NICHOLAS' POVI stood there, staring back at her. My heart ached, it broke, it shattered. The pieces were heavier to carry than I had hoped they would be. The sight of her reminded me of every word I had said to Mike, that I did not care, that I would not stand in his way. But at that moment, my soul felt drained. I was in the middle of the desert and she was the last surviving oasis. Would it be foolish of me not to drink? If only she knew the things she did to me. If only she knew how she caused me to want to waver. To break promises I ought to keep, oaths that bounded me to my words. Just a simple young woman, standing there with a pure and innocent heart. The kindness of a flower, unaware of its own thorns. I wanted to turn and go straight into my bed room, but my legs refused to leave. They remained glued there like it was the job of a lifetime. I did not love her. I should not. So I did not. It was simple logic. Simple reasoning. Or so I thought. For so long I had denied, I
Regina's POV Present DayI couldn't help myself because I actually bursted out in laughter seeing the shock on Cassandra's face. Her eyes bulged open as she paused, trying to understand what was going on.Surely she must had been wondering what was going on, why Nicholas was not really heads over heels for her as he'd pretended to be. "Hey Cassandra, your plan...what is it exactly. Care to share?" I was forced to ask.She blinked, her gaze falling on to me, Mike and then Nicholas. Then back to Nicholas."So you knew, but since when?" Cassandra tried to act all brave like nothing had happened."What exactly do you mean? Remember when you've been banging my own boyfriend behind my back? Does Kimberly knows about this dirty habit of yours?" My face was a mask of angry fury now.A soft hint of satisfaction appeared on her face. My gaze fell on Nicholas and I could see he was fully focused on me, watching and studying my expression."I'm hot, and I know it. That's why he chose me instead
Regina's POV"Okay this needs to stop now." It was Nicholas' voice that shut Cassandra up because that bitch had more nonsense to spew! Why would Chris want me back? Why won't he just let me go?"I couldn't agree more." Mike agreed, "so you're coming with me now, Casie. Tell me everything you know."Nicholas snorted. "No need to make her feel like some spy, what is there to tell?""Clearly, you two need to work out some issue..." Mike's face hardened. Normally, that was supposed to be Nicholas cue!I felt it in my spines. "Um, sure. We'll give you all the space you two need! Come on, we should excuse them." I held Nicholas arm tight and dragged him out. Not that I had the strength to though.I quickly let go of him as we'd reached outside, but I didn't stop walking. Surprising, he quietly followed me.We stopped outside of the hotel by a bench placed on the road side. I sat down, "he's right you know? We have to talk about what happened!"Something in me almost made me to laugh out. N
Regina's POV It sounded like a big deal, but somehow I was able to forget most about it. I mean I tried my best to do so anyway. It was evening now and we were all gathered at a restaurant where Mike had agreed to pay. "So Dan is clearly obsessed with you now." Mike started the conversation. A smile was forced to appear on my face. Truly, even I didn't understand why he was so obsessed with Nicholas like that. Why wouldn't he just leave me be after he shamelessly broke up with me in public like that!."So everything boiled down to that part, huh?" Nicholas said, taking a sip of his wine. I didn't want to join in on the conversation. Dan was embarrassing me right now. "Cassandra always won, and I'm sure that's why she thought she would win again with Dan on her side." Mike continued to say. "But then. That's by the way. At least she's out of the picture. You should just forget about this guy, right?" He turned specifically to me and I frowned."Why are you looking at me? I'm way o
"Oh it's fine you can answer that." Mike said, noticing my phone ringing.I shrugged off the feeling, trying to handle matters as calm as I possibly could. "Oh no, it's fine. It's just Nicholas calling. Maybe he forgot something.""You can answer it." Mike said. I didn't like that look in his eyes. Besides, I was sure he didn't mean it in a romantic way? What if he did? It wasn't like Nicholas felt anything for me. Even after that night..."You know what? I'd love to. It would be so much fun!" I said to him, hoping my smile was as real as I'd wanted it to be. "Really? That's cool then! I'll send the outfit you'll need. Or I'll just call Sofia again. You two seem to be getting acquainted already." He said and I was forced to smile because he was right. We finished our meal in between small talks, and I couldn't deny the fact that it felt nice. He did just as Nicholas had asked and dropped me off afterwards. It was still new to me that I was living under the same building as Nicholas
Chapter 3I was forced to ask again. "You want me to go with Mike?""Sure. That's my condition. Or you can keep yourself busy with work--""--did I say something wrong? I wanted us to talk about what happened between us. And know how to move forward. Am I stupid to make this suggestion?" I didn't like it, but my voice was starting to reveal the anger in my tone. He remained calm like he normally did, acting like I didn't make any sense at all or I was being dramatic. Then after a while, he got up to his feet. Without saying a word, he began advancing towards the door. A sudden chill of fear crept inside of me. I couldn't allow this to happen again..not after Dan. Why did they always leave me?"Hey, you're leaving? Nicholas!" I ran after him and held his hands, hoping the fear in my eyes would at least cause him to feel a form of pity for me.He stopped now, cold eyes staring at me. "So I take it that you've accepted my offer, yes? You'll be Mike's plus one at the party. If that's a
Regina's POV The lady was none other than a shared arched enemy of ours. Ours being Kimberly, Rita, Mary and I...back when we all used to be friends. Jenna Owen. Jenna's parents were rich and famous, the most popular newspaper firm in town. Jenna was always battling with Kimberly online as that both managed individual blogs. And we all hated her! "What are you doing here here, Jenna?" The question popped right out of my mouth. I was too shocked, but then I started to remember that she could have come to visit any of the people that loved in the big building. She looked at me up and down, as if observing for some reason. What was she thinking about me? Then to my surprise, her face dissolved into what looked like a warm smile. "It's so good to see you! How have you been??" I blinked, clearly unsure of how to respond to that. Then Mike stepped forward, holding my hand to enter the elevator. Jenna was forced to move out of the way to make some space. "Move away, Jen. What
Regina's POVI didn't know why it all happened at once. She was his ex, and now she was here for him?? It didn't make sense! I didn't like this, but why? Nicholas didn't care about me so why should I??Mike chuckled. "Good luck with that." "Thank you, Mike!" Jenna smiled. I didn't know why her face looked brightened up for some reason. Did she really meant what she said? Wait, so you live here too? That is amazing!"I frowned."How's that amazing?""I'm going to visit often, that's why?" She shot a raised brow at me as if I failed to see the obvious in her statement."But we're not friends." The elevator door opened as soon as I'd made my point.We stepped out. I turned to Mike and said my goodbyes, then was about leaving when I saw Jenna was still after me. "What do you want, Jenna?""How long will you be mad at me? We've settled it that our beef started out because of a mistake. Besides, Kimberly isn't your friend anymore." "So? You think you can just waltz back into my life again
The next morning, Regina made a decision. She wasn't going to sit around crying. She deserved answers. If Nicholas was done with her, fine. "Hey, can I come with you to work today? I want to see Nicholas." Jenna said boldly. "I admire your confidence, you know." I was forced to say with a smile. She looked too determined as she spoke. "I told you. I'm not going to fight with you over Nicholas, but I want him. Just like I want you."I rolled my eyes."Okay that's enough now. Come on, you should leave.""I brought office wear. It's in my bag."I eyed her from head to toe. "I won't try to stop you. But do not get in my way. I doubt Nicholas would see you or try to talk to you anyway." I muttered out the last part."He's just been busy that's all. No need to think too much about it." Jenna said as if trying to comfort herself. After getting dressed, Regina managed to put on an amour of confident if she would be facing Nicholas that morning.He was going to say it to her face whatever r
Third POV Regina didn’t sleep that night. How could she? The picture stayed burned in her mind, a haunting image she couldn’t escape no matter how hard she tried. It was too crazy to understand, she desperately wanted to believe something was wrong!Staring at her phone with her heart in her throat, she thought about one and one thing alone.Call him.She shook her head. "No no no, I'm should just ignore it. Or... Text him.??" "Damn it! What if it’s all a lie?"This went on for several minutes until she finally made up her mind and sent a simple message:“Can we talk?”She typed, then for some seconds, fondled her fingers in the air as she hesitated to send the message. At last, she hit send and waited! Well, first, she threw her phone on the bed and left to do some other things. But after coming back to check her phone, she saw that he left no response. "It's been like what? 30 minutes? Maybe I should calm down."Boom.Morning came before she knew it. Regina felt sick to her stoma
Regina’s POVI stood by the restaurant’s entrance, already regretting saying yes to this dinner.The place was too fancy. Too intimate. It wasn’t the “friendly catch-up” Dan promised. It screamed date night.I tugged at the sleeve of my dress, feeling like I didn’t belong.Why did I even come here?Before I could slip away, Dan showed up.Tall. Confident. Wearing that stupid smile he used when he wanted something. I wanted to hear more of what he had said earlier at work. What did he mean by having a meeting with the managing director!“Regina,” he said warmly, like he hadn’t ripped my heart out months ago.I stiffened but forced a cold nod. “Dan.”He acted like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t humiliated me. Like he hadn’t thrown me aside for Kimberly without blinking.“I’m so happy you came,” he said, reaching for my elbow.I pulled back fast. His smile flickered for half a second, then he pasted it back on.“I almost didn’t,” I said, voice flat. “I’m only here because you said
Dan's POV I was desperate now.Normally, I always had this special moment I shared with Regina whenever I had just found a new craving. It was a Japanese meal, and the last time I had it was what, when I was like fourteen? Now I was missing her. I decided to take a bold move and make it happen. And I wasn't going to take no for an answer."Are you done now? I want to make a reservation for tonight." I said to one of the attendant in the restaurant I had in mind. "What? Then just do as I've said. What do you mean am I sure this time?"I heaved in a deep sigh, frustrated one at that. It had happened two times now when I would try to speak to Regina, but she would just ignore me. This time, I was determined!"Yes. In the evening." I hoped I had made myself clear enough. The attendant muttered something before saying yes at last.I was standing in front of the building to her office now for about an hour. My car was parked outside so I'd been inside for a while first, before finally step
Regina's POV.I didn't want to think too much about what Rita had just said. That Kimberly was plotting something again?? When would that girl ever learn!"I understand how raged you are now," quickly, Rita started to say. "But you have to be really careful Regina. Kimberly is a psychopath!" I knew what she was saying was the fact. "I know I know. It's just that...what did I ever do to make her hate me like this?""Don't think too much about it, but be careful around her for real." Rita said. You could see the stress in her eyes as she looked worrier for me."Thanks Rita. I'm so glad we get to do this--" my conversation was cut short as the waiters in the restaurant jumped and rushed towards the entrance.One man that looked like their boss was shouting.."Welcome miss Jenna! Our biggest customer. Welcome her." And then the rest began to sing a welcoming song.Rita and I exchanged surprised looks, trying to really wonder whether it was the same Jenna we knew or another one. "But what
Regina's POV I didn't enjoy this TV series that much, but I was determined to be by myself without involving myself with Nicholas at all. I could do that. It was the weekend already and I was more than enough to..."Fuck!" I sighed, realizing how boring it was just being by myself on the weekend. I needed to go out, but where to?As if she read my mind, my phone rang and I saw it was Rita calling. Rita and I have been...talking. I mean, our relationship couldn't necessarily go back to the way things used to be before...but it was getting better. "Hey girl, I dunno if you're free this weekend. We should hang out sometimes." She said after we'd exchanged warm pleasantries and all."Oh that sounds nice. What about now?" I blurted out. "Now? Do you mean it?" Was her response. We confirmed the outing and met at a casual restaurant where we used to hang out before when we were all friends. Rita was already waiting for me so she called out my name as I walked in. "Over here," she waved
Third POV Kimberly was shocked to see Rita approaching. "Is that really her or am I dreaming?" She was forced to ask again to Mary who stood beside her as they watched from upstairs, "What the heck?""Fine. I may have accidentally spilled where you were but I didn't know that she would--"Slap!Mary cried out, holding her cheeks. "I'm sorry!" She cried out. Even Kimberly seemed a bit shocked and just couldn't help herself."I'm just so angry that I'm starting to finally trust you, and you keep dragging her along. You needed to be punished." She said at last.."But we're friends. This is the second time you've hit me this week, what is going on with you, dear friend?" It was more or anger than concern that rested in her eyes. "Whatever. Just let's get over with this now. She said, walking towards the entrance to see her guest. Deep down, she knew she owed Mary some sort of apology. But her pride certainly could not allow it. Her action had caught a side glimpse of Jamie observing her
Regina's POV The next few days, I wish I could say I didn't enjoy the series of sex that happened between Nicholas and I. They were so casual, in his bedroom, bathroom, in my living room,...even in his car one evening after work! They were fantastic! The other day when he had asked who was calling me when I was in his office, I had doubt for a split second as to tell him it was Dan or not. Then it occurred to me that he had clearly specified that it was none of his business who I was fucking with apart from him.My tone had kept him to quiet down and not ask me again, but we still had the best of time..I was still lost in thought, infactuating on the moments spent with Nicholas when there came a knock on the door. Excitement filled me hurriedly as I rushed to the door. Who else could it be if not Nicholas!"Hi, I'm coming in." Instead, I got Jenna standing outside, now already walking in like we were roommates or something. I had to look around just to make sure that Nicholas real
Regina's POV The next few minutes, I really was in paradise. We just stood still, staring into each others eyes. I loved this moment and I was selfish enough not wanting to let it end.However the universe had other plans for me. The sudden knock on the door reminded me that we were not alone. We stared into each other's eyes once more, this time briefly. There was no way someone on the other side of the door could be knocking to see me, clearly, they must be Nicholas guest."Is Mike back?" I asked, immediately the idea came to my head. But Nicholas shook his head, almost looking disappointed in my question as he advanced forward to the door. Opening up, Jenna strode in, but she did not just walk in. Her eyes observed, every little details that I wouldn't had noticed.It was a good thing that I had quickly adjusted my bra and put on my panties while Nicholas had gotten dressed back quickly too."I thought I didn't see you since. I never would have figured out that you were back in y