Six

Chapter Six

NICOLETTE'S POV--

A blink of surprise went out of me in response to his serious tone, brows furrowed in confusion. “W-wait… What?”

No response from him, yet his brows were drawn together. He looked over his shoulder while his protective arms still locked me in between. His once sparkling navy blue eyes grew deeper; it sent goosebumps through my veins, and his intensified aura shifted the atmosphere.

Stoned in confusion, not a single clue of what he said or what was happening. I didn't even know what the hell I was doing in his arms, as I was just as worthless as I could fucking be.

In the middle of trying to comprehend every scrambled question in my mind, the main door crashed open. I was frozen in surprise, my palms sweating. What kind of human being would intrude on someone's house like that?

“Stay at my back,” his tone this time was firm. He meant to protect me from whatever was about to happen.

Before words could even come out of my mouth, he briskly turned his back to me, blocking my sight. His vision was fixed on the door, as if a knight was defending his princess.

I would love to have this moment and believe that all romantic fairytale love stories existed; however, that would be the most bullshit I would ever think of. I was already at the edge of I didn't even know what.

Light footsteps entered through the main door, creaking the wooden floor and creating the only noise in the silence. Every step made me flinch, sending electricity to every part of my body. Why was I having this kind of feeling? I never blinked an eye when I was stoned, but why now?

“Nicky!” His loud voice boomed at the open door, and as he appeared before us, his eyes landed on the hot model in front of me.

What was his name again? Kian…?

“Who are you?” Asked Kian, voice low and calm. Though on the contrary, it sounded more protective.

“Who are you?” The other man who just entered the room exclaimed, emphasizing that Kian was a stranger.

I recognized the voice, so I had to step in; otherwise, it would end up in the worst way possible. I was already having a miserable day, and adding another one would eventually kill me this time.

Stepping out from Kian’s protection, I saw James standing in uncertainty, glaring at Kian’s handsomeness—wondering why there was a stranger in my room that he never knew. Though Kian remained calm, yet his aura was rising tension between them.

Cross look was piercing on Kian when his gravitational voice broke the intense silence, “Where is—”

“Hey James. What's up?” Successfully stomached all the chilling I had earlier, I tried not to stumble over words.

Both of them subconsciously glanced at me as soon as they heard my voice. Kian forced an unpleasant smile while James seemed to be puzzled. My mind had already come up with words to ease the tension, yet they interrupted me for having zero patience left in them.

“Who is he?” Asked by them in chorus, darting a stare that I couldn't comprehend, yet it felt like it cooked me.

Damn! How did everything end like this? The awkwardness was roasting me big time. Their cold gaze was getting in my veins, as if saying that it would be a mess if I took any of their sides.

Precisely, I had no intention of taking sides, as if there was a fight or what. I was attempting to ease the unbearable tension that might possibly lead to the worst. And being roasted by their authoritative looks was never part of it.

Words scrambled in my head, making it difficult for me to release a statement. The stillness was so loud that I could hear my heart pounding, like any time now my heart would jump out. Why in hell was I so nervous about it?

I already had it on the tip of my tongue when Kian’s eyes on me softened as he came closer, careful steps that made sure it wouldn't cause anything.

Normally, it would be a relief, but it only stiffened my entire body, which was out of league. Eyes widened, lips agape, as if seeing something unbelievable, although Kian appeared to be charming and nothing suspicious. Like a stranger barging into someone's house was not suspicious enough.

“Hey!” James' voice echoed. “Get your ass away from her! You're scaring her!” His voluminous pitch of voice was commanding, like his father's arrogant voice.

That wasn't enough to stop Kian from pulling me into a gentle hug. His hand was patting my back in a rhythm, and I could feel his warm breath on my nape. It was spiraling down to my spine like inviting me to get trapped in his embrace.

“Don't worry, I’ll be watching you,” he whispered in the most sincere tone. Hearing his whispered voice felt like listening to a lullaby at bedtime. I just wanted to melt in his arms.

Footsteps of James were stomping on the floor while approaching us. My sight landed on his sour expression as I watched him yank Kian's shoulder. Responding calmly, Kian’s dark blue eyes shifted to shoot daggers straight at James’ deadly glare.

For the love of heaven’s peace, enough giving me bullshits as if I was having fun. It was turning my sanity into fucking hell.

“Easy, bro. I’m leaving,” Kian said, his usual calm voice with a painted smirk on his face.

The gravitational weight of tension was so heavy that I couldn't make a single move. I had never felt this kind of pressure ever since forever. James' threatening glare stabbed at Kian as he watched him leave through the broken glass window. From the corner of my eye, I saw his captivating smirk disappear into the darkness.

Darkness? Was it already evening?

“Nicky, are you hurt anywhere?” James' voice was so loud that it stole my wandering thoughts, gripping my shoulders, eyes widened while scanning every part of my body, “What did that idiot do to you?”

“Absolutely nothing,” I snapped, shoving his hands away from my shoulders, “What are you even doing here?”

“Uhm,” that question left his nerves paralyzed. “I-I was walking by when I saw the glass window broken, so I rushed here.”

That reason might be acceptable if his voice were steady; it just gave me a hint that it was only an excuse for his true purpose.

Whatever hell that might be, I would deal with it later. I just wanted a peaceful dinner and a good sleep. It has been a horrible day ever since I came here.

I let out a huge sigh of frustration as I walked past him. Not buying his rusty lies, but I was also too exhausted to roast him.

“Hold it,” he was catching up to me, who headed to the kitchen without looking back. “Wanna grab something for dinner?”

Grabbed an apron next to the old fridge, tied its ribbon around my waist, and washed my hands in the sink. “Grab yourself something to eat. I’m cooking.”

He chuckled. A laugh that would never believe that I cooked a day in my life. Just because I lived with my auntie overseas didn't mean I never touched the kitchen.

“Those delicate fragile hands know how to cook?” he teased with a grin that would eventually rip off his face. “What would you cook if there was nothing in the fridge?"

Before I could process what he said, I was annoyed when I opened the fridge and found nothing but layers of melted ice inside. Basically, the fridge had been defrosted for a few days now. What a drag.

“Dinner’s on me.” He was trying to convince me, and I could sense it. When I looked over my shoulder, his arms were crossed with a smirk printed on his face. He appeared to be so sure that I wouldn't reject him.

Did I even have a choice? It was already evening, and my stomach was protesting. I really wanted to cook to have a proper meal. However, the fridge was fucking empty, and going grocery shopping would waste an hour. By that time, my body would have already starved to death.

So yeah, let's just have some takeout for tonight.