MasukROMANI wake up and panic when I don't see Nikki around, but it doesn't take me long to see the note she's written for me, claiming she's going shopping for something and she'll be back soon. Why didn't she wake me? I would've loved to go with her. Our day yesterday was ruined, and it'd be great to spend time with her and assure myself that she's not mad about the phone call I ignored right in her face. And yes, it was Esmeralda. Well, it was my lawyer, but I figured he was calling me about her. I didn't want to handle any of that when Nikki needed me. That damned stalker...it's affecting her a lot. I know it. I can feel it. Right now, my priority is taking care of my family, and Nikki's the only family I have. So, fuck Esmeralda and her needs for now. I'm sorry, I just can't take it anymore. I take a shower and head into the kitchen. Nikki didn't even make coffee. This makes me a tiny bit suspicious. Why didn't she eat something before leaving? She usually does. I dismiss my c
NICOLEMy hands are clasped in front of me as I listen to Roman and the detective talking by the door. I keep thinking back to the moment when I made eye contact with the faceless stalker. God, it makes me cold to the bone. The detective, a very kind and helpful man, took all the information we could give him. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. We couldn't see a face and we have no idea who it could be. I do have an idea, but it would be too crazy to utter, so I decided to keep my mouth shut and let the authorities handle it. Then again, there's a high chance their search won't amount to a thing. The only other time that I felt myself being watched was when I could've sworn I saw Dan staring at me in that nightclub Roman and I went to. He was gone in the blink of an eye, though, so I was sure I was imagining things. But could it be a coincidence that there's someone actually following us and I saw Dan the other night? I think it's a little too crazy. If Dan had somehow escaped, we w
NICOLE I'm still sipping on my frosted latte when we enter the jewelry store where our custom wedding bands will be made. This store is out of this world! I've never seen bigger diamonds in all my life, and deep down, I already know that whatever we've come to do here will cost a fortune. "Roman," I whisper to him, feeling painfully out of place in my outfit, "are you sure about this?""Of course, baby," he says right back before flashing me a radiant smile. He then throws his arm over my shoulder and pulls me closer to his side. "Don't worry about a thing, alright? Have I ever given you a reason to doubt anything?"I joke, "Is this satire?"Before Roman can respond, one of the employees approaches and welcomes us into their store. When she takes a good look at Roman's face, I notice that her eyes widen and she puts her hands together. "Mr. Hayes...it's such a pleasure to meet you! What can I do for you?"Roman explains that he wants custom rings made for us both, and she calls the
NICOLE I wake up to the feel of Roman's hands on me. Shortly afterward, he presses a kiss to my nape and pulls me even closer to him. I take several deep breaths, enjoying being this close to him. I feel calm. Relaxed. Spent. "How're you feeling?" he asks in a deep, sleepy voice. "Great," I answer. Then, after a second thought, I add, "Sore."Roman's quiet for a beat, then apologizes. We rise without making love first thing in the morning—a first for us—and head straight to the bathroom. Roman does everything; he turns the water on, regulates the temperature, and lathers a loofah with my favorite shower gel before scrubbing my entire body clean. All I have to do is stand and balance myself by holding onto him while he washes me tenderly. We don't say a word to each other. I know why. Yesterday was an intense day. Honestly, I'm starting to get really tired of all this fighting. I thought getting married would somehow resolve all these issues of ours but that's not the case at
NICOLEI hear Roman come in at around eight o'clock in the evening.I'm in bed, acting like I'm asleep because it's easier this way. I could've chosen to sleep in another room, but I didn't want to make things seem worse than they actually were.Or maybe I'm crazy and things are genuinely really bad. I don't know.I guess I'll find out soon because I hear his footsteps approaching, and the closer he gets, the faster my heart beats and my breaths get shallower.The door opens with no sound at all. I tense up. I don't know if I want him to wake me or just go to another room to sleep. Deep down, I'm so torn. I want him, but I'm so mad at him.Will I ever stop feeling this confused? This angry?Roman steps closer to the bed, and I hear him move around it. My eyes are closed, but I can sense him moving. Finally, the bed dips, and I smell beer right away. He's been drinking?He throws an arm around me and assaults my face with kisses. "Don't act like you're asleep, baby. We need to talk."I
ROMANI find myself in the same bar I told myself I'd never get close to with a beer in front of me.My head's pounding. I'm so pissed off that my breaths are all labored. I think about Sebastian Crowe and my sole desire is to kill him. By dropping the lawsuit, he managed to convince my girl that he's the nice guy and I'm the boar for causing a scene about nothing.I punched him first, yet he's the all-merciful and civilized gentleman who dropped the lawsuit, not wanting to cause trouble.Give me a fucking break.Someone slaps my back and sits down beside me. I don't have to look to know that it's Mason. I called him and asked him to meet me here. I know I need someone to talk to, and who else could it be?Mason lets out a sigh and orders a beer before saying anything. Once it's placed right in front of him, he smacks his lips. "Mm. Now we can talk. Just what kind of shit are you in right now?""I'm drowning in it.""Yeah? What did you do?""This time? Nothing.""It's all Nicole's fau







