Nicholas King
I yawned in the early afternoon while staring at the multiple word files on my email from Reyna, awaiting my review. No matter how hard I tried to get my head into the game, memories of Eliana leaving my place kept finding their way into my mind. In addition, the wound Allan's betrayal caused was still fresh.Since I couldn't get anything done, I decided to get online as a distraction. With Allan's resignation, work was too much, so I needed to get back to work mode as fast as possible. The first video I came across on social media had my eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. Gavin was holding Eliana's waist and owning her in front of the cameras as both of them were getting interviewed. I didn't have the strength to look at it entirely, but I caught Gavin saying that Eliana was indeed his new girlfriend and that he wasn't lying like the other time."Daamn it!" I banged my fist on my desk, then pushed my office chair backward, ignoring thElianaMy head was pounding, but I kept it held high, walking with Gavin as his security team finally pushed the paparazzis away. Question after question ran through my mind. Had Nicholas seen the interview? What was his reaction? Was he going to forgive me?"I didn't tell you that this dress outlines your figure just the way I like it," Gavin's annoying compliment snapped me out of my thoughts."Why thank you!" I faked enthusiasm."I bet you taste as good as you look," he added, making me roll my eyes."Anyway, there is the annual Excellence Awards for the business community in this state," Gavin said after the interview, as he led me to the backyard of his residence."How does it concern me?" I spat, looking sharply at his arm as he guided it around my waist. His touch stirred bile in my gut, but I had to deal with it because it was the only way."Watch your mouth, Ellie; remember, you are at my mercy here," he added,
Nicholas"Good afternoon boss." A series of the same greeting filled my ears as I walked to the specific spare room in my club. In the same place, I mistakenly moaned Ellie's name instead of Lilith. From what one of the bouncers had told me downstairs, she was already inside, drowning several glasses of margarita."I thought I was dreaming," Lilith screamed, running into my arms the moment I got inside the room. Her arms on my body repulsed me, so I pushed her back a little gently, keeping in mind that she was the key to figuring out what Gavin was on about."Come on, Nick, she is with Gavin now; can't you see that?" she whined, wobbling a bit as she turned to follow me towards the couch by the bed. It was an entirely good thing she still wanted me. That meant that I could use her to get some information concerning Gavin."Coming from a person who betrayed me and joined forces with my enemy," I spoke calmly, crossing my legs."You chose that college bitch...""Don't you dare insult El
Eliana"Who would have thought that you'd one day dine with me in my house, plotting the downfall of your step-uncle, or should I say boyfriend?" Gavin mocked, adding a smirk while he pulled his dining chair to sit back down. I pressed my teeth rathed hard, wishing for the day I would get to wipe the fucking smirk off his face."And to think that you two thought I wouldn't put two and two together... that you are romantically involved?" He laughed while I bit the inside of my cheek. He had left to receive a call, which took him almost 20 minutes, only to come back mocking me. It must have been about my mom or his plot against Nicholas.Earlier, after he carried his phone to the bathroom, I came up with an excuse not to take the shower, saying that I didn't have undergarments to change. He suggested sending someone to buy them or getting them online, but I told him that I preferred getting them myself. In the process, I noticed he had two iPhones, both with black, distinct cases. One w
Nicholas"Shit! Eliana." My stomach constricted into a tight ball. The thought of her in the presence of Gavin had my brain freeze for a moment."Relax; Gavin wouldn't dare hurt her. He knows she's important in his stupid plan." Allan stood, placing his hand on my shoulder and making me step aside."She is out there," I pointed at the door, then continued, "right now, with him. What if he just snaps and decides to..." I couldn't finish up the sentence because the next words jammed in my throat."I'm calling her," Rob stated, fishing his phone out. Their relationship seemed to grow stronger with every passing day, given the fact that she had chosen to stay with him.I watched as he placed his phone against his ear, triggering the waiting game. Tapping my foot on the floor, I began counting the seconds. When she didn't pick up, my adrenaline just shot up. Without a word, I turned for the door, my vision kind of tunnelling before me."Nick wait!" Allan called, stopping me right in front
Eliana"I want to be left alone," I said when the guestroom door was knocked."Open up, Ellie; it's me." Allan's voice drifted inside."If he's there, I will close the door on your face," I warned, dragging my feet."If you mean Nicholas, he left without a word as soon as you closed your bedroom door." I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to stop emotions from taking control over me. The Nick I knew would have followed me, but to hear he had already left? I couldn't pretend that it didn't make my chest ache."Come in." I stepped aside when I opened the door as Allan stepped in."He is hurting, Ellie," he said, his words making me swallow thickly to soothe my drying throat."I attached the chip to his SIM card slot," I uttered, deciding not to comment on Allan's previous statement."For real?""Haven't you seen anything from your end?" I asked, sitting on the bed."I was a little caught up," he rubbed his neck sheepishly, avoiding eye contact."I understand. Catching up with friends
NicholasI covered my head with my pillow when my phone rang somewhere on the bed. The ringtone felt like it was playing inside my ears, tormenting my banging head. I almost shouted "hallelujah" when it stopped, only for it to ring again after a few seconds."The fuck is wrong with some people?" I groaned, wondering why the person hadn't just left a simple voicemail instead of being stubborn. The only way to stop the disturbance was to grabble on the bed for the phone with my eyes still closed. When I finally found it, I blindly pressed on the screen, hoping it would end the call."Why in the hell aren't you answering my calls? Been calling since 8 and you just let it ring, are you ignoring me?" Allan went all loud, shouting over the phone like a madman, while I struggled to cover my ears. It wasn't enough, though, because I heard everything. I was pretty sure the phone wasn't on loudspeaker, even though Allan was clear."Shut up," I weakly responded, with my eyes still closed."Wait,
"Please, dad, stay with me," I breathlessly whispered, cradling my father's head on my lap."I-I..l-ove..." My father sputtered, gagging on his own blood as he attempted to speak."Ssshhh," I soothed, blinking back tears."I know you love me, but right now, I don't want you to strain. The medics will be here soon." I didn't know who I was trying to convince—my dad or myself. I wasn't stupid; I could see his eyes beginning to close while his face began to pale."Muum! What's taking too long?" It was a miracle I could still speak coherently. My mother was pacing frantically, her phone on her ear, trying to get through to the emergency call line. She ran towards us, her stilettos clicking on the wooden floor."Help is on the way; the ambulance will be here shortly. Honey, I need you to look at me; don't you close those eyes on me." She knelt beside us, placing the phone on the floor."El...iana." He called, spitting blood from his mouth. My mother worked on pressing his bullet wound with
Eliana (Three Months Later)"Are you insane? How can you be getting married barely three months after dad was shot and killed? Have you forgotten you nearly died too?" I snapped at my mother, shooting up from the couch as if I was possessed."Weren't you the one who kept on worrying about me staying alone? About getting a person to protect me? Well, this is me doing just that," my mother calmly replied, uncrossing her legs as she remained seated. Her nonchalance on the matter did not sit well with me. It reminded me of how oddly calm she handled my father's death."But I didn't hint at you getting married! The case hasn't even been solved yet; dad's killer is still at large, and you're...you know what? I'm leaving." I wasn't dressed up, but the last thing I wanted was to stay anywhere near my mother at that time. She was betraying my father in the worst possible way, yet she didn't seem bothered at all."So you do not want me to be happy. You want me to stay miserable for the rest of