The next morning when I woke up I felt light as if a lot of weight had been lifted off my shoulders, I could not describe the feeling I experienced when I saw his head resting against the headboard just like last time but this time my head was in his lap.

My hand was still in his hand and his fingers were still on my hair. I felt so cosy as if all my fears evaporated right then and there.

I cautiously got up from my bed and went to the bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth with a careful hand. I did not want to wake him up, I'd once again spoiled his night. He was too generous to be real.

As I made my way to the kitchen, the balloons made me remember last night and Kia's hurt face. I sighed as I sat at my dinner table with my head down. The next moment I felt a hand on my head. I was about to jump up from my seat when I saw it was Mama.

She gently took my hand pulling me towards the couch."Come sit with me, dear." I felt so safe with her. Just being with her made me feel calm and my mind became clear. She picked up a bottle of coconut oil and poured it into a small bowl. She took some in her hand and began massaging my scalp with it.

"You know Amara, Kia's Mama died while giving birth to her."Kia's name brought a lump in my throat and I couldn't control my tears. I was shocked. I couldn't believe what she had just told me.

"Nico believes it's him who's the culprit of Kia since he couldn't save Amara." I looked up at her, she gently smiled at me."Nico and Amara had the same blood group but he had to go to a meeting in Asia and he got late. We lost her and till the day he believes it's his mistake, only if he had reached the hospital in time, Kia's mom would be with us."

I never thought Nicolas had such huge guilt on his heart. It was shocking, how he felt so guilty for something which he could not control.

"But Mama it's not his mistake. He didn't know something like that'd happen.", I said to her with a sigh.

"Exactly my child, He didn't know just like how you didn't." She gently placed my head in her lap."Whatever happened wasn't in your control. Neither Nico nor you, we can't be the reasons for our loved one's death."

"Mama she tried to tell me he was wrong still I fought with her and went with him. If only..", I trailed down as I felt her wipe my tears.

"No, Ari." She shook her head."Your Mumma was protecting you, it was all in destiny. Amara was given the choice too.", she smiled at the memory."She chose Kia. Your Mumma did the same, she was an angel sent for another angel."

I felt tears in my eyes as a pang of huge guilt began to rid off of my mind. I cried in her embrace, my brain repeatedly thanking God to send Mama for me.

She pulled back and softly wiped my tears again and for that minute I could see a glimpse of Mumma in Mama.

"Amore.", I heard his panicked voice come from the bedroom."Jesus Christ! Where do I find..oh..you're here." He said once he came closer to the living room. I turned to him and smiled."I'm okay."

"Get ready, I'm taking you somewhere." He calmly said and walked away. I looked at Mama who just shrugged.

"Thank you, Mama." She smiled and I left the living room to get ready for wherever we were going. I quickly took a shower and got readied in a black tee with dark blue jeans and my beige trench coat and for accessories, I wore my Mumma's pendant and the pearl earrings.

"You look beautiful, my dear. ", Mama said as soon as I stepped out of the room. I smiled warmly and kissed her cheek." No one casts an evil eye on my daughter.", she added making me smile again. She was just like my Mumma.

"Take care of my daughter.", Mama calmly said to Nicolas who was standing near the door staring at us for who knows how long. He was dressed in a white sweater, a black long warm jacket and black trousers paired with his black boots. He looked ridiculously good looking as always.

He came forward with a smile."Let's go, amore." Mama hugged both of us simultaneously and then pushed us out of the door saying it's time.

I sighed as we made our way to his ebony sleek Camaro. He opened the door and as always kept his hand above me as I sat inside. I gave him a look making him chuckle.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll know. Just trust me."

"You know I do.", I said looking out of the window.

Fifteen minutes and I realized where he was taking me. My heart was swelling with warmth as I looked at his face wondering how can someone be so f*cking thoughtful every single damn time.

He had brought me to the cemetery where my Mumma was buried. The sun was shining and the air was chilly. I looked at him but he didn't pay any attention as he made his way to my side and opened the door for me."Come on, Arielle."

As soon as I was out, I embraced him."Thank you so much." He softly stroked my hair and kissed my forehead.

My heart pounded as I took a step inside and he closed the door behind us. I looked around and the place was peaceful and serene. I looked at my surroundings and then began to walk inside. Everything was silent as I stepped further and in no time I was near her.

"Hi, Mumma." I smiled at my Mumma as I walked to her grave. It was beautifully decorated with bouquets and daisies. I felt a chill run up my spine and stood there with my arm over my heart. "I miss you, Mumma." I looked at the stone, with her name, Serena Summers and 'In Loving Memory.

I sat down closely tracing her name. "I wish you were here." For the first time, I didn't cry but smiled seeing her grave. It felt like Mom was here, holding my hand. It felt amazing that I could feel her presence, even though she wasn't with me anymore. "I wish you could know that your Ari is not alone now. I have got friends and perhaps a family. I am not alone anymore. I am happy." I felt tears roll down my cheek but before I could wipe them off I felt a hand wiping them off.

I looked up and there was him."No more tears, amore." He gently kept a bouquet of white tulips on top of mom's grave. "Hi, Mumma." I looked at him in surprise but he didn't pay any attention to my expressions. "I'm your daughter's fiancé, Nicolas."

"What the f*ck?", I hit his shoulder playfully, rolling my eyes. He pulled me closer to him and whispered in my ear."Don't curse in front of your Mumma, Arielle."

"You're not my fiancé, Nicolas."

"You know you secretly want me to be.", he said the same thing again and my heart raced against my will. My face flushed at his shameless flirting and I quickly looked away.

"You know what, I'm going to get flowers for my Mumma." I scowled and got up, getting ready to go to the shop.

I went to the shop and bought the flowers. As I walked closer to my Mumma's grave, I could hear his words."....her. I really do. Your daughter is brave, smart, exceptionally kind and I'm sorry to say but very clumsy." I smiled listening to his words."I promise you, I'll keep her safe and make sure she doesn't get hurt. You can trust me." I couldn't help but feel warm listening to his little confession, as I got closer to where he was sitting. As soon as he knew I was back he went silent.

"How nice of you to call me clumsy every chance you get, Nicolas."

"Eavesdropping is a bad habit, Arielle", He smirked as soon as I sat beside him.

"She's my Mumma."

"You call my Mama yours then why can't I?", he gave me a tough look as I smiled in my heart."Mumma, here are some flowers for you." I ignored him and kept the flowers lovingly.

"Amore, I know you want some alone time with your Mumma. You talk to her as long as you want. I'll wait for you in the car." My heart swelled when he gave me a warm hug before walking away.

I caught him glancing at me before exiting the cemetery. My heart pounded in my chest as I felt my growing feelings for him come to the surface. His sweet gestures, his caring, his warm embrace, and his smile are what I desire in my life.

"Mumma, I need you a lot right now," I whispered as I looked at the beautiful bouquet of flowers he brought."Remember you told me to listen to your heart always. I really want to but there's a greater part of me that is scared. I'm scared because I'm trusting someone again, of letting myself be vulnerable and most importantly of all, of letting someone in my life." I sighed as a tear escaped from my eye.

"I'm f*cking falling in love with that Nicolas f*cking Arnold."

"I had to make sure you were fine.", his words rang in my ear.

I smiled remembering his words," He says I'm oblivious but I know he has feelings for me. I realized it the day I saw tears in his eyes for me. I was the one who got stabbed and it seemed due to his anger the doctors would die." I chuckled to myself remembering the memory."I promise Mumma, I really tried to suppress my feelings but every single day he'd do something and they would grow exponentially. What do I do, Mumma? I really want to confront him but I'm scared."

"Just go with the flow.", his smiling face winked at me.

I should probably go with the flow. I smiled at the memory of him as I got up and flew a kiss."I love you, Mumma."

As soon as I exited the cemetery, I saw him leaning against his car. He was staring at me as I walked to him. My heart pounded as I looked at him. He opened the car door for me to get inside and once again he kept his hand above me. My heart did a back-flip. Damn you, Nicolas Arnold!

"What?", he asked in confusion and that's when did I realize I have been staring at him.

"You stayed?"

"How can I leave you, amore?", he said nonchalantly as he looked in the mirror and reversed the car.

My heart filled with the love he has shown and for the first time, I felt I truly could be with someone. I could feel my heart pound and my hands trembling. Oh my God! Damn those feelings I have for you!

"Where are we going now?", I asked quickly suppressing the smile that was threatening to break on my face.

"A place I know you'll love."

He smiled as he drove us there."Come.", he opened the door to my side, grabbed my hand and we walked inside the orphanage.

Within a second of entering the orphanage, we were swarmed by children."Nicoliee." They shouted in unison, Nicolas looked so happy seeing them. He picked a three year in his arms as the kid kissed his cheek. I felt my heart melt as I listened to their heartwarming, adorable chatter.

The little kid looked at me with those big puppy dog eyes and started wiggling in his grip as he stretched his arms for me. I smiled as I took him."I think he likes me more."

"Don't get too comfortable, little bean.", he frowned as the kid kissed my cheek lovingly.

"Why? You jealous.", I asked smirking already knowing the answer. I found it pretty amusing how he was jealous of a three-year-old kid.

"As long as you're happy. I am ready to burn in jealousy." My heart jumped at his words as I met with his eyes. In that moment, I felt such unconditional love from him that I could feel my heart melt.

"You're really cheezy." I rolled my eyes

He chuckled and looking into my eyes kissed the little bean's cheek."You know you love it."

I did.

I loved every part of it.

***