This chapter is dedicated to MelodramaticVni for all the amazing banners she made for this book. It's truly an honor for me to receive all this wonderful work. Thank you so much! 😘😘😘 Here's one of the banners she made... (Her other works are found at the end of this chapter.)

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~~~ CHAPTER 10 - STOLEN KISS ~~~

        "Huh?" I asked kind of disappointed. I thought he was going to say he loved me too.

        Oh, I was so stupid!

        "I... I just dropped the phone," Nigel reiterated.

        Now, my heart stopped beating.

        He suddenly pushed me away and, as if nothing intimate had happened, he picked up the iphone from the floor.

        "Now, look what you've done," he glanced at me with an irritated look as he was examining it.

        "What have I done?" I asked also irritated.

        "The phone, it's probably damaged now," he said inspecting it.

        So, it was my fault now!

        "Just give me that. I'll have it fixed," I said.

        He turned it on and light illuminated its screen.

        "It's still working but..." he said scanning it, "I'm no longer giving this to you."

        "But---"

        "No but's for now, Althea," he muttered glancing at his wrist watch, "Now, go get some sleep."

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

        I was fetched by Marcos, my new driver, the following day. Nigel really was true to his words --- he no longer would drive for me. Now, I had to miss his company.

        My second day in the university went well generally. I learned that Kara and I were classmates in four subjects. Kara seemed to be a sweet girl. I was confident that I could be who I was with her. Though she was a city girl by heart, I felt like she was not judgmental to people like me. She enjoyed my stories about my ever-loved The Fields and my favorite private space, the lagoon. I told her how I got to live in the Palacio de Sarmiento and how I got to be engaged with Nigel.

        Kara couldn't believe what she heard from me when I told her about the engagement. She said I was kind of like crazy to submit myself to an engagement founded by a one-sided love.

        "Oh, girl, I can't imagine myself to be in such a situation. I'd rather die than marry somebody who couldn't even love me back. That is just the most stupid story I've ever heard in my entire life! That sounds absolutely the most stupid plot to be ever written for a movie or novel or something!" Kara exclaimed.

        "You're being judgmental now..." I reminded her feeling sorry for myself.

        Would somebody except Mommy Carol understand my feelings?

        Even Nigel refused to understand what I felt for him!

        Kara looked at me with confused expression. Then, probably discerning how disappointed I was with her reaction, she grasped her mouth and whispered, "Oh... sorry, Althea..."

        We, then, both became silent. I did not look at her. I just pretended to concentrate eating my meal. We were actually in the cafeteria taking our lunch.

        "I can't understand why..." I heard her say after minutes of silence.

        I cleared my throat. "You'll come to understand when you'll fall in love," I said, still not looking at her.

        "How come you fall in love so early?" she asked in her tiniest voice that she sounded like an innocent baby.

        This time, I glanced at her. I was surprised that she hadn't touched her food. She was, after all, taking this conversation very seriously.

        "I can't tell you why and how.... because I can't even answer it myself. Somehow, you'll just feel it," I replied her with the most honest and truthful answer I could give.

        "Then, I don't want to feel it because it drives people crazy," she said, pouting her lips.

        "You know what? I am actually wondering right now why a socialite city girl like you is Miss Innocent when it comes to love," I muttered, chuckling. Her innocence somehow amused me and brought my mood back.

        "Well, I like boys. I have few crushes but none seems to push me to do crazy things. Oh, please, hope nobody will have that kind of effect on me..."

        "Kara, now, you need to eat," I reminded her.

        "No, wait, I think there's someone who has got that effect on me," she suddenly announced with a very wide smile.

        I became curious, "Indeed?"

        "Indeed," she said, still wearing that big smile.

        "Somebody from here? Or somebody from your high school?" I asked as I stuffed a portion of my vegetable salad into my mouth.

        She gave me a teasing smile, "Oh, there was this really gorgeous guy, yesterday, wearing shades. He was leaning on his car when I saw him at the parking lot and it was like some kind of light emblazed his beautiful face as he glanced my way. The feeling was so amazing I feel like I was..."

        Holy...

        I almost choked. My eyes widened. "Cut that crap! That was Nigel!"

        I heard from Kara the loudest laugh I had ever heard from anybody. The other students in the other tables looked at our direction.

        "Got you!" she gasped.

        "Bitch..." I absent-mindedly uttered. "Are you being serious, Kara? 'Cause if you are, I'm going to end this friendship right here, right now."

        She was still laughing. "Now, I know your weakness, Miss Ruiz."

        "I'm not kidding here," I said in annoyance.

        "You know, that was what I've just imagined you to react. You are indeed head-over-heels in love with that guy. I was just teasing you," she assured, still laughing. "Now I'm convinced you are definitely in love with your Nigel."

        I blew a sigh of relief. This girl definitely got me there!

        "You're saying his full name is Nigelito Joaquin Sarmiento, aren't you?"

        "Yeah," I nodded. What was with the question again? Was she planning another silly prank on me?

        "My gosh! Is he somebody from the Sarmiento Corporation?" she blurted out, very surprised.

        "Son of the owner actually," I said.

        She put her right palm on her mouth. "Good Lord! Then he's really a big time! Like, oh my gosh, their products are almost what we see in the kitchen when we cook, you know? Like you can't eat without a single product from them?"

        "Yeah, Kara," I replied.

        She stared at me with her big wide eyes. "Miss Althea Ruiz, you're a very lucky girl!"

        Was it too much to tell her about my life story in just a short time? She seemed very agitated.

        So, that was it! The rest of the day went well. My last class ended at 2:30 p.m. so I was at home earlier than the day before.

        When I got home, I learned that Nigel took a trip to the South for a certain business deal. He was not to come home that night.

        I was disappointed with the news. But, to my astonishment, Nigel had gotten me another iphone. It was a replica of what he handed me the night before. I knew it was another unit for it looked like it had just been bought. The shopping bag where it was placed said it so. It was, maybe, purposely placed on my bed so I would get to notice it the moment I entered my room. Well, if that was it, then, Nigel had succeeded for I instantly saw it as I walked into my room.

        I felt excited as I was exploring it. Could I call or text him now?

        Well, I still didn't have his number. Besides, he made it clear that I had to wait for his cue before I could even call or text him. Seriously, I did not quite understand why it had to be that way.

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        Nigel was out of the city for four days so Suzana had to stay with me in the condo. Again, I had to struggle from that "missing him very much" feeling. Oh, it was killing me. Kara, however, was very good in trying to ease my nostalgia. We shopped, went to the movies, dined at first-class restaurants, pampered ourselves in the spas... She was determined to let me get around the city and enjoy the pleasance it could offer.

        I had quite gotten into it that I always came home late. Suzana was slightly dismayed of my late arrivals so she finally cornered me during the fourth night and discussed to me the cons of the city life.

        "Well, señorita, I care for you so much and I just want to protect you especially now that the señorito is not around," she said as she patted my shoulders.

        Honestly, I was happy with the concern that she showed me. It was like having Mommy Carol around whom I already missed so much. I hugged the woman and promised that I would come home earlier for her.

        She was relieved with what she heard.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

        It was a Saturday afternoon when Nigel came home. It was I who opened the door for him since Suzana went out to shop for some groceries. She actually invited me to go with her but I told her I would wait for Nigel for I had the feeling that he was coming home today.

        He looked very weary as he slumped his body on the couch in the living room; his suitcase was laid so out of place on the floor. Not minding my presence, he closed his eyes while his right hand was occupied in rubbing his right temple. His face exhibited exhaustion. He must have a headache!

        Poor Nigel! So young at twenty-three yet so engrossed to take over the sole responsibility of making the Sarmiento Corporation even bigger, better, and brighter in the country and its neighboring nations.

        Watching him suffer with that pain in the head, I moved towards him slowly so as not to distract him to find a space where I could stand at the back of the couch where he was sitting. His aching head was reclined on the fluffy headrest.

        Debating first with myself whether or not I would touch his temples, I finally decided to press my fingers, first on his forehead, making small circles in it with my forefingers. I felt his body jolt the moment I touched him. I thought he was going to back away from me but he didn't. Instead, Nigel let out a short yet deep groan as he placed down his right arm at his side. It was, for me, a sign of surrender.

        Satisfied that he did not raise any unfavorable reaction, I continued kneading his forehead with my forefingers together with my thumbs. The touch of his skin brought hot flushes on my cheeks. His skin was hot as well. Maybe, that was why I felt myself burning, too.

        Nigel, again, let out a moan, this time, it sounded with pleasure. I was glad with how he reacted. I watched how ravishing he was while closing his eyes and did, every now and then, little smug smiles.

        There was that tiny voice in my head telling me to kiss his forehead.

        No, no, no! Don't make such a stupid act, Althea, I counteracted.

        Now, my fingers found his temples. I made little massages in both sides. It was clear that he found my effort delightful and gratifying. I could discern it from his groans, smirks, and unsteady breathing.

        Oh, finally, Nigel was starting to feel me. I was happy, oh-so-happy, with the situation. I did not like this to end. For the first time, I made him satisfied. I made him appreciate my effort.

        Yes, I will do everything for you, Nigel. I will prove to you how much I love you.

        My heart fluttered the whole moment. Again, there was that voice in my head telling me to stoop down and kiss his forehead. The physical and emotional turmoil within me was just too much to handle. The temptation was irresistible. Sweat was starting to form in my forehead...

        I got to strike this while the iron was hot! Should I? Hey, should I? Damn, I felt like a perverted jerk debating within myself!

        Instantly, he let out a profound sigh as my fingers started to trace the sides of his neck. I sluggishly stroked his neck in upward motion for about three times and, again, he gave out a soft audible sigh mixed with a tensive groan. The sound of the escaping air from his mouth made my ears to like burn... Goodness gracious, I found that kind of sound too sexy, too freaking sexy!

        What are you doing to me, Nigel? Why do you affect me this way?

        My head was spinning now. I could not think straightly anymore. I froze for a moment.

        And, without thinking, I found myself bending down and touching my lips on his forehead. His skin was hot under my lips. It was like burning! I closed my eyes and felt the throbbing of my chest.

        I knew he was not asleep for he had been reacting to the massage just a little while ago. But now, Nigel did not move a bit. Was he also trying to feel the touch of my lips on his forehead?

        I opened my eyelids to see how he was doing. I was appalled to learn that Nigel had his dark captivating eyes already opened in awe. With our faces in upside-down position to each other, gazes intertwining, my breath towards his ruffled hair, his nose touching my forehead, I hesitantly lifted my lips away from his burning skin.

        "I love you," I sobbed. From his back, I put my arms around his neck and leaned my head on his right shoulder. "I... I want you to love me... please..."

        There was a moment of silence.

        The beating of my heart and his, and the tick-tock of the wall clock at my back, seemed to harmonize in uniformed rhythm.

        Then, he cupped my head with his palm. I thought he was going to brush my hair with his fingers but, no, it took me a while to realize that he wasn't going to do it. Instead, gripping my head roughly, he pushed me away from his shoulder. Then, fiercely unlocking my arms around his neck, he stood up from the couch expeditiously.

        With his back on me, one hand in akimbo, the other raking his disarrayed hair, he emphasized strongly, "I'm tired. Drained. Exhausted. I have already enough of your dramatic moments. Can't you just let me rest? PLEASE!"

        And he walked towards his room.

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A/N

        Okay, yeah, that was mean! But that was how I'd like to portray Nigel in my story. I even want him to be harsher than that! Let's see if Althea won't still come to her senses!

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        Lovelotz,
        (sapphiregirl22) ~_^

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