The next morning I was woken up by the sound of Dino's voice. Groaning slightly at the disturbance of my sleep I turned around under the sheets as I felt the empty spot next to me. Slowly opening my eyes I heard him talk heatedly with someone in the other room. Considering that I heard his voice only I assumed he was on the phone. Wondering about the time I sat up and looked at the illuminated analogue clock; it was only four-thirty in the morning.

"Who is he talking to at this unearthly hour…?" I muttered, half-awake, as I ran a hand through my hair.

After stretching myself I got out of bed and put on a bathrobe, covering myself a little bit more than my sleeping top and shorts. Walking towards the open door to the dimly lit living room I saw Dino standing, in his sleeping trousers, in front of the large window as he listened intently to his phone. From the reflection on the window I saw him with an intense look and I wondered what it could be to make him so serious. Could there be an emergency in Italy?

"Capisco. Io ritornerò in due giorni. Ciao." Dino said before he hung up. He heaved a small sigh before he ran his hand through his hair.

"An emergency call from back home?" I questioned as I leaned against the door post. Considering that he spoke Italian I assumed it was a call from his home country.

Seeing the man jump a little I smiled in amusement. He turned around and looked at me with a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry, sugar. Did I wake you up?" He asked as he threw his smartphone on the side table before he walked over to me.

Quirking a brow at the nickname I chuckled, "Really? Already with the pet names this early of the day?"

"Well, you are incredible sweet." He smiled seductively as he cupped my chin. "Not to mention that you look lovely with your bed look."

He gave me a soft kiss on the lips and I gave him one in return. However, that did not distract me from the subject in question.

"C'mon, Valentino. Don't try to distract me by using your ladies men talk." I said in a pouting manner as I poked his bare chest with my index finger. "If it's indeed an emergency, go back. Don't waste two extra days."

Dino sighed a little before he looked at me with a troublesome look. "If I do that, I will never forgive myself. We already don't see each other often and I promised myself to spend this weekend with you."

"So…, it is an emergency?"

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yeah… an important branch of our main company is being sued of fraud by another organisation. If they lose the case it will most likely lead to bankruptcy and if that happens we will lose a huge part of the shares." He said with furrowed brows. "Romario's been notified already and he has called the attorneys, but I feel I should be there to discuss possible propositions as the president of our group."

Seeing the problem I nodded in understanding. I knew how important the Cavallone Financial Group was to him and I would never wish for him or his company or his Famiglia to get into trouble. The possibility of losing a large portion of the shares is a huge problem.

"That's really an issue… I'm sorry to hear that." I said softly as I gazed into his dimly lit eyes. "I understand if you have to take the next flight to Milan. You are needed there, Valentino."

Dino's furrowed brows shot up in surprise as he gazed back with doubt. "What about you? Are you going to stay here till the evening?"

"Well, the flight to Namimori is in the evening, so I don't have much choice, do I?" I smiled. However, the smile disappeared as Dino averted his eyes, filled with conflict. It made my heart ache seeing him like this. He was really debating what to do. Taking his warm hand in my own I squeezed it gently. "Listen, Valentino, hon'. Please don't feel bad for leaving early, we can always do a do-over. We still have those tickets to Osaka."

Dino shook his head as he squeezed my hand. "That's not the point…" He said, almost whispering, as his other hand caressed my cheek. "I just don't want to leave your side. Whether it's here or Namimori… Every single time that I have to leave without you, I feel so empty."

Not knowing what to say to that I covered his other hand with my free one and gazed into his sorrowful eyes. Hearing his words really pained me and I really wanted to be with him. However, the thought of living together truly scared me. It has been only a small month since we started to date and personally, moving in with him is quite a leap in a progressing relationship.

As I averted my eyes I let out a small sigh; it was a dilemma. While my personal view of living with him was one thing, there was still the subjects of servants serving me. I had the modest life I have always wanted in Namimori and I was uncertain whether I should sacrifice the leisure life I have for a high class life with the man I love and adore… The answer should be obvious, but living the high class life that I will never get used to it, was really holding me back.

"I'm sorry, Sharon. It wasn't my intention to put you in a difficult position." Dino whispered as he took my other hand in his. "I'm not forcing you to make a decision. I only wanted to let you know that I miss you when you're not by my side."

A warm feeling welled up from the deepest part of my heart and I could only smile sadly at his words. They were so sweet and yet so sorrowful.

"You're not making it easier by saying this, though." I said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood a little. However, despite the try, my own mood didn't get lighter. In fact, it made me feel guilty that I was not by his side. "I'm sorry, Valentino."

He let go of my hands and I felt his arms around me, pulling me closer. As I leaned against his chest, he embraced me softly as he placed a kiss on top of my head.

"You don't have to apologise, mi amore. I understand." He whispered gently as he gave me another kiss near my cheek. "You have after all commitment issues."

Hearing him say the latter in a joking manner, my head shot up as all the guilt disappeared in thin air. "C'mon! Not you too!" I called out as I felt my lips twist into a small pout. "It's one thing when Alicia says it, but you… You know I'm trying my best to get over it."

"Yes, yes I know." He laughed softly as he pressed his forehead against mine. As he gazed into my eyes I felt my cheeks grow warm. "But you don't have to change, carrisima. I love you for who you are. With or without commitment issues, you'll always be the girl I cherish the most."

Feeling my ears burn I averted my eyes, as I felt another affectionate kiss on my nose. For some reason his cheesy lines get me the most at moments like these.

"Therefore I'll stay with you." He continued. "While work is important, you're far more important. I'm sure Romario and the attorneys can handle it."

A light bubbly feeling erupted and I hugged him dearly as a shy smile appeared on my lips. Despite that I told him it was fine to return to Italy, I was glad that he decided to stay with me.

"So, where is my thank-you-kiss, amorino?" I heard him muse, like he knew what I was thinking.

However, hearing another nickname, a small laugh escaped from my lips as I looked up in a faux annoyed manner, "Only if you stop with the names, for goodness sake."

There was a small silence as he watched me with observing eyes. Then a shy grin appeared on his lips, "I'll… reduce it?" He offered, what made me laugh again.

"Good enough."

Standing on my toes I pecked him on the lips, but before my lips left his, he scooped me up in his arms, making me yelp. Before I could call out, his soft breath tickled my skin as he whispered, "Let's enjoy ourselves, shall we? We still have some time before our appointment at Poirot's."

Before I could even protest, he walked us back to the bedroom.