Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 3: Suggestions

"...it starts with a thought..."

Nick's POV

"Nicko, are you still a resident of planet earth? What devil has gotten into you? No matter what you think we did to you we are still family. Call me."

The voice message from nonno made me laugh. I should not be getting a kick out of it but sometimes I have a strange sense of humor. I understand his concern. I left a lot of bad blood back in Florence. He knows this but he always wants me to go back. Being raised by two separate families, left me torn. Nonno complains that I chose my Greek side of the family and neglected the Italian side. Maybe it's true and it's for good reason too.

I came across a picture of my wife at the bottom of the drawer as I put away my phone. Margaux Aria Deveraux; my soon to be ex-wife is a beauty. There's no denying that. However, her beauty is the dark kind. She doesn't have any light in her eyes like Keira does. I don't find it strange that I was attracted to Margaux. I like bad girls. If Katerina Romanov, Naila Bellingerre and Coleen Harrington are anything to go by, then yes. I like bad girls. It is strange for me to feel attracted to Keira. She's a good girl. She's nothing like the others.

When Margaux and I are not fighting viciously we are not speaking to each other. There's no greater silence than when we decide to pretend the other one does not exist. But I won't lie, her silence is my favorite sound.

Our confrontations tend to get physical when she throws anything she can at me and I have no choice but to confine her from inflicting harm. It's not that I am not tempted to hit her back, I am. It takes a lot of restraint not to. I was raised by women. I know better than to hit back.

What we had for the past four years was a whirlwind romance that made us elope after I screwed up and got her pregnant. She hates me for it and sometimes I see how she glares at our daughter as though she blames her too. She is a vain selfish woman hell bent to gain her own comfort over everyone else. I liked her at first probably because I was too blind to see her for who she truly is but now, the mask has peeled off and I regret ever marrying her. The only thing that resulted from us that I don't regret is Madeline.

I love my daughter and I hope she doesn't inherit her mother's ill personality. It's not that I'm any better with my laundry list of personality flaws, but I'm the lesser of two evils.

My mind gladly moved on to a more positive note. I have met a woman with a charming personality. My desire to see her has caused me to set up a meeting. I don't like meetings. Most of the time my assistant takes care of things. I can easily send my PA to get my jacket but I want an excuse to see her just to bask in her beauty and get lost in her eyes. I find her presence arresting and calming all together.

I am treading dangerously but I am curious about her.

When she walked into my office I noticed she looks sad. I don't know why but it pains me to see her like this. I dropped everything I am doing to stand up.

She has my jacket draped neatly over her arm. "Good morning Mr. Bale." A fleeting smile showed and vanished just as fast.

She is very easy on the eyes. Her eyes are seductive and the interesting part is she isn't even trying to seduce me. If anything I am the one with the wild dirty thoughts.

"I'm glad you could make it." I spoke meeting her at the spot she seems to remain glued on. I want to kiss her cheek but I think I will shake her hand instead which is awkward. "Let me take this." She handed me my jacket. "What will you drink?"

"Water."

"Tea." I countered. "At least have some tea with pastries." I led her to the couch.

I organized everything. I called my personal assistant and had her set everything up on the coffee table in front of us.