𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝑰𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 21

"Don't forget about dinner with Mama Diaz. She would kill me if she found out I didn't remind you," Chloé reminded me," And I, for one, still have a lifetime of eating I need to catch up to."

"You know sometimes I swear you only love me because of Mama's cooking," I joked around. "That's not true. I love you because of your cooking too. The food genes just happen to run in all of you. So jackpot. It's a win-win situation," she gleed back.

"Wow. Gee, thanks."
"You are welcome. Bye boo, I love you. Kisses."
"I love you," I ended the call.

Last night, Nico left abruptly to deal with an issue that came up with Xion's case. He didn't say what it was but ensured me he would back the following day so we could have dinner with Mama.

I spent the day getting a gift to take with and running a few errands on the interior planning as construction was moving along well with the hotel project.

"Wait a second. Leo? As in Leo Eldridge?" I stared at Luca dumbfounded. We were currently having lunch at my office as I still had a few files to catch up on. Chloe had requested I help look over the collaboration files with Zee for her.

"Yes. Thee Leo Eldridge. Is that weird? " He seemed a bit shy about it. Yes, it was weird. Not because Luca didn't deserve the best treatment, but I just didn't think he was his type.
"In all honesty, I just want you to be happy. Are you happy?"
"Well, I am definitely looking forward to our date tonight so...Yeah?" He smiled. I smothered him in a bear hug at his news, happy that at least one of us was in a loving relationship. Maybe one day I would be as lucky.

After late lunch with Luca, I finished up on some files and made my way to the apartment. "Fix it. I don't care what it takes. Make sure you deal with it, or I swear -" he stopped as he spotted me passing by his office. I hadn't meant on eavesdropping, but I assumed I was home alone and couldn't help but check out what the sudden racket was about.

"Just call me when it's done, Ahmed," he ended the call. "Hi. Is everything okay?" I walked into his office. "Everything is fine. How is everything at the office?" He asked, kissing the inside of my wrist. "Good," I whispered. I had not expected the act, but I couldn't fight the butterflies from it.
"Good. Well, we'll leave at 5."

"At 5?" I asked. "Yes. We need to pass by the bakery to pick up the chocolate soufflé."
"Mama's favourite. You remembered," I whispered the last part. "Of course I did," he replied.

We left the apartment at 5, heading to the bakery first. Nico had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting comfortably on the console, close enough for me to reach out and touch. I was so tempted to but refrained from it. The car ride was filled with soft music and occasional glances exchanged between us.

When we arrived at the bakery, the sweet smell of fresh pastries greeted us. Nico ordered the chocolate soufflé, and while we waited, he grabbed a few other treats for us to share later. The staff recognized us and exchanged pleasantries, adding to the warmth of the moment.

With the soufflé in hand, we made our way to Mama. Home was always welcoming, with the scent of home-cooked meals wafting through the air long before you reached the door. Mama greeted us with a big smile, pulling me into a hug.

"Come in, come in," Mama said, ushering Nicolas inside. He looked a bit more composed than he had the night before, but the strain in his eyes was still evident. We exchanged a brief, professional nod - a far cry from the camaraderie we once shared.

"Hola mamá Diaz. ha pasado demasiado tiempo," he greeted, giving her a hug. "De hecho, demasiado tiempo. Pero no te preocupes, tenemos mucho tiempo para compensar a nuestro hijo," she hugged him back tighter. "Lo espero con ansias mamá."
When did he? "Sophia, come on. I need your help with the paella," Mama called for me from the kitchen.
"Ehm, sure," I followed behind her.