CHAPTER 4 - Nick’s pov

I've seen a lot of jerks in my life, but no one has made me want to smash a phone into someone's face until they bleed to death faster than the jerk who made Clums cry. 

Gracie’s face was filled with tears when she saw the video. By the time work ended, she was already gone. I couldn't stop her. I didn't want to. She didn't need me breathing down her neck at a time like this. She needed space, and that was exactly what I gave her. 

Micheal Peterson.

The name was like a bad image in my head now. I sat at my desk longer than I should’ve, it was late and everyone had gone home. My laptop screen glowed in the dark as I scrolled from page to page, viewing Micheal’s life like a bad movie. Every new thing I learned about him made me want to punch him all the more.

He had an entirely different online presence . I found his contact details after five long hours of search, bought a fake female profile then reached out to him saying I’m a fan who would love to meet him. 

You see, if you want to destroy a man, give him a woman. It’s that easy.

It took the imp three days to get back to me and we fixed a date to meet.

Meanwhile, no one has seen Gracie. She called in saying she would be skipping work for a few days. I couldn’t reach out to her. It’s weird, I was beginning to miss her a little more than I should. We’ve spent the most of our years getting on each other’s nerves so it would feel really awkward reaching out to her claiming I’m just trying to make sure she didn’t kill herself. 

The day finally come and I dress up, ready to meet Micheal. 

I get to the venue and I instantly know who Micheal is even though there are about 6 men altogether.

‘‘Micheal?” I call the first one in the gathering who looked like a prat and I was right on point.

‘’Do I know you?” He asked.

“No, but you will now.” I move closer, “I'm Nickolas, you messed with my team mate, Gracie and now work is no fun.”

He laughed his ass to a chair until it felt like he was out of breath.

“Oh…and what are you? Are you her lover or her bodyguard?” He gives me an inspecting look. “Didn't know she had such great taste in guys, you're not…that bad.” I ignore him.

I narrow my eyes. "Why did you do it?"

He smirked. "I don't know, I was bored. And that video was too good for my eyes only, don't you think? I dare you to swear you didn't masturbate to it."

Those words slipped into my ears like poison and without a first or second thought, I punched his already imperfect nose. "What did you just say?" I punched him hard again, "Speak up, you bastard!” 

 He tries to retaliate but I swing aside before his hand gets in my direction.

“You're not only daft,” I say as I throw him another punch, harder this time, “you’re slow as well.”

“I’m going to warn you now, you have 24 hours to take down that video and tender a public apology to Gracie. You’re also going to tell everyone it wasn’t a real video and that you did it to prove how much of a dick you are.”

“And why would I do that, mister?” He scoffs and moves closer. “You think two perfect blows make you a hero? And who’s that bitch to you even….”

I grab him by the collar and bring out my Swiss knife. “Don’t make me a murderer today when all I want to do is an introduction.” He struggles to free himself. “Get ready to breathe your last if you don’t do as you’ve been told”.

He frees himself from my grip, “If I so much as hear you breathe her name ever again, I'll nail your fingers to a tree and watch the vultures fight over your scrotum.”

He let out a mocking laugh but it came out too weak.

"You're insane..."

I press the knife against his throat, just enough for him to feel the bite through his skin. "You're right, I'm insane and there's only so little I can tolerate now".

The smirk on his lips fades.

"Twenty four hours," I tell him. Stepping back, I smash his phone to the grown and hit it repeatedly with my shoe until the glass looks like a sieve. He stands there holding his breath like he's scared to offend me with his air.

“Get a new device immediately and do as instructed.”

I walk away so he wouldn't make me mad enough to decorate the floor with his teeth.

On my way out, one of his men block me with his hand. “You don’t know who you’re messing with,” he say. I take his hand off and twist it to the back until he screams. “Be careful.”

I get home one hour later, thirsty and exhausted from playing FBI all day. I refresh my app and the post was gone. He made an insincere public apology and admitted the video was fake. 

Predictably, the entire world came down to drag and pounce on him. Gracie’s social following skyrocketed. I read through the comments and saw one that said; 

'' I knew it wasn't real, Gracie."

People switch up so fast, that's what I thought. A message pop up from an unknown number. Micheal.

 "The video's gone, but I'm not done".

I already guessed he was up to no good,the way he complied immediately. I didn't care, he did all I wanted and that was all that mattered to me.

I wanted to call Gracie, talk to her real bad. But I didn't have the courage to. She was on my mind the entire day. Truth is, I never hated Gracie. 

Okay I admit, I liked getting on her nerves, but that was because it was the only way she'd ever talk to me. If I couldn't keep her by my side as a friend, I thought it would be wise to play the role of an enemy.

And maybe, just maybe, I lied. She isn't just a teammate.