-Vincenzo-

"Thanks Mr Donald, I really appreciate it." He nodded at me with a smile, "you should be proud of yourself, boss." I returned a smile and he left the room.

Liliana squealed coming over to me and hugging me. I chuckled, patting her back. "You really should be proud of yourself," she said, as she pulled away with a smile. "You finally did it. You put your pride away and concentrated, I'm happy for you, you've came a long time."

I grinned a little, "thanks, Lili." She shrugged a little, "it's fine, don't worry. I'm proud of myself too. But I've still got a long way to go before I can really be proud of myself."

"I know but you've been working so hard. Let's go out, me and you."

"Out? I've got to-"

"Come on, Vincenzo! You've been working for ages and you need a break, let's go out, have fun!"

"How do you mean out?" I asked my younger sister and she shrugged a little, a coy look on her face. "Well, I've never really been to a club."

I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "Lili, a club? No, there's no way you're going."

"Fine! I won't go but at least take some of your guy friends. .that's if you have any."

I gave her a weird look. "I have friends, thank you very much." She gave me an unconvinced look, "what, in your dreams?"

Rolling my eyes again I replied, "I'll go - just to prove to you that I do have friends and they're not fake. But you're not coming." She shrugged, grinning. "Fine by me, Dante can sneak me out."

I rolled my eyes, making a mental note to tell Dante not to let his younger sister out.

"Good luck with that."

-Mia-

"I'm just saying, you know it's my birthday and you kinda owe me," Cat said, clasping her necklace around her neck.

I sighed, bouncing Lyric softly as she started to fall asleep. Cat turned to face me, a small smirk on her face. "Finally, she's asleep. .but anyway, please?"

I shook my head, "you and River will be fine together. I'll just be a third wheel." Cat shook her head, "no you won't!"

"Plus, who's going to take care of the kids. I've just given birth."

"Pump and dump."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Nope. I can't. Who's going to take care of the kids anyway?"

Cat chuckled a little, "your mother?" I shook my head rapidly, "no. We aren't at that level of trust yet. How about your mother?" Cat shook her head, "Nah."

"I'll call a babysitter. Come on, Mia!" Cat said, giving me puppy eyes. I shook my head, "I'll be fine at home. You and River have fun."

"I'll do your housework for a week."

"What time are we leaving?"

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Nine."

"Nine?" I asked in surprise. "Isn't that too late?"

"Nope. We'll leave at like midnight." I sighed, "I can't believe I'm doing this." Cat shrugged, "Come on. We've got three hours to get ready."

I was later changed into a black two piece dress with the top as a tight crop top that showed a lot of my cleavage, and the bottom as a tight skirt that hugged my curves and showed off my butt.

My makeup was dark and smoky. My hair was messy and curled and I added some jewellery.

"I don't feel comfortable in this."

"You're not meant to," Cat said with a grin as she slipped her heels on, making her a lot taller than she is. Cat looked beautiful. Her hair was in a neat bun and she was wearing a black, short wavy skirt with a bright pink crop top.

There was a knock on the door. "Hey, guys," he said from the other side of the door. "The babysitter's here and are you guys ready?"

"Yep, come in River," Cat said and he did wearing some dark jeans and a loose shirt. His jaw dropped, "Meeeoow!" and he walked over to Cat as she giggled, lifting her up and kissing her, taking her by surprise. "You look gorgeous, birthday girl," he said as they pulled away.

I smiled, looking away and grabbing my coat before walking downstairs, letting them kiss.

I went downstairs to see a woman who looked around thirty with a bright smile on her face. "Hi, Miss Feather, I'm Bailey, the nanny you called for."

I smiled, "it's great to meet you, please call me Mia. Here, I have a list of things that need doing while I'm gone if that's alright," I said, passing her the piece of paper I worked on. She smiled, "it's alright. I'll do it."

Smiling, I thanked her and went into the living room. I kissed Francisco goodbye, hugged the three girls (April, Bambi and Lyric) before Cat called me, saying that we had to go.

River drove us there. Music was playing and we had a good conversation between the three of us. I felt nervous though. I hadn't been in a club in a while and I was worried about the kids. I hadn't left them at home before - especially Francisco. He was a newborn, what if he needed me desperately?

I kept my phone on and made sure that it was fully charged so I could talk to the kids every hour and make sure they were alright.

Sure, I was being a little over protective but I was a new mother. What did you expect?

We got to the club at around nine thirty. We showed our IDs and once we got in, warmth hit us.

The music was loud and had already given me a headache. People were dancing, grinding against each other and drinking, having the time of their night.

We went straight to the bar and Cat immediately ordered us drinks. I looked at her in surprise. Cat wasn't one to drink and yet she was ordering a large amount. River glanced at me, both of us noticing Cat's strange behaviour.

He gave me a 'let's leave it and wait" look. I slowly nodded distinctively, before sipping my water as Cat groaned. "Mia! Water? Come on, let's drink!" She yelled over the music, taking large gulps of her alcoholic drink.

River gave her a strange look, "Cat, slow down there." She giggled, already tipsy, "Come on, let's dance!" She grabbed his arm, dragging him to the dance floor, her hips swaying as she walked to the dance floor that had neon lights flashing on it.

I watched and River seemed hesitant at first but started swaying to the music as Cat danced the night away, her hands in the air and her hips swaying to the beat.

I sighed, letting them dance together.

I knew I was going to be the third wheel. .

I turned, sipping my flavoured water. "Hey," a voice said and I turned to see a blonde haired guy with a dashing smile.

"Hey," I replied, rubbing my lips together, my lip gloss sliding.

"I couldn't help but notice that you were alone at this bar. What's a pretty lady like you doing here?"

"What every one else does here," I said with common sense as he chuckled a little, "wanna dance?"

I shook my head, "I'm taken." He glanced around, "I don't see him." I rolled my eyes, "I'm taken so go away, blondie."

"Tom. And nice to meet you. ."

"The girl who's taken and wants you to go away."

He rolled his eyes before looking at me from head to toe. "You not all that anyway." I scoffed and he turned and left.

Jerk. .

I was about to turn to face the bar when something - no someone caught my eye.

Dark, messy hair. Sharp jawline and cheekbones. Kissable lips. Sexy hazel eyes.

"Vincenzo?" I asked, even though he was too far away and the music was too loud for him to hear me. I scoffed. What the hell was he doing?

I then moved my eyes and noticed that a woman dressed with too revealing clothes, was trying to kiss him or pounce on him but he was moving away, a drink in his hand.

I scoffed again, placing my drink on the bar table and walking over, passing sweaty bodies and dancing people.

"Vincenzo!" I over the music as I came over. He noticed me, his eyes widening as he pushed the woman off him. "Mia-"

"What the hell are you doing here - with this slut?" She gasped, flicking her hair over her shoulder and opened her mouth to speak but I glared at her, silencing her.

"Nothing, I swear! I'm trying to get her off me!" He said, his eyes wide as he moved away from the woman and moved towards me but I raised my hand, stopping him. "I'm sick of you."

I turned, storming out of the club, the cold air immediately hitting me. I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Mia!" He yelled from behind and I rolled my eyes, continuing to walk down the street.

"No, no, Vince. Go! Have fun with your slut!" I yelled back, not even looking at him. He caught up to me, turning me around and holding my shoulders. "Mia, I promise you, we weren't doing anything. I was trying to get her off me, I swear!"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I haven't seen you for months and the next time I expected to see you was when you were sober and clean, and ready to be a family but look!"

He shook his head, "no, Mia, I am sober and clean. .I-I was just persuaded by someone to have a break. I have been working hard, I swear!"

"Oh, save it!" I said, tired. "I can't be bothered with you. Find me when you actually care." I went to move but he stopped me, holding my arm and looking into my eyes. "Mia, please, I wasn't -"

"Vincenzo, I'm tired and I want to go and see my babies - you know the ones that actually need their father sober and alive? Ring a bell?" I asked, arching an eyebrow up as he looked down guiltily.

I sighed, taking out my phone and calling a taxi.

"I'm sorry," he said as the taxi came. I shook my head, "no, I'm sorry for thinking that you'd change." I went into the cab, slamming the door shut and sighing before telling the driver where to go.

I got home and texted Cat and River, telling them that I went home early. Tiredly, I paid the babysitter and dismissed her. The kids were asleep. April was sleeping in her room while Bambi slept on my mind and the two babies slept in separate cribs in my room. Lyric's cot had been brought from Cat's house.

The house was clean and quiet. I was glad that it was. I sat by the island, sipping some tea after having a warm shower and getting changed into my pjs.

I sighed, thinking about Vincenzo. Was I too harsh? He probably was telling the truth. I groaned at myself, running my hand though my hair and the sound of a baby crying on the monitor.

I went upstairs, breastfeeding Francisco and burping him before settling him in for bed and going downstairs, only to hear the door knocking.

Who would be knocking at this hour?

I frowned, walking over to the door and checking through the peephole, gasping. I opened the door and she immediately gasping as she fell on me.

I grabbed a hold of her, pulling her inside and closing the door. "Mom? What happened to you? Oh, my God!" I took her into the bathroom as she shivered and sat her on top of the toilet.

Her face was bruised and she was bleeding badly. She started crying, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Mia. I thought all the past was behind me."

I shook my head, grabbing a first aid kit and beginning to clean her wounds. "Don't be sorry. What happened? Please tell me."

"I-I came back from work and as I was walking, one of my old dealers tried to get me to sell some drugs but I refused and he hit me, took my money and ran." I stared at her pitifully before shaking my head, "we need to call the police."

"But he'll kill me, Mia. You don't understand."

"I do. Come on, mum. We have to. It's the only way you'll be safe."

She sniffed, wincing a little as I dabbled her face. "Okay. For you Mia."

I nodded, taking out my phone and dialling the emergency number.

"What's your emergency?"

____

Hmm. .

I'm not sure how I'm feeling about this.

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