Olivia North

Have you ever felt a mixture of anxiety and dread before? It's like as if you're whole body suddenly turned into jelly and your heart beats so hard as if anytime you're going into cardiac arrest. That's what I've been feeling since Nick informed me that we're quite near his parents' house. I've been freaking out silently and his car a/c was not even helping, well I didn't know if it's cold in here or was I only feeling it.

"What's wrong?" I felt Nick's hand held mine. I looked at him smiling to mask my nervousness.

"What do you mean?" I asked feigning.

"You've been quiet the whole ride. You know Livy, it's totally fine if you refused mom's invitation, she won't take it against you." What? Did he think that I'm being quiet because I did not want to go? Oh. My. God. I looked at him and saw understanding on his face.

"What?! No, it's not that, Nick. Believe me, I wanted to go but it's just..." I replied in a small tone at the end and paused, he looked at me confused.

"Olivia, tell me what's bothering you?" He asked worriedly and faced me.

Should I tell him or not? What if he makes fun of me about being so freak out about this? I don't think I can handle it if he started to make fun of me about being scared to meet his family. But maybe I'm overthinking again, maybe he can help me with this by staying by my side the whole time? Oh right, he told me awhile ago that I am to stay beside him the whole time. Yeah right. I'll do that today, so I won't tell him what's bothering me. You're really smart, Olivia.

"Are you done?" he asked again while he stopped his car when the traffic light turned red. I tilted my head to the right and furrowed my brows asking him what's he's talking about.

"Are you done deciding between telling me or not telling me what's bothering you?" by the time he finished, my jaw dropped, how did he know that I was asking myself? Does he have mindreading powers?

"No, I don't have any superpowers, Livy. Your face gave it all away." he chuckled.

"Niccolo. Did I say it out loud?" I said carefully while still in shock.

"Nope, you didn't. Your face says it all but the mind reading part, you kinda say it out loud." He leaned on to me and reached for my left hand, he kissed the back of it and asked me again in all seriousness.

"Seriously, Livy, tell me what's bothering you."

I looked at him hesitantly and sighed. Here goes nothing.

"Nick, promise me you won't laugh or make fun of me." I showed him my right pinky slowly and he chuckled for the second time.

"Nick stop laughing or else you'll wake Dylan up. We don't want him to be grumpy later at the bake sale."

"Okay okay. I'll shush now. And I promise." We pinky sweared. I took a deep breathe and held his right hand who's currently holding my left hand.

"Niccolo, I'm kinda freaking out to meet your family." I uttered quickly.

"What? Why?"

"What do you mean why? What if they won't like me, or better yet, they DON'T like me because of my reputation? What if they think that I am just playing you and think that I'm not fit to be near Dylan. That when I get bored, I will leave both of you? What if the picture of me and that Cameron making out became a topic? Ugh, I don't know what to do." I grunted and placed our hands on my forehead.

"Olivia, you don't have to worry about that, maybe they'll perceive you as the stereotyped heiress but once they get to know you, I will guarantee that they will like you."

"What if they won't? What if they try to convince you to break up with me?"

"Then I will tell them to mind their own business. You see, Olivia, I don't care about what they think, what I care about is what you think. So please stop thinking about any of that nonsense."

"But I want them to like me. What if they won't like me? A lot of people don't."I said sadly and sighed.

"Yes, you're right, they won't like you, Olivia they will love you. And who cares about those people who don't like you, right. They just don't know how amazing of a person you are." He kissed my hand and I smiled.

"You know, you're right. I'm amazeballs so fudge those who hate me because I'm lovable. Now brace yourself Mr. Knights because you'll see how I will capture all your family's heart later." I said with enthusiasm and smiled widely at him, he stole a peck from me and smiled.

"Nick. What the..."

"That's how we seal our promises right? Did you forget?" He asked and drove when the traffic light turned green. I just smiled at him and rolled my eyes.

You can do it Livy. You're an awesome, kind, and beautiful woman so they will like you.

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We arrived at a beautiful garden-like location where the bake sale was held. I went out of Nick's car when a valet opened my door and I immediately opened Dylan's side to unbuckle him. Fortunately 5 minutes before we arrived here, he woke up by himself and was in a good mood.

"Hi baby, we're here now. Remember what mommy told you a while ago?" I asked as I carried him out of his car seat.

"I will behave, mommy." He said as I settled him on my left arm, I felt Nick's presence behind me and he closed the door.

"Olivia, put him down. Dylan, how many times have I told you that you're a big boy now so you don't need to be carried." He reached out for Dylan as we ascended the stairs that leads to the lobby/registration area but I shifted Dylan to my left arm.

"And how many times did I say that I'm fine to carry my little boy?" I commented, I gave my clutch to him and tried to linked my right arm to his left arm while I carried Dylan using my left arm. He grabbed my clutch and instead of offering his left arm to me, he snaked it around my waist and pulled me close to his side.

"Livy, Dylan is heavy I don't think that..." I shushed him by pecking his lips.

"You do talk a lot, Niccolo. Now where do we register?" I asked him flatly.

"You know, I'll be happy to become a chatterbox if that's your way to shush me." He whispered sexily on my ear and I looked at him. I gulped when I saw the same intensity in his eyes and shifted my sight to his lips. Oh my God I just want to kiss him right here, right now but I...

"Seriously, can't you two get a room?" I heard a feminine voice behind us, I turned around slightly to see who she is but the men I was with acknowledged the girl at the same time but in a very different tone.

"Aunt Tessa." Dylan said cheerfully

"Theresa." Nick uttered flatly.

"Hello, Dylan. Hello, brother." She greeted them both and rolled her eyes at Nick. Brother? Oh yeah, I remember that Nick has a younger sister named Theresa. I must say, she's a beautiful girl, she emits this cheerful aura like Jowee's.

"You must be the unfortunate girl who fell on my brother's charms? Olivia right? I'm Theresa Knights, but you can call me Tessa for short." She blabbered cheerfully and hugged me, I admit, this surprised me but I like it.

I chuckled at her when she released the hug.

"Hello, Tessa. I'm Olivia North, your brother's girlfriend." I leaned on to Nick's side when I said girlfriend in return, he pulled my waist closer to him.

That's unfortunate, but I guess you've stayed with him this long because of this cutiepie." She lightly pinched Dylan's cheek while the little devil was busy playing with his toy car he's holding.

"Tessa, do you mind? Where's mom?" Nick asked in irritation and swatted his sister's hand that was currently on my baby's cheek.

"Whatever grumpy, mom's inside with dad fixing the cupcakes. Anyway, I'll go now, I need to take care of the scones that was delivered by Mrs. Ramone. See you later Olivia." She said and winked at me. I smiled at her retreating back because she was so bubbly, she's like Jowee the second.

"Ugh, sorry about her. She's a little too sassy because she's still a teen." Nick said to me and lead us to a door and opened it.

"Yup, she's a teen and you're an old man." I teased him again. Oh boy, I actually liked teasing him that he's old because of the look on his face.

"Ha ha ha. Very funny." He said sarcastically and opened the huge two-door.

A calming music, freshly baked goodies, and lots of people welcomed us upon opening the door. Apparently that action took some of the many people's attention so they're shamelessly looking at us and the room went a little quiet. A slight panicked spread all over me and I leaned closer to Nick's body for his support, I felt him draw circles on my waist to calm me and it kinda worked.

Nick urged me to walk and I smiled and nodded at the people we passed by until we arrived at the table.

"Are you okay?" He whispered.

"I'm fine." I smiled at him and olaced Dylan on my lap even though there's a baby chair beside me with a name card Dylan Knights written on it. Nick smiled back at me and kissed my temple.

"That's my girl."

"Nick, let's say hello to your mom and dad." I said.

"Oh yeah right. I forgot." He said and smiled at me. I mouthed "old" at him and smiled, Nick in return, rolled his eyes at me and assisted me to stand up while he's holding my clutch.

We went inside a private room that's full of bouquet of flowers, baskets of gifts, certificates, and the like. I saw a familiar figure of a man and a woman and we immediately went to them.

"Mom, dad, we're here." Nick called their attention and when they turned around, they gave us a warm smile at us.

"Oh I'm glad that you're here now. Olivia, thank you for coming here." Esme said while hugging me, she took Dylan from me when she released the hug.

"Oh look at you, you look so beautiful. I love your dress." She complimented me and I smiled at her.

"You look so beautiful too. Blue is your color." She's wearing a blue half sleeved maxi dress that's fit for a garden party.

"Aww, thank you, sweetie. You look good also, my son." She said and kissed Nick's cheek.

"Hi Tom, great to see you again." I kissed his cheek.

"Nice to see you too, Olivia. Take a sit you two." He replied happily.

"What are you two doing here?" Nick asked as we seated on the couch in front of them.

"Your mom needs a break from the crowd so she pulled me in here to take a break from everyone." Tom said while putting his arm around Esme's shoulder.

"I'm old now, I don't think I can handle a lot of mingling. Besides I knew everyone in here, I was the one who invited them." Esme spoke while she took her cup of tea from the coffee table.

"Anyway, why don't you two mingle outside while we play with my grandson here." She added as she tickled Dylan.

"Thanks, mom." Nick stood up and offered me his hand. I looked at him weirdly and placed my hand on his, I smiled at Esme and Tom before this guy pulled me to the door.

"Nick, I don't think we can just leave Dylan to them, didn't you hear your mom, she's tired so the la..." He cut me by kissing me hard in the middle of the hallway. I felt the urgency and want in the kiss.

"I've been wanting to do that the minute I saw you walking towards me." He panted and rested his arms around my hips, I on the other hand rested my palms on his chest.

"Well, I must commend your restraint." I whispered sexily and pecked his lips.

"Let's go, Niccolo we need to mingle." I pushed him hard but it was futile.

"Niccolo, come on. I don't want us to see by any one of your family again. It's enough for your mom and sister to see us kissing, so come on." I said and pushed him again, this time he stepped back and held my hand to kiss it.

"Fine."

I met a lot of Nick's family such as cousins, friends, neighbors, and what not. They're all friendly and kind except for one person who's name is Rebecca. She didn't do anything about me, she wasn't even rude but I don't like her aura, it seems fake to me. Also, I don't like the way she looks at Niccolo, it's like she's desperate for his attention, not to mention that she's so touchy with him. It's irritating and I don't like it.

Apparently she was Niccolo's childhood friend and lives right next to their house so they were pretty close. She even knew what Dylan's favorite food, toys, movie, and whatsoever. I didn't know if this woman was a show-off who needs attention or just a parrot. Fortunately, Nick's friends and that Rebecca excused themselves from us.

The emcee notified us that food will be served in 5 minutes so we went to our table.

"See, I told you they'll love you." He smiled and caressed my cheek, I leaned my head to his palm and put my arms around his neck and smiled.

"I just hope that they really like me."

"They do. What makes you say that?" He asked as he pulled my chair closer to his and put his arm on my shoulders, I placed my head to his shoulder and hugged his torso, I felt him kissed my temple.

"Nothing." I uttered and heard my baby's voice.

"Mommy, Daddy." I saw Dylan's approaching us with Esme and Tom behind him. He went to his Dad's side to sit on his lap, both Nick and I kissed his cheeks as he settled on his dad's lap.

"Mommy?" I saw a man and a woman with a cute girl who's currently holding both of their hands. The man looks just like Tom, I bet he's Jericho, Nick's older brother and the woman beside him was Jesse, his wife, while the girl between them who's dressed in a cute pink dress was Elenor, their daughter.

"Yup, she's my mommy Livy, uncle Jay, the one I telled you last time." Dylan hopped off of Nick's arm and went to them as they stood near our table. Both Nick and I stood up to greet them.

"Brother and Jesse, this is my girlfriend Olivia. Olivia, this is Jericho, my brother and his wife, Jesse, this little girl on the other hand is Elly, their daughter and my niece." Nick introduced me to them, I hugged and smiled at them and kissed Elly's cheeks.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Olivia. We've been chasing Nick since forever to meet you." Jesse said as she took a sit across me.

"I told you we were both busy with work." Nick defended himself and pouted like a kid. Wow, this is the first time I saw him like this, now I know where did Dylan got his pout like that. So cute.

"But you didn't even bother to tell us that you're dating someone." Tessa sat beside Nick.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that I have to report my personal life to you." Nick replied in irritation but Tessa just laughed and shifted his sight at me.

"See, he's grumpy, you can change your mind and run for your life, Olivia." Tessa said to me and I laughed, we all started laughing while the grumpy man beside me sulked.

"If not from mom seeing you two making out in your room then we bet you wouldn't even invite Olivia here." I choked on my food and coughed when I heard Tessa. Nick offered me his water and patted my back lightly. I drank all of it, but I still coughed a little. What the hell?! Esme told them? Once I composed myself, I apologized to them and continued to eat like nothing happened but I guess my face says otherwise.

"You know there's nothing to be embarrassed about, you're Nick's girlfriend." Jesse told me and smiled awkwardly.

"Leave her alone, can you. Stop opening your big mouth Tessa, and mom, why did you tell them that?" Nick was pissed and held me around my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I was just so happy to tell them that I already met Olivia, they asked how and I absentmindedly told them that I walked in to your room..."

"I get it, mom, I get it. But you were making my girlfriend uncomfortable." Oh boy, Nick's starting to get angry so I touched his chest to stop him and say "It's okay Nick, I'm fine."

"No you're not it's..." I narrowed my eyes at him to tell him to stop and he stopped. I smiled at him and held his hand on the table.

"Okay, enough of that, mom, dad, where's Nana? I thought she's coming today?" Jay asked Esme and Tom.

"She's not feeling well today, son but she will be with us later at the dinner." Tom said and smiled.

"You'll join us later right, Olivia?" Esme asked with hope in her voice. I nodded my head and smiled at her.

"Of course."

"That's good, everyone will be there and you'll meet Nick's childhood friends." Jesse said and we continued eating.

"She already met some of them." Nick replied to his sister flatly.

"Whatever grumpy." Tessa rolled her eyes.

"Enough, Theresa." Tom spoke and after that, we ate in silence.

The Bake Sale went fine, all the freaking out and panicked that I felt these past few days were in vain. Jowee and Erin were right, I was freaking out for nothing. So after the Bale Sale ends Nick asked Esme and Tom to take Dylan home first as he will show me around first before we go to their house for the bbq.

I can't wait to meet his Nana and to see the house he grew up on but I guess a quick date won't hurt anybody.

Hi loves,

Here it is. I hope you enjoy this unedited chapter. Please vote.

Thanks.

kimmypatata