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"Please, Nicholas, don't prolong this issue!" Diki's mother pleaded, kneeling down. Afraid that her family's reputation would be tarnished, she was willing to humble herself in front of Nicholas. "Earlier, you asked Diki to apologize, right? I'll make sure he comes to your house and apologizes to Alesya."

"I... I..."

Nicholas raised his hand, silencing the middle-aged woman. He couldn't accept any excuses. So, Nicholas walked away. It was up to Diki now. Coming to apologize would be better. Even if not, Nicholas was satisfied with teaching him a lesson, leaving him unable to move and with split lips.

Furthermore, Nicholas couldn't involve the police in this case. He had no witnesses, and the evidence had been given to Diki. The CCTV he mentioned was just a bluff. As for Bryan, there was no guarantee he would agree to be a witness. So, he had to rely on his own strength to teach Diki a lesson, even if it meant his hand was a bit swollen and bruised. That was fine as long as he was satisfied.

***

Nicholas grinned. He acted as if nothing had happened when he entered. He approached Alesya, who was packing some items into her bag.

"Going on a picnic, Miss?" Nicholas teased, pinching Alesya's nose.

"Ugh... that hurts, Nicholas." Alesya rubbed her reddened nose due to Nicholas's antics.

"Well, I can't help it, I find you adorable."

"Wait! What's this?" Alesya caught Nicholas's hand. "Why the bruise? It wasn't there earlier, Nik."

"What wasn't there?" Nicholas innocently looked at the bruise on the back of his hand.

"This bruise... I distinctly remember there was no injury there, except for the cut on your index finger."

"That injury!?" Alesya nodded. "It was kissed by an angel, that's why it's like this."

"Nicholas..." Alesya squinted her eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it. You'll find out soon enough. So... I'll excuse myself, Miss Angel, I need to take a shower. It's hot, and I also smell bad. I wouldn't want to meet handsome uncles smelling like this." Nicholas winked, teasing Alesya, who could only shake her head.

"Teasing what uncles? You prefer teasing me!" Alesya retorted before Nicholas disappeared behind the bathroom door.

"Why don't you decide? You're the one who's in control," Nicholas replied with a laugh, covering up his embarrassment from Alesya's words that hit home.

Alesya smiled to herself, feeling embarrassed too, considering how close her relationship with Nicholas had become. Could Alesya hope that Nicholas would become the father of her future children? Hope to divorce Bryan and marry Nicholas? To live together in marriage until death do them part?

"He has his own world. Don't hope for more, Al. Even if he recovers, you might not be his type. He's so kind, handsome, and caring; surely many girls secretly love him." Alesya muttered to herself. She continued packing a few more clothes and some belongings, including photo albums, to ward off her longing for her parents.

Just a few minutes after Nicholas went into the bathroom, Alesya raised an eyebrow. She heard a knock and a call from the front door. She hurriedly got up to see who the visitor was.

"City Mayor?!" Alesya took a step back when Diki appeared from behind the house's column. The man looked beaten up, with blood still oozing from his nose and lips.

Diki's mother knelt before Alesya. "Dear Alesya, I apologize for Diki's actions. Please, don't take last night's incident to the police station. I'm genuinely sorry I couldn't raise Diki properly. I beg you, please. Besides, Diki has already been taught a lesson by Nicholas, so it should be balanced now. There's no need to resolve this further."

"N-Nicholas?" Alesya stammered. Seeing Diki's condition, she couldn't believe that Nicholas had transformed him into this state.

Ah, no wonder Alesya saw Nicholas's hand was bruised. It turns out he had gotten that bruise while avenging Alesya. If Diki and his mother weren't here, Alesya would have rushed to the bathroom to hug Nicholas.

"I have forgiven him, ma'am. So, you can take your son home now. I'm sorry, but I have to go inside. I still have a lot of work to do before returning to the city. And for you, Diki, there's no need to apologize. Just leave, I don't want to see you again. Thank you for coming to apologize, please go."

Alesya closed the door. It might not have been polite, but she didn't want to linger in Diki's presence. She wanted to add to what Nicholas had already given him.

And another reason was that Alesya couldn't wait to see Nicholas. She was grateful for him avenging her without tarnishing Bryan's reputation.

After a brief peek to make sure that Diki and his mother had left, Alesya rushed to lock the door. She hurriedly made her way to the bathroom, standing in front of the door, waiting for Nicholas to finish. Her heart was pounding.

As soon as Nicholas opened the door, without any delay, Alesya hugged him tightly. She didn't care that Nicholas was only wearing a bathrobe; what mattered was the embrace.

"I missed you after just a short shower. What if I leave for a long time? Like going out of town?" Nicholas teased.

Alesya shook her head. "You won't."

"Are you sure you won't miss me?"

"I'm absolutely sure."

"I'll hold you to your words. If I get orders from out of town, I won't come back... If it's a two-day event, I'll stay there as long as I want."

"That's fine."

"Sure you won't miss me?"

"I'm sure I won't. I'll come with you."

"Come with me?"

"Of course. Why should I stay? You're the only one I have, Nik. There's no one else."

Nicholas returned Alesya's hug, holding her so tightly it felt like he was drowning her in it.

"I'll be with you until you're happy," he murmured to himself, making a promise he could keep. Because Nicholas knew that he and Alesya could never be together.

"If you want to come with me wherever I go, find me something to wear now. I can't possibly go home wearing just this towel," Nicholas remarked.

"Let's do it this way." Alesya smiled. "You don't like women, so you're safe."

"That's right."

"Ah, but wait, you don't know how. So what's the point?"

"True! Well, you're safe. You don't like men, so how could you eat me, Nik?"

"Sure you won't?" Nicholas blinked.

"I won't!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yep, I won't. But I still need a change of clothes, Nik."

"Wait here!" Alesya released her hug and walked away, leaving Nicholas behind.