A/N: I hope you hadn't forgotten what happened on our last chapter which ended on Chase's POV. And with that, we'll be starting this chapter with his POV-- as usuaaaal. :) Happy reading! ❤💋

C h a p t e r   3 4

Cold metallic spoons met the white porcelain plates, reechoing the sound of it around the quiet room. The roasted turkey was placed on a silver platter, at the middle of the long rich mahogany table along with other scrumptious dishes including coleslow. Wine glasses were halfly filled with red, and the clear water were served on a different glass.

Each of our glasses met with a clink as we cheered, "Happy Thanksgiving!"

Glancing over to Nikki with a glass of water on her hand made me lightly let out a chuckle. However, Nikki's aunt didn't make it, for some reason I couldn't quite remember.

"So, Nikki, since Chase here hardly obeys me. I guess, you can help me out and tell him to run the company with me?" My dad spoke, gesturing his hand from him to me.

Nikki contained her laugh while I shook my head, "Dad, really?"

"See? He didn't even want me to mention it." Dad continued, which made Nikki let out the laugh she kept in for a second.

Oh God, just kill me now. I sighed,

Both of them shared a few talks while I sat back and defended every 'false' facts about me, that dad tells Nikki.

Moments later, I asked Nikki a walk on the garden while dad welcomed his visitors and kept them companied, swirling a Bowsmore Scotch on a signatured wine glass with the others.

We silently walked down the lightened pathway, surrounded by grass and plants that were getting weaker as the cold weather approaches. Flowers didn't look much alive and appealing at this time, but I could still feel a warm welcome as they waved their petals and clinging leaves with the wind fanning around.

"This garden would be a lot better if we could just see its color." I intoned, shoving my hands deep in my pocket.

Fine air gushed towards us, carrying the symphonies of chatters and irritating laughters from inside of the mansion.

She grinned. "Yeah, I agree."

The night sky may had darkened the surface but as we moved directed to the light of the post, I could clearly see Nikki's lips on a cherry glow, with edges lifted up.

A dark and unoccupied gazebo was sitted at the right corner of the garden. Vines looped over to the wall panels as they hugged around its post, running up to the knee braces making it looked quite romantic, yet spooky at the same time. Even if not one of us insisted, our feet somehow led us to it. I brushed away cobwebs on the way, before switching the light on. Bulb flickered for a minute in surprise before it stabled.

"I don't think dad goes here anymore." I rested my arms on the dusty rail beside Nikki, overlooking the starry sky.

"I think, no one else does." She pulled out a smile, facing me with her eyelashes batting in a piecemeal approach like the wings of a bird flapping beautifully.

I couldn't help but to smile at her and follow her with my eyes as she adjusted a little to scan the whole area.

"This gazebo was build on my parents' first anniversary... At least that's what they told me." I also turned my back from the sky and placed my elbows backwards on the rail, eying the picture in front of us.

"Well, that's just lovely."

I nodded, "Yeah." But I never thought things would fall off after everything they've been through together.

"I also remembered having a picture taken here when I was on pre-school. My mom would dance me around, even without any music, but her laughter." I added, reminiscing the old times together with her.

Nikki's eyebrows curled up, and her face fell down. "Is that how it always should be?--"

I faced her, puzzled while I waited for her to continue. Earlier, I almost asked her about her family but I stopped myself. I thought it wasn't the right time, yet. And by the way, she just lost her grandparents.

"After they delivered you to see the world, after they taught you how to walk, talk, and eat... They're just gonna leave you? Just like that?--" Her lips quivered, but quickly masked her face with stolidity.

"My mom passed away after having a fourth stage breast cancer. She fought for almost two years, but gave up. It was the most painful thing I have ever felt in my life, knowing that your best friend, your teacher, your mother is gone. It was as if, my life died with her... And my dad? He left me. I don't know why. Now, I don't know where he is. How is he, or is he still there... My grandparents made me believe a lie of why he left though, and that's all I've ever known."

My heart slowed down and my breathing became heavier. I held Nikki's hand and wiped a tear that escaped her glassy eyes. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head, and heavily breathed in and out, forcing a smile on her face. "It's okay. I mean, I already accepted the fact that, this is my fate, and that was theirs."

What words Nikki had spoken made me realized something. She wasn't weak. She was brave. After a moment, I had thought about the turn of events. This wasn't how it should be, so I made a move to lighten the atmosphere.

"Anyway, how about we dance a little?"

A few strands of her hair fell down on her face as she swiped it away, tucking it on her ear with her slender fingers. "Now?"

I backed away a little.

"No. Tomorrow, maybe? I asked you now, didn't I?" I sarcastically spoke as I crooked an unforgivable smile.

I bent down as I gestured my hand for her to take while Nikki giggled, "But we don't have a music."

"It didn't matter, because you are my music." Her face softened, "Shall we dance?"

"Of course." She grinned, taking my hand.

The people inside the mansion began clinking their glasses with a spoon, creating a tinkled sound.

[Play this song right here↓ or, regret not playing it! Jk! ;P]

I pulled Nikki closer to me and placed my right hand on her waist while she rested her left hand on my shoulder. I stepped my foot out and guided her as we danced around the gazebo. We made it slow, I was captivated with her eyes who were deeply bore into mine. Gradually, I let go of her waist and rose my other hand holding hers, for a spin.

She graciously spun around with her dress flowing like smooth waves. Nikki lightly laughed, and tangled her arms around my neck.

It went silent for a second, as we stared at each other's eyes, before she suddenly let out a yawn, "I'm sorry."

"Really?" I chuckled,

She lets go of me, "Hey, it's not my fault. You tire me, with all the walking around the mansion." Nikki playfully slapped me on my forearm, chuckling.

"What? Why does everything have to be a blame on me?" I lifted my hands mid high.

"So you'd know how to take them. Remember that time you were in denial for being responsible on hitting me with a football?" Nikki teased as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"Oh please, not again!" I groaned, running a hand down my face.

Nikki laughed out loud, "I could just tell you that, over and over."

"Whatever makes you happy." I winked.

"Yeah well, I'm being serious though. I really am tired now." She let out another yawn, staring me with teary eyes. "Please?" She pouted.

I smiled a little and whispered an okay, before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I'm never gonna wash my forehead, ever." Nikki giggled, before biting her lower lip.

"I can live with that." I replied, adding a deep hint in my voice before leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Nikki flushed red, blissfully smiling at me and I just went to tap her nose with my index finger while she closed her eyes in response. I mean, she was that cute.

"So," I took her hand, and intertwined her fingers to mine, "Let's go?"

The ride went fine as Nikki quickly slept soundly on the passenger's seat after she lets out a couple more yawns a normal human could generate in less than a minute.

I took off my seatbelt after pulling over in front of their house and then I shifted a little to face her.

She was sitted slightly slanted on the chair with her one foot folded under the other one. Her chest slowly rose up and down and her face shone from the lamppost's light with her hair all messed up.

I gently patted her shoulder, "Nikki, wake up..."

Nikki let out a soft moan before gradually opening her eyes, facing me, "Hey,"

I crooked a smile, "We're here."

She murmured an oh, rubbing her eyes. She was about to tilt her head around to catch a glimpse around but only for her to yelp.

"Are you okay?" I asked with concern as I let my hands approached her.

She placed her hand on the side of her neck and breaths out, "I'm fine. Uhm, I guess I don't have to look around to see if you're lying or not?"

I shook my head and chuckled a little, "Okay Barbie, let me help you out." I hopped out of the car and rushed to her side, opening the door.

"Thank you, Chase." Nikki grinned, while she went out.

After I closed the door and after she took a step forward, we both spun around to face each other.

She held her hands in front and smiled. "I had a great time."

"Me too." I smiled as I looked at her straight in the eye.

"So," She trailed off. "Tell me, what do you mean when you said, I am your music?" She chuckled, noticing how I felt uneasy while I scratched my nape.

Goodness, why is she always making me nervous?

"Well, you know... it's uh... kinda like a metaphorical one... saying that you're, uhh... well," I paused, "My music."

Nikki giggled, "Yeah, that's sort of what you said.."

"Well, what I'm trying to say is that, I love music. And that kinda includes you."

Nikki aww-ed, "You know what? I hope you're not fooling me right now for a kiss." She chuckled which made me groan in embarrassement.

"And, do you even know that you're really hitting me where it hurts?"

She just laughed, placing a hand on her stomach.

Then I followed up a question, "Are you certain, you're okay?"

"Totally." She grins.

I quietly gazed on the road to my right, trying to seem like something or someone was there to look at. As expected, Nikki did the same out of curiosity but only for her to whine and rest her hand back on her neck.

"I thought you said, you're okay?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"No." She paused, "I guess sleeping inside a car without a formal pillow neck was a bad idea."

I stepped forward as I extended my hand to her neck. I began carressing it with my thumb not really knowing what I was doing, until I moved my eyes to meet hers.

A different feeling lingered in the air and I felt my blood flowing rapidly through my veins. Without any hesitation, I gradually leaned over, waiting for Nikki to grant my request. She didn't move back, so I took that as a yes, pressing my lips against hers.

The stars twinkled with joy as she immediately responded. I literally was expecting her to let me down at first, but she didn't. I cupped her face, giving me a full control to guide us both. I was drowned in the moment, taking in the tenderness of the kiss. It was different and I knew Nikki liked it as she let out a moan before pulling away.

She let out a heavy breath but didn't say a word.

"I'm sorry." I sent an apology, just in case.

"No, it's fine. But, uhh, I'll see you tomorrow?" She asked, avoiding any straight contact with me.

I did a wrong move. Dammit. "Yeah, tomorrow."

A/N: Yikes! I'm sorry I ended it that way.

Also, I'm sorry if that 'scene' came out bad. I mean, I didn't know how to write it well, so.. yeah. X)

Okay, about the song... you might be wondering why I chose Tears in Heaven, which didn't really fit the 'dance'. The reason why I put that there is because I thought 'heaven' isn't just the heaven itself. I want to capture 'heaven' also pointing out to the earth, or the place Chase is with Nikki. It could be a little hard to understand, but if you listen to the song once again, you'll get what I'm trying to say. Capisce? 👌👽

Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to, Tarlyne and TheoDora55555!! Thank you for taking some of your time to read my story! ♥♥♥

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