Chapter 7

NICOLE

   
  I felt empty and light. My eyes squeezed tightly as I stretched my hands to feel the warmth of the body I had cuddled up with last night.
I felt nothing just a ruffled duvet. I tapped on it about three times, stretching my hands to touch Raphael but I couldn't feel his body.

  I immedately flew my eyes open and sat up straight, eyes roving around the room as if Raphael would immedately appear out of thin air.

  I stared at the sheets in blank amazement then my eyes narrowed to the windows, the awe inspiring sun rays dancing in through the curtains.

"Fuck where is Raphael?" I inaudibly grumbled. I came out of the bed and went towards the curtains.
Separating them, I poked my head outside the window observing the beautiful garden behind.

  "Hello italy"I murmured with a smile before withdrawing my head back.

I truly can't believe I woke up without meeting Raphael in bed. Did he go out again?
Who does this? Who goes out by eight pm, comes back by four am and wouldn't have the decency to spend the rest of the morning with his wife on bed?
  "Yes. my husband" I thought to myself as I entered the bathroom.

  God help Raphael if he actually went out for work. I'll definitely give him an earful once he comes back.

* * * * * * * *

"Goodmorning sister in law"Sofia greeted me immedately she spotted me coming down stairs.

  The living room was as busy as I expected it. Different workers scurrying about the house, busy with their various duties.
"Goodmorning hunny"I merrily replied before pecking her lightly on the cheek.

  She grinned from ear to ear which got me amused.
"Why are you giving me that quirky look?"I asked.

"Guess who is preparing breakfast today?"She cheekily asked with eyebrows going up and down.

"Who? Justin Bieber?"I asked sitting down on the sofa.

"No silly"she giggled. "Raphael is in the kitchen preparing breakfast"

Immediately I gasped and my eyes widened. So he was around.
"Are you serious? He is around?"I asked somewhat hyper.

  "Yes. You look so excited"she grinned.
Ofcourse I was.
"I want to see him sofia" I immedately stood up heading for the kitchen.

  Their kitchen was huge. It seemed like a dinning room. A long shiny marble kitchen counter laid in the middle, separating the broad kitchen into two parts.

  Various cupboards and carved stools of different designs were littered all around. The rays of the sun gave off rainbow specks  to the grey tiles of the kitchen wall as it hit them.

  About six cooks were all stationed at the kitchen counter, chopping and slicing vegetables whilst Raphael, who had his back turned against me, stood near one of the induction stoves that were built into the kitchen counter.

  He had an apron on and a hair net which I really found very amusing.
He was whisking eggs and cream in a bowl.
"Raphael"I called out.
He immedately turned to face me with a beam on his face.

"Bella you are awake. How was your  night my love?"
I went over and wrapped my hands around his waist, pressing my head on to his chest.
 
"It was fine babe and yours?" I asked pulling out.
"And what are you cooking?"my eyes darting to the bowl of whisked egg and cream.

"My night was great and this"He began as he grabbed the bowl from the counter, showing it to me.
"This is frittata.  It's just like omelette but garnished with meat, cheese and vegetables. I'm making it specially for you. Remember I told you I'll make it up to you. Well today I'll serve you breakfast and take you on a tour round Rome"

I smiled like a dog with two tails.
"You are amazing Raph"I cried in delight before giving him a surprise kiss on the cheek.

"If you want to kiss me,..."he lowly began with a smirk. "Do it well wife"he added with his one hand snaking around my waist and tugging me closer to him.

  My face went beetroot red. "Raph there are people here"i shyly replied, my eyes darting to the ground.

"So?"He replied unfazed.

Just then Aurora walked in on us which got me to quickly free myself from his hold.

"Sei sveglio nicole. Buongiorno" she softly said with a broad smile.

"Um Goodmorning Aurora. I don't understand Italian though"I replied nervously.

"Oh"she exclaimed and rolled her eyes before flashing me her warm smile. "I'm so sorry dear. I totally am use to speaking Italian everyday. I just greeted you" she explained before walking over to Raphael and teasingly grabbing him by the ear.

"Ouch Aurora cosa ho fatto- ouch Aurora what did I do?" Raphael whined.

"Teach your wife Italian Raphael"she chided before letting go off his ear.
I tried suppressing my laughter but I just couldn't.

"I'll once she pays me her dues"He mischievously stated with a lustful glare as he rubbed on the ear Aurora grabbed.
I raised a brow at him and was about speaking up when Luca, Emilio and Lorenzo walked in.

"Goodmorning Aurora and Nicole"Luca and Lorenzo chorused with cheerful smiles.
"Goodmorning sister inlaw"Emilio added before going over to his mother and planting a peck on her cheek.

I gave each of them a polite nod.
"Oh great!"Raphael exclaimed with a sigh. "The entire gang is in the kitchen"he mumbled.

"Frittata. Lorenzo we came at the right time"Luca said to Lorenzo.

"Indeed. Aurora you.."

"Hold up.."Raphael said cutting Lorenzo short.
"I only prepared this for Nicole, Aurora and Sofia. Anybody else should prepare theirs"

I gasped and hit Raphael's shoulder.
"Stop that. The food looks enough for everybody so they can eat it too"I chided.
He huffed at me.

"Dontworry sister inlaw. We know how to get things from Raphael"Emilio coyly replied.

"Right?"He asked facing Lorenzo and Luca.
They nodded their head in affirmative whilst Raphael hissed.

"As we all wait for Raphael's dish, Emilio, Luca and Lorenzo come help me select these grains"Aurora butted in.

I saw the frowns that appeared on each of their faces.
"Um speaking of work..I think I need to get back to my girlfriend.."Luca said, scratching his head nervously.

"Yeah exactly. I think Sofia asked me to help her with a project"Emilio immediately added.
They all tried making their way out of the kitchen in order to avoid the work Aurora asked them to do.

"Mi state aiutando tutti! Nessuno se ne va!- you all are helping me! Nobody is leaving!"Aurora yelled which got them on their toes.

"Śi Aurora- yes aurora" they reluctantly chorused together before heading out of the kitchen with Aurora.

Bubbles of laughter erupted from within me, watching the scene that just unfolded.
Luca and Lorenzo were men that dealt with guns and blood but Aurora scolded them like they were kids.

"I can't believe I'm making breakfast for everybody"Raphael said with a sigh.
I turned my head towards him and softly pinched his cheek. "Do it. It's beautiful"

"That means we won't leave for our tour as early as I planned"Raphael said.

I nodded and gave him a peck.

"If you want to kiss me, kiss me right wife and stop tempting me"He groaned.
I laughed. "I'll once we go out on our date"

  He grinned like a baby given candy and continued making breakfast.