Chapter 41: .•16•.

Diana let out a small yawn as she sat there, in the front passenger seat of Nicholas' car. She still felt somewhat tired. And dizzy, even but at least that pounding headache had gotten away after a pill and some coffee. It wasn't her first time going already tired to work anyway. She'd been in this situation a couple of times before. Having to go to work even though her body so desperately yearned for a good nap.

She stealthily trailed her gaze to the side of Nicholas' beautifully sculptured face as he drove, giving him a cautious glance.

She was still feeling a little embarrassed after this morning's events. She let him have a look at her body. Gaze upon her most intimate parts. And what was worse was that she hadn't even minded that much. She hadn't felt that angry or remorseful, even though that request of his had been definitely lewd and equally childish.

He'd asked to see her naked body. And that after making her feel the way that he did last night. He was taking so many liberties with her. Checking off so many of her list of firsts. And she couldn't even seem to be able to stop him.

What are you doing to me? She silently wondered, taking another look at the side of his gorgeous profile. Damn that beautiful face of his. Why did he have to look like that? It would've all been so much easier for her if he was less handsome at least!

"What are you thinking about?"

She blinked, her gaze refocusing on him once again. She felt her cheeks heating up a little.

"I'm thinking about the fact that your face really doesn't match your personality," she said, plain and simple.

"Oh?" His brow immediately rose in return, looking evidently intrigued.

"You look so...innocently handsome. Almost like an angel," she truthfully uttered with a small shake of her head as she continued to peer back at him into a rather scrutinising way. He really did look so weirdly innocent, despite his vile nature and those artful tattoos covering his neck and arms.

He chuckled, the sight of that smile making Diana's belly flutter.

"I've been called names before but certainly never that,"

"Devil, Satan, monster... the Antichrist...oh my god, leave me alone, no, what are you doing..." he simply listed out with a tilt of his head, making the girl give him a flat look in return.

"And then you have to open your mouth and ruin it all, of course," she mumbled with a sigh, earning herself another chuckle from him.

They fell back into that relaxed silence for the rest of the ride, Diana casually noticing that he wasn't driving like a crazed maniac today. He'd thankfully calmed down, choosing to respect the traffic signs and speed limitations.

She was secretly feeling so grateful for it, for she really didn't want to feel even sicker than she already was. And when they'd finally arrived, parking somewhere close enough to the coffee shop she gave him a quick "thank you" before scrambling out of that car, so eager to get away from him. Have at least a few hours without having to constantly see his face. Endure his wicked little games.

She clutched at her purse and rushed to the entrance, failing to even take notice of those footsteps trailing right after her. She pushed past that door and stepped inside, smiling as she noticed Dan standing behind the counter.

His baby blue eyes met hers, offering her a warm smile before they suddenly averted somewhere past her, his lips parting a little.

Her brows furrowed, curious to see what had managed to capture his attention like that, eyes growing wide as soon as she turned to peer past her shoulder.

Nicholas had followed her inside.

Why had he done that? Wasn't he supposed to return home to whatever it was that he was usually doing during the day?

She lightly shook her head, deciding to just ignore him. Maybe he'll go away if I do, she thought, offering Dan another smile as she approached him.

"Hi, Dan," she wrapped an arm around the back of his neck and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"How's momma? She ok?"

"Girl, you just saw her yesterday, of course she's okay, why wouldn't she be?" The male answered with a smile and a mild shake of his head, making her feel a little stupid for asking now. But the truth was that she was so damn curious to know. To see if it worked and if her momma was cured. She really didn't trust Nicholas and she evidently hated him for what he'd done to her. What he was still doing. Keeping her shackled to him like that. She had to know that at least she wasn't doing all this in vain. That she wasn't suffering for nothing.

"You're right," she said with a mild shake of her head, making a mental note to beg for Nicholas to let her visit her mom again in a few days. She just wanted to make herself sure. See with her own two eyes.

"Guess I'm a little woozy today. I'll go change," she told him, offering him a quick smile before she rushed inside that tiny changing room. Mentally hoping that Nicholas would disappear once she'd gotten out of there. She really wanted for him to leave. She was so desperate to have these few hours of peace.

She took off her jacket and purse, putting on that cute pastel-colored apron. However, as soon as she stepped back outside her mood plummeted, mentally whining as she noticed Nicholas idling by the other side of the counter and chatting with Dan.