Stella (Book One of Dark Souls Series)

Genoise

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universita- an institution for learning
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"Eva, are you dressed and ready?"

"Have you seen my briefcase?"

"It's in the bathroom-Eva-"

"Why is it in the-"

"I do not know, Adonis, but please-Eva Loreal Macano-"

"I'm right here, mamma."

I blew my cheeks as I turned around to see my daughter.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw her dressed in a pastel pink Chanel set. It was a gift from Luna and Axel for her first day of school. She wore white stockings and a pair of pink ballet slippers. I was sure she slept in those shoes.

Her curly hair flowed passed her shoulders.

"Have you called your father?" I asked as I grabbed her headband from behind me. When I turned around, I saw her frowning.

"He said he'd visit if he got time off."

I frowned as I bent down to fix her headband on her head. She looked like a little Ivy League girl with her white backpack on both shoulders. Her headband matched her bag and the shirt she wore under the pink blazer.

"Are you excited about school?"

She grinned at me and nodded. "Mario said we would have classes together."

I rose an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

She nodded again. "And then after school, we can go to Nonna's house and eat snacks."

It was my turn to pout. "But you have snacks here."

She giggled at my sad expression. "Are you gonna miss me, mamma?"

I nodded. "Very much, my sweet girl," I said as I brought her into a tight hug.

"We have to get going, little Eva," I heard Adonis's voice behind me.

I stood up to face him. He was wearing a black three-piece suit with a pink handkerchief tucked into his jacket pocket. How cute of him.
I felt out of place with my silk shorts and camisole pajama set.

"Mamma hasn't finished my lunch," Eva said with a frown.

"Check your backpack," I responded with a cheeky grin. Adonis folded his arms over his chest, and we watched her open her lunch bag which revealed a pink lunch box. Her squeal caused my grin to deepen.

I packed a slice of panettone cake, a small serving of spaghetti, salad, and caramel apples.

"Grazie, mamma," she said before she hugged me.

I chuckled and kissed the top of her head before packing her lunch away.

"Where is my lunch?" Adonis asked.

I turned to him before rolling my eyes. "Do you ever leave your laptop long enough for lunch?"

He grinned. "You know I don't."

I smiled as he wrapped his arms around me and pressed a kiss against my forehead.

"Are you excited about your first day, Eva?" he asked my daughter.

She nodded her head. "I hope I make friends." Her voice had a hint of sadness, so I knew she was thinking about the friend that moved away because of bullying. America and Italy were so different.

"I'm sure you will," he said softly as he squatted to her level. "And if anyone is mean to them, tell them I'm your dad. They won't be mean anymore."

She smiled. "Will you be my new dad, Adonis?"

"Eva-"

"Of course, little Eva."

I narrowed my eyes at the man who'd completely lost his wits.

"Adonis, we need to-"

"Would you look at the time," he cut me off as he looked at his watch and stood up.

"I'm going to be late for school," Eva screamed before racing to the elevator.

When she was out of earshot, I cleared my throat. "Adonis-"

"Yes, baby?" His warm brown eyes met mine as he reached for his cup of coffee.

His eyes held genuine curiosity which made me believe he honestly couldn't understand my hesitation. Sometimes, I wondered if Esperanza'd dropped him on the head as a newborn.

"She can not just appoint you as her father," I said quietly.

"Oh? Did I miss the ceremony?"

I narrowed my eyes at his sarcasm. "Vaffanculo," I mumbled as I rolled my eyes.

"She needs a father, Ella."

"She has a father, Adonis."

"Where is he?"

I stared at him blankly. "He said he would visit once he got some time off."

"And how long has he been saying that?"

I looked down and fumbled with my fingers."Two weeks."

I glanced at him under my lashes to see him clenching his jaw.

"Summer is over," he spoke to me in a low tone. "Which means play time is over because I take school very serious. If he wants to live in another country while knowing his daughter lives elsewhere, that will be on him. Right now, I am here and I am willing and more than able. If you let me, we can raise Eva together, Estella. This is not up for a debate."

I found it funny how he said "if" before telling me this was not a debate.

"Do you think you are in her best interest, Adonis?" My tone was even and stern. I needed to know he trusted himself with her.

"I think you and I are her best interest right now."

"We have to go," I heard Eva call out from the living room.

"Stella, we could make her into someone great," he rushed to finish the conversation. "Just think about it and we will finish this discussion later."

"Adonis come on!"

He kissed my forehead before grabbing his things and leaving.

I was still shocked as the home became silent.

Adonis just admitted to wanting to take full responsibility in raising my daughter.

Even though I didn't want to fully commit to idea of being in love with him, I couldn't deny the feeling that was causing my heart to skip beats every time I was near him.

I could only hope it didn't hurt me in the end. I could only hope he didn't hurt my daughter as well.

Author's Note:

Short chapter because I've been gone for a while. I like the way he is with those two.

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(Prewritten February 1, 2022)

The next update is coming soon!

~NICOLEGARDNER