Chapter 67 Be His Companion
Nicholas's figure gradually came into focus before me. The dim streetlights cast him in an inexplicable mood—part dissatisfaction, part hurt, with a trace of melancholy.
His eyes found me first. Those deep-set eyes remained calm as still water. "Yeah, something came up at the office. Just got back."
Then Nicholas turned his attention to Samuel, who was sizing him up. "Catherine and I are neighbors."
His tone stayed level, but I caught the undercurrent of hostility threading through his words.
My gaze bounced between them, confused. They seemed engaged in some kind of silent standoff.
Samuel adjusted his glasses first. "I see."
He turned to me, radiating gentle scholarly charm. "Catherine, thanks for being my tour guide at our alma mater today. I'm really looking forward to seeing you again."
I hadn't expected him to say that. I felt Nicholas's scrutinizing gaze land on me.
Melissa's words scattered what little guilt had crept into my heart. I smiled back. "It was nothing, really. Let's hang out again sometime."
Pretty standard pleasantries. But judging by Nicholas's expression, it hadn't landed that way.
From the corner of my eye, I caught the barely-there twist of his lips, his features clouded with agitation.
Perfect. This was working. I forced down the smile trying to break free.
I was also carefully measuring how far to push this. From a practical standpoint, Nicholas was too important to me to completely alienate.
Just as I was trying to figure out how to break this weird tension—
Samuel spoke again. "Catherine, since you're living on your own now, would it be okay if I came up for a bit? We're old friends, after all. Back in high school, you even helped me set up my place."
The moment those words left his mouth, I felt the air pressure drop around us. The oxygen seemed to vanish in an instant.
A sharp, possessive gaze locked onto me from all sides.
I knew I couldn't let Samuel keep provoking Nicholas. I quickly moved to Nicholas's side, my tone apologetic. "Maybe another time. Nicholas is one of my employers—I need to go up and make him dinner."
I glanced at Nicholas beside me. "You haven't eaten yet, right?"
Nicholas's lips pressed into a thin line. "No."
I turned back to Samuel, putting on a helpless expression. Seeing the disappointment on his face, I smiled and promised I'd definitely invite him up sometime.
"I'd love to try your cooking someday."
"Definitely."
I watched Samuel get in his car and drive off. Internally, I was pretty impressed with myself for handling two men at once.
When I turned around, Nicholas had already headed upstairs. We walked in silence, but I dutifully followed him home and disappeared into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Nicholas ate with refined manners. The Harrington family had raised him well. Watching him eat was honestly a pleasure.
Today, though, his appetite seemed off. He only took symbolic bites of each dish.
As the cook, every move from the person eating mattered. I asked quickly, "What's wrong? Did I mess up the seasoning somewhere?"
Nicholas set down his utensils and looked straight at me. "Catherine, I'm really unhappy right now."
On the surface, I looked confused and bewildered. Internally, I was kind of amazed. Had Nicholas actually fallen in love?
Sometimes I examined the nature of our relationship. That day I'd asked if he liked me just to figure out his psychological motives for helping me. But I never expected that a month later, Nicholas would suddenly confess his feelings.
Our emotional foundation wasn't exactly solid, and I was used to avoiding things. I didn't dislike being close to Nicholas, but that didn't mean he was irreplaceable.
Melissa's words had been eye-opening. After putting her advice into practice, I realized how naive I'd been before—I'd almost become Nicholas's kept pet. Even though he'd always guided me to become a better person, emotionally speaking, Nicholas had crossed a line.
"Did something go wrong at work today?"
When he didn't continue, I probed further.
Nicholas's all-seeing gaze stayed fixed on me. I didn't dodge or hide, and eventually he was the first to back down. "No."
Nicholas shook his head, lowering his eyes. His mood hit rock bottom.
I didn't ask more questions. The more you say, the more mistakes you make. Besides, we were just friends, weren't we? If he didn't ask, I naturally didn't need to report everything to him.
Nicholas took a few more bites. "You can head back. I'll clean up myself later."
The employer had spoken. Since I was being paid, there was no reason to argue. "Okay, I'll head out then."
At that, Nicholas's head snapped up. His eyes filled with hurt and shock, as if asking, 'You really don't care about me at all?'
I pretended not to notice. Just as I reached the door, Nicholas called out, "Wait."
"Do you have plans Wednesday night?"
I frowned, thinking. I shook my head. "Do you need something?"
Nicholas's mood visibly improved. "Yeah, there's a gala I need to attend. I'd like you to be my date."
"That doesn't seem appropriate."
My instinct was to decline.
Nicholas gave me a cool glance. "I can pay you separately for it."
"Also, the hosts are the Johnson family. Sabrina will most likely be there."
He'd just given me two conditions I couldn't refuse. Like I said before, nobody turns down extra money, me included. And Sabrina—she was my primary target.
I instantly changed my tune. "No problem. It'd be an honor to be your date."
Nicholas waved his hand, signaling I could leave.
On the day of the gala, I'd just exited the DI company building when I spotted Nicholas waiting outside. He naturally took my bag, opened the car door for me, as if our previous friction had never existed.
"I'll take you to get your hair and makeup done first. The gala starts at eight."
"What do you want to eat? I'll have my assistant bring it over."
Nicholas arranged everything methodically.
I was a bit taken aback but accepted his coordination. "Anything's fine. I'm not picky."
Nicholas acknowledged this and called his assistant while starting the car.
I felt inexplicably nervous. In my past life, under Andrew's leadership, the Rosewood family company had flourished. He'd frequently attended galas large and small, and Sabrina was always his date.
Even when Sabrina wasn't feeling well, Andrew would rather bring his female secretary than me. On the rare occasions the Rosewood family hosted events, I was always relegated to staying in my room, as if I were something shameful to hide.
After getting ready, Nicholas and I headed to the venue. The Johnson family was old-money aristocracy—the Rosewood family wasn't even qualified to attend. Sabrina was only going because of Edward, the family's golden boy.
We arrived at the destination. I held up my gown with one hand and looped the other through Nicholas's arm as we walked toward the main hall together.
"Who's that?"