It's been two days since the encounter we had with Nicolas' father and as much as I'm curious to know about him, I didn't want to hurt his or Mama's feelings by asking questions.

He and Mama were too good at pretending, but not enough to fool me.

His gorgeous smile was somewhere missing and Mama's sassy and hyper nature was on the low side from the last two days. I thought they wanted to deal with it on their own, hence I didn't pry but it hurts to see the two people I love the most in the world going through this.

So today Kia and I are baking a cake for her Nicky uncle and Mama in their absence. I glanced at Kia who was sitting on the countertop watching me mix the cake batter. "Ari?"

"Yes, Kia baby.", I answered while I wiped my hands on the apron and walked over to her.

She stretched her arms and hugged me closely. I hugged her back, "What's wrong Kia?"

"I'm happy.", she announced while she released herself from the hug." You will never leave me and Nicky uncle?", she continued as she looked at me with a hopeful smile.

"No Kia, I will stick with you forever.", I smiled as I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear." I love you, you know that right." I walked back to the oven to check if it was done when she added."What about Nicky uncle?"

"What about him, Kia?", I asked as I poured the cake batter into the tray of the oven.

"You'll stay with him forever too?" I smiled at her as I felt my heart race faster just by his name.

"Always and Forever." I found myself answering.

She smiled a toothy grin as she jumped off the countertop and wrapped her arms around my waist. "You're the best Ari." She twirled me around and giggled when I laughed at her playfulness.

"I love you, Ari." She said and embraced me tightly by pulling me down so that she could wrap her arms around my neck. I smiled at her sudden enthusiasm.

"Mama.", Kia yelled all of a sudden peering over my shoulder. Apparently, Kia had always seen her Nicky uncle, Aiden and Evans calling Mrs Arnold Mama, hence she also copied them. I turned only to witness him and Mama standing by the doors.

"When did you guys come?", I asked getting up off the floor.

They shrugged as Mama pulled Kia with her to show her what she brought home.

"Arielle?", He came closer, as he wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me so close that a needle could hardly pass through the gap between us.

"What?", I arched an eyebrow at him as he continued to hold me so tightly that I could feel his heartbeat in his chest.

"I-" before he could continue, the oven timer went off, as we both pulled away. I couldn't help but smile inwardly witnessing the disappointment in his eyes as he pulled away from me.

I pulled the cake out of the oven and placed it on the countertop. I walked over to the refrigerator to grab the icing and the other ingredients for the cake. While I was decorating the cake, I failed to notice when he came closer and the next moment I know, I had the whipped cream on my nose and chocolate on my cheek.

"You look like a clown.", he smirked at me, as he pulled me closer to him once again.

I felt a sense of déjà vu.

"You." I glared at him as he continued grinning."Stop smiling." When he didn't, I inched closer and rubbed my nose with his. "You're such a child."

"You sure?" he said as he pinned me to the refrigerator. My breathing got rapid as I anticipated his next move.

Another déjà vu!

He smirked at me as he pulled me closer to him. This time, he didn't stop until my lips were almost touching his. His long eyelashes caressed my cheek as he moved to kiss them softly.

Every touch left a trail of goosebumps along my skin. I felt my lips begin to quiver as he stopped midway and looked at me. "Did I change your statement?"

"I-a" My throat felt so dry as I struggled to form a coherent thought.

"Want me to kiss you, amore?" He smiled as he tilted his head to the side and stared into my eyes. My lips quivered as I saw the chocolate on the corner of his.

And another déjà vu!

"You can't always do this.", my trembling words made me cringe. The level of shyness I was feeling was beyond my imagination. My heart was beating so fast, I could barely breathe.

"What?", he smirked tilting, a strand of hair fell on his forehead and I just wanted to reach out and wipe it away.

"You can't just do such things." I felt my ears turning red in shame. God! This man will be the death of me someday."You can't always use your charm and make me nervous. I-I will complain to Mama about you." As soon as I said the last words, I facepalmed myself."F*ck! Now I'm sounding like a child."

His smirk changed into a full-blown smile as he pulled me to him and wrapped his arms around me. I felt my heart thumping in my chest as I closed my eyes. "F*cking precious!" He mumbled as he kissed my forehead with a smile.

"Ari, CAKE," Kia yelled and before I knew it, I had pushed him out of the kitchen.

He laughed making my blush deepen.

Kia came in followed by Mama who when saw me gave me a raised eyebrow." Ari, I thought the icing was to be done on the cake." She touched my nose as she got some whipped cream on her finger.

"I... Mama that.. you see what happened was..." I fumbled as I tried to form some convincible excuse. I felt myself starting to get red again as I watched her and Kia's eyes travel to him. "I...I..." I hesitantly looked at Mama silently praying to her to stop teasing.

She smirked as she took the decorated cake and sprinklers with her to the living room. Kia followed her and I let out a sigh of relief.

I glared at him who was still smiling looking at my flustered state. "You don't talk to me."

"What did I do?", he stated innocently as I moved out of the kitchen but before I could walk past him, he held my wrist and my glare intensified. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the cream and chocolate glaze off my face gently."Wouldn't want you to go through that embarrassing questionnaire again now, would I Amore?", he smirked as he flicked my nose.

He left a lingering kiss on my wrist and then let it go.

A shy smile appeared on my face as I felt a surge of warmth flow through my body.

I calmed myself as I neared the living room where Mama was laughing with Kia. Kia was popping sprinklers in her mouth and Mama was laughing at her antics. She looked at me as I approached and smirked."Ari, where is Nicky uncle?" She asked as I walked over to where they were sitting.

"Ha tell, child." Mama razzed me as she wiggled her brows.

"Here.", He walked to where we were, now in his casuals. He rolled his sleeves to his elbows, his toned arms on display.

Damn it! Stop gawking, woman!

He pulled Kia in his lap. I smiled watching them. He was no doubt an amazing man. Kia was trying to aim the bigger size sprinkles in his mouth making him laugh because every time she did, she'd miss out.

Mama pulled me and sat me beside her. Kia came forward and with the help of Mama, she cut the cake smiling.

"It's not my birthday." Kia yelled making us laugh." But I'm happy."

He froze for a second as he heard Kia's words, his eyes flooding with the warmth of happiness.

"So am I.", he mumbled silently, his eyes flashed towards me for a minuscule minute and went back to Kia's movements.

I chuckled amusedly, he was not at all discreet.

I brought the plates for everyone and laughing and chatting we had the delicious cake which was made by yours truly, very talented Arielle Summers.

My heart swelled with happiness as I watched Mama and his eyes sparkle with bliss.

He wrapped his arms around Mama and Kia pulling them in a hug, my heart was bursting with joy seeing them but the moment he frowned and tugged me closer, goosebumps ran up my spine."Come here, amore." he whispered and the next moment I was wrapped in his arms.

This was what we call a family.

And this was Arielle Summers' world!

***