Chapter 17

MAY

“Harry?” Mama looked shocked. “How do you know that person?”

“I saw him earlier,” I muttered. “He came to talk to me and Nicholas arrived in the midst of it. Nicholas looked so angry so I guessed they have bad blood. I don't know exactly what happened between them but I thought you would know.”

Mama sighed.

“I was just going to ask you if you'd like some tea. Follow me, Miss. Let's talk over tea,” Mama told me. Smiling, I followed her. I was going to get the answers I wanted very soon.

**

“Both of them were best friends. They knew each other inside out and from the way they bonded, I never thought there would come a day they would be enemies. It is still unbelievable!” Mama told me. She looked like she was in pain herself.

“Why did they become enemies?” I asked calmly.

“Sandra…” Mama blurted out. “It all started because of that girl. She was just an intern in Nicholas's workplace and somehow, the cold Nicholas fell in love with her. It was magical. Prior to that, I'd never seen him in love. I didn't like the girl per se but I endured her because of Nicholas. However, it seemed as if Harry wanted her as well. I am not too sure but it seemed they once argued about it. That day was the memorial for my uncle so I remember it well enough.”

I took a deep breath.

“So, such close friends fought over a girl and that ended their friendship?” I asked. That sounded too simple. If that was it, both of them were nothing more than two foolish and immature men.

“No. That was just the beginning!” Mama continued. “It turns out I was right about that girl, Sandra. Nicholas caught her in bed with Harry.”

“What!” I exclaimed. “You mean she was cheating on Nicholas with Harry, his best friend?”

“Exactly,” Mama nodded several times. “She must have been playing with Nicholas's heart all through. However, the climax of the story is that after the incident, she had a big argument with Nicholas and few days after, she ends up dead. She was murdered.”

My heart skipped a beat.

“How?” I asked. “I hope Nicholas didn't do it?”

I was scared all of a sudden. Nicholas told me how he punished those who went against him but could he really kill his ex lover?

“He didn't do it,” Mama replied. “I know Nicholas is rough and ruthless but he has limitations. Nicholas was framed to take responsibility for that incident. Harry was the same person that served as witness for the argument between Nicholas and the late Sandra. I was worried when that happened and I feared for Nicholas's safety. Fortunately, he wasn't found guilty.”

I nodded.

“He must have got out with his connections,” I whimpered.

“Well, I guess,” Mama muttered. “He would have been framed successfully if he was an average person. Money and power indeed makes a man. Those are the currencies of the world.”

“Thank you for telling me,” I smiled at her.

“Oh no! You are going to marry him. You should know this much about him,” Mama replied excitedly. Then her voice turned cold. “Erm… I was also going to tell you. I think Nicholas still have nightmares of the late Sandra till this day.”

My face lit up.

“He dreams of her?” I muttered.

“I believe so. I don't think he sleeps comfortable at night. He is always up before everyone else and it has always made me worried,” Mama confided in me. She held my hands and looked into my eyes. “I want you to help him find peace. I believe you can do it, May.”

I sighed.

“I will try my best…” I paused. “For you!”

**

I wanted to ask Mama about Austin, Nicholas's half brother but I decided to do that another day. That night, I waited patiently for Nicholas to come home but he didn't. I was so worried that I couldn't sleep. When I asked myself why I was worrying about him so much, I concluded it was because of Mama. I was doing it for her sake.

It was 12:51 pm and I couldn't hold it any longer. I came out of the room and my first instinct was to find Mama. However, I didn't want to disturb the old woman's rest. I sat in the sitting room myself.

Who could I call? Vivian?

And that was what I did. From her voice, she seemed to have been sleeping.

“Where is Nicholas? He isn't home yet,” I asked her. She didn’t talk and all I heard were sounds of movement. She must have been sitting up.

“It's late at night, Miss. How about you call your soon-to-be husband by yourself? Why do you nag this poor secretary who left work over six hours ago?” Vivian asked. She sounded infuriated. Normally, I would scold her but I felt for her this time.

“Sorry for ruining your sleep!” I said and cut the call immediately. She was right. I should call Nicholas by myself. If I told him I wasn't feeling well, he would probably run over immediately.

But guess what? I didn't even have his contact number.

End of road.

I didn't know how but I ended up sleeping on the sofa. In actual terms, I fell asleep while sitting down. When I woke up, the first person I saw was Nicholas. He was seated on the sofa opposite me. I could see pillars around me like supporting beams. I didn't need to ask before I concluded it was Nicholas's doing.

“You're up finally,” Nicholas muttered.

“Where were you last night?” I asked immediately.

“C'mon! We don't have that kind of relationship…” Nicholas stood up. “You should get some rest in the bedroom. See ya!”

“It's my fault!” I stood up and faced him. “I'm sorry for carelessly worrying about you. I should have never done that!”

We looked into each other's eyes, gazing intently.