𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.

And I'll Come Back Leading The Pack.

(First Edit)

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐨

"So where's Jasmine? I notice she didn't come down with you. Is she still sleeping?" Damen asked as he took a seat on the couch.
"She wasn't there when I woke up this morning," I said. "I have no idea where she is. I just hope she's okay."

Damen nodded and turned his attention to Gia who was lying quietly in Sabrina's arms. Smiling, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Daddy missed you so much yesterday. I hate being away from you but I needed to look after Adella while your Aunty Jas was resting. Just like she looked after your Mommy when she was pregnant with you. You understand, don't you sweetheart?"

"Of course she does," Sabrina said affectionately as she ran her hand over Gia's head, covered with a baby pink hat. "She hardly made a fuss and was such a good girl yesterday."
"That's because she was with her Nonno all day long," Father chuckled. "When she's with me she's a perfect angel. Isn't that right mia dolce piccola principessa?"
(My sweet little princess?)

Seeing my father fuss over Gia always put a smile on my face. He's waited months for her birth and has loved her from the moment he first saw her cute little face. He also vowed to protect her and to always keep her safe, till his dying breath. As did I.

Just as I was thinking about this the door opened and in came Theodore, looking like he just rolled out of bed a few minutes ago.

"Alright Tino, I'm here. What is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked with a yawn.
I raised my brow. "What are you talking about?"
"The meeting that's being held in the conference room."
"I didn't call any meeting. Father did you call a meeting?"

"No son, I didn't," he said. "Maybe you should ask-"

Just then the door opened again and Carson came in with Nicole. "Good morning everyone," Carson greeted. "Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday, there was an emergency at one of my clubs so I had to see what was going on."
"It's perfectly alright Carson, we understand," I told him.
"Yeah. So, are you ready to get this meeting underway?"

"I just got here and asked him about that," Theodore said as he sank onto an armchair. "Either I had too much to drink last night or he forgot he was holding a meeting this morning."
"I can honestly say I have no idea what either of you are talking about," I said, genuinely confused.
"That's it. No more tequila after eleven pm."

Not ten seconds later the door opened for the third time and Xavier came in with his parents. When he saw Theodore, Carson and Nicole here he paused. "Oh. Is the meeting over already?"
"What meeting? There is no meeting!" I exclaimed. "First Theo, then Carson and now you? Just what is going on here?"

"Pardon the interruption, Don," Carol said quietly.
"What is it Carol?" I inquired.
"Mrs Guerrero sent me. She's requested everyone's presence in the conference room."

"Oh, so it was Jasmine who called the meeting," Damen said. "I wonder what she wants to talk to everyone about."
"Let's find out," getting off the couch Father led the way upstairs and we entered the conference room. Jasmine wasn't here but I saw that the projector had been hooked up to her laptop and was now sitting on the table next to a stack of folders.

"What is this, show and tell?" Nadia grumbled as she took a seat next to Dean. "I swear this girl must think we have nothing better to do than entertain her petty games."

"Nadia please," Dario sighed. "And listen I don't want you bringing up what happened with Adella. Jasmine is still sensitive about that and Valentino doesn't want anything to upset her."
"What doesn't upset her these days?" Nadia snorted. "She's so emotional she starts crying over every little thing. It's annoying."