My heart thuds loudly in my chest. What the hell have I done? How do I convince a smart, grown man that he heard me wrong. Of all my truths, this was the one thing I wasn't ready to divulge. How did I get so into my feelings and give myself away like that? "Alex…. it's not what you think". I hate the way my voice comes out small. I have always been a bad liar so if my voice doesn't tell already that I'm lying right now, my face must. Either ways, I'm caught. "Nicole, then tell me what it's like". He still manages to exercise good control over his voice. I'm impressed. And I need to learn that at least from him. "Alex….". So fast, our roles have been switched. Suddenly, I'm the one who wants to slide closer and reach for his hand and make sure I'm holding him close to me so he doesn't go away. I resist all urges to do that as I wring my hands in my lap. "Alex….I have something to tell you". I look at him tentatively through my lashes. His face is impassive, just staring at me directl
The rain began to pour heavily and the taxi driver wound up the windows as they sped past other cars on the busy highway. What had been a bright and beautiful day now sported dark grey clouds that downed their contents on the earth happily. Despite the weather, Nicole's mood remained piqued. She was just as excited as she had been when she had gotten out of bed this morning knowing Alex was coming home today and she had the best news awaiting him. They were having a baby. Her hand came to rest on her flat tummy instinctively and she smiled to herself. She was just 5 weeks gone. She wasn't sure if her hormones had something to do with it but her heart swelled even more these days when she thought of Alex. He had been on a business trip to Florence for the past two weeks and is to be back today. She missed him so much. An hour ago, he had informed her that he'd be landing by roughly 12am. She smiled and checked her watch. It was just 9:17pm. She glanced at the bag that sat next to her o
The whole house became so silent that Nicole was sure she would be able to hear a pin drop if she listened hard enough. Now that it was out and the whole house was staring at her like she was some kind of alien entity, Nicole didn't know how to feel. She glanced at Alex, willing him with her eyes to say something, to say she was right, to save her from looking like a fool. Instead, he only stared forward at the plate in front of him, his jaw clenched in what seemed like anger."Is that true, Alex?". His father asked.He was quiet for a few seconds before finally letting out a small sigh. "Yes, Dad. Nicole is my fiancee". "What?". Mrs. Van Lewis whispered. She turned to Nicole and eyed her in open disgust before turning back to her son. "Her?". Her meaning was so clear that Nicole felt a wave of inferiority wash over her at the woman's condescending tone. And yet...Alex said nothing. "I must say……your taste is rather poor, Alexander". It came from the blonde woman beside her. Even he
Six years laterNicoleI chew on my pen nervously as I pace the distance of my team leader's office. I desperately hope there has been a misinformation of some kind. "Nicole". I hear Aurora call my name as she enters the office. "You are here. Tell me it's a lie please".Aurora smiles and goes to stand behind her desk, arranging the documents that litter the table. "It's not. You are….."."But I can't!!!". I realize my voice has probably gone higher than it should have. Hastily, I walk over to Aurora's desk and lean over it, whispering into her face furiously. "I can't do the presentation, Aurora. I can't"."Why?". She doesn't even look fazed. "You handled majority of the project in my absence anyways. You know about it more than anybody….even me". "But….". I groan. "..... I can't stand in front of all those higher-ups. I'm definitely going to flop…. nervousness and all"."You won't". Aurora says as she tucks a batch of documents into a chest of drawers. "I know you, Nicole. You ar
NicoleFor a moment, I think I'm dreaming. This can't be happening. But when I dig my thumb into the soft flesh of my palm and feel the small jolt of pain, I realize it's not a dream after all. He looks the same, yet so different. He still stands tall at 6'2, but he looks slightly bigger. He has definitely started hitting the gym more constantly. Six years ago, he was bare faced, but now he sports a dark, well carved beard. He has also lost the short ponytail I used to love so much, now he has a fuzzy undercut and his remaining thick mass of hair has been styled to taste. Somehow, his physique isn't even the most different thing about him. Something bigger has changed. His confidence. He has turned into a man whose presence commands attention and respect when he enters a room. By a mere look at him, I can tell.Alex is finally the man I've always wanted him to be. I should be impressed by this, but after my initial shock, all I feel now is a roiling anger in the pit of my belly. I cl
Nicole;The ringing doorbell is what wakes me up. I glance at my alarm and see that I've overslept by nearly thirty minutes. Shit. This week just couldn't get any worse. I push up to my feet and pad my way downstairs to the door, yanking it open, my eyes squinted against the harsh morning sunshine. But there is no one. I glance around but there's still nobody. Disgruntled and highly annoyed, I wonder what kind of sicko would be thinking of pranks this early in the morning. I'm just about to close the door when I spot the parcel at my doorstep. I step back in surprise. What the hell? It's a bouquet of red roses and I pick it up, peering into the flowers suspiciously. There's a note attached to it and I shut the door behind me before I open. In shimmery blue ink, a scrawly handwriting reads;I'm sorry, Nicole. Give me a second chance, please. Love, Gregory.I scoff to myself and read the note again. A few weeks ago, I had decided to revitalize my dating life and against my principles,
Nicole"Excuse me?". I couldn't have heard that right. The chairman chuckles like it's such a delight to see me surprised and leans forward. "You'll be transferring to Mr. Van Lewis' company, Miss Webster. As a project supervisor and brand…."."Yeah yeah I got that". If he repeats himself one more time, I might just put my hands over my ears in annoyance. My teammates' eyes are all fixed on me. I can just imagine what's going through their heads. If it was me, I'd be thinking the same thing. How did she get such an opportunity?We might be teammates but in the end, we are only humans. We've all got that competitive streak in us. Regardless, I hate that they are probably giving me the side eye now and all because of a stupid "opportunity" I never asked for. A furious blush rises up my cheeks and I look back up at the chairman, squaring my jaw defiantly. "I'm afraid I won't be taking the offer, sir". Just like mine earlier, I see the smile fall off his face. My teammates glance at ea
Nicole;I pull into the parking lot of Van Lewis Galaxy and once the engine dies down, I take a moment to look up at the looming structure. I thought I had gotten to a stage in my life where I wasn't so wowed by money any longer but damn, this is proving me wrong. I am and can still be easily wowed. With a shake of my head, I remember where I am and why I'm here. I mustn't get distracted. I reach for the door but then pause midway. Against all logic, I pull down my sun visor and glance at the mirror. My cheeks are gorgeously flushed from all the heat coursing through me. My lips look a little dry and I'm just about to reach for my lipgloss when I halt myself halfway. What the hell do I think I'm doing? Really dressing up in anticipation of meeting Alex? Angrily, I pull the visor back up and yank the door open, stalking my way in aggressively. I don't even give myself a chance to admire my surroundings as I walk towards the receptionist's desk. She's a pretty, young woman with the slee
My heart thuds loudly in my chest. What the hell have I done? How do I convince a smart, grown man that he heard me wrong. Of all my truths, this was the one thing I wasn't ready to divulge. How did I get so into my feelings and give myself away like that? "Alex…. it's not what you think". I hate the way my voice comes out small. I have always been a bad liar so if my voice doesn't tell already that I'm lying right now, my face must. Either ways, I'm caught. "Nicole, then tell me what it's like". He still manages to exercise good control over his voice. I'm impressed. And I need to learn that at least from him. "Alex….". So fast, our roles have been switched. Suddenly, I'm the one who wants to slide closer and reach for his hand and make sure I'm holding him close to me so he doesn't go away. I resist all urges to do that as I wring my hands in my lap. "Alex….I have something to tell you". I look at him tentatively through my lashes. His face is impassive, just staring at me directl
When I open my eyes the next morning, it takes a little while before my brain processes my surroundings. For the past two weeks or so, I've been in one space, waking up in the same bed, to the same ceiling and to the same warm, reassuring hand wrapped tightly around my torso. Today, things are different. Much different.I roll over on the bed onto the side of my good arm and just….stare out the window emptily. Slowly, my brain does a reboot of everything that lhappened yesterday. This is it. As hard as it was, I finally managed to talk about the weight that's been holding me down, hanging over my head and shoulders. That alone brings a small smile to my face as I register the light feeling in my chest. It sure feels good to offload to someone. It seems like a thousand year's worth of weight has been lifted, I guess talking about all of it was good for me afterall. But now that I have….what now? What next for me? Are things really going to stay the same between Alex and I?My mind flas
Alex pulls the duvet up to my chin, tucking me in fully before coming to settle beside me. As he stares at my face, for some weird reason, I can't stop imagining what he sees. Does he just the red eyed, puffy faced me, or perhaps….is there a layer of disgust over it? Not that I'd blame him one bit. I hold my breath as he brings a hand up to caress my cheek lightly, his gaze burning fiercely into mine. And yet, he doesn't say anything. I suddenly feel the need to break the silence."I ran away when I was 15". I say, my voice hoarse. He sighs softly and just continues to stare straight at me. It's almost as if he's afraid to say something, scared to have the moment crumble away. I'll take that as my cue to continue. "One day when my mum went to work and Ace was in school, I snuck back home from school and took my things. I never looked back ever since that day. But perhaps that was a mistake because he found me in New York". One of Alex's eyebrows go up in surprise but he still doesn't
My heart thuds lightly in my chest as I follow Alex to the bedroom. This is the exact moment I've been avoiding all these days. All along, I knew Alex seemed to be fine with me but he's only human and I know a huge part of him probably still wants to know everything going on. Or rather, that went on. It's been nearly two weeks since the incident and so far, we've both done a good job of acting like something life changing didn't go on. As sick at it is, a part of me actually hoped he'd have forgotten. Like he could. I'm such a fool. I focus on the ripple of muscles on his back as we make out, racking my head actively for what to say, anything at all to lessen the tension."How was it at the hospital?". I ask quietly. What I really mean to ask is how is he? I'm a bit scared of that answer. Because I know I don't want him to be fine."He's….the same". Alex says, his voice neutral. I resist the urge to let out a sigh of relief. He's stitin the coma. Why the hell won't he just….die alread
I seek his lips desperately as we make our way upstairs. We crash through the door blindly and make our way to the bed. Despite the heat of the moment, Alex places me on the bed gently, taking time to ensure that my arm isn't a position that could potentially hurt it."Where did you say that zipper was again?". He asks, mocking resignation in his voice. I chuckle and reach for the little pink hook, sliding it open. Alex gladly takes over, opening it the rest of the way and parting the dress on either sides of my body. I'm well and truly naked in front of him now and I can't wait for feel his skin against mine. He positions between my legs. I firstly think he's going to part me wider and slide into me already but he seems to have other plans. He lowers his head and kisses my face tenderly. He doesn't stop there. He continues to trail the tiniest, more featherlight kisses down my cheek, neck and finally, my chest. I arch upwards, inviting him to take my nipple in his mouth but he has ot
My heart rate quickens as he claims my mouth again. Every single nerve in my body seems to be alert. He brings an arm forward to wrap around my waist, pulling me tightly against his frame, making me feel what I'm doing to him. The bulge in his pants is hard, proud and unflinching. He wants me to feel it, and that's exactly what I do. With my semi-good arm wrapped loosely around his waist, I reach down with my good arm and reach for his zipper fumbling around awkwardly for it. When I finally pull it apart, I feel that front of his briefs staining against the pressure of his cock. It wants free, and I'm here for that. Before I can reach for his waistband, I feel his hand snake under the hem of my short dress and reach upwards. The breath catches in my throat at the delicious sensation and my nails embed crescents into his back as I dig them into him. He takes his time, hiking his fingers up my inner thighs, leaving after him a delicious trail of heat that tingles my core. Subconsciousl
By the time my arms starts to heal, I'm damn well already tired of staying in bed. But Alex is strict about it, not letting me up for longer than necessary. When the bullet wound finally healed enough for me to move my arms, I was more than elated to let him know.I'm just in bed when Tori brings up a lovely bouquet of roses. I groan but inside of me, I'm screaming and melting. Ever since I got shot, Alex has pointedly given me the best of attentions. He brings me flowers every single day and makes sure the words are barely out of my mouth before my wishes are met. Tori has been a lovely help by his side and if anything, I was really glad to see her again at least. On the times Alex had to leave me to be present for work, she kept me good company and this little development got us even closer than ever. It's official, I genuinely like her and she seems to like me too. As she brings the flowers up, the smile on her face is unmatched."Here we go again. This man is going to overload thi
My mind regains consciousness first before my body does. As I come to, I take the deepest breath I can manage and the first thing I notice is the fact that the air smells of….flowers. Lavenders, roses….and something else. I can quite place a finger on it. It…. really can't be, can it? There's no way I made it to heaven. The Lord must have had a lot of mercy on my soul to have put me here. I must say though, the flowers smell way too earthy. I'd think the flowers in heaven would be different. And so slowly, I let my eyes drift open as I prepare to be bewildered.I take in the pearly white ceiling above me first. When it finally seems like I might have enough control over my body to swivel my neck, I turn at small angles to glance at either sides of me. My brows furrow in mild confusion as I take in all of my surroundings. It somehow looks…. familiar. I try to push up on my arms but a pain so sharp shoots up right into my arm's length. I wince loudly and plop back on to the pillow. That
I see his eyes widen as he rushes forward. I'm full on crying now, the tears streaming down my face and obscuring my vision. It feels like a miracle, perhaps this is the one miracle to make up for all the years of misfortune I've gone through. "Nicole!!!". Alex rushes forward and firstly reaches for my hands that are still taped behind me. "Are you okay? Fuck, what the hell is even going on?". His breaths are coming hard and fast as he works on freeing my hands. From the sitting room, I hear Ace's grunts as he probably tries to get on his feet. Alex's blows must have landed well. When I hear his grunts coming closer, I feel a sense of panic settle in my chest again but thankfully, the tape comes undone around my wrists and for a moment, my hands feel too good to be mine. The blood flows right in my arms again and it's the most delicious sensation ever. Ace walks in through the door right in that moment and I see that the lower half of his face and a good fraction of the front of his