Natalie's POVFiancé?I must've heard her wrong or maybe it's another Nikolas we are talking about here...Maybe she misunderstood me or maybe I did. Maybe I am in the wrong apartment. It...it doesn't make any sense. He was with me last night, he said he liked me, he asked me to be his girlfriend.He spent half of the day with me, he went with me to see my dad, we were going to dinner tonight as a...couple.I extended the phone forward, "Give him this when he comes back," I mumbled, my tone neutral, the total opposite of the war raging in my brain. I was still trying to understand and adjust to this, because the Nikolas I know wouldn't possibly go and do something like that.But true, I only know parts of him, who am I kidding?She took the phone from my grip, her eyes drifting back to me, "Who should I tell him?"For a second there, I just looked at her, taking her features in, her brown eyes, her tanned skin, and the hint of accent in her voice that proved she wasn't from around here
Nikolas's POVHe threw his words proudly, the smug look in his eyes proved to me he is hiding something; that one single thing which I can't put my finger on, the missing unknown in the equation, the one that could finally give me the upper hand over him.His eyes drifted to Natalie, one last time before they fell on me again, in his gaze a warning and a threat to get away from her or else. My jaw tightened, my unwavering gaze telling him I am no way near submitting to his orders. His lips twitched, hiding his sadistic smile before he ended it there and turned around, leaving, followed by his men and I tightened my arm around Emma, feeling her determination to break free and run after him.A groan rumbled from her throat and when I was sure he's gone, I loosened my grip, finally letting her go. Her chest heaved with each angry breath she took, the rage pushing in and out, spreading like wildfire over the skin of her neck and painting it red, "He should die," She grated out, her eyes o
Nikolas's POVShock and anger swirled in my chest at the news and his insistence to hide it from me. Their voices faded away for a second or two as I tried to grasp this new fact, my mind going around in a loop, coming to terms with how this affects different aspects of my life.Isaac...he is keeping the kid away from everyone. Why?And Natalie, her baby brother is alive and she has no clue."How did you know?" Ronald's voice broke through my many thoughts, shaking me back to the present, my eyes drifting up to his face, to the confusion radiating off his eyes in waves, "How do you know his name?"The shock faded away, leaving me with an immense rage, it pushed me forward, my mind blanking out, it short-circuited, failing to think logically. My hand landed on Alex's arm, pushing him out of my way as I reached for Ronald. My fingers wrapped over his collar, pulling him closer before my other hand collided with his face, the force of my punch pushing him, and he stumbled backward. I was
Natalie's POV"What did you do?" I asked again when he didn't answer, his previous tone scaring the hell out of me, and the worst scenarios cooked up in my mind.When it comes to his lifestyle, I can't help but think of the unthinkable.He just rested the side of his head over my chest, pretty much comfortable. My hand moved from his cheek to his hair, running my fingers through it and smoothing it back. I couldn't deny that I was partially enjoying this little moment by having him this close, he isn't usually the very touchy type, but drunk him is breaking all the rules."Nikolas," I called for him again."Hmm?" He said, nuzzling his head as if I am the most comfortable pillow ever."You said you did something, what happened?" I asked, "You're getting me worried."He just shook his head, "Shush, let's not talk about that," He mumbled and as I stared down at his innocent expression, I couldn't hold back my smile and shook any other thought away. If it's serious, he will tell it to me
Nikolas's POV"Yes, and to that we are forever grateful, right Matteo?" Mia said, nudging her bodyguard slash boyfriend with her elbow, asking him to suck it up.I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his whining before I handed him the envelope, "Everything you need is here, new IDs, passports," I explained, "The jet will take you to a town, far away from here, where no one would ever think to look for you. I have someone there to pick you up and get you settled down," I added, I had everything taken care of, "You never step a foot in London again, and you'll be doing us both a favor.""It's the last thing I want to do anyway," Matteo mumbled, more to himself, proving to me I am kind of doing the right thing.Mia whispered something before she let go of his hand and stepped forward, facing me. Her boyfriend took a couple of steps backward, leaving us to speak alone per her request. He leaned his back against the car and crossed his arms over his chest, his narrowed gaze focused on me
Natalie's POVI didn't understand a single thing.Not that I ever do when it comes to Nikolas and his messed-up life.But that didn't stop me from crouching down beside the little kid, taken aback by the immense agony in his beautiful eyes. My heart ached and I forced on a smile, warmly approaching him when he seemed to be distancing himself away from everyone, whether it's from Nikolas, or the other kids playing around the small field.He placed his small hand in mine, shaking it, "It's Christian," He mumbled when I asked for his name, hesitant to be telling such information to a full stranger but my warm approach gave him the slightest comfort as he added, "But you can call me Chris."My head tilted as I gazed at him some more, trying to understand his situation. He looked too skinny for his age, not the healthy type but the one coming from improper nutrition. His skin was whitish pale and the eyes that should be all bright and innocent at this age, looked so broken, severely pullin
Nikolas's POVMy eyes were only on her, studying her expression, her body language, and embracing myself for the worst. She blinked, the shock wrapped up with the bitter realization as she gazed at him, her lips parted, out of words, and in a span of a second only, all of that faded away and was replaced with utter disbelief and anger."Natalie," Ronald breathed out, still very much in shock to make sense of the situation.His voice fired her up more, the blue of her eyes darkened, the bag in her hand fell to the floor as she angrily marched forward and without uttering a single word, her hand went and harshly collided with his face, the slap resonating with an echo into the silent house. My eyes slightly grew wider, not expecting this much hostility from her side. Alex's mouth dropped open, "What the-," He mumbled, gaping at the scene that played ahead of us, so unaware of the facts behind it.Natalie didn't say a thing, but she was panting, her rage sucking all the oxygen away from
Natalie's POVI could see the heartbreak wrap up with the shock in his gaze and I wanted to cry and just cry till no tears will be left...but I held myself back."What do you mean?" The words left him as a mere whisper and I wanted to step forward and wrap him up in my embrace, I wanted to tell him that I don't want this either, that just last night I slept in your arms and realized just how intense my feelings for you are.I wanted to tell him that I am falling for him, faster than the speed of light, but instead, "It's better if we break up, Nikolas," The words left my mouth with so much certainty that split my heart into half."But," He tried to say, lines etched between his forehead as he took a step closer. I involuntarily took one backward, scared of his closeness and what it could do to me, "But we didn't even talk about what happened, Natalie."I shook my head, "There is nothing to talk about," I mumbled, "There will always be lies with you, there will always be things hidden,
By lunchtime, Tanya came back, she asked for the kid's attention, and the responsible attendee tried to calm them all down, ushering them to leave the toys, sit and listen. Alex let go of his legos and scooted backward, accidentally laying his back against me as he intently listened. I looked down at him, unable to have enough as Tanya announced that one of the kids was leaving, that he got adopted and she urged the rest to bid him goodbye. I think it's just one of the things they do around here. My eyes were on Alex still, so I noticed the way his shoulders slumped down at the news, a low breath leaving him as he pressed his chin over his pulled up legs, staring at the kid as he hugged the others, happy and giddy that he has his own family now. "What's wrong?" I asked, inching my head closer to his face, so he could hear me through the loud shatter around us. He turned his head to look at me, his brows pinched in sadness, "I want to go too," He said, his voice the softest sweetest
Leya's POV"Do you know a story?" He asked, out of the blue, his eyes closed still, I even thought he had drifted off minutes ago, but apparently not."Uh...a story?" I asked, confused."Hmm," He hummed, "I didn't have anyone to tell me bed-time stories before Frank took me," He explained, "After that, Linda used to tell me a story every night, it used to help me sleep," He was speaking but his tone proved that he was half here, half on the way toward unconsiousness."Oh, I don't know any story, I am sorry," I mumbled."I knew you wouldn't know," He said, his tone wasn't accusing or anything, just low and tired, stating a fact he believed in; that I lack any characteristic a mother should have, which isn't a lie anyway.A couple of minutes passed till he was finally fast asleep. My eyes never left his face all through, for the very first time in so long he was right beside me, his head resting over my lap. He wasn't shouting nor pushing me away. I didn't know what to do or even say.
Nikolas's POVAlex grumbled something as I pushed him inside the car. He immediately fell into the seat, his head tilting backward and pressing against the headrest, eyes closed, more than ready to fall back asleep. He was a gone case after all that we drank but for some reason, I still felt sober and aware. No amount of alcohol served its purpose to make me forget or at least lessen the pain pulsing through my head and body.It was near impossible to let loose or relax after all that happened.A loud sigh parted my lips at my failed attempts before I joined Alex in the backseat, exhausted and de-energized as I fell down beside him. Ronald looked at us through the rearview mirror, "Where to?"Alex opened his eyes, "I am way too drunk," He slurred out, "Do not take me home," He added, moving to the side and leaving the wide space of the car to press himself into me. His head fell into my shoulder, using it as his pillow, moving his head around and picking up a comfortable spot as he cl
"We are not driving," I pointed out when I saw his eyes flicker to his car. He groaned and I pushed him with me down the road, "Where the hell are we going?" He said, being a whiney bitch per usual.I kept ignoring him as my drunk mind navigated the way, we were so close anyway, so no way we'd get lost, my drunk brain assured me as I walked us to the targeted destination. We reached the Huntington beach pier shortly after. I internally praised myself for being able to reach here even in my intoxicated state. We walked along the bridge, the air chilly and brisk as we descended down the stairs. Nik kept mumbling some words and whining, disturbed that I pulled him out of his little comfort zone in the bar.I reached the bridge's pillars, right beside the sea, and picked a clean spot before I dropped down, placing the liquor bottle beside me and opening up the cap. Nik hovered over, glaring down at me and I patted the space by my side, "Sit and stop being so unpleasant."He rolled his eye
He was looking at me as I counted a few, the frown between his eyebrow deepened at my words, and his lips curled up in annoyance, at himself I guess because he nodded his head, sighing, "Yeah, you're right. I am all of those."I nodded, "Yeah, but at least you're honest with yourself about it, that's a good thing," I tried to praise him a little, you know, trying not to kick a man when he's down, "You're also a little good looking, which sometimes could slightly compensate for your annoying persona."He stared back at me in pure puzzlement, "We are blessed with good genes, be grateful for that," I added, "Me blessed more than you of course, but yeah."His eyebrow raised, not satisfied by me constantly undermining him. He placed his hand over my arm and pushed it away from around his shoulder. I shot him a glare and placed it back. He huffed out loudly, irritated by my mere presence, "Stop touching me!""Shush, you love me," I said as I pinched his cheek.He groaned in annoyance and I
Alex's POV"Hello?" I said, my tone questioning at the unknown number calling me at this hour as I leaned my back against the car, my eyes focused on the bar across the road from me, my gaze studying the interior and searching for someone in specific as I gazed through from the ceiling-length glass window.No answer came from the other line, but I could distinctly hear someone suck into a deep breath, hesitant or maybe playing a game on me. Having no time for this bullshit, I almost hung up at the lack of answer but right then, a specific voice mumbled a low, "Alex."My jaw tightened, my eyes pressed shut immediately, and a harsh breath pushed its way out of my chest; where the hell did she even get my number from? Does she ever give up?"What do you want?" I asked, rather harshly but I didn't care. She should be grateful I didn't shut the call the second I heard her annoying voice.My eyes caught a glimpse of Nikolas inside, my head tilted as I tried to get a better look, preparing m
Nikolas's POV"Are you just gonna follow me everywhere?" I shot out, glaring at Ronald as he followed me to the parking lot, he has been on my tail since I woke up."Where are you going?" He asked, pushing his nose into my business.I unlocked my car and opened the door, my hand rested on its edge as my eyes flickered to him, "Ronald, look, you are like my least favorite person in the world, so if you don't leave me alone, I might actually kill you," My words didn't sound threatening at all. I was still tired, and energyless, whatever meds they put in me is still active and is messing with my head.Not waiting to hear more from him, I got in and roared the engine to life, taking off before he tries to join me as well. I lowered the window as I sped down the highway, letting the cold air in, hoping it can blunt off some of the ache in my chest as I drove to my new apartment. I am slightly better now, mental-wise, I am kind of ready finally interact with them.Parking the car in its spo
The one thing to shake me out of my thoughts was the ringing of my phone. A loud breath left my lungs as I gave it a look to find a very unexpected call from Natalie. My eyebrows pulled closer as I pressed the answer button, "Hello," I said, my tone a bit questioning, taken aback by seeing her name."Hey, Alex," Her voice enveloped the inside of the car as I started the engine and took off into the road, "I am sorry to disturb you but uh-""No, no, you're not, what's up?"A low sigh came from her side, "If you are available, can we meet, I just want to talk, just a couple of minutes only, I won't take much from your time.""Yeah, sure," I said, checking the time, "I am free now, where are you, I can come wherever you are," I can go to Nikolas right after that, because whatever she wants to talk about is Nikolas-related for sure."I am at my house now, you can come by here if you want, or I could meet you somewhere if you are far," She sounded somber, a bit dejected, so not like her ch
Alex's POVI covered Cara and Lilly well before I carefully took Max in my arms and placed him in his crib by the bed, dropping a kiss on his head before I pulled the blanket over his body. I moved toward the door, my eyes taking one look and making sure all is okay before I left the room.Grabbing my jacket and keys, I left the house, silently closing the door behind me while texting Katherine to drop by and stay by Cara's side while I am out. Emma already left two men by the house, guarding and assessing the whole situation, just in case something happens but still, I would rather not have Cara be left alone for the time being.I got into my car but didn't drive away yet. I rested my back against the seat and closed my eyes for a brief second, breathing in and out. The air very tight in my chest, anxiousness wrapping over every alive nerve in my being, my body and mind unable to relax for some reason, as if sensing that something is just not right, something waiting to happen and im