THE PATIENCEOutside the window, the clear sky doesn't coincide with my feelings. It's too clear and bright, and I feel like I collected all gray clouds and let my shoulders carry the load."So, where's your proud boyfriend?""Shut up," I spat on him lazily. "I'm in your car because I don't have my wallet with me. Don't get too comfortable talking to me."I heard Joshua chuckle, "You're still the same Nicole I knew.""Almost not," I replied and closed my eyes.There I could see the blankness of Eric's eyes when I left him there in the middle of the restaurant.My hand landed on my grumbling belly. I should've eaten something first before walking out.I'm becoming a user. It's not a good thing."Why? Is he manipulative or something?""Just drive, please?"A few moments of silence went by, but Joshua immediately broke it."I know it's wrong to say, but I missed you. I miss you so much," I heard him mutter.My mouth wants to say the same thing, but the pain he caused, it's still in my che

My heart pounded so hard that my ribs had to endure the pain.I knew I would've fallen deep if I didn't know that he was cursed. I would've said the same words or looked at him in the eyes the same way he's looking in mine.But as my doubt started to shake, Serena's voice echoed in my head."For the flower to understand your situation, is to set aside the doubt and take a leap of faith."I still find her words cringe, but she's the witch, and I have no other choice but to listen.That was why I closed my eyes and let our lips collide.His embrace tightened around me, and I found it so comfortable. He's beginning to feel at home I never felt before. All that I could ever ask for is nothing but certainty. A certainty that will never be verified.I am wood, and he's the fire. The magic is the oil, but the truth is a fire extinguisher. No matter how I wish for a switch of reality to come true, the time I've got is like my shadow."What was that for?" Teasingly asked Eric.Every time his l

Still holding the shock Joshua gave me yesterday, I stepped into the building, holding my shoulder.The impact of the door caused a large bruise on it, and I could feel the fever electrifying my whole body.My head felt so heavy, and my body was looking for a place to lie down."Get a grip, Nicole," I exhaled as I entered the lift.When I saw the button towards Eric's office, just then I realized that he didn't send me any messages last night. He wasn't the type to be very active with texting or messaging, but ever since we had a good connection, he would at least leave one sweet message."Stop overthinking," I whispered to myself, I groaned at the heaviness of the clouds above my head.As soon as I got into the department, the surroundings felt heavier. I can feel their eyes on me even when I'm not looking.Is dating the CEO still a huge issue for them?"Allen?" Maddie showed up like a mushroom from behind me.Just Allen? What happened to 'miss'?"Yeah?""Boss wants to see you," she r

Holding my hip, I shifted in bed, finding a comfortable spot on its softness. My body felt so bruised that if I moved an inch, I'd bleed."Couldn't sleep?" Eric's voice filled my ears.His arm snaked around my waist, making sure that his palm would brush on my bare skin under the thick blanket."Feeling sore?"He should know how monstrous he is in bed.Dropping a kiss on the side of my neck, I suddenly felt fine.Our bareness undercovers aids the coldness of the night. It's fiery and igniting another spark."Like hell," I answered, which made him laugh.His breath poked the skin behind my ear, causing the hair on my nape to sizzle, forming goosebumps.A silent hiss escaped my lips when I felt the tip of his tongue map my skin. On my nape, the side of my neck, and my jaw. It twirls right on my sweet spot, starting another fire.My hands gripped the sheets, feeling so sated even without having him inside of me.His palm travels from my belly down to my thigh, keeping its slow and sensual

Two stones can make a fire. Pour oil and feed it with wood, a wildfire.In his eyes, I saw hell. The eternal burning place reflects on the sweat on his forehead. The raging red on his skin. The blood that runs in his veins shows.I could feel Joshua's delirium firing up while I stood there, as in butter on a heated pan. I don't know if that metaphor works, but that's the situation at the moment."Sir Eric, I'm sorry. He kept insisting." Eric's secretary apologized as he stood by the door with a worried face.Dismissing it, Eric made a hand signal that I didn't have any idea. As soon as his secretary left with a nod, the room felt heavier and hotter.Just the three of us, glaring and sweating.Trapped in one box, fire beneath our feet. Air dry, throat deserted.If things get worse, I'm the one at fault. I'm the one who brought them into this situation. And I am responsible for every result that's going to happen.How come I never do good things in life?"Get away from him, Nicole." Jos