110

Ethan Gray

The weird feeling in my stomach started to grow the longer I stared at the sleeping beauty next to me. She leaned her head against the window, her eyelids closed, her mouth in a small pout as her chest raised slowly up and down every time she took a breath.

She looked serene, peaceful, even-tempered. Nothing like the girl from this morning. God, she was throwing such a fit about clothes. And then she even mentioned Veronika. I know that she knew about Veronika because it's all over the gossips. I never thought she would believe them. Gossips are gossips. Every celebrity, influencer, or model knows that. Even though Nicole didn't fall in any of those categories, she was the only heir of the Vargas hotel chains which makes her the perfect target for gossips.

Nicole seemed tired. After we had brunch at the Bruvette, she was very hungry may I add. Probably that's because she hadn't had breakfast in the morning, because of the tantrum she was throwing. I don't know why she's bothered about clothes and their seasons. When she came back downstairs, I couldn't help but compliment her inwardly. She looked so classy, stylish, fabulous, and oh god hot. Women wearing business clothes always looked so formal and uptight. Sometimes their clothes were too conservative or sometimes too revealing. None of those two were flattering.

But Nicole. She wore the perfect outfit to make men fall weak to their knees. I don't know how she does that. She's also very oblivious about what's happening around her. She can't see that men are openly eye raping her. If I could, I would throw them all a punch. Disgusting little pigs! She wasn't even revealing skin and they were all lusting on her.

After we had brunch I brought her to Stone Street for a walk and a nice little chat. Even though she was still mad at me that I introduced her as my girlfriend to Rose, she immediately forgave me as she saw how aesthetic Stone Street was. Just what she needed for her Instagram feed. After taking a couple of hundred pictures, we finally went back to the car. But not before grabbing a drink.

There she wanted to know more why Rose didn't like Veronika. That old woman didn't like the Russian at all. Hell, I didn't even like her. We both used each other for attention, a pr stunt is what they call it. Veronika was pretty... hot and vain. She could talk hours and hours about herself and never get tired. But she was the type of girl you could turn into your wife. Not only did she had the looks, but she was also a very good cook, cleaned the house, decorated everything, cleaned the kitchen, and whatnot. She was the ideal wife. My ideal wife.

But something. There was something missing. Not only did I not feel anything towards her, I also don't get the weird feeling in my stomach like the one that I get when I'm around Nicole. With Nicole, everything is so different. She could be dramatic as hell and throw tantrums like it's in her DNA, but she could also be sweet and understanding when necessary. She could make you feel like hell, but at the same time, it felt good.

A weird feeling. A feeling that I can't describe. Or maybe I could, but I don't want too. I don't want to admit.

I sighed and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She stirred a little but didn't wake up. We were already parked in front of the mansion for fifteen minutes and I was still contemplating if I should carry her inside or just wake her up.

I poked her softly on her upper arm, but she didn't even move. Guess there's only one way to get her in the house.

Minutes later I found myself carrying Nicole on the stairs to her room. She was lightweight, her hair covering half of her face as she still slept peacefully. Suddenly she moved and her eyes snapped open. Her eyes widened in confusion as she yelled out; "What the hell!"

She immediately jumped out of my arms, slapping my balls in the process.

Oh god ! Not my boys!

I groaned in pain as I watch her freak out.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry!"She apologized, "I was just a little confused."

"That's not an excuse to hit me in my balls!" I groaned in pain as I was trying to stand up straight. She had one hell of a hard punch. This girl!

"I thought it was your tummy. I thought you were---oh my god I don't know! I was just shocked." She walked over at me and helped me stand up straight. "I am so so sorry."

"It's okay." I waved my hand in dismissal as I tried to catch my breath. "You have very strong... hands."

"I know right!" She smiled proudly as she inspected her hands. Papai always told me that. He said it will come very handy when I get kidnapped or something."

Oh, it will indeed come in handy when she will ever get in trouble.

"Why did you had to carry me inside? You could have just wake me up." She said, "By The Way, I'm really hungry."

"You were sleeping like a corpse. I poked you so many times and you didn't even move." I said, "And what do you want to eat?"

She shrugged. "Whatever you make for me. I cannot cook remember."

Oh yes, don't want my kitchen to catch fire again.

"Let's go back downstairs then." I walked back downstairs followed by Nicole. I entered the kitchen and immediately opened the fridge. Today Lila did some shopping so my fridge was stocked with all kinds of vegetables and sweets.

"Chicken, hamburger, french frie---,"

"French fries!" I heard her yell from behind me. "I want french fries."

I chuckled as I grabbed the pack with french fries. "French fries it is then."

After I fried the french fries, onion rings, and sausage we settled down in the living room. Nicole was eating and occasionally moaning at how good it tasted. She then suddenly turned towards me with ketchup smudged on her cheeks.

I wiped it away with my thumb and smiled at her. "Does it taste good?"

"It's delicious!" She said smiling, licking her bottom lip.

Oh no! Don't! I cursed inwardly as she did that. That was my weakness. I could feel my heart racing wildly in my chest.

"I wanted to ask if you play the piano?" She asked as she looked at the piano in the middle of the living room.

It was placed there because every year during Christmas Florence and I used to play on it. "Of course I play it, otherwise it wouldn't be there."

"Can you play for me?" She asked softly, "I mean you don't have to, but---,"

"Yes, I mean why not?" I stood up from the couch and walked towards the piano. I took a seat and took a deep breath. I decided to play the easiest one I knew. River flows in you from Yiruma.

I got so lost in it, I always do when I play the piano. It makes me forget everything for a while. The piano calmed me down. Always.

When I was done playing, I turned around and saw Nicole looking at me intently and in total awe. A small smile played on her lips. "The piano calms you down." She remarked.

My eyes widened in surprise. "That's true, how did you know?"

The small smile stayed on her face. "Just the way you played it. I could feel you, you know that right? The emotions."

I raised my eyebrows. She could feel my emotions?

She shook her head. "Whatever, I'm rambling. Uhm Thanks for the food, I'll go get some sleep now before more crap comes out of my mouth." She laughed nervously. "Good night."

"Good night," I whispered, still thinking about what she said earlier.

She could feel my emotions. The way she said it. Her voice.

So soft. So serene.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought I could do this.

But I can't.

I just realized that I'm falling for her.

And I'm falling hard.