In The Hands of a Billionaire

Chapter 13

Natalie's POV

The sudden ringing brought me out of my sleep as I quickly searched the bed for my cellphone.

"Hello?" I answered without checking the caller ID. I gently resettled Raigh-lee back on my chest as she went back to sleep with her pacifier in her mouth.

"La mia bellissima nipotina." The familiar voiced whispered from the other end as I smiled to myself. "Good morning, darling." She greeted, her accent very clear as I sat up, carefully trying not to wake up Raigh-lee who murmured something in her sleep before settling back. "Did I wake you?" She questioned as I quickly looked over at the alarm clock that displayed 3:58 AM.

"Nonna, it's 3:58 in the morning. You forgot that it's five hours behind over here." I stated while sighing as she quietly laughed on the other end. "I'm guessing that you're opening up your shop since it's almost nine in the morning over there?" I asked as I heard the jingling of keys before a bell went off.

"Sí. Now, that you're up, let's talk." She stated as I gently laid Raigh-lee back on the bed next to me while covering her with a blanket as she didn't stir from her sleep. "When are you going to come visit me? Your cousins are driving me insane with wanting to see you and Raigh-lee." She groaned while pulling the phone from her ear as she greeted somebody in Italian. "Buongiorno!" She greeted loudly as I quietly laughed to myself.

"Hopefully, I'll be there soon. I'll call you about that soon. How have you been?" I asked as she laughed quietly before quickly bringing a new topic to the light.

"I've been very pleasant, nipotina. I also heard about your little....guy lover. When are you going to bring him to meet the rest of the family?" She questioned while the sound of running water echoed from her end of the phone as I gently rubbed my cheeks with the tips of my fingers. Impossible, I was blushing. It's been awhile since I felt this way. "Darling, I hope you don't plan to skip out on that opportunity." She stated as the water stopped running.

"N-Nonna. What in the world are you talking about and how did you find out about Aiden from all the way in Italy?" I replied back while listening as the sound of footsteps echoed outside my bedroom. Speaking of the devil, he was awake. His footsteps echoed down the hallway before fading away.

"Your mother and Lucilia have been keeping me updated on what's been going on in the states. I also know about that psychotic man burning down your apartment and stalking you. You can escape back home where your family will protect you better than the police in the states." She stated with clear displeasure as I sighed while standing up from the bed.

"Nonna, I promise you that I'll drop by soon. If I do, you'll be the first I tell. I promise. I won't even tell Antonio or Lorenzo and you know how they get." I stated with a smile as I thought back on the times that I spent with my older cousins.

"Fine. Fine. I gotta go. The customers are starting to come in. Just let me know because I want to see you and my precious baby. Don't forget to bring your guy lover too. Kisses! Bye darling!" She stated while hanging up, leaving no room for any arguments or corrections. Sighing again, I turned back towards Raigh-lee while surrounding her small body in pillows before grabbing the other baby monitor in case she woke up. Quietly exiting the room, I was greeted by the fresh scent of bacon that wafted through the hallways blissfully. Following the scent into the kitchen, I was greeted by the bare back of a familiar individual as he quietly sung along to a very familiar song.

"Are you singing a song from Moana?" I questioned as the tip of his ears turned a dark red while I made my way over to one of the barstools at the island. "Sorry, I didn't mean to spook you. But, don't mind me. I'm just gonna sit here. You can go back to singing." I stated with a smile as Aiden nodded his head while pouring something onto the frying pan as it sizzled and popped. "Come on, you have a beautiful voice. Sing for me please." I begged as he glanced over his shoulder at me with an unsure look on his red face. "I'm not lying, I promise." I assured with a smile. Sighing, he went back to cooking while quietly humming before he started to sing again.

"What can I say, except you're welcome." He quietly sung as I smiled while hopping off the barstool before rounding the island that had separated us. As I walked closer towards him, I quietly picked up the apron before pulling Aiden back from the stove as he stopped singing and stared down at me. Quickly standing on my tippy toes, I shoved the apron over his head before tying it around his bare stomach.

"You should always wear an apr......" Fading out, I looked up Aiden as he stared back at me. Without even noticing my mistake, I had put us in an awkward situation where there was barely any room left between us. Biting my lip nervously, I watched as Aiden quietly closed the distance between us before pressing his lips against mines. Our lips were locked together with our bodies pressed against each other. I felt completely blissful. I haven't felt this feeling in so long that I almost forgot what it felt like. As Aiden deepened the kiss, I could feel the heat flush against my cheeks. Just as it was getting good, the forgotten baby monitor sparked to life with Raigh-lee's cries as we pulled apart.

"I'll go get Raigh-lee." I stated awkwardly as Aiden pecked my forehead before nodding while turning back to the stove as I hurried back to my room while taking deep breaths.

What just happened?

[~~~]
A/N:
Hello darlings!

I apologize for the long wait on the chapters but I guarantee that updates are coming soon, just not fast enough because Graduation is coming up for me meaning that May is going to be even more busier than April.

I would like to explain my absence to you all so that you know that I haven't abandoned you all.

Back towards the beginning of April, my Uncle passed away unexpectedly. Some of you remember when I said that he was sick a few chapters back but in his case, his condition worsened. It left my family with some mixed emotions but for my grandmother and I, it left us with denial. We didn't want to believe that he had passed because it was like we had just seen him the other day, working on his house. But, it made it even harder to deny during his funeral. Then and there, realization hit me and it hit me hard. My grandmother remained solemn. She tried to fight the urge to cry but after weeks of smiling, realization hit her hard. So, I apologize for my absence. I've just been dealing with a lot.

I will try my best to update every week like I used to do. This chapter is not edited and is probably confusing. I apologize.

Thank you all for supporting me and my book. I really appreciate it. ♥

Andrea ❥

P.S. I love you all so much!

Translations:

La mia bellissima nipotina- My beautiful Granddaughter

Nipotina- Granddaughter

Nonna - Grandmother

Buongiorno - Good morning