Chapter 4

Gabriele

I felt a little nauseous. I walked into my office and I knew the worry was written on my face. Opal didn't even ask why since I was going to be talking about Luca and she doesn't like children.

You're probably wondering why I felt sick, today is the first day that Heather is going to be looking after Luca. She seemed more than capable of handling him, although he is a bit of a terror sometimes, he liked her so he'd behave. It felt strange to not pick him up at school or help him with his homework. It felt like I was being strangled from inside with worry and doubt.

I composed myself, taking a few calming breaths in and out.

I started working, every now and then looking at my phone. I  got a few things done when the boss came in. He gave me a stack with a smile.

"The documents for your new client. I'll let you know about the opening stock price before the market opens ." He didn't say anything else. I was going to be the new partner if I played my cards right. I've always wanted to start my own company but with everything happening and my son coming into the world, I had to push it aside until now.

I tried to focus on the rest of my work. I am so excited. I think I felt like Luca when his grandmother brings him candy. I got all of my work done when I finally left very late that afternoon. It was dark out, I grimaced. I hated leaving my boy for so long but he was in capable hands so I know my fears are unwarranted.

I gave her the keys to my house when I also gave her the employment contract, so she would let herself in, well the security at my gate also let her in.

I parked my car in the garage. The minivan that I bought a while back was sitting there gathering dust.I rubbed my chin frustrated at what time it already was. Heather had to be home already as stated in her agreement. I strutted to the door unlocking it. The house was silent except for the television. I walked in and found Luca sitting at the table drawing a picture. When he saw me he stood up and ran to me.

"Daddy!" He ran and lunged towards me, I returned his hug.

"Missed me a  lot?"He nodded but that smile he had on his face told me he didn't as much as he usually does. I looked around but I didn't see Heather. My heart sunk.

"Where's your nanny?"

He pointed to the playroom, just when I walked into the room Heather came walking out which caused us to collide. She made a loud oof sound and she was headed to the floor. Luckily, I caught her just in time, unfortunately, it was an awkward catch and I was unbalanced so I came crashing down on top of her.

For a second I just looked at her studying her eyes, green, emerald green. I snapped from my daze quickly standing up since I was crushing her.

"Sorry, I didn't see you. Are you alright?" I gave her my hand which she took warily, she then dusted herself off and nodded.

"I'm fine, that's going to leave a bruise though." She shook her head with a chuckle as she rubbed her shoulder.

I noticed the toys scattered around from the bin she had been holding.

I helped her pick up the toys as she started gathering a few up. I looked up to her from my bending position, fortunately, or unfortunately, I got a glimpse of her behind. For a second I enjoyed the view. I reverted my gaze back to the ground, I felt a sensation pulse through me. My body heated up.

Strange. I guess after 6 years, it was expected when a beautiful woman was in my house. That hasn't happened since Clara. I sighed and stuffed the last of the toys in the bin.

"Sorry to keep you from your studies, I will pay you overtime at the end of the month." She nodded shyly. I placed the bin on the counter and she took her bag. I walked her to the door where Luca bolted to her hugging her goodbye. He really was the hugging type.

"Bye Luca see you tomorrow." He stood beside me clinging to me as she walked to her car. The old car reversed out of the driveway and into the street. I stared at the car for a few seconds as it got smaller and smaller out of sight. Maybe she should use the minivan, it's in Luca and her's best interest. I nodded as I agreed with myself.

I'm glad Luca had a mother figure in his life, even though it is a nanny it's still the closest thing that he'll have to a mother.

The week flew by, I was mostly working late.

Thankfully I have weekends off and I could spend them with Luca. Currently, we were sitting at the breakfast island, he was in his dinosaur pajamas and me in my boxers.

I looked at my bare cupboards and fridge. I was so busy lately that I didn't notice I was running out of stock, last night was our pizza night since I came home early and I only now noticed.

"Well big guy, we have to do some shopping if I want to feed you, so we can eat breakfast at a diner this morning and then some grocery shopping." He looked at me excited then scurried away, I guess he understood he needed to get dressed.

Sometimes he's very adept to listening to me and sometimes not so much. I changed into jeans and a t-shirt with some shoes, I ruffled my hair around, gelling it back slightly. Luca came to my room after he was changed. I looked at him as he was holding his teddy, he was so small still. I just picked him up, hugging him while I swung him around. He giggled as I did, I set him down feeling a bit out of breath.

"Did you brush your teeth?" He shook his head.

"Well, I haven't either so let's get to it." At the double sinks in my room, he and I stood side by side brushing away. The only way I get him to remember to brush his teeth is if I do it with him.

I drove to the nearest diner. It was a cozy place with light brown walls and dim lights emanating the retro orange booths and wood tables. A waiter greeted us when we took a seat at the booth beside the window.

Luca ordered a big stack of pancakes and since he wasn't going to be able to finish that I just ordered a toast and an egg. Some females were looking at Luca and I intently-women have always been intrigued by me. Italian, dark and somewhat handsome. They swarm to me, but because of Luca, I don't return the sentiment.

I need to start dating again since Luca needs a more permanent mother figure and I for one need someone to love (and you know..sex). Our order came along with my strong coffee and his thick chocolate milkshake. It looked divine, really divine. I sipped on my coffee looking around the room at people minding their own business. My eyes landed on a woman.

I kept my eyes on her, she turned to the side looking at the menu, it was Heather. I frowned, there was a guy sitting in front of her, blonde, blue-eyed. Probably her boyfriend. I studied them intently while he smiled at her, she smiled back and a blush rose on her face as he touched her drawing circles on her palm. She bit her lip at this gesture, he leaned in to kiss her and that's when I looked away.

I kept my gaze on Luca as he drew a picture with the syrup on his pancakes, making a messy pile on top. I felt a pang in my stomach, it was clear I was attracted to her. Physical attraction, that's all it is.

I need to date, six sex-less years. I really, really need to date. I had to stop feeling like this, she's a beautiful woman but for one she has a boyfriend, secondly, I was just sexually frustrated so it was bound to happen when a beautiful woman was in my vicinity.

After breakfast which was me mostly eating the pancakes Luca had left that he whined he couldn't eat more, we headed to the grocery store. Luca was happily hopping around as I picked up a few things. He was sneakily trying to put some candy into the trolley, I saw him but I didn't say anything. He and I had the same sweet tooth and a big appetite.

We finished our shopping trip. Just as I was about to get into my seat after buckling Luca, my phone rang.

"Gabriele, when will you be home?" My mother asked. I heard a hint of excitement in her voice. She has something planned. That's my meddling mother for you.

"In a few minutes, I'm at the store. Should I be worried?"

"No...no of course not." Her singsong tone of voice told me that I have to be. She said goodbye in a rush. Not good.

"I sometimes wonder how I am so normal and your grandma is so strange, I guessed it skips a generation." Luca looked at me, I looked at him and realized what I've just said.

"Buddy, I think you've been skipped too." I chuckled and Luca laughed. I stopped at home. Luca helped me by carrying lighter bags into the house. I trailed behind with the heavier load. Just as I closed the trunk, my mother's small car came through my gate. Luca had a bag in his hand walking beside me.

"The devil has arrived I see." My mother parked and walked to us, we walked inside placing the bags on the counter.

He greeted his grandmother and ran upstairs to get his toy soldiers. I think he sensed something was about to happen and retreated, that's my boy.

"So I wanted to tell you that...Blaire is back in town." I sighed. Blaire was one of my mother's friends' daughters. She's been trying to set us up for the last year but I always sternly decline. I gave her an annoyed look.

"No, I appreciate it, but...I can't date someone." Lie, I needed to date someone. I was getting lonely and frustrated, it was time.

"Gabriele, you have some time off over weekends now and a nanny. I can see you need someone." She gave me a pleading look, with a sigh, I just shook my head.

"I'll think about it, maybe not Blaire. I can very well get a woman on my own." She snorted unladylike, here it comes..

"Mmh really? You don't make such good choices when it comes to women-just look at what happened with you and Clare." That name alone made my blood boil.

"That was six years ago!" I screamed but then lowered my voice since Luca is upstairs.

"Fine, have it your way I'm only trying to help." She said goodbye and sauntered off, she knows Clara is a touchy subject. I slumped down on the couch with my hands in my hair frustrated.

It felt right to start dating again. I felt my heart drop to my stomach just thinking about getting in the game again. When I was younger I was a Casanova but I lost my edge.

Maybe just one date.

A/N Next chapter is a Heather Pov yeah!  There's a little trouble in paradise.