[Nikki Rose White's photo above]

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Nikki's POV

"Ahhhhhh!" I screamed from the top of my lungs while fleeing for my life.

My legs were aching so bad and my lungs were tiring as air becomes a limit. For the second time around on one scenario but in different place and time, I was being chased by a mad dog when all I've been doing was to sincerely finish my job for the day as a door-to-door saleswoman.

I glanced behind my back while keeping my run as it was. An American monster had its four legs at maximum work while his mouth and teeth hankered after my flesh and bones. A broken chain connected from his neck collar made a horrifying sound as they chinked to each other, meeting the concrete road.

"Mother of Thor," I uttered to my self as my heart pulsates abnormally. "I'm not a stick you dumb dog! Shoo!"

Even with how louder I yelled it didn't seem to do anything with my case. The dog kept on barking and running after me for no distinguish reason while all I had was a sling bag filled with coupons and pamphlets for the advertisement of the establishment I was hired a week ago.

"Wow, and they say dogs are man's best friend
... Screw them." I muttered as I sprinted for my escape.

It took me three more minutes before reaching the apartment. Good thing it only takes me fifteen minutes of walk from here to my work everyday that I didn't need to bring my car with me. As I jogged inside, relief gradually laved me whole. However, for so long now this was basically the first time again my legs felt alive-- which also gave me an explanation as to why I took the stairs rather than ride the elevator.

Moments later after making it to the fourth floor to our room by foot, I slammed the door closed and let my body drop on the cold tiles to reclaim my breath.

"You're home early..." Chase spoke with astonishment, walking out the kitchenette with a mug of coffee in his hand and didn't even bother wearing a shirt. "What happened to you? Are you okay?" He asked with concern, noticing how messed up I appeared in his sight. 

"I'm quitting." I spoke, still panting.

"Why? Is it your boss?-- I can do something about it if he's your problem." He generously offered in a forthright manner which surprises me a lot.

"Dog."

"Again?" He chortled while flopping his behind on the sofa. "Maybe because they think you're a walking jerk meat with your red vest and slacks."

"Ugh, don't even remind me. This uniform is the most ridiculous thing I've ever encountered in my whole life-- Worse, worn."

"That makes two of you with your nest hair." He jested while keeping himself fully entertained on my comical look.

"Ha-ha," I uttered sarcastically and paused to gather my hair in a bun. "All right clown boy, show's over..." I extended my hand and pouted for extra theatrical effect for a request. "Can you help me stand? Please..."

He smirked and placed the mug on the coffee table before sauntering towards me. "Is that pout necessary?" He asked with amusement while crouching in front of me to place his hands on my waist.

"It just gets you all the time." I murmured with a crooked smile and let my arms slithered around his neck. "You know that, right?"

He lightly chuckled and said, "Only one of the many things I know."

"You're not wrong." I bit my lower lip to tease and giggle after seeing him pull a crooked smile.

"Enticing," He pecked a kiss on my lips and murmured, "Now, let's get you up before I get to drink a cold coffee." Then adjusted his hold, circling my waist and lifted me up to my feet with him. "Goodness, your costume felt like plastic to me. You better change before you catch a cold or something."

"It's a uniform. At least that's what they call it." I candidly reacted as he let out a short laugh and ambled back to the living room to sip in his coffee.

The whole place was big enough for the two of us. Though it was essential having all primary rooms, really. There were two bedrooms however, but only occupied the principal area since Chase said he felt too lonely inside a huge box. Which then left the other one vacant.

"I told you to work at my dad's company. No dogs will ever chase you there for sure." He said, bringing me back in reality.

"No dogs, sure. But your dad will apparently be there to nag me all the time about his 'son' rejecting an almighty proposal." I remarked while sitting down comfortably beside him. "I'll work there if you do too. Your dad made me promised, remember?"

He scoffed a sound which instinctually made me roll my eyes, "Never mind then... I believe he can take care of his business alone."

"Why do you always make that tone each time we talk about him?"

"I don't know." He shifted on his position to directly face me. "Why is this now about me? Aren't we talking about you?"

"Why not talk about you, if we're already talking about me?" I quipped and tried to imitate the big smirk he always plastered on his face.

There was a long pause and neither of us broke it awhile as I stared back to him. It always amazes me on how he manages to stop my world from rotating even till now, as if it was always the first time of everything. His hazel eyes seemed to touch me and whisper sweet words I would love to be drown into for the rest of my life. For the first after a hundred, I was lost than ever.

I soon felt his soft touch, carressing my cheek with a smile on his face. The cool breeze of the AC hits me making me slightly shiver, and shortly afterwards, a taste of coffee met my lips when he kissed me. I instantly responded back and snaked my hands to his nape. A tingling sensation then crept up my spine which followed an involuntary soft moan escaping my lips as he pulled me closer to his body.

His arms already made their way around my waist but I wasn't feeling much of his warm touch because of the thick ludicrous vest I was wearing. After realizing that my clothing made things looked absurd, I disconnected the lip lock.

While grumbling I slipped a moment to cuss inwardly as I looked down to myself. "Like you said, I have to change." I heavily sighed, standing up with his eyes not leaving me. "I'll go take a quick bath as well."

"Do you want me to join you?" He asked with confidence and purity.

I retaken my steps back towards him and ran my fingers on his slightly wet hair before slouching down to smell it. "You already took a shower."

"Yeah, but it's been five minutes!" He purposely exclaimed for me to hear it while I ambled towards the bathroom.

"Finish your coffee!"

Chase's POV

I watched as she made her way to the bathroom before taking another long sip on my hot coffee. Knowing that Nikki and I spent hours and days together for three years now, I couldn't deny nor verify that 'something' actually happened with the both of us. She always sets her priorities wisely and I could either be her first or second, but luckily never the last.

As I was about to stand up and head to the kitchen with my empty mug, my phone rang. I took it instead and reclined back on the seat while checking on the caller ID. After seeing Nathan's name on my screen, I swiped green to answer.

"Hey," I started.

"What's up, bro?" Nathan asked,

"Ceiling."

"What's the color?"

I shook my head and slipped out a short chuckle, "Cut it. What's your deal?"

"Okay, listen, Scott's parents are out of town for a week and I've decided to throw  a party there later at six. Wanna join us?"

Nathan Andrews, the only guy I know a twin to party. Sure it sounds fun to host, but frequently spending too much for liquors, lights, Dj's, and other stuffs?-- I don't think so.

"Yeah sure but, I gotta ask Nikki if she got other plans tonight."

"What?? Chase, where did the "bros before ho--"

"Who established that?"

"Dude, come on I'm desperate! Just one night! Help me find a girl!" He whined.

"You trust yourself more than how you trust my own judgments, so I don't really think you need me that much. Besides, we don't even have the same taste!"

"Actually we do."

"I don't like the sound of that... Jeez, it's like you're telling me that you like my girlfriend."

"But I didn't..." He intoned, "Hey, just convince Nikki, it's always easy as pizza when it comes to you anyway."

"Yeah, but then again it's not me. It's you. Because of your idiocy you ruined your connection with Hailey and Nikki."

"Me? I was the victim!"

"Yeah, after you started the whole drama!"

"Hey, I don't deserve to be punched straight in the face like that! Specially not by a girl."

"She did it to support her best friend, bro. What did you expect?"

What happened? Nathan lost a tooth after he got smacked in the face by Nikki. It was when her best friend Hailey, confessed her feelings for Nathan but ended to a real disaster when he was caught in it, thirty minutes after, on the contrary to what he told her with rejection.

"All right. All right. So it's my fault, Hailey and I just recently hang out anyway with her son."

"What? Are you telling me that you two are okay?"

"Yup. So, I'll see you here in a few hours then?"

"I'll let Nikki know about it."

"Sure, but that's not what I want to hear from you."

"What do you want me to say? I love you?"

"Chase?" Nikki suddenly walked in the living room with a tank top and a jogger donned in while drying her long flaxen hair with an absorbent cloth.

"Talk to you later, bro." I ended the call with my mind wandering on how to start the talk with her about the party.

"Who are you speaking to?"

My eyes followed her as she sauntered towards the dining area and hung the damped towel on one of the back of the chair and simply answered, "Uhh, Nathan."

"And you're telling him you love him?" She asked with confusion.

"It's not really like that. Not at all."

She gradually bobbed her once and peeked at the kitchenette thereafter. "You cooked your breakfast?"

I shook my head, taking the remote control on my free hand as I switched on different channels. "Just the leftover you had earlier this morning."

We had been staying together in the apartment for only two weeks and a lot of the arrangements really blows up my mind till now, but I can always adapt to things. Though I was still hoping it will be in a fast pace even if my own skills tells me it would take a long time.

"So, uhm..." I paused, bringing up the thing Nathan and I talked about. "Nathan's hosting another party at Scott's house and wants us to be there."

She looked at me and shrugged, "I'll pass."

"Why?" I simply queried while she sat beside me with a bag of chips. "You've been avoiding the guy for a long time. It's not like he did something as big of a deal."

"Yeah, you're right." She made it sound indubitable to miss the sham of the line.

"Well? --What's the fuss then?"

She avoided my question for a moment while she took her time opening the snack bag. "Because it's an hour and a half drive?"

I raised a brow, and dipped my hand in the bag and took a chip. "We can stay there for the night if that's your problem? Then we'll leave by morning."

"But I need to submit a resignation letter to Mr. Robbie and look for another job. You knew I needed money for college and, I only have three months to fill my piggy bank ready."

"Nikki, I can always help you with that. Don't stress out, okay?"

"But..."

"We'll leave quarter to five." I smiled, and pecked a kiss on her forehead.

"And, what if Hailey finds out I went to her ex-crush's party? She's mad still."

"So that's your real concern, isn't it?"

"Don't worry, I'll be okay. I'll just stay here and guard the place then make myself salad for dinner." She nodded while forcing a smile.

I got plans, so I didn't argue. "Okay."

A/N: Hmm... okay, so I've got some questions... is this chapter long enough for you? Also, anyone here been chased by a rabid dog or something? 😂 I'm only curious, because I remembered myself running away from a mad turkey when I was a little kid. Hahahaha