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Chapter Fifty-Seven
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2023-01-02 23:03:44
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Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Fifty-Eight
โNickโฆโ I whispered.He took a step forward as if he wanted to lunge forward and take me into his arms. I prepared myself to be caught by him, maybe even to be crushed in his arms as his lips bruise mine, like he used to doโฆ But he stopped midway, hesitating. Then I remembered last night, when I told him to think things over between us, between him and Margot. Now, staring up at his handsome face, I kept asking myself, what the hell was I thinking?! I didnโt know what he will say to me and what decision heโs made. Frankly, if I wasnโt busy worrying about how I looked like in this dress and in my makeup, I would be pacing back and forth waiting to hear what he had to say.Nick didnโt seem to know how to act in front of me either. When I looked at his face, I hardly recognized him. He used to be sweet and jolly, always having a mischievous, playful expression on his face. Now, he looked somber and tired, as if he was up all night thinking.And I did not find it comforting that he had
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Fifty-Nine
Tyler stared back at me for a moment and then he asked in surprise, โOh, so Nick never mentioned him?โI shook my head.โSai was practically Nickโs blood brother. They used to be neighbors, and they went to the same college. They took up the same classes. Sai survived university because Nick was always there, doing stuff for him and Marg. Nick was the smart one. Donโt know how he did it, but we always joked about him attending university for three people.Shit! As much as this hurt me, I wanted to hear this. Not sure if the story was true, but I heard a lot from Blaze, who seemed to be anti-Margot. I wanted to hear it from somebody who wanted no one else for Nick but Margot. And obviously, he was giving me more information than he should.โWhat did Margot say? You guys asked her, right?โ I asked.โShe just said that he and Nick were taking a break. Nick wanted to see his options abroad. We always thought he was just talking about career options,โ Tyler replied.โYou thought heโd come
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty
I think my heart just stopped beating.Shit! What was Blaze planning? These people already didnโt like me just for the fact that I showed up in Nickโs arm when all of them had high hopes that he and Margot would get back together. Now, Blaze wanted me to get up on stage. For what?I shook my head, glaring at Blaze, though I doubted he could see me from the stage. I looked at Nick. He didnโt look happy. He, too, was looking murderously at his brother.โCome on, bro. My surprise performance will only work if you let go of your girl for just fifteen minutes. I promise I will return her to you, unspoiled and unscathed,โ Blaze said.The people were quiet now, and they were all staring at us, wondering what Blaze was planning to do.โVince, please escort our lovely Mackenzie to the stage, please.โA tall blond guy was beside me in an instant, holding his hand out. Nick stood up and started pushing the guy away.โTake a step back or I swear I will punch all your teeth down your throat right
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty-One
As I played the song, I looked over at Nickโs direction. He was staring at me with a grin on his face. I bit my lips because I couldnโt help but smile back at him. Then I had to turn away from him so I could play properly. By the second chorus, the people were already singing with us. We were bringing the house down.Blaze took a short breather after the song. People were still on their feet, cheering for us to play more.Blaze went back to the microphone and said, โThis is our last song for tonight.โThere were boos from the audience.โCome on, now, guys. Itโs my brotherโs birthday. I gotta party with you, too, okay?โ He took a breather and then he said, โThis is the first time I will sing this next song and I hope I do pull it off. But itโs a significant song because it reminds me of something important about Nick that not many of you knew about himโmaybe not even you, Tyler.โTwo years ago, my fatherโs company sponsored an event to make us aware of a pressing problem in our countr
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty-Two
He gently pulled me by the elbow and shoved me behind his back.Simon looked at him for a moment and then he smiled. โNice to see you, too, bro.โโYou have no right calling me that,โ Nick said. โAnd you donโt get to talk to my girl.โ He took a step toward him and in a low, murderous voice, he said, โNot this girl. I swear to God, I will kill you this time.โSimon looked shocked for a moment and then he took a step back. โNow, you just made me want her even more,โ he said in a mischievous voice.Nick narrowed his eyes and then without warning, he took a swing and his fist landed solidly on Simonโs jaw.Commotion erupted and suddenly, people were around us. Some were holding Simon back, some were holding Nick back. Nick wanted to come at him for another punch but Blaze was suddenly in his way, pushing him back.โNick, heโs not worth it,โ Blaze said. โNot worth going to jail for, at least.โโRight, go ahead! Let your little brother do the dirty work for you again!โ Simon spat.Nick looke
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty-Three
I found the strength to step forward and slowly approach him.โNickโฆโ I whispered.He turned his head slightly, acknowledging my presence. After a few seconds, I heard him take a deep breath before turning around to face me. He looked at me from head to toe, taking in my appearance and suddenly, I felt self-conscious wearing the nightie.He took in another deep breath and said, โThey cheated on me.โI took a moment to decipher what he was saying.โMargot and Simon,โ he continued. โWe were best friends even before Margot and I started dating. And even when she and I were together, we were still the best of friends. They were two people I completely trusted. I loved them both. Simon was like a brother to me. I think I even valued him more than I did Blaze at that time. I loved Margot as a friend before we decided to try being more than that. Nothing changed much except that Margot and I were a couple. And then I found them in bed together, naked and completely going at it. They couldnโt
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty-Four
I kissed him back, wound my arms around his neck, and tried to show him the same passion that he was showing me. I didnโt know if we were going too fast and honestly, I didnโt give a fuck anymore. I love Nick. I wanted him with every fiber of my soul.I may be new to being in a serious relationship but it didnโt matter. I love him. He loves me. And I knew that I no longer feared the ghosts of his past, because honestly, I created them, made them bigger and scarier than they actually were. And I almost lost him because of my own insecurity, my own paranoia. I would not do that again. I wouldnโt hold anything back anymore.Suddenly, light exploded above us, interrupting our kisses. I pulled away from him and stared up at the glass ceiling. I saw fireworks erupting in the skies, mirroring the exploding emotions and love that I have for this man.โWow,โ I said in amazement.โYou like it?โ he asked.I blinked back at him. โYou didnโt do that, did you?โHe shrugged. โWhat if I did? A guy co
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Sixty-Five
We were in tangled sheets the next morning when we woke up. Nick didnโt waste another second. As soon as he opened his eyes, he was on top of me. He showered me with passionate kisses and we started the whole passionate ride all over again.It was crazy. I have never felt like this in the past. I guessed it was different when you love the person you are with. It just magnifies every sensation, every thrill, and every emotion.By eleven oโclock, I forced Nick out of bed. โWe need to have lunch with your family,โ I reminded him.He groaned. โOh yeah, that.โโCome on, Nick,โ I said, raising a brow at him. โItโs your birthday. Itโs only right that you spend it with your family.โโI want to spend it only with you.โโYou did. Last night. And you will tonight. I promise Iโll make it worth your while.โHe gave me a mischievous grin. โReally? Tonight?โ He pulled me toward him and gave me a kiss on the lips. โIs the wishing line open?โโWishing line?โ I echoed. He winked at me naughtily, I coul
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๋ฐ์ดํธ : 2023-01-02
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Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Epilogue
Six months later, I graduated from the culinary school and became Austinโs sous-chef. I was getting excellent training from him, and the great thing about that was I didnโt feel like I was working at all. Every day was an adventure for me. Every moment was like play time. I was inventing my own fusions and Austin had considered including them in his official menu. Nick comes to New York at least three times a month. Whenever he had the chance to get away from work, he would come to me. And every time I spent with him was pure bliss, pure treasure. I have never been happier in my life. My happiness didnโt come without a price. I thought now that everything was going quite well in my life, I should let go of all the pain and anger I may still be harboring. There would no happiness without forgiveness, without healing. And to start with that, I forgave my father. The day after my graduation, I flew back to Salt Lake City to visit his grave. Nick went with me. I stared at the words on
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Eight
I didnโt know how long I slept or how I got home. But when I opened my eyes, it was already morning. I realized I wasnโt lying down on the ground by the beach where I last remembered I was. Instead, a down feather duvet kept me warm as I lay comfortably on a firm mattress. The pillows, duvet, and bed covers were all white, matching the eggshell paint on the walls.At first, I thought I was in a hospital, but then I realized the bed I was in was far too comfortable and a lot wider than a hospital bed. Something about the room I was in was very familiar, as if Iโve been here plenty of times before.The next thing I realized was that I was completely naked under the sheets. I felt tired, as though I went through a rigid exercise regimen the night before. Apart from that, I was feeling a little sore there, too, in my most private part. Shit!Suddenly, I felt movement behind me. An arm draped over my waist and I felt warm kisses on my neck.I panicked!I was with a guy! I was naked! We ha
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Seven
KenโMaโam, are you okay? Maโam, can you hear me?โโShould we call the police?โI slowly opened my eyes and found the girl in Margaretโs diner and another guy looking at me with worried expressions on their faces. I looked around. I realized I was seated in the driverโs seat of my car, with the seat inclined. The girl was sitting on the passenger seat, holding up a small bottle of mint balm and the guy was kneeling by my car door.โWhat happened?โ I asked, sitting up.โYou fainted,โ the guy said to me. โYouโre lucky I was passing by when you dropped your phone and passed out. I caught you before you could hit your head. I called for help. Are you okay?โI nodded. โThโthanks.โโDo you want to go to the hospital?โ the girl asked.I shook my head. โIโll beโฆ Iโll be okay.โโWell, I found these on the ground,โ the guy said. He handed me the pieces of my phone. โI think youโre gonna need to buy a new one.โHe was right. The phone was broken that I doubt any service center could still put it
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Six
Nick.I wasnโt able to react immediately. I took a couple of hits before I came to my senses and docked and thwarted all her assaults. It took a while to convince her that maybe she was just late. I offered to get her a pregnancy kit just so she could be sure.I waited days for her to tell me that the tests came back negative, as I was sure they would be. I was positive I never touched her. How could I? I spent most of the night staring at her, watching her sleep. I was in love with her. When I do make love to her, I want her to want it, too. I wanted her to remember me. I wanted to be different from the others she had been with.I called her several times, but she was completely ignoring me. I was beginning to get worried. I realized, too, that since I backed out on my deal with her father, he would no doubt employ somebody else to charm her, woo her. Try to succeed where I failed. Well, I havenโt failed yet. In fact, I was only just starting. There were some things that I wanted to
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Five
Nick.I went inside the Rhythemes. This was new. The last time I was in town, this joint wasnโt here, not that it would make much of a difference to me anyway. I was not the type to frequent bars or go to one out of boredom. I didnโt fancy sitting at the bar, watching sex-hungry predators pick up their latest clueless prey.I would rather go to a card house. At least there, I could exercise my brains and make money out of it. No, Iโm not a gambling addict. I just happened to be gifted at it. Am I counting cards? Well, where was the fun if you use mathematical equations and probabilities? But desperate times call for desperate measures.When I came back to the States, I had no family left to go to. My father was gone, leaving me with the only property he could afford. The house he left behind was too shabby and major repairs had to be done. I didnโt have enough money to build my dream house. But I couldnโt leave my fatherโs legacy looking like a shithole. I did what I had to do. In a y
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Four
โSo, how are you doing?โ I asked Brett when he visited me in New York. We were up having beer on the rooftop.โIโm fine,โ he said, but his tone was not so convincing. I raised a brow at him. โBy that, I mean Iโm surviving information overload, trial by fire, meeting up with more people in a month than I ever did in my entire life, and trying to become the great Robert Clarke in approximately two hundred and fifty-five days. Iโm losing my bachelor years too fast, but yeah, Iโm all right.โI reached out and squeezed his hand. โIโm sorry. It could have been me, you know.โHe nodded. โYeah. You could have been in my shoes. But the thing is, I never dreamed of becoming a chef. Iโve always wanted to be a businessman. I canโt force this fate on you, too. Itโs just things are happening too fast, too soon.โโDonโt worry, Brett. Youโll do great. Soon, youโll be in Forbes magazine as one of the youngest, most successful CEOs in the country. Itโs written in your stars. You were brilliant in schoo
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Three
Kitten,It had been six months, ten days, three hours and thirty-three minutes. Iโm still waiting. Told you I would. Although I hope you never get tired of reading my letters. I will never get tired of writing themโuntil my last breath, remember?Brett wouldnโt tell me where you are but assured me you were okay. Right now, there is nothing more I wanted to do but to come to you. Nope, I wonโt even hug you if you donโt want me to. I just want to make sure youโre okay, make you feel that everything is going to be all right. Youโre not alone. You will never be.I love you, kitten.Tears were rolling down my cheeks when I read Nickโs latest letter. Brett comes to New York to check up on me once a month. He brought a bunch of letters and trinkets from Nick since he didnโt know about my new address.Nick was true to his word. He would not stop writing to me. He already said he was sorry. He gave me all the explanations in the world. Heโd given me time to process and find it in my heart to
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-Two
After that, everything was a blur. I felt as if I was floating like a zombie the past few days. I didnโt get much sleep, and it was as if I had matured ten years in a span of ten days. I suddenly needed to handle adult stuff that I wasnโt ready for: meeting with the police, talking to lawyers, and handling a funeral.Things happened quickly. And since an investigation was ongoing, and my fatherโs company was publicly listed, news of his death would hurt the company and, according to my uncle, my inheritance. He chose to have everything hushed. The funeral was opened only to blood relatives and there was no coverage on the media about it. We were also instructed not to talk to anybody without consulting with our lawyers first.The worst part of it all, I couldnโt talk to anyone about how I was feeling. No matter how bad my relationship with my father was, no matter what a madman I thought he was, he was still my father. And it was never easy losing a parent. Up until now, a part of me
Chasing Princess Charmingย ย ย Chapter Seventy-One
I wish I could say that I was back in Nickโs house and in his life after twenty-four hours. I wish I could say we were back in each otherโs arms within a week and that he proposed to me a month after. I wish I didnโt leave, and my life would have been a complete bliss. Nick would have taken care of me and we would have lived a simple but happy life. That would have been how I wanted my story with Nick to end.But life wasnโt always that simple, and it certainly was never easy. And just when you thought you got it all figured out, life throws you out of balance again.Two months. Twenty-eight days. Fourteen hours. Twenty-five minutes.That was how long it had been since I left Nickโs house. That was how long since I last saw him, since I last had a conversation with him.He calls. Every day. Sometimes more than once a day. He also sends me text messages at least three times a day: to say good morning, to remind me about lunch, and then to say good night.He writes, too. The longhand l
