Author's note:

Hey guys, update day! Because of the length I've had to split this chapter into two parts. Part 2 comes in a few minutes. Enjoy it!

-

Nikki, this is my brother Noah. The rest are Phil, Logan, and Yanko," Isaiah introduced his friends to the woman who was smiling warmly at the group of men. She assumed Yanko was the only Hispanic in the group, considering his light but tanned skin and dark locks.

„So, you're Nikki. I was already convinced that my brother was joking about finding someone," visibly younger Noah said charmingly. Nikki was trying to guess his age and gave him around sixteen years.

„Noah...we talked about this at home," Isaiah warned him.

The young dark-skinned boy raised both hands in surrender and Nikki had to laugh.

„Okay, Isi...I won't say anything."

Nikki raised her eyebrows curiously, looking at the waiter.

„Isi?"

He just rolled his eyes.

„Yeah...when he was three years old he had a lot of trouble pronouncing my name, so he just decided to call me Isi. It was easier than Isaiah. As you can see, my brother is still small," he explained.

„Hey..." Noah shouted. „Next year I'm turning eighteen and then you won't be able to tease me all the time. I'll kick your fat ass."

Isaiah just grabbed his brother's arm and rubbed the top of his head, while Noah tried to resist. It wasn't a secret how much the waiter worked to shape his body, so a young boy couldn't escape from his firm grip.

„Can we finally go?" the man Nikki remembered as Logan asked. „It's going to get dark before we dive in."

The Latin man offered his hand to Nikki, helping her to get in the boat, while Phil settled at the driver's seat. In the next few moments, she was watching Naples becoming smaller and smaller as they were going to the open sea. Nikki sat down by the side of the boat, lowering her hand in the water. Yanko was immediately next to her.

„I'm glad Isi finally brought a female person," he said with a laugh. „Otherwise, it's always four of us and the kid."

The woman looked at Isaiah and Noah. The waiter gave her a slight smile and she smiled back to him.

„Noah is interesting."

„Oh, the kid is great. He has picked up the best traits of their parents. They're often joking how with Noah they had fixed all the mistakes they made with Isi," Yanko replied, gaining Nikki's attention again.

„They're both nice."

He nodded.

„So, you know how to snorkel or it's your first time?"

„God, no!" Nikki answered immediately. „I live in Seattle and definitely don't have time for this. Not to mention how often it's raining and the beach isn't really the best option to enjoy days off."

At that moment, Phill called Yanko and the Latin man went straight to his friend. Nikki continued to look at the now dark blue water of the open sea.

-

Daniel had just entered the beach cafe where David, Diego, and Patricia were waiting for him. Both of his male friends finished their shifts at work and he decided to invite them for a drink. He left the surfboard at the entrance, putting a towel around his shoulders.

„Hey...I was surprised when you called. I thought you're surfing today," David said.

Daniel waved to the waiter who brought him his usual, this time non-alcoholic drink.

„I needed a drink...and my friends," he replied, rubbing his temples.

The remaining trio exchanged glances.

„Is this about Nikki? You know, we noticed that none of you came back to the club on Saturday," Patricia stated, leaving a reminder of how their disappearance didn't go unnoticed.

The tall man looked into her eyes but hadn't answered.

„I don't want to talk about it," he finally responded briefly. Given the fact that he wasn't smiling, they concluded whatever happened between him and Nikki wasn't too pleasant. Aline appeared behind Diego, interrupting further interrogation.

„Hey...do you guys mind me joining?" the Latina asked. Patricia just pulled a chair for her. She gave Daniel the opportunity to change the subject from him and Nikki. Instead, he focused on Aline.

„You haven't told me how things went with you and Maia. Did you get to talk to her?"

Aline's face immediately fell.

„It didn't, that's how," she said almost angrily. „She doesn't want to listen to me and she brought her own conclusions to which she supposedly can't trust me."

„This really sucks, man!" Diego said, patting her shoulder.

„Tell me about it. I'm slowly running out of ideas. I think I'll just have to give up, though it's not fair."

The rest of them couldn't agree with Aline's last statement. They knew very well how stubborn Aline could be and from the very beginning when she had first met Maia, she was claiming how they aren't anything serious.

„She's getting you back for everything you did to her. It's biting you in the ass, right?" David asked.

Aline raised her eyebrows questionably, immediately taking a defensive position.

„Everything I did?"

„Yeah, Aline. You can't deny that you've been doing what you wanted from the very beginning while Maia was the one, chasing your ass around. She was looking for your free time to try to convince you to stop acting stupid and give you two a real chance. The girl seems to get tired of it. You never listened to her," Diego explained, hoping the Latina would understand where is he coming from.

Aline's gaze wandered over all eyes at the table but in the end, she became frustrated, banging her head on the table.

„I fucked up, didn't I?"

„Yes, you did. You can't blame Maia for this," Diego answered calmly. The Latina frowned once more, leaning her head on her hands.

„Forget it. Better not to think about it. Dan...how's the job searching going?"

The tall man instantly cheered up.

„For now, I'm helping my dad in the office if he needs me. And I think I'd have to go back to college if I want to be competitive."

The rest of them were a little astonished by Daniel's desire to finish school, which he hadn't expressed before and his reaction to returning to college was always somewhat negative.

„Great idea. You can come to UNAM. Mexico City is a great place for living and we could hang out more," Patricia replied as Diego rolled his eyes.

„Why the hell would he go to UNAM if Hodges is behind the corner? He already started a year there. Besides, you're attending postgraduate studies. Like you two would have time for hanging out."

Patricia stuck her tongue at his direction. Daniel was just looking in his half-empty glass.

„I'm not sure if I want to graduate on Hodges. I think I need a change. Maybe not as drastic as going to Mexico but still."

„You're leaving Naples?" Aline asked, surprised. The question caught him off guard and he wasn't feeling comfortable, even thinking about it.

„I was thinking about MBA at UM. Miami is not so far away and I just need a little bit of organization to be at home every weekend. I don't have so much left to finish. They really have very good management program."

„Wow...so, you're really leaving?" David asked for confirmation.

„No, no...I was just thinking about it and I haven't completely given up on Hodges. It's a great school and that's why I went there in a first place but I'm not so sure about graduating there too. For now, I'm just thinking. There's still a lot of talking to my dad waiting for me," he explained better, putting his hand in his right pocket, finding Sofia's ring. Others knew that his hesitation about returning to Hodges was connected to Sofia and the fact that they both went there together. Diego offered his fist and the tall man banged it with his.

„It's good to think ahead. In fact, great," he said. „I'm happy with whatever you decide, except going to Mexico."

Patricia first rolled her eyes and then laughed at Diego's last remark. They continued with small talk and Daniel finally relaxed, forgetting about Nikki and her today's reunion with Isaiah.

-

„Hey...you okay? You barely said two words today," Isaiah asked Nikki, shifting the towel over his shoulders.

The woman was sitting on the big blue towel at the very edge of the boat, while the others were still in the water. Phil, Logan, and Yanko drove the boat to the nearby Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, just half an hour car drive from Naples, which was a truly great place for snorkeling. To speak the truth, Nikki was thrilled to be here and was having a great afternoon hanging out with them. However, she couldn't forget about what happened on Saturday night and the kiss Daniel had given her. She couldn't figure out why he was sending all these mixed signals. But the kiss...the kiss was unforgettable and Nikki felt goosebumps just thinking about it.

„You know I never talk a lot," she said, smiling softly at him. „I'm just thinking. It's so nice and quiet here."

„Has something happened?" he asked seriously, as she sighed and returned her gaze to the open sea.

„There's always some drama with me. It can't go without it," she replied briefly.

Isaiah wasn't looking away from Nikki's profile. He was never hiding how attracted he is to her.

„This is about Linares, right?" he asked directly, prompting Nikki to look at him.

„He's so confusing," she replied, frustrated. „I know he's still in love with Sofia and he was clear about our relationship but he's still taking the right to be jealous when it suits him. I'm not a toy."

Isaiah was not looking at the direction of Nikki's gaze.

„Whenever someone new came to Naples, he couldn't go without hearing about Daniel and Sofia. Literally," he started. „She was that beautiful, young girl, full of life, whom everybody worshiped and he...he was one of a kind. At first, an incomprehensible couple but, trust me, it's amazing how they were complementing each other. I can't remember if I've ever seen them apart or without a smile on their faces...before she got sick, of course. They were always with Brian, Marina and the others you're currently hanging out with. I've never been a part of their circle but I could see how much happiness they were carrying around," while he was talking, Nikki listened to him with interest, trying to visualize everything she was hearing. „I suppose that they've somewhat lost themselves after she got sick and died. Daniel lost a part of himself because he had never separated from Sofia. Everything that happened affected him so much that this smiling, stubborn boy had just disappeared. Brian and Marina broke up and somehow they all went to their own ways. Yes, they're still hanging out but everyone can see they're not as close as before. Don't misunderstand me, these are just my assumptions and conclusions from what I've noticed working with Aline. Actually...I'm trying to explain the situation from someone else's point of view to maybe help you to understand better why Linares is acting the way he does. You found yourself in an impossible situation."

Nikki was staring at Isaian in surprise. She wasn't expecting such a confession nor did she know that Isaiah could be so obedient. He was practically talking about Daniel as if he knew him all his life, while in the real life they hardly ever spoke a few words. She also heard some of these words from Daniel himself.

„He kissed me...on Saturday night. He pulled me out of the club, attacked because I was dancing with you and then kissed me," she told him the truth.

Isaiah frowned, not looking at Nikki.

„You should ask him why. He's the only person who can give you answers," he replied briefly.

She just laughed bitterly.

„He'll probably deny everything. It's what he's best at."

Isaiah grabbed her hand softly.

„Trust me...I'd love to be wrong but Linares isn't a bad person. You just have to find a way to talk to him. Looks like you've done it once. I don't see why you couldn't do it again," he gave her the last advice and then felt wet hands on his neck.

„Are you ready to go back?" Noah asked cheerfully. Isaiah pushed him away gently, sending him to sit with Phil who was already at the steering wheel, ready to go back to Naples. Yanko sat down next to the waiter and smiled at Nikki.

„So...are you satisfied with your first snorkeling experience?" he asked.

„Very. I had so much fun."

Both men smiled, pleased with Nikki's answer. She smiled back. Considering they couldn't get caught in traffic jam, they returned to Naples marine pretty quickly. Isaiah helped Nikki to get back on a firm ground. The woman adjusted her clothes and switched the bag over her shoulder.

„Guys, I'll get Nikki back to the hotel. Can one of you take Noah home?" Isaiah asked.

Yanko nodded and then the waiter and Nikki greeted the rest of them and headed in other direction. As they were walking side by side, Nikki looked up at the sky.

„I really like the evenings in Naples. I like to walk instead of calling a cab like in Seattle," she stated.

„I wouldn't recommend you to walk alone. This is Florida and people are maybe more accessible but there are always fools who would take advantage of a pretty woman walking alone at night."

Nikki turned her gaze to him and laughed.

„Then thank you for tonight's escort," she replied as Isaiah just waved his hand, telling her there was nothing to be thankful for.

„You're not hanging out with your gang tonight?"

„No. I think their working schedules are aligned and I'm really tired. I just want my bed."

Isaiah accepted the explanation. He wanted to invite her to dinner but from today's conversation, he knew in advance what her response would be. Although she was claiming there was nothing between them, Nikki and Daniel started something new. He was sure Daniel was lying to himself and that he had already made the first step to convert their friendship into something more. Isaiah didn't want to meddle in and make a square. Instead, he decided to stay aside and be Nikki's friend.

Soon, they arrived in front of the hotel and she faced him to say goodbye.

„I'm really glad you came today. You're a good company, Nikki...even when you're not talking a lot."

She laughed once more.

„The same goes for you. Thanks for being my friend," she replied.

Isaiah kissed her cheek once more, wished her a good night and then went away. Nikki wasn't waiting for him to disappear from her sight but immediately retreated into the hotel, toward her room. To speak the truth, she was looking forward to the quiet night without Daniel and all the drama surrounding her friends. She hadn't stayed awake for long tonight. She fell asleep quickly, finally letting her body to rest.

However, the morning arrived very fast, the sun's rays piercing through the unclosed lids of Nikki's window, which forced her to open her eyes. She was puzzled. It was still too early but the relentless ringing of her cell phone didn't give her a choice. She had to get up.

„I'm going, I'm going," she grumbled, looking for a phone through her bag. As soon as she found it, she saw a familiar name on the screen.

Nikki: „Addy?"

Addison: „Hey, good morning."

Nikki: „Don't you think it's a little too early for calling me?"

Addison: „I believe it's about nine o'clock where you are. How could it be too early?"

Nikki groaned again.

Nikki: „Has something happened?"

There was a silence from the other side of the line for a few moments but then her friend spoke again.

Addison: „I've got a call from New Libri Press. Book sellings are great but they want to know what's going to happen with the last sequel. They want you to come personally."

Nikki was speechless. She had completely forgotten about the publishing company she was currently writing for. She should have been prepared for this.

Nikki: (panicking) „Shit. I forgot about it."

Addison: „Nikki, I can buy you a little more time if you need it and they haven't told me you have to come today but they want to know when are you coming back. Frankly...I think you've had enough days off. Come back home."

Nikki: „I can't leave now. I'm not done here yet. Please, try to get us some way out. Tell them something like they can't rush a good writer or I don't know...something like that. Please."

Addison: „When are you coming back, Nikki? I have to give them at least some time frame."

Nikki: „I'm not sure but as soon as I'd know, I'll tell you, okay?"

Addison: „Nikki Hamilton, do you know that Mirage is the least popular of all three sequels? And do you know why? Because I've had to cancel a bunch of promotional interviews and because nobody has heard a word from you since July. You have to be here for promotion. Though I think it's a little too late for Mirage."

Nikki: „Honestly...I don't care. I love my readers but I have to do something for myself too."

At that moment, she heard a knock at the door. She wondered who was here that early?

Addison: „Nikki..."

Nikki: „Sorry, Addy but I have to go. Someone's at the door. We'll stay in touch."

She interrupted the call, opened the door and then gasped.   

-

Author's note:

Now you can see how Sofia and Daniel looked like to someone aside. Isaiah is coming back :P LOL (but not for too long)

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