One Hundred

CHAPTER 100

And Alicia jumped off the building.

Unfortunately, the grim reaper didn't want her dead that day. One strong hand grabbed Alicia and pulled her so hard that she opened her eyes in surprise and lost her balance. Her weak body was carried away by the pull of the man's hand and she fell right into the man's arms.

And that man was Nicholas.

They stared in silence, before Nicholas finally used both hands to hug Alicia tighter.

"Nic..."

Alicia's cries were faintly heard as the girl hid her face inside Nicholas' broad chest. And Nicholas could only exhale, taking in everything that had just happened.

****

The funeral of Alicia's adoptive parents was private. This was Alicia's request and Nicholas helped the girl realize her wish. After the funeral attendants finished burying Michelle and Edward in adjoining graves, they quickly left, leaving Alicia and Nicholas who were now still standing in front of the final resting place for Alicia's parents.

Alicia was wearing a long black dress that fell to her ankles, and matching ankle boots completed her look. She let her long black hair fall back, covering her back which was freely exposed there. Occasionally the wind hit Alicia's face, but Alicia didn't care.

Nicholas who stood beside the girl could only wait without judgment. He kept his mouth shut, avoiding any comments coming out of his mouth.

This funeral was also painful for Nicholas. Because the death came from Alicia's family, someone Nicholas loved. Seeing Alicia sad, made Nicholas sad too. He then saw that Alicia did not move from her place at all. Just quietly looking at the new cemetery whose soil was still wet. Alicia's face did not show any expression, but the look in her eyes looked sad and empty.

The man sitting next to Alicia exhaled once more as he finally took out a scarf from his coat pocket. He put the gray scarf around Alicia's neck and made her gasp. Alicia blinked, then looked at Nicholas who was only a few centimeters away from her face.

"It's getting cold, it's going to be winter soon. You'll get sick if you let the wind keep hitting your face like that," Nicholas said.

But Alicia did not respond to Nicholas' words. Instead, she pulled Nicholas' hand and pressed her lips against his. Nicholas' eyes widened in shock, he didn't expect Alicia to kiss him like that. Alicia, on the other hand, closed her eyes, letting their lips join each other among the leaves that fell as they were carried away by the wind.

Nicholas wasn't sure if his love was reciprocated or not, but for now, he would choose to savor the moment. He closed his eyes, as his lips still felt the warmth of Alicia's lips pressed against his.

Although without both of them realizing it, there was a man watching them from a distance.

****

"We're here, Alicia," Nicholas said, shaking Alicia's hand gently.

Since leaving the cemetery, Alicia had been sitting and daydreaming. She fell asleep fifteen minutes later and slept the whole way to the flat. The snow had started to fall and the weather outside was becoming unfriendly. Alicia was still wearing the scarf Nicholas had given her around her neck, and opened her eyes slowly when she heard Nicholas' voice.

Alicia looked around before finally nodding and muttering softly, "thank you for driving me, Nic."

She was about to go downstairs with a blank look, but Nicholas was really worried about Alicia's condition who seemed to be still very traumatized. She was like the undead. She was as good as dead. Her gaze was blank, often unable to speak. So quickly, Nicholas held her hand.

The girl turned her head when the car door opened, but her hand was held by Nicholas. He raised both eyebrows. "What's wrong, Nic?"

"I can't leave you like this."

Alicia's face looked confused. Especially when Nicholas suddenly left her there and got out of his door. Nicholas walked around, then extended his hand forward. Raising his face confidently, Nicholas finally said, "Let me stay with you."

"What?"

"I'll take care of you until you recover, Alicia."

Alicia snorted amusedly, she got out of Nicholas' car and passed the man's hand without even touching it. She tried to resist, and said, "You might have misunderstood the kiss. I just-"

"No, you didn't. I know you need me right now, that's why you came to me, Alicia. I was the first person you called in case of danger, and I was the first person you looked for when you needed help. Alicia, are you still going to be naive and pretend with everything? Tell me that you really need me, Alicia! Tell me right now!"

"Nic..."

"I can't let you act like the undead like this!"

Nicholas' raised voice left Alicia speechless. She just burst into tears and started crying in front of the man who was now grabbing her hair in frustration.

"I don't care if I'm in danger now, I just want you to be safe when you're with me, Alicia!" Nicholas sighed in annoyance, then hugged Alicia again. "I'll stay with you until you get better. So, don't hold back anymore. You can't face this alone. Understand?"

Alicia agreed with Nicholas' advice. Nicholas stayed the night. He turned off the car engine and entered the flat. An unpleasant smell immediately assaulted Nicholas' sense of smell when they both arrived there. Nicholas quickly checked as Alicia sat on the sofa in the living room.

"Pasta?" Nicholas snorted in disgust and quickly threw away the food, which he didn't know what day it was made, to create such a bad smell. Looking around, Nicholas realized that Alicia's flat was really dirty and messy. Everything was not taken care of. This must be because Alicia was still sad because of the death of her parents.

And Nicholas had the idea to clean the whole flat. He is determined to take care of Alicia from this moment on, and will continue to do so.