Yes, Nikki Hamilton definitely wasn't a type of person who can easily be surprised or exerted in shock but Daniel was definitely one of the people who succeeded in it. His sudden request for her going out with him was a huge surprise. So much that she was just speechless. It took her a few moments to compose herself and answer him. The answer was, of course, positive.

Nikki was now spraying the last layer of makeup in her room's bathroom, taking deep breaths. Today, she was finally going out with Daniel. A few days passed since he asked her out on the beach. She hadn't told anyone anything until yesterday, which caused strong reactions, especially from Brian and Marina. Two of her closest friends from Naples announced their arrival to the hotel before she would head out with Daniel and were now sitting in her room, waiting for her to get ready.

Nikki was trying to hear what they were talking about but she wasn't hearing anything, which made her sign and return to her makeup.

„Get it together!" she ordered herself.

During this time, Brian and Marina were nervously squirming, she on the bed and he on the sofa.

„I can't believe this is happening. I'm shocked. I swear to you, I almost fell from ma chair yesterday when to told me she is going out with Dan. I thought she was joking," the Latina was babbling with stars in her eyes.

Brian, on the other hand, shook his head in disapproval. Marina seemed to ignore his concern or she didn't understand it.

„This won't end well," he said, whispering so Nikki wouldn't hear him.

Marina was suddenly speechless, just looking at her ex-boyfriend.

„Here you go again with all this negativity," she replied, not paying much attention to Brian's warnings. She was terribly annoyed with him.

„Listen to me..." he hissed, approaching the bed. „The day after Nikki's accident he came to the store after a longer period of not being there and as soon as he saw Sofia's picture, he got a panic attack. Dan is anxious. He hasn't forgotten about Sofia, he's only suppressing everything in himself and it's only a matter of time when it'll explode. And guess who'll be on the front line, receiving a direct hit?"

Marina's eyes widened in surprise. He almost couldn't believe the amount of negativity Brian was carrying around.

„He kissed her. Multiple times. You heard it all for yourself, Brian. Nikki admitted everything to us. Something good is finally happening to both of them. Why can't you support them?" Marina asked, annoyed but Brian didn't give up.

„Nikki is going to burn!" he replied, getting into Marina's face. He was very sure of his theory. „When everything escalates, Nikki will be the one who's going to get the most damage. For a thousandth time."

„If you're so sure...or better say unsure of your best friend, why don't you tell her, Brian?

The man knew Marina was just trying to provoke him. He paused, sighing as his hand went through his hair.

„Because...because I hope I'm not right. And because at least for once I don't want to be a party pooper who always brings bad news."

Marina wanted to say something to him but she was interrupted by the sound of a door opening. As Nikki came out of the bathroom, they both got up from their sitting places. The Latina clapped her hands, smiling broadly to the other woman.

„When he sees you, Dan will fall on his ass," she said.

Nikki felt somewhat embarrassed but smiled back at them and then looked at the big mirror in the room. She was satisfied with her appearance. Tight, white-and-black dress with an open back was looking great on her. She was grateful she decided to buy it. She left her hair in its natural curls, falling down her shoulders and back and she also picked a light makeup. Frankly, she didn't need it. The dark-skinned people had that advantage. The sterile gauze which was covering her stitches was no longer there and they weren't so noticeable.

„What time it is?" she asked nervously.

Brian forced himself to smile.

„Dan should be here in ten minutes," he replied and then approached her, taking her hands in his own. „May I notice how beautiful you look, Nikki Hamilton?"

His question or statement depicted a new smile on her face.

„What a gentleman!" she replied, making him laugh loudly. However, she didn't miss on his concerned gaze. She became serious again.

„Brian...something's worrying you?" she asked, looking directly into his eyes. Brian felt a slight discomfort as Marina was watching them with apprehension. She hoped Brian wouldn't open his mouth and ruin everything.

„Everything is fine," he finally replied softly. „Don't worry. You just have to enjoy yourself today."

Nikki was pleased with his answer and Marina was relieved. Soon they heard a knock on the door and all three of them smiled once again. Nikki went a little pale and Marina immediately stood next to her.

„Everything will be great. This is what you've been waiting for."

She swallowed hard, nodding her head.

Brian opened the door, standing on the doorstep. Nikki just wanted to see him so she could be sure she was not dreaming.

„Why do I feel like we're in high school and her dad is waiting for me at the door, with a lecture on how I should treat his daughter?" Daniel asked, making her smile at the sound of his voice. She almost could hear him smiling too.

„We're not far from it," Brian responded seriously. „If you hurt her, I'll kick you where the sun doesn't shine."

Daniel laughed loudly, hearing the similar sound from the other side of the door. Brian opened them all the way to the other man could see the interior. Nikki's eyes finally fell on him. She gasped.

Daniel was dressed very seriously. He just missed a suit to have it all but black slim-fit pants, shoes and a dark-blue shirt was giving him a pretty serious look. His hair was dull, the gel giving her firmness. Nikki had to admit that the tall man put a lot of effort into his appearance. She could see him literally stop breathing for a few seconds, which made her smile nervously, as she was looking straight to his eyes. She wanted to know what was going through his head. Daniel entered fully, standing in front of her. He opened his palms, offering them to Nikki, who immediately accepted them.

„Now I really feel like I've dressed too simply," he said, starting to breathe again.

„Is this your way of giving compliments?" she asked.

„Is it working?"

„Definitely. But you're not too simple. You look...perfect," she replied, causing Daniel leaning in and wanting to kiss her but just before their lips touched, she felt a hand on his shoulder.

„Save it for the end," Brian said to him.

Daniel and Nikki both faced their friends, seeing how much they were enjoying themselves.

„Get out of here!" he said. „We haven't arranged a double-date so you have no reason to be here."

The other man just snorted, raising his hands in defense and then he and Marina both disappeared from the room, leaving them alone. Daniel and Nikki kept smiling, just looking at each other.

„You know, as much as I'd love to stay here all evening, looking at you, we have to go," Daniel said suddenly.

Nikki was over the moon. She couldn't believe the words leaving his mouth. He surely was charming for someone who was so simple and living for surfing. Daniel walked her out of the room, to the main floor and then they left the hotel. He opened the door of his car so Niki could get in. Soon, they were on their way.

„Dan, where are we going?"

He looked at her.

„I know it's going to sound like a cliché but I believe in an old-fashioned way of going out with pretty women so I'm taking you to dinner, later on for a drink and, if you want, we could go see a movie."

„Sounds like an excellent plan."

Daniel let out a nervous sigh, his hand immediately going toward his right pocket but he managed to stop himself. Although he had taken the ring with him, he decided to leave it in the pocket and not touch it. A ride to the restaurant went in a pleasant silence. As soon as he parked the car, Daniel jumped out of it, going to the right side to open the door for Nikki. She thanked him.

They went to the entrance where he immediately greeted one of the waiters, seemingly waiting for them.

„Randy, it's good to see you. Is everything ready?" he asked.

The waiter nodded, taking them to their table where was already the bottle of wine and cutlery waiting for them. Daniel pulled out a chair for Nikki and then he sat down on the opposite side.

„I hope you don't mind me pre-ordering the wine but I've already been here and I know which one is the best."

Nikki smiled again, looking around. Except for several businessmen, sitting nearby, the restaurant was half empty, considering it was still early. The restaurant was a perfect blend of crimson-brown color with vintage and modern look. She had to admit Daniel's choice was great.

During that time, he poured the wine for them and they got the menus. Nikki realized all the dishes names were written in Italian. Nice...Italian restaurant. She loved their food.

„You said you were here before so I'm wondering if you have any recommendations?" she asked and he looked up from his menu.

„Sicilian Style Shrimps!" he replied, smiling. „It'll bring you the taste of Europe. For dessert, I recommend you tiramisu. It's basic but this cake is really good here."

Nikki was surprised by his recommendation and decided to listen to him. She wanted to see how good Daniel was in choosing food. Both of them gave their orders to the waiter and continued to talk.

„How do you know about this restaurant?" she asked curiously.

Daniel leaned his elbow against the edge of the table.

„My parents eat here pretty often. Sometimes, I go with them. They really keep up with traditional family gatherings and every now and then I like to please them," he explained.

Nikki liked his answer. Daniel really cared for his parents.

„The family is really important," she said, remembering her mother, stepfather and younger stepbrother. She hadn't seen them for a long time and Nikki would lie if she wouldn't admit how much she misses them.

„My family has a long history. Maybe I tell you about it someday," Daniel replied jokingly. „What about yours? I guess they all live in Seattle."

Nikki sighed. Mentioning family in her presence was kind of forbidden for a long time.

„Yes...my parents live there," she started. „But I've never met my real father. All in know is a little information I've managed to get out of my mom. His name was Jamal Mack, he came from somewhere in Michigan and abandoned my mom when she got pregnant with me. Since they were never married, mom gave me her maiden surname, Hamilton. Later, when I was already going to school, she met Gill. I consider him my dad."

Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had no idea Nikki had never seen her real father.

„I didn't know about that. I'm sorry about your real father. He missed out of you."

Nikki smiled gratefully.

„It no longer affects me as before. The worst was in my teenage years when you're questioning absolutely everything around you. I just wanted to see him in person to tell him everything I think of him and ask him why he left? Fortunately, my mom was always a voice of reason and she convinced me that man doesn't deserve even a bit of my attention."

„Sounds like a smart woman!" Daniel replied.

„Gill will always be my dad, though not by blood. That man went through absolutely everything with me," Nikki said.

There was some kind of softness in Nikki's eyes. She had a lot of love for her stepfather.

„Do you have any siblings? You see...we never talked about it."

Nikki nodded.

„I have a younger stepbrother. His name is Andre and he just started a high school so he's pretty demanding."

Daniel laughed loudly.

„You're the only child?" she asked him in return, drawing the subject from her family. Daniel confirmed.

„My parents barely got me. Every new attempt was a failure so they decided to give up. Too many broken hearts, I guess," he replied.

She grabbed his hand sympathetically.

„I'm sorry."

He just smiled lightly.

„I think we got caught up in the wrong subject."

She agreed with him. They continued to talk about some brighter topics. Soon, the waiter brought their food so they devoted themselves to it. The shrimps' Daniel had recommended were great. Nikki was delighted. Desert didn't disappoint her too.

At the end of the dinner, Daniel poured them the rest of the wine. Drinking red liquid quite relaxed Nikki and she wasn't as nervous as before.

„Are you kidding me? You smashed your guitar into his head?" she laughed as she asked the question to Daniel, who was telling her about his unpleasant experience with a man who loved other men.

„Yes," he replied. „He simply didn't want to understand. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against it, considering Aline is one of my best friends but I don't like intrusive people. I explained to him that I wasn't interested because I don't play for that team but he wasn't giving up. When he asked me for the tenth time if I want to go to his villa with him and tried to jump on me, I smashed him with the first thing that came to my hand."

Nikki laughed loudly. She couldn't believe it.

„I can't believe you destroyed the instrument just to prove something."

Daniel joined her in laughter.

„Trust me, after everything was over, I was terribly sorry. Not for him because he was asking for it but for the guitar. These things aren't cheap."

The woman just shook her head in disbelief. Daniel really was a „nerve".

„Listen...do you want us to go? We can go somewhere else for a drink or to a movie," he changed the subject. Nikki agreed with him.

Randy brought them a bill and Daniel decided, with Nikki's great protest, to take over the expense. Soon, they were both in the car, diving in some other direction.

„Since we're both dressed up I think it's better not to go on the beach. I'll take you to the best beer in Naples. In my opinion," he said, making sure to turn in a crossroad.

Nikki faced him curiously.

„Deal!"

Soon, they found themselves in a mentioned bar, which Nikki reminded of the pub. Daniel promised her the best beer in Naples and she trusted him because he wasn't wrong so far. They both sat down and ordered the drink.

„You haven't told me the story to the end. What happened to the guy you smashed with your guitar?"

Daniel laughed.

„Well...as soon as he was conscious again, the club owner offered him to call the police for him. Apparently, he was a big fish in the city but I could conclude that myself, considering how many times he had mentioned his villa. He refused, telling him nothing terrible happened. Imagine...I smash the instrument in his head and the man decides to let me go. But no matter what, the owner asked us to leave the club."

Nikki couldn't stop laughing.

„I can't say I blame the owner," she replied, having a really good time listening to Daniel.

In meantime, their drink came and they continued to talk. Nikki was a little surprised by this Daniel's side. She hadn't seen it before and she had to admit Daniel was investing a lot of effort to do this. Before today's going out, she was convinced the man didn't care much about her but he was slowly changing her mind.

Exactly at the moment when she thought this couldn't get bad anymore, two people who she didn't want to see tonight came to the door. Daniel immediately noticed her suddenly pale face and got scared.

„Shit!" she said.

„What..."

Before Daniel managed to finish the sentence, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

„Danny...long time no see," a familiar voice said. He turned and saw a grinning Ronnie and his eternal companion Luis. He immediately shook his hand off his shoulder. Nikki was scared, looking and the trio and hoping there would be no fight tonight.

„Leave us alone, Ronnie," Daniel hissed warningly.

Ronnie grinned even more and Nikki realized he wasn't intending to stop provoking.

„Look at this, Luis. Danny's on a date...with Nikki. I have to admit I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd ever jump out of the black hole you got yourself in."

Daniel was squeezing his fists, staring at Ronnie angrily and waiting for the first wrong move. Nikki didn't know what to do to ease the tension.

„Ronnie, please don't. Just leave him alone," she begged desperately but the other man was ignoring her pleads.

„Oh, honey...you don't understand it," he said, feigning compassion but at the next moment his eyes darkened, returning to angry Daniel.

„How can you even think of going out with someone new? What about Sofia? You forgot about her?" he asked provokingly while Daniel was breathing harder and harder. The last question was enough for him and the tall man jumped out of his seat, grabbing Ronnie for the shirt.

„You don't know anything!" he shouted, getting in his face. Nikki and Luis were immediately by their side, trying to separate them but the grip was too strong. Two rivals were strongly pushing each other.

„Stop it!" Nikki almost yelled but there was no use. Luis was desperately trying to push Daniel and help Ronnie.

„I told the truth. You're supposedly loving Sofia so much but you've replaced her with the first chick who came around. You never loved her," Ronnie uttered while Daniel was pushing him harder against the wall. At one point his back hit the wall heavily and Ronnie groaned in pain.

„You have no right to reproach me anything. You don't know my relationship with Sofia and you have no right to say your opinion. You have no right to mention her."

One of the waiters approached them.

„Calm down or I'm calling the police!" he ordered strictly. For a few more moments, Daniel was firmly holding Ronnie by his shirt and then pushed away, letting him go. Ronnie hit the wall again.

„You two...leave the pub. We don't tolerate throwing fists and fights," the waiter said, pointing to Ronnie and Daniel.

„We can finish this out there. Luis and I need a boxing bag."

Daniel was fuming but then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to the worried Nikki who was watching him frightened.

„Don't," she said quietly.

„What is it, Danny? Are you scared or your new girlfriend already has such a strong power over you? Sometimes, even Sofia couldn't stop you. You're getting softer."

„Stop provoking!" Nikki shouted angrily.

The waiter just gestured to the door.

„Get out. Out there you can do what the hell ever you want but in here we want to keep the civilization."

Daniel was staring at Ronnie and Luis angrily, threw a few bills on the table and then grabbed Nikki's hand, pulling her out of the pub. They could hear hurried steps coming after them. Ronnie approached them again, grabbing Daniel and turning him to himself.

„Not again," Nikki hissed through gritted teeth.

„Shame on you," he said. „If I ever again hear you saying how much you loved Sofia, I'll break your nose. Just to be clear."

„Go to hell, Ronnie!" Nikki barked at him, pulling Daniel back. Ronnie grinned at her.

„I like you, you know? You have character," he replied. „Too bad you're dating such a wussy and a liar like Linares."

Nikki pushed him away, making him and Luis laugh loudly. Daniel was no longer meddling in but just standing defeated by her side. She grabbed his hand pulling him to the car. They both sat in their seats. There were a complete silence and tension which could be cut with a knife. Nikki looked at Daniel who was just staring ahead. He was angry but at the same time terribly defeated. He wasn't speaking, just pressing his hands around the steering wheel. Nikki sighed, rubbing her temple. Her move seemed to wake up the man as he finally looked at her.

„I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting Ronnie," he finally uttered but she just shook her head.

„I know. I'm not mad."

Daniel returned his gaze to the road, still clutching the steering wheel. His hand went to his right pocket. This time, he didn't stop. He found Sofia's ring and squeezed it tightly in his hand.

„Do you mind if we don't go to the cinema? I'm really tired," he asked, finding the most simple and, someone would say, most transparent possible excuse.

Nikki swallowed the lump in her throat.

„No. I understand you," she replied briefly, as he was driving in the direction of her hotel.

There was an uncomfortable silence present all the way. Daniel stared dumbly at the road, absorbed in his thoughts while Nikki was looking out of the side window, thinking about everything that happened. She didn't like Daniel's reaction. She was aware Ronnie managed to cause a feeling of guilt in him and frankly, she was afraid of Daniel's next step. After seeing his soft side, she wasn't ready for the return of that indifferent man, full of anger and bitterness. During the ride to the hotel, Nikki swallowed hard for several times, hoping Daniel wouldn't become closed off again. She was so absorbed in it that she didn't even notice when they arrived.

„Nikki...we're here," Daniel said monotonously.

She looked at him, trying to smile but she failed. The man turned his gaze away. He got out of the car and opened the door for her.

„C'mon, I'll walk you to the entrance," he said briefly.

They were walking side by side in silence, stopping at the entrance. Nikki faced him, shrugging her shoulders.

„No matter what, I've had a nice time. Thanks for inviting me, Dan," she said honestly. He squeezed his eyes shut, not saying anything. Nikki noticed his inner struggle. She knew how much things were currently racing through his mind.

„Do you maybe want to go in? We can talk," she asked in one last desperate attempt to change everything for the better. The date was, in itself, beautiful but she was aware Ronnie's performance had fared over and ruined everything positive that could come out of it.

„No, I think it's better not to go in," he replied immediately, crumbling all her hopes down. „Nikki...I think I made a mistake."

There it was. The woman froze in place. It happened exactly what she was hoping to not happen. Her heart, which had in the last few days finally healed, began to break all over again.

„Don't say that," she said, trying to stop her voice from shaking.

Daniel was squeezing his eyes desperately, trying to compose himself but there was no use. As much as he tried, he simply couldn't be that person for Nikki. He couldn't do that to Sofia.

„I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you out on a date nor lead you on."

„Leading me on? This is how you're calling everything that happened between us?" she asked in a hurt voice, trying to stay calm.

Daniel just shook his head and then did something unexpected. He pulled the ring out of his pocket and raised him between himself and Nikki. Her eyes widened and her heart broke to the end.

That was it. Daniel made his choice.

„Sofia is my girlfriend. I can't do this to her, Nikki. I'm sorry."    

-

Author's note:

Hey, guys...so, the date didn't go as well as expected. But this was the last so problematic thing in this story, I promise. It's not so easy to get over the loss of a loved one.

I really hope you liked it. If you did, please don't forget to vote or to leave a comment.

Next update: Friday!

Stay true to yourself and have a nice day.