistress from the media I wouldn't have known you were all occupied those years. Probably, I went to tell you about Nicolai." Adriana quipped as she crinkled her nose in displeasure.

Nicolas fell into silence for a seconds. Was she updated with my life, over those years?

"Still, if you have thought of our son's interest, you should have come and see me!" Nicolas shot back.

Adriana shifted her body facing him still wearing her annoyed look and stared at Nicolas incredulously.

How could he think of that? Didn't it ever occur to his handsome head that she wanted nothing from him after he left her?

Then, how about she showed up out of nowhere and claiming that the father of her baby is Nicolas?

"Oh, I'm sure you will be happy if I barged into your quintessential beatific life, announcing that the baby in my belly is yours. You will be ecstatic and probably celebrate the end of your bachelorhood!!" Adriana quipped humorlessly, smirking sarcastically in mockery.

Nicolas stiffened. She was right. Probably he will tell her that she's out of her mind just like the others. He had encountered few of them trying to trap me into marriage. But her sassy snide remarks had rub it the wrong way, with her mocking tone.

But, probably it would be different scenario with her, since I knew I was her first and she was innocent. Those girls who claimed that I was the father of their baby were a bit suspicious knowing those girls were only after two things.

FAME and MONEY!

"It will be different if it was you! I was your first and I know you are different from anyone!" Nicolas grit his teeth as he met her mocking gaze with a dash of distaste.

"Really? Dammit! I took your sudden disappearance in a wrong way!" Adriana continued on with her mocking exasperated tone that only intensifies Nicolas' vexation.

"So how do you explain that you left the next day after using me?" Adriana scoffed in addition, thrusting her one eyebrow in mockery, with her hands crossed on her chest.

"Don't use that word USE! I didn't use you-"

Adriana snorted cutting him off. "Wow! You didn't used me, but you left the next day without a word. You could have told me. Hey Addy, It was a great sex, but I don't do commitment so-"

Before Adriana could finished her quipped retort, Nicolas grab her arm, gripping like a vice. His eyes is blazingly furious and Addy cringed inwardly. She was too mad to stop her mouth in retorting sarcastically.

"Either way, if your not a SELFISH BITCH, you should have come see me and tell me that you're carrying my baby!"

Adriana stared at him, hurt after hearing his words. Two words, but it felt like an arrow, strike straight into her heart and pierced it. It was more painful than his grip on her arm.

Nicolas realized his words and he looked away letting go of her arm and headed to David's direction. Adriana followed his back with a distasteful stare as she blink the tears away. She felt so completely mad that she was close to tears, and the way Nicolas was treating her.

Adriana stormed out of the house and to the waiting limo. Alessi saw her coming and he stood and opened the limo door and she slid in without a word.

Adriana leaned on the plush leather seat and tried to calm her emotions. She was really mad. She wanted to hurl him a lot of insulting words, but she doesn't want David to hear every of her unpleasing words.

"Are you alright, Ms. Addy?" Alessi ask in concerned tone.

"Yes, thank you Alessi." Adriana replied shortly as she closed her eyes, while they are waiting for Nicolas.

Nicolas negotiated with David on the price on the first house and not long, everything was settled. David agreed on the price and Nicolas instructed him to transfer the property to the De Luca couple in the next days.

Nicolas walked back to where he left Adriana, but she was nowhere to be seen. Nicolas strode briskly out of the house and he saw Alessi standing on the side of the limo with Lorenzo on the other side standing like a statue.

"Have you seen Adriana?" Nicolas asked to his securities.

Alessi almost crack a grin as soon as he heard his boss' inquiries. "She's already inside, Sir!" Alessi replied and Nicolas' eyes turns into slits.

She was really tearing his patience apart.

Nicolas climbed into the limo swiftly and face the sleeping form of Adriana. But, Adriana wasn't really sleeping. She kept her eyes close even when the limo was already moving. She could feel the anger radiating off of his body and so his sexy lingering scent.

"Are you going to keep giving me that nasty and sassy retorts and foul-assed mood?" Nicolas couldn't contain anymore. Her lack of cooperation was really getting on his nerves.

Adriana didn't respond. She's on the verge of explosion and she knew he's the temperamental brooding Nicolas.

The fire won't cool down if were met with another fire. It will only ignite.

Nicolas clenched his jaw. He was mad at himself for sparking Adriana's temper. He wanted to relax himself, but Adriana just knew how to ablaze it.

And, he doesn't understand why?

Her lack of cooperation and sassy remarks wasn't helping at all.

After like a decade, still Adriana wasn't talking to him, the limo stop right in front of their apartment.

Nicolas climbed out and waited for her as he tried to help her, but she just glared at him and brush past him.

"O Theós , fuck af̱tó ton kósmo !" (God, fuck this world!) Nicolas hissed audibly in frustrations, as he ran his hair with his hand furiously with his other hand rested on his hips.

Adriana stops before she reach the gate and face Nicolas's brooding look. He eyebrows compressed together tightly as she didn't like the sound of his own language. "Did you just swear at me?" Adriana asked in disgruntled face.

"Fuck, no moro mou!" Nicolas respond shortly, alarmed.

"Don't call me moro mou, I'm not you love or what ever that endearment means," Adriana spat disparagingly and spun on her heel to the gate.

"My baby," he mumbled audibly. Nicolas heaved a heavy frustrated sighed as he follow her with a heavy footstep.

Nicolas thought Adriana is being impossible and she has her reason. But Nicolas won't let her ruin all his plans for them. He will going to tame her and be together, probably forever with their son Nicolai. He would like the idea of having another baby if he could trick her to sleep with him.

Little Nicolas stirred to life, as the naked glorious body of Adriana filled his scrambled head.

Damn!

Nicolas strode inside the apartment and found the place quiet. He thought his family must have left.

"Ha lasciato la mia famiglia, Mikaela?" (Did my family left, Mikaela?) I asked, as soon as I saw Mikaela walking to the kitchen with dirty glasses and plates.

""Sì , hanno appena lasciato . Ma stanno tornando domani e unirsi a noi alla festa di Miranda . Sei la famiglia sono molto bello e cordiale, Nicolas . Sergio e io li vuole." (Yes, they just left. But they're coming back tomorrow and will join us at Miranda's party. You're family are very nice and friendly, Nicolas. Sergio and I likes them.) Mikaela smiled sweetly and her sapphire orbs sparkled, filled with happiness.

Nicolas groaned inwardly, but the happiness he saw in Mikaela's eyes drowned all that disapproval in his heart for his family showing up out of nowhere.

"Sono contento che andare d'accordo con voi ." (I'm glad get along well with you.) Nicolas responded briefly feeling relieved that his family weren't condescends to them. His mom was an epitome of snobby wench.

"Oddio , sono fantastici! Ci piace uscire con loro !" (Oh God, they are great! We love to hang out with them!) She replied exuberantly. "In ogni caso , vi lasciano in pace. Sentitevi a casa . Questa è la tua casa troppo . Lo so che non è così strava-" (Anyway, I will leave you alone. Please feel at home. This is your home too. I know it's not as extrava-)

I cut her off before she finished her words by waving off my hand. "Si prega di Mikaela . Sono ancora grato per aver accolto me ." (Please Mikaela. I'm still thankful for accepting me.)

Mikaela smiled and nod her head before turning on heel to the kitchen. I walked to the balcony where Adriana and Nicolai was playing with his new toys. I noticed a new boxes of toys, probably from my family.

"Daddy, zia Victoria and zia Brianna bought me new toys. See, this train is going really fast daddy!" Nicolai chirped excitedly as he let the blue train went around the train tracks making a choo choo sound. Nicolai looks so happy with a wide smile plastered in his tired face.

Adriana was just smiling watching her son. She was so happy, that her son was happy.

"I'm glad you're happy, son!" Nicolas smiled to Nicolai and Nicolai tucked himself in between Nicolas legs, as soon as Nicolas sat on the empty chair beside Adriana.

"Daddy, I'm tired." Nicolas said after a while as he leaned his head on Nicolas chest. Nicolas picks him up and he stood up. Nicolai promptly snake his hands around Nicolas neck and rested his head on his shoulder with his face against the crook of Nicolas' neck. The warm body of his son made him feel relax, and contentment and happiness filled his system.

"You can lay him on his bed if you want." Adriana stood up as she watch the two with overwhelming love and happiness.

"No, I want to hold him." Nicolas responded briefly. Knowing his raging arousals is becoming visible. His crotch is getting tighter. He needs to leave yhe place.

"I want to take him to my penthouse tonight. I want to spend my night with him," Nicolas asked staring at Adriana's sapphire orbs. He always finds himself captivated by it. He looks away after, since it wasn't helping his erected little friend.

How did he left her? She was the most alluring, stunning woman his eyes ever laid on.

Adriana snap her fingers in front Nicolas' zoned out thoughts. "Back to earth Nicolas!" she spat in her low tone not wanting her son to wake up. He looks peacefully sleeping now.

"Is it a yes?" Nicolas shot back ignoring her temper.

"No. He's not going to sleep. He's not use to sleepover," Adriana responded tersely. Then, she started picking Nicolai's new toys and stuff it back in its box.

"He's fine. Let him stay with me tonight!" Nicolas insisted with a grim in his face. Adriana straightened herself and stared deeply into Nicolas eyes.

She was surprised today, she didn't feel those erotic thoughts and her body tense at his closeness. It was fairly nice, she could think clearly. Probably, a good start to make his day often a miserable one.

"Then, don't call me in the middle of the night if he can't sleep and crying!" Adriana gave up. She knew when Nicolas wants something and with the looks he gave her, she won't be winning this argument.

"Maybe help me pack his favorite stuffs and we can head to my place?"

"Now?" Adriana asked disapprovingly with a quirked eyebrows.

"Yes." Nicolas responded softly.

"But, it was early," Adriana answered shortly.

Jesus just let us go, before I would do something we both regret! His mind screamed.

"I'm tired too," Nicolas lied. He needs a cold shower now.

"Fine. Ok, let me get his stuff." Adriana finally agreed and headed inside.

Nicolas heads out to the awaiting limo with sleeping Nicolai in his arms when he remembers to say goodbye to Mikaela.

He went to see Mikaela first to let her know, and since Sergio was nowhere, he decided to head out soon.

Adriana came back with a black knapsack with Nicolai's stuffs in it. Nicolas was still holding Nicolai not wanting to wake him up even if it feel awkward sitting inside the limo with his son on his arm.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Adriana said with a heavy heart. She's going to miss her son and Nicolas.

Hoping her night would be fine without Nicolai.. Or so she thought ..

~~~~

A/N: Please don't forget to VOTE and COmment!!

I'm late for work... lol

See you in the next chapter!