"No sir. We missed him again."

Damn it!

It's been a f*cking week that I've been here in London. Away from everyone, mama, Kia and her.

Amore.

I never thought that I'd fall in love with someone, that too at the very f*cking first sight. The day I'd seen her for the first time, hugging Kia, I felt like I was just struck by lightning.

She was the only person with whom Kia got so close at the very first meet. I still remember how she kicked Aiden when he met her first.

It's crazy how destiny made me meet her. After having that silly argument, which was just a way for me to have a conversation with her. When I offered her money, the death glare she gave me, I was left amused, the way she shut Kia's ears and cursed me.

I was so desperate to see her again that I followed her to Halcyos. I contacted my friend who was the owner of the place and told him to keep a cabin ready for me and send her as soon as she enters the building.

Jesus Christ! And I called her a stalker.

I'm gonna skip the part of how I answered his question as to why I need a cabin there at such an emergency. That sh*t was embarrassing.

My lips always curve into a smile whenever I think of how she entered my office that day. I'd never seen someone so angry at me before and as much as I hated the fact, I found it pretty unusual since she was the only woman who didn't look at me with admiration but with rage.

However, I still feel guilty about how I acted with her. I shouldn't have grabbed her hand. I'll have to ask her forgiveness for it although I'm aware she has forgotten that incident.

Then Kia threw a fit of how she wanted only her as her babysitter. I was more than happy. Hell! I'm ashamed to say but I was a little jealous of how she'd get her all attention for the whole day but I satisfied myself. At least, I'd be able to see her whenever I wanted in the name of Kia.

God! I've got it bad.

I literally went to a park without any second thought. The biggest mistake I did. My fists always clench in anger whenever my mind went to the day she was hurled to the ground by those bloodthirsty reporters and journalists.

The nail marks on her skin are imprinted on my mind, as much as I wanted to destroy the whole career of that reporter, I restrained myself. He had a kid to feed.

I just left him with a warning or maybe a threat. I don't remember.

For the first two days, I tried my best to act normal, keeping that brooding blank mask on my face that I didn't care but the more I saw her, the more I felt like a schoolboy with a crush on her.

But the day she fell while they were playing hide and seek.

I didn't have any interest in that silly game but Aiden, the guy has been trying to ship us both. Moron thinks I don't see how he and Kia always keep trying to bring her and me together, not that I mind but as long as their little mission doesn't hurt her.

Also, Kia is growing faster than she should. I need to talk to her.

Anyway, the day Aiden purposely made her fall over me. Jesus Christ! I knew I was f*cked. Her coconut scent encircled me like a blanket and I felt like my skin was burning. She was driving me insane.

Every time, she accidentally came closer to me, I found myself reaching out for her. I couldn't resist. I couldn't help but chuckle when she tripped on a bucket. She was the clumsiest person I'd ever seen, and maybe the most awkward too.

She never cared what others would think. If she found someone worthy of appreciation, she'd tell them then and there. However, I didn't like how she praised Aiden.

Like, I'm also good looking but I don't mind, the day she absentmindedly called me ridiculously good looking, I felt like I'm on a ninth cloud.

Jesus Christ! I'm so f*cking whipped.

As I said, she's driving me insane.

But as much as I like to think of all the days I spent with her, I just want that one day to evaporate from my brain when I saw her in tears.

That day I realized, how much she mattered to me. That day I realized, I was hers. She becomes mine or not.

During the five hours, she was unconscious, I felt like my whole world vanished, her every tear, her every scream was like a fresh wound and I felt like I was hit by a sledgehammer. My oval magnets felt of no use that day, which apparently calmed me in the worst to worst situations.

When her eyes opened and they requested me to take her away from the hospital, I couldn't help but hold her close to me and comfort her. And as much as I was tempted to know about her past with my own methods, I didn't want to invade her privacy. She'd tell me by herself if she found me trustworthy.

Although, I knew she was strong enough to manage by herself but when I was there, she didn't have to. I lied to Sienna that she had a breakup and bless her, she instantly ditched Evans who was taking her on a date. I knew it was wrong but it would have been awkward as f*ck especially when she seemed too angry to let someone see her in her vulnerable condition as she believes.

The same day, I surprised or shocked her, however one states by alerting her. For God's sake, she stays alone. What the hell was she thinking leaving her front door open. God forbids, if someone trespasses in her house, although the way she went all Rapunzel over me, I couldn't help but be amused by her reflex action.

I could never forget the fact of how she blurted out."Why are you asking that to me, hmm? Not that it's me who's going to be your wife."

Only if she knew, in my mind she already was.

She was adorably cute.

And insanely gorgeous. Only I know how I controlled myself when she came at my door dressed in that red dress, my favourite colour.

I was finding it difficult, whether to look at her or to stop myself from smiling like a fool that finally she was at my place.

For the first time.

Once again I acted like a complete fool and dashed to my room to calm my unsteady breathing. Sounds cliché as f*ck!

The same day, Aiden asked me if I liked her. I tried so hard to suppress my feelings in front of him but the moron. Curse him. He purposely provoked me saying if I didn't, he can court her. As if, I was letting him.

"She's single and so am I.", as soon as those words were out of his mouth, I couldn't help but feel a surge of possessiveness run through my veins. I punched him straight in his jaw. He laughed and I knew I was damned.

A*shole!

I didn't want to express my feelings to her so fast. For God's sake! It hasn't been a month since we met. I wanted to take it slow, I wanted to make her feel comfortable with me first.

And the day she hugged me, my mission passed.

Respect+

"You got the right to hug me the moment you apologized to me. The moment you made me feel how much my comfort meant to you. You are the most wonderful person in the world after my Mumma of course." Her words made me feel content which was a really big thing since It's been a long since I felt that feeling of satisfaction.

The next day when she wore the pearl earrings I brought her, although I was tempted to present her diamond ones, I restrained myself, she would never accept those, my love for her grew exponentially. And when I think, she drives me insane. She does something like this making me fall for her harder than I already was.

She makes it so difficult to not kiss her.

But I'd never dare to cross the line.

The morning I left for London was the most beautiful as well as the most distressing. I woke up to her, my Amore's face. She was running her fingers through my hair and I couldn't help but get more comfortable in her touch.

More than I should be.

And then when started her apology rant, I couldn't help but laugh amusedly. As I said, she was the most awkward and adorable woman I'd ever met.

By the way, I was more than happy to be the first person who wished her the New Year. The way her cheeks heated when she accidentally kissed me on my cheek. As much as I wanted to literally ask her to kiss me again, I controlled myself. She'd be creeped out.

Before the day of the new year, I was cautious to not make my feelings so obvious to her. But when she asked me to hug her, hope rose in my mind, perhaps I had a chance.

Maybe she had feelings for me too. It was still unknown, and to my dismay, I had to rush to London although I was so bloody angry I'd to.

But it was important.

Arielle was my love but Kia is my first priority.

I had to come here & look for her father and my brother, unfortunately.

Five years back, he left all of us. He left mama, his wife, his unborn child for some other woman.

In his words, he didn't feel that connection with his wife who soon became my best friend. The same day I and mama broke our all connections with him.

We came to know that Amara was expecting a baby, a week later he left. As much as I was proud of Amara, I respected her with heart, when she came to me and asked me to let him know about his baby.

But as if he was never born. We couldn't contact him.

Amara was a strong woman, since the day she knew she had a life inside her, she didn't shed a single tear for that man. As much as I knew she was deeply hurt by her husband's announcement, she let him go. She was never the one to beg for someone's love. I and mama were with her throughout, but the day Kia was born, she lost a lot of blood.

Her blood group was A-. Only if I'd not gone for the bloody meeting in Asia, she'd have been alive today. I loved her like a sister, she was the most beautiful woman by heart. She was strong, sacrificing and smart. I and she had the same blood group, if only I'd reached the hospital three hours earlier, I could have saved Kia's mother.

That day I promised myself that I'd never let anything happen to Kia. I'd make sure no one hurts her as long as I live. She was the ditto copy of Amara. Smart and adorable.

The morning of New Year, I got a call from Daniel, my private investigator.

Daniel told me he spotted him in London. I had to go and question him. I had to get the answers.

But when I reached here, he had already left, apparently, he knew I was here. Since the day I'd been looking for him. I just wanted to make sure he stays oblivious to the fact that he has a daughter. I don't trust that man even a bit.

I didn't contact Kia even once, I was afraid he was keeping an eye on me.

But after a week of the restless search when I didn't find a trace of him. I decided it was enough, I can't stay longer without my amore and Kia.

I tried to call Aiden to tell him that I am back but the call never got received.

This was strange.

It has never happened, I call Aiden and he doesn't pick up. Impossible! And that too when he and Evans had been trying to reach out to me for more than three days.

My phone rang and I sighed. "Aiden."

"Nicky uncle" Kia? Why the hell is she crying?"Kia what happened and why are you crying, where is amo-I mean where is Ari?"

"Nicky uncle.", she sobbed. Panic surged my veins as her voice was trembling.

"Kia, stop crying and tell me what happened.", I asked impatiently."And where is Aiden? Where are you?"

"H-hopst-hostipal.", Hospital? What the f*ck is she doing there?

"What happened to Aiden, huh? Where is Ari?"

"Ari-Ari-"

"Yes, where is she? Give her the phone."

"Ad.", she cried, her voice fading."Nick-Nicky uncle."

"Nicky?" Aiden? Where is she then?

Jesus Christ! My blood ran cold. Was she having another panic attack?

"Nicky.", Aiden's voice came worried and my fear and suspicion grew.

"Will you f*cking tell me what the f*ck happened Aiden.", I shouted as I frustratedly ran a hand through my hair."Where is Arielle? What are you doing in a hospital? Wait! Tell me which hospital are you in. I'm coming right now."

"You're in New York?"

"That's why I asked dumba*s", I rolled my eyes. "Tell me now."

"Nicky.", his voice wavered."Arielle."

My heart skipped a beat."What about her?"

"You come to the city hospital quickly. I'll tell you. We need you, Nicky, Ari needs you."

"Aide-"before I could say anything he ended the call.

I quickly ordered my driver to drive to the city hospital. My anxiety and impatience multiplied with every single passing second.

As soon as I reached there, I saw Aiden, his shirt looked like it was painted with blood. And he was barely breathing. Kia caught my sight and she ran to me, her cheeks drenched with tears. I bent down and she clung to me for her dear life.

I gently stroked her hair to calm her but she just hugged me tighter. I glanced at Aiden who was sitting with his head down.

What happened?

And where is she?

I lifted Kia in my arms and walked to Aiden."Aiden. Where is Arielle?"

A nurse came running out of the operation theatre."Sir, we need A- right now. "Do you know someone who has the same blood group?" I looked at Aiden who looked alert.

He pulled Kia out of my arms and looked at me with a troubled look. His eyes screamed apology."I'm so f*cking sorry Nicky. I couldn't keep my promise."

"What do you mean?"

"Arielle is critical.", At that moment I could feel my soul leaving my body."She got stabbed while saving Kia. She suffered major blood loss and I'm afraid she wouldn-"

"Shut the hell up.", I shouted. Nothing would happen to her.

I could feel tears in my eyes. Nothing would happen to my love. She would be safe. I'll make sure she does.

"Sir?", I heard the nurse say.

"I-I have the same.", I voiced and she told me to follow her.

The nurse did some tests and then proceeded to insert a needle drawing blood out of my body. My heart was beating very fast.

After 10-12 minutes, I got released. When I exited the room. I saw mama who had Kia in her arms, she was still crying. She seated Kia beside Aiden who was still holding his head. As much as I wanted to comfort him, it wasn't his mistake, a part of me screamed the opposite. He f*cking disappointed me.

Mama came forward and I couldn't help but hug her. "What if something happened to her?"

She rubbed my back, as she tried to comfort me."Nothing will happen to Ari, Nick. Don't worry. Have faith in your love."

I pulled back and she wiped a tear, I didn't know that escaped my eye. Gathering a lot of courage, I walked to the door of the room she was in.

There she was, wires connected with her delicate body. I couldn't stop the heartache I was feeling. She kept her promise. She saved Kia and what I'm doing?

Nothing.

No-f*cking-thing.

Wake up amore. You need to know how much this scoundrel loves you.

How much this Nicolas f*cking Arnold is insane for his amore.

I looked at her face through the narrow glass space on the door. The loss of blood was clearly visible. Her rosy cheeks had gone pale and she looked in so much pain that it hurt my eyes to even see her.One thing was clear, I can't imagine my life without her now.

***