Chapter 5

NICOLETTE'S POV

I knew I should have waited but the pain I was feeling within me was excessive already. I hurriedly tried to walk down the corridor when someone caught me by the arm. I turned to find Xander looking straight at me and he showed every sign of worry and sometime else which I could not tell. I had been stopped abruptly so the least I could do was turn around and look at him. He seemed to be fighting within himself for the right words to say to me and I myself could not help but feel intense. I could count the number of times when Xander and I shared physical contact but as I looked down at my hand, I could see his own covering my wrist. I looked up at him and he quickly let go.

"I'm really sorry, Nicolette." he said to me.

I felt disappointed that he could not understand what I desired. He had suddenly let go of my arm like it was hot coal or perhaps even like there was some sort of contract between us that would weigh on us if he kept holding me. His touch had sent a lot of emotions down my spine but now I realized it was time to get back to reality.

"It's fine. What do you want?" I asked him pretending that I had not heard him the first time. Well I knew clearly within me that he had seen me earlier.

"We need to talk," he said to me.

"Alright, I'm listening," I said, folding my arms across my chest as I looked him in the eyes now.

"Not here, Nicolette. In my study please," he said, nudging his head towards his study.

"Alright. Let's go then," I said to him.

   Xander turned back towards his study while I followed him patiently and as calmly as possible. I was trying to maintain composure as I walked with him to the study. Getting inside, he offered me a seat and sat down opposite me but said nothing still. Xander seemed like he was battling within himself for the right words to say to me and I was busy waiting patiently for him to start saying something. At a point he suddenly got up and paced around at the place where he sat looking really confused and frustrated. When he turned to look at me, I raised my brow.

"How was your outing?" he asked me.

Could someone tell this man to cut to the chase and stop beating around the bush. As it stands right now, I could hear my rapidly beating heart in my ears. 

"Going out was great. What do you want to talk about, Xander?" I asked him now.

"I'm trying to find the right words so you would not misunderstand me," he said, looking like an innocent schoolboy.

"Misunderstand you? What do you take me for, Xander? Please cut the chase already. I am exhausted," I said with finality.

"Alright then. She's coming back but I suspect you know who already." he said to me.

"She? Who?" I asked amidst my painfully hurting heart.

"Thought you knew already." he said but when I would not answer him, he went on speaking now. "Laurel called. She's coming back."

Thinking about it now, it was not like there was anything I could do to alter this impending moment of pain and doom. My nemesis was on her way already to make my life a living hell and of course take back everything I had because originally it was hers to begin with. I had nothing to say and decided to make a run for it before I got betrayed by the tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"Okay," I said and I rose up from my seat and made for the door.

"Okay? Nicole, wouldn't you say something?" he suddenly asked me, calling me by my pet name. 

Only Zibelle calls me that but hearing it right now from his lips made it seem to make a lot of sense right now. Could this man not see that I was clearly smitten by him and could not hold up my end of the bargain. This was emotional torture. I did not turn to look at him right now but I gave him the answer he sure as hell was seeking.

"What would you have me do, Xander? She is your mate. Do as you please," I said and would have walked away until he spoke again.

"I cannot do as I please without talking with you. You are my wife!!!" he hollered, causing emotions to rock my very existence.

Only now did I turn and let him meet my teary face. Yes, I had been crying the moment I had turned away. I needed to make this straight and clear to him so it would sink into his brain that I was not going to be deceived or let myself be deceived by a title which held no grounds.

"Your wife, you say. So I suddenly should have talked to Xander? You already have plans made with her and she is on her way as we speak. What does it matter what I think? I might be your wife by name and title but she, she is your heart. And I do not mind. I never belonged here from the start of all things and all I need you to do is to let me know when I should start packing up things for your soulmate's return." I said and ran away through the corridor.

Those tears, there were more of them at this time and I needed to hide away in the enclaves of my bedroom before they would ruin my moment. I could not let him see that he had the upper hand here over me as I ran towards my room. I was already beginning to question every decision I made so far including agreeing to marry him. But then I should have known this day was coming. I should have known that someday the rightful owner would come to reclaim what was hers and right now I have only been a reagent. What had I been thinking about when I decided to marry a man and agree to this sham which I now regretted?

I fumbled in my purse and found the key to my bedroom but each time I tried to put the key in the keyhole, it fell off my hand. This happened twice in a row but I got it the third time. I was just about to open the door with the handle and had already started turning it when someone suddenly caught my wrist. It was him and I could not control myself when the door suddenly gave way.