Ava's POV

"Hey can you help me with the flowers?" asked Adele.

"Yeah, sure. Where do you want them?" 

"Just on the swing. Yeah just like that drape it around."

"Do you want me to decorate the swing?" I asked.

"Would you really? Thank you so much"

"Of course I would love to. Do you have any preference?"

"Oh no. Decorate however you want. Just make it beautiful. Oh, Daniel you idiot! That doesn't go over there." She went away to scold Daniel.

It was time for Samantha's baby shower. Everyone was over at the Rossi house. I thought about helping them out instead of just sitting around. They had so much staff doing work, decorating, catering. The whole family was excited for the arrival of their little granddaughter. It reminded me of the time when Alex was about to be born. We didn't have a baby shower but we had given Catharine a prenatal massage appointment and surprised her with all her favorite treats and cravings. I missed her, my parents even my brother. The Rossi family always made me feel at home but there was a sense of void inside me. I had no one except for Alex.

I finished decorating the swing. Alex was going to wake up soon.

"Mama."

I turned around to see Mrs. Rossi holding Alex.

"he woke up so I thought of bringing him to you."

"Thank you, Maria."

"No problem sweetie. Did you eat anything yet?"

"No Maria. I'm not hungry."

"What nonsense. It is almost lunch time."

"I'll get you something. And a little snack for you too sweet boy."

"Nak!" said Alex. Apparently, that's his way of saying a 'snack'.

"Did you have good nap baby?"

He nodded his head yes. He started playing with the strands of my hair ending up tugging on them too hard.

"Alex baby no. It hurts mama. Let's get you your teddy. There you go you play with that."

He finally let go of his death grip on my hair. I put him down and put my her into a bun. I still twisting my hair when my eyes landed on Amadeo on the other side of the room eyeing me with a serious expression. What is wrong with him now? Did something happen? Is it about Nate? Or is it about Alex. My breath hitched. He is walking towards us now.

A few hours before.......

Amadeo's POV

"I expect you did your work efficiently this time."

He gulped and scratched his head. "Yes, boss and um I found somethings its new information. I'm very sorry I wasn't able to gather them before."

"Stop babbling nonsense and say what you found."

"Y-Yes sir. Right away sir."

"So, um there is no further information on Rocco aka Nathaniel. Both Ava's parents worked normal jobs before their unfortunate death. But there is a new person I discovered." he brings out a picture from a file. It was quiet an old picture of Ava and a blonde girl next to her. Both were smiling at the camera and posing with a candy floss in hand.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"Catherine Hollein. Ava and her were best friends in high school. She was older than Ava by almost two years but studied in the same class as Catherine missed a few years of academics because of diagnosed depression. She was an orphan and had been in the custody of alcoholic and abusive foster parent. She stayed in an orphanage nearby and lets just say she had a rough childhood. Exactly eight months ago Catherine died in child birth."

"What!"

"Yes, and before dying she handed over her child's custody to the Wilsons. And the child is-"

"Alex."

Fuck! What the actual fuck! How did I not know this before? I was distracted. Distracted by her love for Alex, her innocence. I always noticed the lack of resemblance but I just thought he was more like his father. Dios mio! This girl left everything behind to raise a child who's not even hers.

"Who is the father?"

"That I am yet to uncover. Catherine was a very closed off person. If she had an affair with someone which she actually did it will take a little time to investigate. Can I get some people to um search through the Wilson house and Catherine's room in the orphanage?"

I raised an eyebrow. Well it would be wise anyway.

"Alright. Just make sure they make it seem nothing ever happened."

"Yes boss. I'll report to you on further findings."

The door closed and he left. Fuck! This is complicated. Ava at this young age was raising a kid of her friend. She had left her studies, her dreams and aspirations behind. How more selfless a person can be? A part of me is hurt that she wasn't the one to tell me the truth but I haven't given her much reason to trust me either. My admirance for her grows every day. I have started to fall for her. I want to make sure she fully trusts me. I know she yearns for me the way I do for her. That day she had kissed me back. The way she leans into my touch says it all. I should get back to her now.

Ava's POV

At Rossi house........

He stopped in front of me.

"Hey." I said.

"Hi." he said. His hands were stuffed inside the pockets of trousers.

"Come with me for a while?" he asked.

"Where?" I asked.

"Just come along." he said and picked Alex up. "Hey buddy." he said to Alex. I followed him to wherever he was taking us. On the way Mrs. Rossi found us.

"Hey figilo."

"Hi mama." he said and kissed her cheeks.

"Where are you guys going? I have food for all of you."

"Mama. You can feed Alex for now. I need to talk to her." he said and took the plate of her hands.

"What? Figilo wait..." Amadeo grabbed my hand and kept dragging me wherever he was going.

He brought us to balcony. It was huge. You could see the entire estate from here. The views were amazing.

"Wow!" I said. Italy is beautiful and breathtaking. Everything was so green so lively. Amadeo cleared his throat. Oh yeah right. He wanted to talk.

"Yes sorry. I got distracted." I said sheepishly.

He smiled. "It's okay."

"So, what did you want to say?"

His smiled dropped. He walked towards me all the while looking into my eyes. I stay rooted to my place. My breaths increased. I was internally screaming. Ah! He is coming closer. My cheeks were literally on fire. His fingers were tracing my cheeks now. He made feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"Ava." he said.

"Amadeo." I said.

He pulled me towards him and his lips landed on mine. I was swept of my feet. He crushed me on his chest. His lips coaxed mine apart and his tongue entered my mouth. Holy mother of... oh. I couldn't breathe. We both detached came up for air.

"Wow!" I said.

"I wanted to do that for really long time." he said as he kissed along my face. I run my fingers through his hair as he kissed along my neck.

"Amadeo. Wait." I said stopping him.

"I don't want to." he grunted. It sent shivers down my spine. Come back to your senses. Gosh. People can walk in here anytime.

"You have to." I stressed.

"Oh c'mon tesoro."

"You wanted to talk remember."

"Tesoro we were having a really good time. Let's just get back to that."

"No. We have to go inside. I have to get back to Alex and Sam is going to be here soon." I said as I blushed.

"Alex." he said.

"What's wrong? Is that what you wanted to talk about? Did the doctor call again?"

"No tesoro he is fine." he said.

"Then what?"

"Why did you give up college?"

"Huh? Where is that coming from?"

"Just asking?"

I thought about it for a while. Why is he asking this all of a sudden?

"well after I had Alex it was expensive. I also had to be there for him all the time. So yeah I guess you know the rest."

"Do you regret that?"

"Are you asking do I regret having Alex? No. Never. He is my world. I wouldn't have it any other way. I would've loved to go to college but perhaps it wasn't meant for me anyway."

"You sacrificed a lot. I am amazed everyday who wonderful of a mother you are"

"Aren't all mothers that way?"

He smiled and nodded. " Yes, but you are special." He said.

"Guys lets go Sam is going to be here." Adele yelled.

"We have to go." I said.

"Let's go."

The baby shower went along really well. I helped myself with all the yummy treats. everyone played games, Sam was surrounded with gifts and let's just say Italians didn't have any limit when it came to drinking. All the uncles, even the aunties were on their umpteenth drink. Everyone adored Alex and he was devouring all the attention he got. Now he was sleeping soundly on my chest.

"Excuse me signorina."

"Yes?"

"There is a delivery person on the door about a parcel for signorina Adele. I couldn't find her. Would you please be kind enough to take it on her behalf?"

"Sure. Would you take me there?"

"Si signorina."

I followed him to the outside of the house.

"He is right by the garden."

"That's him?" I asked.

"Si." he nodded.

"Does he speak English?" I asked

"Si Signorina." The guy had a blue uniform on with cap on his head.

"Excuse me. Can I have the parcel please?"

"Just a minute miss." That voice...

He turned around to look at me. My breath hitched. It can't be.

"Hello sister." That's all I heard before darkness engulfed me.

A/N: Hi my beautiful friends. I am back after my exams. Thank you guys for waiting patiently and thank for all your support. Let me give you guys a heads up. From here on everything's gonna get real deep with loads of action.

What do you guys think will happen next? Let me know in the comments.

Lots of love ❤❤❤❤❤

AisheeSaha 😘😘😘😘😘