Mike thought about texting back and sending her a message, but he was clueless about what he was going to say. Mike thought about telling Nicole of his response to the message she sent earlier about celebrating, in person. Since it was lunchtime, Mike was considering asking Nicole to join him. Although he could only afford the food available in the school cafeteria, Mike was hoping Nicole would not turn down his offer to buy her lunch for now. There is one major problem with his plans. Mike doesn’t know where to find Nicole within the whole campus. Mike did not get a copy of the itinerary of her subjects list. ‘Come to think of it. I don’t even know her major yet!’ Mike murmured.It has always been Nicole finding him first. Whether she would ask her bodyguards to fetch Mike or demand him to meet her somewhere, it had always been Nicole telling Mike where to meet. Mike felt lost. He only has an hour break. ‘Think! Think!’ Mike closed his eyes to concentrate. He tried to recall if
After thinking about how Mike could execute his move without compromising Nicole's safety inside the room, Mike came up with a crazy idea. He quickly looked around as if in search of something, and when he found it somewhere in the hallway, Mike did as indicated in its label, and the fire alarm system activated. Then from where he found the alarm button, Mike started to bang on every door he passed by."Get out of here! before the smoke gets worse!"Mike kept screaming like there was a real fire in the building, banging every door as if knocking on them to inform the people behind it and step out of the building as soon as they got to hear his voice. Those that heard him fled, and the panicked footsteps of people running their way out of the building could be heard. "This is not a drill! I repeat! This is not a drill!" Mike kept shouting. There were only a few students left, so it was not much of a chaos. No one got hurt on their way out, and Mike saw some people running their way i
“Boss!” Fhadz exclaimed in horror as soon as he saw Nicole almost looking lifeless in Mike’s arms. The bodyguard feared more for his life. This was a total negligence on his part as the head of Nicole’s security team. No matter if it was a concrete fact that Nicole had clearly ordered him and the rest of her bodyguards to stand post outside the buildings wherever she would be taking her lessons, including when she went to Mike’s house, the employee’s housing building, that wouldn’t be enough to reason out to their bosses, Nicole’s parents, the parker couple, once they know about this incident at school. “What the hell did they do to her?” Fhadz murmured while assisting Mike to step out of the room. “Can you ask anyone to bring the vehicle right in front of the building so we do not attract too much attention while we move her out of here?” Mike asked Fhadz worriedly. Fhadz readily agreed. He dialed a number quickly and demanded to make sure the car arrived within ten minutes. Then
Not many people noticed that it was Nicole being carried like a princess in the arms of a male student as they walked out of the building and into the vehicle that was waiting for them upfront of the lecture building. The lunch break was almost at its end and students, along with school employees and everyone in the surroundings had started to return to their usual schedules and were not so mindful of the things they were not concerned about. Besides, the commotion ended when the vehicle where Charlie and his companions were told to get into left. Not knowing the beginning of the issue led people to feel less curious about it. To top it all off, those involved were infamous students in the campus. Those bullies do not deserve any concern from the school citizen, students or faculty members alike. Mike had Nicole’s face hidden within his embrace, so it was not easy to identify who the girl was in Mike’s arms. Even the car was not recognizable since it was a color black SUV. The model
“Boss….?”Fhadz was so hesitant to ask but he was fully aware that he had to swallow his spit, bite the bullet and ask away. As the team leader of Nicole Parker’s security team, Fhadz Ling had to report the incident to the senior bosses, after all. But asking his boss felt like digging his grave, because the mere thought reminds him of his incompetence to do his job. Kissing his high-paying job was the least of his worries right now, his career might end here aw well if the documents of his dismissal indicates the reason why he was fired from his last job was!“Are you worried you’ll lose your job because of what happened today?” Nicole asked as if it was not anything Fhadz should ever get worried about.“I’m sorry, Boss….”Fhadz Ling was even more horrified to think that Nicole was acting so nonchalant about it. Or, was he mistaking the young Boss’ reactions? Fhadz had no way to make sure what the answer could be, he could only assume things. And the more he was unsure, the more it
Despite Nicole’s orders, Fhadz Ling did not get to hold himself from reporting what happened to his superiors. He was ready to accept his faults and admit his incompetence even if it leads to getting fired. The ex-marine was not feeling comfortable that he was being paid handsomely and not able to do as expected of him to be doing. Fhadz Ling was regretful, yes, and he would have done better if Nicole did not give them the order to stand posts from a distance whenever she was in a lecture building. Nevertheless, Fhadz Ling did not want to put the blame on his immediate boss. He was a security personnel. His duty was to protect his client. That was all, and yet he failed to do so!Fhadz was afraid to lose his job, but the guilt was eating him. So, he wanted to come forward and confess about his shortcomings to his senior employers, the Parker couple. Fhadz dialed the direct line Mrs. Parker gave him to reach them directly in case of emergencies. “Fhadz Ling?” Mrs. Parker asked with
“Hi, there!” Jude Parker, Nicole’s dad, greeted with expressed enthusiasm. Mike was glad to hear the father greet him with a cheerful voice and tone, it comforted him somehow. Mike was not at ease to be in Nicole’s place, especially about being in her room as they spoke to her parents even if it was just over the phone.However, Mike’s gladness disappeared as quickly as how it came.“Mike Wilson, did I get your name right, Mike?” The lady who looked so much alike Nicole spoke with an aloof and a sense of demeaning behavior. “May I ask what do you want from my daughter?” Lisa Parker, the mom, asked coldly.Just like the smoke of steam when something is boiling, the good mood vanished. The ambience became chilly and uncomfortable.Jude and Nicole were taken aback by Lisa’s sudden change in tone and approach as she spoke to the young man, whom their daughter was friends with. “I do not want anything from Nicole aside from the friendship that we already have,” Mike replied in the same m
Nicole’s POVI wanted to knock my own head. I am acting impulsive again! I was angered by how my mom spoke to Mike over the phone earlier. Her shown behavior slapped me hard in the face. How could she think I would be friends with someone who would make fun of me?!It was the very first time I brought someone with me to my home. Even if she had any dislike about the person I was friends with, she shouldn’t have let her honest impressions of the person show without knowing anything about his background. I was feeling over protective of Mike, despite the fact that the person involved being my own mother. But as I think deeper, I weigh which one of them to keep my grasp on and which of them to drop in my hold. I hate the fact that they weigh both heavy in my heart. My mom is my mom. I cannot be so foolish to disown her just because of a man. But Mike is not just a man. He is a good man. I cannot visualize a life with a different person being this close with me. Maybe that is just for t
“Really?” Jude Parker said. “I didn’t hear the sound of it.” “When did the two of you leave the room?” Nicole asked worriedly. “When Chris said she needed to pee,” Mac answered innocently. “I see,” Nicole answered. “Did you ask for help from the nannies?” the mother asked gently. “Mac helped me. Right, Mac?” the little girl widened her eyes to her bother as if telling him to just agree. “Ah, yeah. Right!” Mac answered after nodding with his eyes closed to Chris as if affirming Chris’ words to be true. But their actions made the people around them doubt that whatever they were saying was the entire truth and nothing but the truth! “I have to welcome my guest,” Jude said. Then he turned to Lisa and the twins. “Do you mind if you guys come with me?” “Let’s go!” The twins answered excitedly. “The two of you should take your time. Mike, she cannot walk with speed yet like we normally do. Can I entrust her to your care or shall I do it myself?” Jude asked seriously. “Please,
“First things first,” Jude said. He fished his phone out of his pocket and right in front of everyone at the table, he dialed a number and spoke like he was alone in the room. “My friend, am I not going to beat around the bush.” Jude’s words obviously expressed closeness to the person he was talking to. Not just by the tone and informality of his words, but by the loud cackle he made after saying them with a radiant smile sporting his face. But with only himself hearing the response of the person he was speaking to over the phone, only Jude’s voice could be heard by everyone with him in the room. “I am in darn need of your help, right now. And that means to say I need your presence right here in my place. I will send you the address—”Jude took a halt as if the other person said something to make him pause from his words. But the older man just laughed even louder than earlier he did. “I know, I know. Of course. Yeah. Yeah—” He halted again for a moment but reasoned with a boistero
Third Person's POVThe family of four, Mike, Nicole, Mac, and Chris, along with the older couple Lisa and Jude Parker had a wonderful meal. But of course, it didn’t end there. The whole day they had a blast. From the dining room where they had the most enjoyable brunch meal one could ever ask to experience, being with their beloved ones, the whole family moved to the air-conditioned gazebo in the backyard to enjoy their dessert. Aside from Chris, who chose to eat the cake first before eating the meal as her request, although it had been her habit to eat their servings before eating something else which made her take just a bite of the cake and eat her meal like everyone else at the table, everyone had the taste of the cake at the fancy resting room in the gazebo after their brunch. then they moved to the family recreation room or more of the kids’ play gallery to watch the twins play. “I am glad you all liked it,” Mike stated timidly. “This bakery is not unfamiliar to us, actually,
Mike’s POV“Oh, that cake….” I mindlessly murmured when we arrived at the dining table and saw the design of the cake that I bought for Mac. The very same reason I had to run back home because I realized halfway down the stairs of my apartment building that I was not carrying anything in my hand aside from my phone. “I believe this is from you,” Mister Parker said as I timidly stood after I assisted Nicky to sit properly and comfortably on her chair. “But Fhadz brought it in when Mac realized you guys left the cake in the car,” he continued. I nodded as I smiled shyly. I had guessed Mac was from a well-off family. That was one of the reasons why I was hesitant to grant his request when he said he was inviting me to his birthday party. The same reason why I was cautious and conscious of what gift to bring him so I wouldn’t be attending his birthday party with empty hands. “I am not sure what to buy and bring for Mac to his birthday party and I have not been to any children’s party
Nicole’s POV“Dad, you might have to carry Mom to the dining hall,” my bubbly daughter said to Mike.“Huh?” Mike grunted.He seemed flustered for a moment. But before Chris could say anything to acknowledge Mike’s very brief expression, Mac explained to Mike for Chris as if they were telepathic about what Chris was going to say to elaborate on her words.It amazed me how my toddlers could communicate in such a mystical way, even in other instances where they seemed to have the same idea and thoughts. I guess I will never know such things on my own because I never had and never will I ever get the chance to have a twin sibling in this lifetime.“Mom has been in a wheelchair for years, but she started taking treatment and therapy a few months ago. I think she is a bit shocked to have you around today. Her legs must have frozen again. She can’t walk,” Mac spoke indifferently.“What do you mean?” Mike asked, frowning. More than any other emotions, I saw pain and regret in his eyes as he
Mike’s POV“I am glad you didn’t know. See, you are graduating from your chosen course. While I am still taking my degree,” Nicole laughed softly, comforting me. My chest hurt like crazy, but the fact– although it was unbelievable, that Nicky was comforting me appeased me as well. Her simple words, the mere sound of her voice, the mere scent radiating from her body–even from her breath, they all soothed me like magic. Yet, again, I could not keep the sound of my muffled cries from being heard. But Nicky continued. “I had to take a longer break than usual maternity cases due to the accident.”The last word she mentioned pierced my heart fiercely again. I blame myself so badly for shutting myself out from anything that had to do with Nicky. I begged Justin not to mention her name or anything about her. Now, even if Justin knew about what happened back then, I can’t blame him for not telling me. This thought made me groan in pain even more.“Don’t despair so much. We got who the crim
Nicole’s POVI struggled to collect my composure. I was drowning in different emotions. I have always feared to meet Mike after parting ways with him saying I was going to study abroad when all the while, I wasn’t planning on leaving the city, let alone the country. And when I got into an accident, my condition made that decision even firmer. Well, I could have had chosen to get treatment from somewhere with better medical facilities and assistance to ensure everything would be next to perfect, but I did not want to be farther than how I already was from Mike, so I preferred to stay and asked my parents to hire the best in the field of medicine to take care of me personally at the comfort of my home when I was able to be sent home for further recuperation. But now that Mike was right in front of me, there was only one emotion that felt so immense and potent to care about anything else. My heartbeat was pounding my chest so wildly, I had lost control on what words slipped out of my l
Mike’s POV“Dad!!!!”“I missed you!”These words scared me like hell. But who could blame me? I was standing in the yard of a fancy house without a doubt that this property belongs to someone rich. But to call me “Dad” by a girl, a cute, sweet, and adorably lovely little girl, I was afraid the real dad would show up in front of me and give me a punch right on my face. Okay, maybe that would be too much, to be violent. But I don’t think I will like even the thought of my child calling someone else “Dad” instead of me. “Let’s get inside,” said Mac, after introducing the girl as his twin sister. With the little girl named Chris in my arms, I walked along with Mac when he started heading to the front door of the house. Everything in the surroundings was unfamiliar to me. I don’t think I have even been here in this house before. The interior of the house patently showed luxury and kids friendly, including the wallpapers, the guarded corners of the sharp-edged furniture around it, as we
Nicole’s POV“Let’s get inside.”From inside the house, I heard Mac said after my daughter bolted to meet her dad. I couldn’t move. “Sweetie, are you alright?” My dad asked gently. I nodded. “You don’t look like you’re alright to me, though,” my dad whispered. “You’re so pale, dear. Would you like to go on with the plan or join the kids when you’re ready?” My mom was obviously worried for me. I’m not so sure I was ready. When Mac said he was going to pick up Mike, I was hesitant, yes, but I could tell I was just half-hearted. However, when I heard the sound of the vehicle approaching our yard and stopped there, my heart started pounding. Now, my legs, which had been back and almost perfectly normal, wouldn’t even budge. Not just that, because my stupid legs were shaking out of control! I couldn’t even get up from where I was sitting while waiting for my son to return home.“Wait, Mac, are you sure I will survive if I step inside your house?” Mike asked Mac with the sound of playf