"She was either wildly naive, or dangerously intelligent."

***********

Natalie's POV

From the moment I opened my mouth and said those words out loud, Nikolas decided to keep silent. He didn't give me any reaction, just like I expected him to. He looked right ahead of him as he started the engine and pulled off into the street.

The ride to his house was silent, he loved the silence. I always noticed how annoyed he gets every time I try to open a new conversation. As much as the thought of annoying him felt appealing at the moment, something about the energy radiating off him had me deciding against triggering him.

I've seen a different side of him today.

A man who kills for a living, and who enjoys it quite well.

Still, I didn't feel scared or the least threatened by him. Maybe it was me being naïve, or just the psychologist in me who saw much more behind that hard surface.

The ride to his house took longer than I expected, he really wasn't kidding when he said no one knows where he lives. We took turns after turns, going to a part of the city that I've never visited before. Even if someone decided to follow us, he would've gotten lost around thirty turns ago.

We went down an excluded road, on each side, lines and lines of trees stood high, probably leading down to a forest. Oh wow, he could easily kill me and bury me here, and no one would even notice.

"What are you thinking about?" Nikolas asked, and me being taken aback by the fact that he just initiated a conversation is a total understatement.

I turned to him, his eyes were focused only at the road ahead of us, one of his hands over the steering wheel, and the other laying on his thigh, right beside where his gun is, ready to whip it out and use it if needed. Is that how he lives? Always running away, always on alert? How can he handle it?

"Just thinking about how easy it is for you to kill me and drop my body down here," I mumbled as my eyes drifted back to the infinite line of trees we were passing by.

"I figured as much," His words had me turning my head to witness a hint of a smile over his lips, he looked at me, "But if I want you dead, I would've just left you there to go to your house alone."

His words had my heart sinking down, "I am worried about my cat."

He sighed, "Natalie, no one is gonna go inside your house and kill your cat, they want you, not your cat," My eyes widened at the kill my cat words, "Oh god, never say that again, my heart is beating so fast right now." I mumbled as I pressed my hand over my chest.

He turned his gaze back to me, confusion tightened his brows, like he couldn't understand, "I mean one day or another, it is going to die," He said in a matter-of-a-fact and I think I stopped breathing, "You would just get a new one, there are cats like everywhere."

"Oh my god, stop!" I snapped, my heart felt like it could jump out of my chest, "Never say something like that again, she is my little baby, I found her by our building when she was only one week old," Emotions tightened my chest at the thought of me losing her, "And stop calling her an it, her name is Massie."

His eyebrow raised, "Excuse me for abiding by the grammar rules of the English language," He mumbled sarcastically.

I shot him a glare, "I think I liked it better when you were silent," I shot out, "How about we go back to that?"

He stared back at me confused before he looked back at the road, "What did I do?" he mumbled to himself lowly, and ever so innocently.

I shook my head in disbelief. He seriously has no idea how to act like a normal human being, does he?

The forest cleared out and we seemed to enter a place where a few buildings are scattered here and there. A few blocks in and he pulled the car to the side of the road and went down to the underground parking lot of one of the buildings.

When he was all parked, he took a napkin from the glove box and tried to wipe the blood from over his hand away, "How do you plan on hiding that?" I asked, nodding toward his white shirt that more of its half is now tainted with blood, "Easy," he said and pulled a jacket from the backseat.

Oh god, is this how his life is all the time?

Killing without any mercy and then just wiping the blood away like it's nothing. Is this really who he is?

Ever so casually, he slipped the jacket on and went down. I shook every other thought away and followed him. There is no need to overthink this, like he said, it's only two days and he'll be out of my life for real.

Maybe, it is for the best.

I walked by his side as he entered the elevator and pressed the button for the seventh floor. Right when the elevator's door was about to close, someone came rushing in, "Wait," Some man said and joined us in the small space, he pressed the button for the fifth floor before his gaze drifted to us, more specifically to me. His gaze lingered on me for a long uncomfortable amount of time and I shifted nervously.

I felt Nikolas's hand wrap around mine in a firm grip and he pulled me closer to him, plastering me up against his side. My gaze drifted up to his face to see him shooting daggers at the back of the guy's head. His jaw ticked and I swear his other hand went closer toward where his gun is and my eyes widened, I immediately tightened my hold over his, shaking him back in.

Thankfully enough, the door opened and the guy walked out. Nikolas scoffed before his gaze went back to me, my eyebrow raised, and he explained, "I just don't trust anyone around here." I think he doesn't trust anyone in general.

I pulled my hand up, showing him our intertwined hands, "So, I think you can let go now."

His throat bobbed and he pulled his hand right away. I couldn't help but smile as the elevator door opened again, and we walked out. I just like it when he does things totally unexpected from his side. It's cute.

Oh wow, I just called a killer cute.

He is not the one in need of therapy, it's me. What's my problem?

On the seventh floor, there were only two apartments, one to which belonged to him. He unlocked the door and ushered me to get inside. My eyes immediately wandered around, curious to know what type of place the infamous Nikolas Viarchi lives in. Much to my surprise, the inside of his apartment was totally plain and simple, a place where only the necessary furniture existed. Nothing fancy. Nothing exaggerated.

It didn't feel like a house, or like a home.

More like a hideaway.

"Based on your car and suits, I expected something fancier," I couldn't help but comment.

"I had fancier, didn't like it," he said and shrugged his jacket off, "This suits me just fine."

He walked forward and I stood by the entrance, nervously swaying off my feet, not knowing what to do or where to go. His eyes went to me, "Just come inside," He said, rather rudely, "What are you waiting for?"

I swallowed down and took a few steps forward, "Can I take a shower?" I asked politely, "I feel like I smell like blood."

He nodded, "Yeah, sure," he ushered me to follow him, "Let me show you where the bathroom is," We entered what I suppose is his room, and just like the rest of the house, it was just as ordinary and simple. A bed, a closet, and a nightstand.

The only color added to this room was a painting hanging above the bed. Feeling as if drawn toward the change of tone, I stepped forward and reveled into the beautiful shades of blue used, it made the scenery so relaxing and hypnotizing to look at.

It was a woman sitting on a sea-cliff, her arms resting on her knees as she stared at the birds flying around her, a blue dress hugged her body and her blonde curls seemed to be flying with the wind. The details were perfect, whoever drew this really knows what he was doing. My gaze flickered to the lower corner where two letters were written in black, "L.V."

The V-letter must refer to his family name, Viarchi. But the L-letter?

I turned around to look at Nikolas, who was silently watching me as I watched the painting, "Who drew this?"

His gaze went there for a second before they went back to me, "My mother," he said, his face expressionless.

During our previous sessions, he had mentioned his mother just a couple of times. I still don't know, is she alive? If so, where is she?

God, I am so curious about everything in his life, he is such a closed book, always leaving me needing and craving for more.

I tried to hide my curiosity as much as I could and kept silent for his sake. Nikolas pointed at the door, "Bathroom is in there," He said, "Towels are inside," He added and I looked down at my clothes, "Uh- I don't have anything to change," I hesitantly remarked.

His eyebrows pulled closer, like he couldn't know how to answer that. He pointed at his closet, "Just...just wear something from me I guess," He said, "Tomorrow when we get your cat, you can get something to wear as well."

I nodded, "Thank you," I mumbled lowly. Something about being with him all alone in his room made me anxious. It's not like he would ever do anything. I am still painfully aware of the fact that I kissed him and practically drove him away.

If it wasn't for those men barging and trying to kill us, tonight would've probably been the last time I'd ever see him.

Feeling like his mission is all done, he backed away and left the room, closed the door behind him, and left me all alone. I slid the door of his closet and tried to find something I could wear. Searching through, I pulled a white T-shirt that would probably fill all of me in, and kept searching for shorts or any type of pants that could fit me.

My movements paused when I reached a small pile of clothes that definitely didn't belong to Nikolas. Curiously, I pulled the little pink dress, and under it was a couple of clothes fitting for a child, a little girl, probably one or two years old.

I couldn't help but wonder, why would he have this?

Does he have a little sister? Or maybe a daughter? He never mentioned anything like that to me. I scoffed at myself, as if he ever mentions anything to me.

I decided to ignore that and walked into the shower, closed my eyes, and allowed the hot water to drip down and wash away tonight's events. I tried to scrub off my skin the scent of blood and death but somehow I couldn't, it feels like it got embedded deep down into my brain.

The dead bodies in my office, the blood that tainted every wall, the cleaning man who was there from the morning watching me? The fact that Nikolas said I am a target. Will he really help me get out of whatever dangerous game he had signed me up for?

Taking my time, I dried myself and slipped into his shirt and shorts that were too baggy for my own sake. I dried my hair with the towel the best I could because I couldn't find any hair-dryer in sight. Yeah, he owns an Audi R8 but not a hairdryer; what is this man made from?

On a heavy sigh, I let my wet strands fall over my shoulder before I walked out of his room, my eyes searching around for him.

He was sitting over the couch, a phone in his hand, furiously typing something. At the sound of my footsteps, his attention immediately went to me, and against his will, his eyes went down to what I am wearing before he immediately looked away.

Oh shit, do I look bad?

Clearing his throat, he got to his feet and rubbed a hand over his neck, "I am also going to take a shower, so just.." He pointed around, "Make yourself at home I guess."

He was about to walk away, "Uh, I am kind of hungry," I said, feeling my stomach making noises at the thought of eating alone, "I haven't eaten anything yet."

"You wouldn't find anything worth eating in there," He nodded toward the kitchen, "But I can order you something," He stated.

I played with the hem of the shirt, "Yeah, also we can eat together I think, aren't you hungry too?"

"Okay," he said, like he didn't want to discuss more and just end the conversation already, "What do you want?"

I shrugged, "Pizza would be fine."

He nodded and placed the phone to his ear, probably ordering our food before he walked to his room and closed the door behind him. Looking around the house, I contemplated over what I am supposed to do as I wait for him to be done.

I searched for my purse to check for my phone but then remembered that I'd left it over his bed. Expecting him to be in the shower already, I barged into the room, only to find him taking his shirt off, "Oh, I am sorry," I squeaked out, trying to look away from his naked upper body, "I am just...gonna-" I cleared my throat and made my way toward his bed, "The phone," I added nervously and I swear he couldn't seem less bothered.

I leaned forward, going through my purse and failing to find my phone due to the hot piece of meat standing a few meters away from me and distracting my brain from functioning on a basic level. Finally, after rather a long search, I grabbed the phone and turned around so fast, more than ready to run away before I again attack him and have him kick me out of his house this time.

At the same moment, he was reaching for his clothes over the bed and the rush in my movement had me colliding up against his hard solid chest, I gasped at the sudden contact, "Easy," He said and felt his hand over my arm, steadying me and keeping me at a safe distance.

"Sorry," I mumbled, my pulse raced as I lifted my gaze up to his face and felt myself flailing within everything he is; his green eyes, his lips, and his hard rock chest. Damn him, why couldn't he just like me as well, his genes plus mine could make really really hot babies.

I gulped down, kicking my silly fantasies away.

Against my better judgment, my eyes slid down and fell on his chest. The muscle beating so fast against my ribcage tightened at the sight of them again. Thinking of the possible pain he had to go through at one point for them to leave a persistent proof of his struggle had my heart breaking. I wasn't thinking straight, I was lost in the map of scars, hoping maybe they can lead me to my destination, lead me to the place where I can see him for who he actually is, the place where he buries his deepest darkest secret.

My hand lifted, my fingers craving to touch them, maybe then I could get a small dosage of what he felt, but the moment my skin made contact with his, his hand shot out, and his fingers wrapped around my wrist, his grip too hard that it actually hurt and knocked me back in.

I gulped and immediately lifted my gaze to his, "I am sorry," I mumbled.

His eyebrows drew closer, no, he didn't look angry, he just looked...scared. I couldn't understand why; "I just...I can't handle anyone touching them." He said, letting go of my hand.

I nodded, "I understand," Worry tightened my throat and my head tilted as I whispered out, "I just don't understand why would anyone do that to you."

Just like every time, he decided to make the conversation stop there because it was heading somewhere dangerous, so he didn't react, he didn't give me an answer, he just backed away from me, and his gaze went to the door, "Do you mind," He said, politely kicking me out.

I didn't say a thing and just walked out of his room and sat down on one of the couches. I thought of how I really should stick to my limits. He obviously doesn't want to share anything with me, and I just keep insisting. I facepalmed. No wonder I drove the man away. I really need to control myself and my big mouth.

I sighed and placed my head in my hands, knowing for sure that I am not capable of that.

*************

Nikolas's POV

This woman is insisting on driving me to another level of insanity.

She keeps digging, trying to reach for a part in me that I don't let just anyone see.

She scares me, because sometimes, I feel like I would just expose it all and...let her in. Her hand was so fucking close, her fingers ready to touch the part of me that I hate, and at the moment, I almost let her, thinking maybe...maybe her soft touch could take some of that ugliness away.

My jaw tightened at the thought and I pressed my eyes shut.

Wake up. Wake the fuck up.

Her big innocent blue eyes clouded my better senses, the light in her delicate self is what keeps pulling me in. I always like the things I can easily break. My darkness should never clash with her light; it could easily consume her in. It could hurt her. I would hurt her, and I'll probably enjoy it. That's how fucked up I am.

Entering her life was a mistake, a one I am going to correct today before tomorrow. I don't trust myself, and I don't want more innocents to suffer because of my doings. Once I make sure she is safe, like I promised, I'll be out of her life for real.

Keeping that thought in mind, I headed out. She was moving around, placing the pizza boxes over the table, with plates and glasses. Her eyes went to me and she showed me the Malbec bottle in her hand, "I snooped around and found this," She said guiltily, "Can we drink it? I am a sucker for wine and I could really use some right now."

I nodded and walked closer, "Yeah, sure."

She almost jumped up and her smile widened, "Yay!" She added enthusiastically, like a little child who just got offered candy instead of dinner.

"Come on, let's eat, I am starving," She said, her hand wrapping over my arm, and pulling me closer. Her eyes went from my face, down to my t-shirt and sweatpants and for some reason, she chuckled lowly.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "What?"

Her gaze went back to my face, a smile still over her lips, a smile so beautiful, "It's kind of weird to see you wearing sweatpants," She said, shrugging innocently, "It just," She bit at her lower lip, "It makes you look like just any other guy."

"And?"

She shook her head, "And you're definitely not like any other guy I've met."

I didn't know what exactly she meant, but she didn't leave me space nor time to think it through. She immediately pulled me from my arm and walked toward the couch. She sat down, poured us both drinks, took one slice into her plate, and backed into her seat, crossing her legs over the couch.

I couldn't help but just look at her do the simplest of tasks as she dove into her food. Her eyes closed for a second and a satisfied-sound made it out of her mouth as she chewed on her first bite, "Oh my god, I so needed this."

Her gaze flickered to me, her eyebrows raising, "What are you waiting for?" She asked before she leaned forward and placed a slice into another plate and pushed it into my lap, "Eat, eat, it's so good," She urged before she dove back into her own heaven.

I didn't know why, but something about watching her eat with such passion had me smiling. She looked so small, sitting there, wearing my clothes, legs crossed over my couch, and devouring her food. She looked so little and innocent and suddenly the urge to protect her became more persistent.

When she was done, she took the last sip of her wine and backed into the couch, "Okay, now I am happy," She mumbled with a sigh, "At the moment, I really could care less that some people are trying to kill me."

"How can you find pleasure in something as simple as eating?"

She turned her head toward me, "Because that what makes life worth living," A small smile curved her lips, and involuntary my eyes flickered to them, "Finding happiness in the little small things."

It was like she was speaking another language.

Confusion tightened my brows and I curiously asked, "So, what makes you happy?"

She kept her eyes on me, "Drinking my coffee in the morning," She started, listing the most basic things any human being could have, "Sitting beside the sea, listening to music and just not think about anything," She added, "Reading a good book," She didn't seem to be thinking hard about this, "Speeding down an empty road with a good car like yours for example," She cracked a smile, "Seeing my best friends after so long," She pulled into a deep breath, "Feeling like I really helped someone get over a bad stage, you know like I made a difference," Her smile slowly dropped and her eyes seemed to get lost somewhere before she shook her head and forced on a smile, "And of course food."

"What about you?" She asked, turning her whole body around so she's facing me, "What do you think makes you happy?"

"I..." I paused there for a second, unable to find an answer, my eyebrows pulled closer and I shook my head, "I don't know."

My answer had lines etching at her forehead, "So, you've...you've never felt happiness before?"

I tried to think, look back at my life and check even for a moment where I felt something remotely close to what happiness must feel like, "I think I did actually," A small smile lifted my lips at the thought, "Lilly," I mumbled.

It has got to be happiness that I feel when I am around that girl, every time I held her, every time she slept in my arms, her smile, her sweet scent, they always made a weird type of relief rush into my chest. When she was around, it used to help me let go of everything and nothing else would matter, not my past, nor my present, or whatever the future is holding. They all fade into nothingness and I only focus on her.

"Who is Lilly?" Natalie asked, trying to pry information out of me again, and for some reason, I gave her an answer, "She is my everything." I mumbled before I could stop myself, "She is my little girl."

Realization seemed to flash across her eyes, "I saw some baby's clothes in your closet," Natalie said and I nodded, they were the ones Cara had left behind, for some reason, I kept them and brought them here, something of her scent, something to keep me in touch with the part of me I discovered only because of her. Something to keep the monster away.

"Is she...Is she your daughter?" Natalie asked, hesitantly.

I shook my head; She will always be my little girl, but, "I am not her father," Because even this happiness was something I stole, something that didn't belong to me, something I didn't deserve.

"She is Alex's daughter," I clarified and a smile came back to Natalie's lips, "She's your niece." She said, "That's so sweet," There is nothing sweet about this story, but I decided to stop there. I've exposed more than enough already.

"See, you also can find happiness in the very little things," She said, "It's not hard, you just need to focus on the good parts, not the bad ones."

At my silence, she sighed, "Look, I know that you hate it when I keep talking and asking," She mumbled.

If she knows then why in hell does she keep on investigating me, "But, sometimes we need to be reminded of things so we can face them," Her tone took on a serious note, "Like what I said in the car," Her eyes tried to search mine, tried to find an answer, "You're in pain, so are you ready to face that?"

She didn't understand, "The pain you talk about is something I've felt for so long that it became normal," I shook my head, "I don't need to face it, Natalie, it's just how I live life."

A frown pulled up between her eyebrows, and she shook her head, "No, you think it became normal, but it's not, I can assure you that if you don't face it, if you don't finally recognize it as something that needs to be fixed," Worry flashed in the blue of her eyes, darkening them a little bit, "It will destroy you, Nikolas, you won't see it coming, but it will ruin you for good, that's when there will be no coming back for you."

"Is it wrong that I really don't care?"

She straightened herself in her seat, anger and confusion clouded her stare, "Of course it is wrong!" She said in bewilderment before something akin to realization flashed in her eyes, "You think you deserve this pain, don't you, that's why you're not willing to fix it or even acknowledge it."

I nodded, "It's because I do."

She shook her head and on a low whisper mumbled, "I've never seen someone hate themselves so much."

"It's only because you don't know the kind of man I am."

"I don't care," Her tone raised, "Okay, I get it, you're a bad person, you've done tons of terrible things, I don't care, I don't want to hear about what you've done, I want to hear about what has been done to you," Anger mixed with worry etched lines at her forehead, "Because that's the origin of everything," She gave me a challenging look, "So now, since you find pain so normal, can you look me in the eyes and tell me what's the most painful thing you had to go through?"

My fingers curled into the inside of my palm, trapping the rage she is triggering in me with her questions and her stupid facts, "Don't challenge me, Natalie." I warned.

Her eyebrow raised, "Why?" She questioned, "What would you do? Hurt me?" She addressed the subject so loosely, like I would never dare to hurt her. How could she be so naive?

"I think we've established that we're past that," She answered her own question, looking around the house, referring to the fact that I brought her here to protect her.

My jaw ticked, "Don't trust me," I warned again, "I might've saved you, but I could easily hurt you, much worse than they ever could."

"Then, do it," Here she is challenging me again, what the fuck is her problem?!

Frustration at her actions and words clouded my senses, "What are you trying to do?"

"You say you'll hurt me, do it, come on," She is not backing off, "I am just really curious how you'll do it, that's all."

"You're insane," I scoffed, getting to my feet, more than ready to get away before I snap.

"See, you're running away again," She remarked and I heard her footsteps behind me.

I whirled around, anger beat against my chest and I snapped, "What the hell is your problem?"

"I just want you to give me an answer," Her eyebrow raised, she didn't look the least threatened, "Tell me, Nikolas, what was so painful?"

"Stop," I warned again through gritted teeth, and took a threatening step forward.

"Was it your uncle?" She kept on talking, her eyebrows pulling closer, "Or maybe your father?"

"Natalie, I said stop!"

"Thinking about it, it has got to be your mother," Her words lit a frenzy in my brain, I just wanted her to shut the fuck up, "Because you never talk about her, you-" One big step forward and my hand went to the back of her neck, pulling her in and pressing my lips over hers, swallowing every other word from her mouth and finally shutting her up.

She gasped at first but recovered from her shock so fast. I felt her kiss me back and my brain started malfunctioning again. Her hand rested over my cheek, and her soft lips moved against mine in a way that drove me beyond insanity. It was all I could think about after that date night, her smell, the softness of her touch, how good it felt to have her delicate self so close to me. My palm pressed against her back, pulling her even closer and she melted into my arms.

All of my anger just faded into thin air.

I was trespassing my limits, craving for something I didn't deserve, needing her in all the inappropriate ways.

I had to stop.

I pulled away, breaking whatever this is, and I removed my hand from over her back reminding myself just how fucked up all of this is. But she didn't, she stayed close, her eyes glided open and she looked up at me, her thumb gently moved over my cheek as she said, "Is this what you meant by hurting me, because I pretty much enjoyed it."

Even when her words were meant to be playful, I couldn't shake away how wrong everything about this felt, "See, you can't hurt me," She shook her head, "You won't hurt me."

"How can you trust that I won't?" I asked, unable to comprehend the thought, "How can you trust me?"

"Because that's what you need," She said, "Someone to trust you, to believe in you, since you're not capable of doing that on your own."

For the first time, I could understand how true her words are.

***************

Natalie's POV

I let out an annoyed sigh as I looked at my phone again and saw that it is still eight in the morning. I woke up at six, freaking six, and I couldn't sleep since. Too much for sleeping late on weekends.

How could I sleep, when all I think about was the fact that he kissed me. True, he did it to shut me up, but he kissed me. He actually kissed me. I slept thinking about it, I dreamt about it and woke up with the chickens so I can keep thinking about his lips on mine.

After the kiss, per usual, he ran away, pretended to talk on his phone, and to avoid any further awkwardness, I decided to sleep. He let me crash on his bed, whereas he probably slept on the couch.

I heard some shuffling outside the room and decided that it's better to get up. I groaned, still not ready to face him and his delicious lips. I went to the bathroom and freshened up, made sure I look the least presentable before I exited his room.

My eyes searched for him around, he wasn't sleeping nor was he in the living room. The shuffling sound came from the kitchen so I immediately headed toward the sound's source, expecting him to be there. My eyes widened and I halted to a sudden stop when my eyes fell on someone who is definitely not Nikolas.

He also noticed the other presence in the room, he had the coffee cup close to his mouth, taking a sip but when his brown eyes fell on me, they widened and he coughed, choking on his own coffee before he placed the cup away, startled by my sight.

Nikolas told me no one knew where he lived. Is this man dangerous? Should I scream? Where the hell is Nikolas?

His shocked eyes went from me to around him, then back to me, "Am I in the right house or what?" He mumbled to himself.

I gulped down and confusion drew my eyebrows closer; I wanted to be scared but somehow couldn't get any dangerous vibe from this man, "Where is Nikolas?" I asked, hesitantly.

He got to his feet, his eyes skeptically taking me in and when he took a step forward, I took one backward, "He probably went for a run, he is not much of a sleeper," He said before a smile broke down his face, the smile assured me he is not someone I should be threatened from, "You must be Natalie," He said, and amusement flickered all over his face.

Before I could go over the fact that he knew who I am, he stepped forward, "I am Alex, we talked on the phone before," He explained and realization dawned on me.

An immediate smile lifted my lips, "Oh yeah, you're Nikolas's brother."

His smile was so charming and he nodded, "The one and only."

Wow, they look nothing alike.

Alex's gaze went over what I am wearing for a second before he looked behind me, "Okay, so you came out of his room, and you're wearing his clothes, I mean it's safe to say that's a good sign, right?" He commented, "I mean I still don't understand anything, but I am just so happy right now, I might just hug you."

Wait, what?

Does he think that we...you know.

"Uh, we didn't, I mean I am just here because," I didn't know if I could tell him what happened, "I am...I don't know what to say."

He gave a boyish smile, "You're so cute," He said and I could feel the redness creeping up my neck, "No wonder my brother likes you."

My eyes widened, "He likes me?" I wanted to slap myself at how fast I asked that.

Alex shrugged, "I mean he doesn't know it yet because he is so stupid, but given the fact that you are not dead yet, he definitely likes you."

What?

The sound of the main door being opened had me looking in its direction, "Oh he is back, this is gonna be so much fun," Alex said, beyond excited.

My heart retched higher when my eyes took him in, he walked inside and when his gaze lifted up to us, he halted to a stop, taken aback by the two people in his kitchen. His eyes went to Alex, then back to me, then back to Alex. The muscles of his jaw worked and he sarcastically mumbled, "Just what I needed."

Alex leaned over the table, "So Nikolas, I just met your girlfriend, she is cute."

I chocked on my saliva, "I am not his-"

"She is not my girlfriend," Nikolas stressed out, shooting Alex a hard glare.

Alex only smiled, "Oh yeah, believe me, she is," He looked at me, "You know you're the first girl he brings home," I gulped down and he inched closer to me, trying to whisper but purposely making Nikolas hear us as well, "I mean for some time there I was getting worried, then I thought he might be gay or something, tried to set him up with some guys," He shook his head and sighed, "Didn't work out either."

A loud breath made it out of Nikolas's mouth, "Alex, what are you doing here?"

He cracked a smile, "Oh, you have no idea how happy I am that I decided to drop by."

Are they really brothers?

They're like the total opposite.

"Also, you know he didn't want to see you," Alex added looking at me, "Because you kissed him that day, which by the way I applaud you for doing," Oh my god, I think I am gonna pass out, "But I pushed him to go back and see you since I am your biggest shipper over here, so I will be the one taking credit for this," He said pointing between me and Nikolas, who looked more than ready to punch Alex for telling me all of this.

"Alex," Nikolas grated out, "Don't you have a job you need to be at?"

He just shook his head, "And miss out on all the fun?" His eyebrow raised, "No way!"

Nikolas inched closer to my side, his eyes went down my body then back up and his jaw ticked, "Don't you think you should wear something else?" He said, his voice lower, just for me to hear.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Why?"

"You see, because he is kind of jealous that I might be checking you out," Alex interjected, "I mean I do have the reputation, but I am married now," He said waving his hand, "And I am head over heels with my wife, so I can assure you there is nothing you need to be worried about."

Oh god, he is really testing Nikolas's patience.

"It's not that!" Nikolas shot out, defending himself, before he looked back at me, "I mean we should go and you know."

I smiled and excitedly said, "We are gonna go get my cat?"

Alex coughed again, I turned to him to see him choking on his coffee, this time worse than before, "Oh man, I am not meant to drink coffee today," He mumbled as he rubbed at his throat and coughed once again.

He raised his hand, "Uh, excuse me," He said like a kid in class, taking permission to talk, "You two are getting a cat?" He asked in disbelief, shock enveloped his words, and his eyebrow raised, "I mean talk about taking it baby steps, what the-"

I shook my head, "No, no, it's my cat, and since I will be staying here for a couple of days, she can't be alone all that time."

Nikolas facepalmed beside me and hissed, "You didn't need to give him all these information, did you?"

Alex recovered from his shock and his smile was back, "So, you'll be staying for a couple of days, that's good to know."

He immediately pulled his phone out and placed it to his ear, calling someone.

"Who are you calling?" Nikolas asked, suspiciously.

"I am taking the day off," Alex answered casually, "I can't miss out on this."

"You really don't have to," Nikolas shot out, a threat behind his words.

Alex looked at me, "What's your cat's name?"

"Massie."

He nodded and looked at Nikolas, "See, Massie needs to meet her uncle Alex."

***********************************

It is taking everything in Nikolas not to punch Alex at the moment xD

So, whatcha ya think? Nikolas is starting to warm up to Natalie and she is literally playing with fire and testing him out xD

Also, off topic, can you guys give me some good movies recommendations?

That's all for now. Love ya all!