CHAPTER 18

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." - Lucille Ball

Piero Antonio POV

As I revealed the news of having a granddaughter, the line fell silent for a moment, and I could sense the confusion and surprise on my mother's end. I imagined her turning to my father, discussing the unexpected revelation.

"What granddaughter?" Her voice held a mixture of confusion and anger. "I don't have anything from all of you. Did you impregnate a girl?" Her words carried a sharp edge, fueled by her bewilderment.

"No, Mama, it's not like that," I quickly responded, trying to clarify the situation. "The child is mine and Natalie's daughter. It seems she kept it a secret from me."

A moment passed, and I could hear my father's voice in the background, clearly curious about the conversation taking place. My mother's voice came back, filled with a mix of excitement and authority.

"We will book a flight tomorrow and come to see her," she declared, her tone both stern and thrilled. "When we arrive, you need to tell me everything that has happened. Theo, we finally have a little girl in our family!" I heard her call out to my father, sharing the news with him.

In the background, I heard my father's voice, muffled and bewildered. The news had clearly caught them both off guard, but my mother's excitement began to overpower any initial confusion.

I took a deep breath, gathering myself as my mother continued speaking. "Also, Mama, please inform Benjamin and his family about the news. Lorenzo is here with me, and he just found out as well," I explained, trying to keep everyone in the loop.

"If Lorenzo hadn't visited you, we wouldn't have known about this!" Her stern voice scolded me, expressing a mix of concern and disappointment. I immediately apologized, explaining that I had been preoccupied with preparing the living environment for my daughter.

As our conversation continued, a whirlwind of emotions washed over me. The prospect of my parents finally meeting their granddaughter brought a surge of both joy and anxiety.

As I abruptly ended the phone call with my mother, a sudden and piercing scream echoed through the air, instantly catching my attention. Fear gripped my heart as I realized that the voice belonged to Belle, my daughter.

Without hesitation, I hastily made my way out of my office, my mind racing with worry. As I reached the hallway, I spotted my sons, who seemed equally alarmed by the commotion. Desperate to understand what was happening, I turned to them, urgently seeking answers.

"Who's with Belle?" I asked, my voice filled with concern. Their silence only heightened my anxiety, indicating that none of them were accompanying her. Time seemed to stand still as we exchanged worried glances, unified in our determination to find her and ensure her safety.

Rushing down the stairs, our feet pounding against the floor, we hurried towards the garden, following the source of Belle's cries. Panic consumed me as I imagined the worst scenarios, praying that she was unharmed.

And then, there it was—a heart-wrenching sight that made my blood run cold. In the garden, I saw Bullet, our loyal Great Dane, and Blaze, our powerful Cane Corso, surrounding Belle. They were sniffing at her, their curiosity mixed with a playful energy that could easily overwhelm a young child.

My heart leaped into my throat as I witnessed Belle trembling with fear, her tiny figure perched precariously on the edge of the pond. I knew that she was on the verge of tears, her innocent emotions threatening to overwhelm her fragile state of mind.

As I swiftly reached Belle's side, I scooped her up into my arms, cradling her close to my chest. With a stern and commanding voice, I directed the dogs, Bullet and Blaze, to sit. They responded obediently, their playful energy subsiding as they settled down at my command.

With Belle safely in my arms, I carefully examined her for any signs of injuries or bites. My heart ached at the sight of her tears, a testament to the fear she had endured during the chase. I whispered soothing words to her, reassuring her that she was safe now.

As one of my men approached, fear was evident in his eyes, his voice trembling as he spoke. He apologized for the incident, explaining that when he had opened the cage to feed the dogs, they had unexpectedly bolted, eluding his grasp. I regarded him with a stern gaze, disappointment etched in my expression.

"Next time, ensure that you fulfill your duties properly. We cannot afford such lapses in the future," I reprimanded him firmly, emphasizing the need for accountability and diligence in his responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Belle's cries continued, her fear and vulnerability palpable. The stark contrast in size between her and the dogs intensified her distress. Sensing her escalating panic, I knew it was crucial to regain control of the situation swiftly.

With a commanding tone, I issued the dogs, Bullet and Blaze, a direct order. "Bullet, Blaze, sit," I commanded firmly. Responding to my authoritative voice, the dogs immediately obeyed, their bodies settling into a seated position.

This display of obedience from the dogs brought a momentary sense of relief. Knowing that they were under my command helped alleviate some of Belle's fear. It was vital to establish a sense of security and trust, ensuring that she understood she was no longer in danger.

I approached Belle cautiously, still holding her in my arms, and began to speak soothingly to her. "It's okay, my love. The dogs won't hurt you now. They're calm and under control." My voice carried a comforting tone, aimed at soothing her frayed nerves and letting her know that she was safe.

I listened to Belle's words, her voice trembling with remnants of fear. Her vulnerability tugged at my heart, and I knelt down to her eye level, gently wiping away her tears. With a comforting smile, I reassured her, "I understand, my love. It's completely normal to feel scared after what happened. You don't have to pet them if you're not ready."

I wanted to respect Belle's emotions and ensure that she felt safe and secure. It was important for her to regain her trust and confidence at her own pace. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I continued, "Bullet and Blaze are big, but they are gentle dogs. They won't eat you, I promise. However, you don't have to interact with them if you don't feel comfortable. We can take it slowly."

Belle nodded, her hiccups gradually subsiding as she listened to my words. Her small hand clutched mine tightly, seeking reassurance. I guided her back towards the dogs, keeping a cautious distance but close enough for her to observe them from a safe vantage point.

"Look, Belle," I pointed out, "see how calm they are now? They're sitting and listening to us. They won't harm you as long as we're here with you." I maintained a calm and reassuring tone, hoping to alleviate her fears and instill a sense of trust.

With her gaze fixed on Bullet and Blaze, Belle's curiosity began to emerge, slowly overshadowing her initial apprehension. She watched them closely, observing their fierce yet peaceful demeanor. Taking a small step forward, she cautiously extended her hand towards Bullet, her fingers barely brushing against his fur.

Bullet remained still, his gentle eyes meeting Belle's with a calmness that mirrored my own reassurance. Belle's apprehension began to wane as she realized that the dogs were not aggressive. Encouraged by this, she slowly started to pet Bullet's back, her touch hesitant yet growing in confidence.

Blaze, sensing Belle's gradual acceptance, approached cautiously, his tail wagging gently. Belle looked up at me, seeking guidance, and I nodded in affirmation. She extended her hand to Blaze, her touch tentative at first, but eventually growing more assured as she stroked his fur.

"Let's go inside, love. It's getting cold out here," I said, gently interrupting a beautiful moment of her petting the dogs. The air had turned chilly, and I wanted to make sure we were warm and comfortable inside.

"Can we bring them inside, Papa? I want to play with them more," she asked, her eyes wide and innocent, using her puppy eyes technique that always melted my heart. How could I resist her request? I immediately agreed, knowing how much she adored those dogs.

I watched in awe as the two dogs, Bullet and Blaze, listened attentively to her commands. With her soft voice, she called out their names, "Bullet, Blaze, come," and they obediently trotted over to her side. It was remarkable to witness the bond she had formed with them, a connection that seemed almost magical.

She had a unique power to captivate everyone around her, even animals. I remembered when I introduced my son to Bullet and Blaze for the first time. The dogs had been fiercely protective and would growl and snap whenever my son tried to pet them. It took nearly six months of patient training and gradual introductions to make those two dogs listen to my son's commands.

But with her, it was different. From the moment she met them, they seemed to recognize her pure and gentle spirit. It was as if they understood that she was special, and they responded to her with unwavering loyalty and affection.

As we settled inside, I noticed my son, Elio, still standing at the doorway, his eyes fixed on the enchanting scene unfolding in the garden. He was clearly stunned by what he had witnessed.

"I can't believe it! Those beasts listen to her commands without any effort," Elio exclaimed, his shock evident in his voice. His words resonated with everyone present, as we all marveled at the remarkable connection between my daughter and the dogs.

Alessandro, joined Elio by the doorway, and together they watched with a mix of disbelief and nostalgia. Alessandro couldn't help but share a memory from his own past.

"I remember when I was young, I also saw them in the garden playing," Alessandro recalled, a touch of amusement in his voice. "I went near them, and they almost bit my hands off." He chuckled as he reminisced about his own encounter with the dogs, highlighting the vast contrast between their previous behavior and their current gentle demeanor around my daughter.

The two of them stood there, captivated by the heartwarming sight before them. Belle, my daughter, moved with grace and confidence, her tiny figure radiating love and warmth. The dogs, Bullet and Blaze, surrounded her, tails wagging and tongues lolling in pure delight. They cuddled, frolicked, and played as if they had been friends since the beginning of time.

"Papa, look! They are so cute," Belle exclaimed, her voice filled with pure happiness as she watched the dogs play in the garden.

Alessandro, however, responded with a note of caution in his voice, "They are not cute, they are beasts, Little bee. Be careful. They will bite you if they don't like what you do to them." He expressed his concerns, disapproving of the situation.

Belle, taken aback by Alessandro's words, gasped and fixed him with a determined glare. "Don't call them beasts, Emi! It's not nice," she retorted firmly, her voice filled with a mix of innocence and defiance.

I watched as Belle stood her ground, defending the dogs against the harsh judgment of others. Her unwavering belief in the goodness of their hearts was both inspiring and humbling. She possessed an innate ability to see beyond the surface, to recognize the potential for love and connection even in those who had been misunderstood or mistreated.

Alessandro, sensing the strength of her conviction, softened his expression and offered a gentle smile. He recognized the depth of Belle's compassion and understood the importance of teaching understanding and acceptance, even when faced with initial reservations.

"You're right, Little bee," Alessandro conceded, his voice filled with a newfound appreciation. "I apologize for calling them beasts. They are your friends, and I should respect that."

Belle's face lit up with a smile of victory and satisfaction.