Chapter Twelve : Conversation.

NICHOLAS

"How was the interview?" I asked, looking up from my laptop.

"It went well, sir. She will resume tomorrow," the director in charge replied.

I sipped my coffee while leaning back in my chair.

"Keep the list of the top five applicants. In case she doesn't meet my expectations."

"Understood, sir."

"You can leave."

He got up and left my office.

My secretary entered almost immediately. "Mark is here to see you. Should I let him in?"

I nodded and continued with the task I was dealing with.

"Good afternoon, boss," Mark greeted, and I gestured for him to sit.

"Any information?"

He nodded. "To an extent, yes. I will know whoever it is soon."

"Find her soon."

He nodded before leaving.

He was my private investigator. I needed to find the mother of that girl. She will take her daughter back when I find her.

The rest of the day went by slowly.

Attending to files. Going to meetings.

I got down from my car and stepped out. I headed out of the garage into the house. I could smell the taste of whatever Kat was cooking.

I walked straight to my room. I took a shower and changed into a black hoodie and grey sweatpants.

My phone buzzed as I was about to head down.

Is Kat back? - Ludacris.

I snorted at the message and settled on my bed. I already knew why he was asking.

Yes - Nicholas.

His response came immediately.

Do you want to come over? - Ludacris.

I shook my head while typing back a message. I haven't seen him since my life turned upside down. I haven't told him about the girl.

Hell, I haven't told my dad. I wasn't sure how he was going to react. One thing was sure, it wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

And he would want me to keep her.

Si(yes) - Nicholas.

Bring whatever Kat is cooking for dinner as a peace offering - Ludacris.

Non cambierai mai. (You will never change.) - Nicholas.

I pasti di Katrina sono tutto per me. Non cambierà mai. (Katrina's meals are everything. That's never going to change.) - Ludacris.

My dad made sure I didn't forget my roots even though I lived here since I was a baby. He couldn't keep living in the same country that my mom was buried. He hired a tutor who taught me everything I needed to know. Ludacris joined the class because we did almost everything together.

My dad hasn't gone back ever since. I went one time during my college days. I wanted to see where she's buried.

It's overwhelming.

Seeing her tombstone.

Imagining how life would have been if she was alive.

Motherly love.

One from my biological mother.

I haven't gotten the courage to go back to Italy.

I put my phone in my pocket and grabbed my Bentley's car key. I put my hood over my head as I climbed down the stairs. I strolled to the kitchen and saw Kat there.

She wasn't alone.

Ashley was with her.

And they were laughing at whatever they said before I came in.

I almost stared at Ashley.

Keyword, almost.

Her laugh sounded beautiful.

I leaned against the wall and cleared my throat. They jumped slightly, and I smirked.

I ignored her and kept my eyes on Kat.

"Nick!" Kat deadpanned.

"Kat!"

She rolled her eyes at me. I couldn't get my actual mother's love, but I was glad to have Katrina.

"I am heading over to your other son's place," I grumbled.

She laughed. "My favorite son. Luckily, I made some of his favorite. I will pack it for you."

I scoffed while folding my hands over my chest. "That’s not fair."

She giggled while walking towards me. She handed me a bag. "Send my greetings to him. Tell him to come around more often."

"Will do. See you later."

I gave her a quick hug before making my way outside.

I sauntered off to the garage and entered my Bentley. I started the engine, and it roared to life.

I drove through the familiar path.

I gave my keys to the valet when I reached his apartment building. He lived in the penthouse.

I took the elevator up to his floor. He's waiting outside his door when I stepped out of the elevator. He grabbed the bag quickly and disappeared into his house. I followed and headed to the living room.

He came back with two plates. He settled on the sofa across me after I took one of the plates from him. I went to grab a bottle of wine and glass cups from his wine cellar.

I headed back to the living room. I poured us some wine before taking my seat again.

He moaned in delight. "Why will I want to miss this?"

"She said you should come over often."

"Oh, I will," he mumbled.

I shook my head at him before eating my food.

The food was amazing.

No surprise there.

We finished our food and placed it in the dishwasher.

"Do you want to play?" he asked.

He handed me a console before I could respond. We started with a soccer game while I thought of ways to break the news.

"Goal!" He screamed as the ball went into the net.

"Chris," I called softly, not bothering to look at him. He hummed in response. "DNA confirmed that a girl is my child."

He quickly paused the game and turned to me. "Do I need to hear you say that again?"

I gave him a pointed look, and he gasped. "Apparently, I slept with her more than a year ago."

I explained everything to him, and he sighed aloud.

"Shit! You haven't told uncle about her. And she lives with you," he murmured. "Talk about a plot twist."

"He's going to kill me, literally."

I gripped my hair in frustration before pouring myself some wine.

"You need to tell him," he started. "And why don't you want to keep her?"

I sighed.

"I will be forced into a responsibility that I am not ready for," I paused. "It will change who Nicholas Bianchi is. And I don't want that."

"But she's your child. Even if you give her back to her mother, you still have to be in her life."

"If I want to."

He looked at me with a more serious look. Suddenly, he laughed hard.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

He smirked. "You made her. She didn't ask to be brought into this world."

"I didn't ask her mom to seduce me."

He scoffed. "Nick, seriously?"

"I am no father."

He ran a hand through his hair and looked at me - really looked at me. "Guess you will figure this out on your own."

I shrugged in response before turning back to the game.

"Wait," he said quickly before I could continue the game.

I gestured for him to go on.

He smirked. "Your ex assistant. Is she hot?"

I buried my head in my hands and let out a groan.

"She’s alright," I mumbled before starting the game.

She's more than alright.

Ludacris Smith was just like me. I didn't like the idea of him going after her.

And I didn't know why.