072
Chapter 72
Are You Trying To Embarrass Me?!
I picked up a piece of toast, still warm, and took a bite slowly. My eyes widened. “Hmm… it’s actually good..!!”
“See? I told you,” Nikolas said proudly. “I’m not just your Nik… I’m Chef Nik too.”
I laughed harder, nearly spilling juice. “Chef Nik… oh my God.”
He took the fork and scooped a bit of scrambled egg, holding it up to my mouth. “Open up..”
I looked at him shyly. “Nik.. stop.. you’re making me embarrassed.”
He tilted his head. “Why embarrassed? Just eat..”
I slowly opened my mouth and he fed me. I chewed, looking at him. “Hmm… this one is also nice. You’re not bad at all.”
His smile softened. “If you like it, then that’s enough for me.”
I paused a little, watching the way his eyes looked so calm and gentle. My chest felt warm. I poked him lightly. “Nik.. are you trying to spoil me?”
He leaned closer, his voice low. “What if I am?”
I looked away quickly. “Then I won’t complain…”
For a moment, there was silence, just me eating slowly while Nikolas sat beside me watching every expression on my face.
After a while, I sighed. “Nik.. why are you so good to me? Like… why suddenly?”
He smiled faintly. “Because you deserve it. Because every moment I see you, I just want to do something that makes you smile….”
My cheeks heated up. “Nik…” I whispered softly.
“Eat..” he said gently, pushing the tray closer.
I continued, though my heart was beating so fast I could hardly swallow.
After a few bites, I leaned back against the pillows. “I’m full already.”
Nikolas frowned. “But you barely ate half..”
I shook my head with a grin. “I’m really full. Maybe later.”
“Hmm..” he said, then reached forward and picked up a strawberry from the plate. He popped it in his mouth.
“You’re stealing from my tray?!!” I said quickly, gasping.
Nikolas smirked. “You’re not eating it, so it’s mine now.”
I pouted. “Greedy..”
He leaned closer suddenly, whispering near my ear. “Want me to feed you another one?”
I blinked at him. “Nik..”
Before I could protest, he picked another strawberry and held it near my lips. His eyes never left mine. Slowly, I parted my lips, letting him push it gently in. The sweet taste filled my mouth, but his gaze… that was sweeter.
I swallowed quickly and looked away. “You’re really impossible.”
He chuckled softly. “But you like it.”
I didn’t answer, just held my blanket tighter around me.
After breakfast, Nikolas took the tray away and returned, sitting on the bed again.
“Cassy..” he said quietly.
“Yes..?” I asked, turning to him.
His hand reached for mine, holding it gently. “I want you to know… everything I do, it’s not just because I feel responsible for you. It’s because I want to. Because being with you feels… right.”
My chest tightened. I stared at his hand on mine. “Nik.. don’t say things that make me feel too much…”
“Why not?” he whispered.
“Because…” I hesitated, then sighed. “Because I’m scared.”
He moved closer. “Scared of what?”
“Scared that this… us… it’s too good to last.”
Nikolas cupped my cheek softly. “Cassy, listen to me. I don’t make promises I can’t keep. And the one thing I know right now is… I want you in my life. Not just today, not just tomorrow… always.”
I swallowed, my eyes watering a little. “Nik..”
He smiled gently, wiping the corner of my eye with his thumb. “Hey… no tears. This was supposed to be a happy breakfast.”
I laughed through the lump in my throat. “It is… I’m just silly.”
He kissed my forehead softly. “No, you’re perfect.”
I leaned into his chest, my arms wrapping around him slowly. “Nik.. don’t ever let me go..”
“Never,” he whispered against my hair.
I pulled back slightly, looking at him. “Nik.. can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why me? You could have anyone… literally anyone. Why me?”
He smiled faintly. “Because when I look at you, I don’t just see beauty. I see kindness, strength, innocence… and a heart that makes me want to be better. You’re not like anyone else, Cassy. You’re you. And that’s enough.”
I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears again. “Nik.. you don’t know how much that means to me.”
He held my hand tighter. “Then let me show you every day.”
I smiled through the warmth filling my chest. “Okay.. but just so you know… I’ll hold you to that promise.”
“Good,” he whispered. “Because I want you to.”
Suddenly, the door opened.
“Cassy!!” Katy called as she badged in at once but immediately she saw Nikolas by my side.
She froze and bent her face.
“I’m sorry sir…” she said quickly and turned to leave, but Nikolas stopped her.
“Katy… you want to see Cassy…” Nikolas said calmly.
Katy shook her head fast. “No, I mean yes.. but I’ll come back later sir.”
I stood up quickly and went to meet Katy before she left.
“Katy.. wait…” I whispered, holding her arm.
“Sir… is here… you shouldn’t…” Katy tried to say in low voice.
I chuckled softly, brushing her shoulder. “It’s okay Katy… could you stop?!! Don’t look so tense.”
Katy looked at me and finally smiled a little.
I looked back at Nikolas. He was watching us, his eyes calm but sharp. Then suddenly, he stood and walked over.
He put his hand around my waist. My breath hitched a little.
“Could you fetch us fruits Katy?!” Nikolas said, his voice deep but soft.
“Y-yes sir..” Katy stammered and immediately rushed off.
I tilted my head up at him. “Why’d you do that? You made her nervous.”
Nikolas smirked. “She’s always nervous around me. But I wanted her gone… I wanted you to myself.”
I blinked. “Nik.. you’re shameless..”
“Maybe,” he whispered close to my ear. “But only for you.”
I rolled my eyes and gently pulled from his grip. “You don’t have to make her run like that.”
He moved closer again, not letting me go far. “I don’t like people disturbing when I’m with you.”
I crossed my arms. “Even Katy?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation.
I sighed. “Nikolas, she’s like my sister… she’s the only one who makes me feel less alone here.”
He stared at me silently, then his expression softened. “Alright. I won’t scare her again. But Cassy…” his fingers brushed my hair back, “don’t forget, I want to be the one who makes you feel less alone.”
My heart skipped. I looked away quickly. “You’re so stubborn..”
Nikolas chuckled and touched my chin, turning me back to face him. “And you love it.”
Before I could answer, Katy came back, holding a small tray of cut fruits. She placed it on the table gently, trying not to meet Nikolas eyes.
“Here sir.. Cassy..” she said softly.
“Thank you Katy..” I smiled warmly at her.
Nikolas reached, picked a grape, and without shame put it near my lips.
Katy gasped lightly and turned away fast, pretending not to see.
“Nik!!” I whispered, hitting his arm. “She’s still here..!!”
“So?” he said calmly.
I quickly opened my mouth, biting the grape just to make him stop. He smiled in satisfaction.
Katy looked at me, biting her lip, clearly trying not to laugh. She bowed a little. “I’ll leave now.”
When she left, I smacked Nikolas chest. “Why would you embarrass me like that?!”
Nikolas laughed softly. “You looked cute..”
I frowned, folding my arms. “You’re unbelievable..”
He sat back, relaxing on the chair, watching me. “You’ll forgive me soon. You always do.”
I sat opposite him, picking one fruit myself. “Don’t be too sure.”
He leaned forward, eyes fixed on me. “I am sure. Because deep down, you like when I do these things. You just don’t admit it.”
I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “Nik.. stop talking nonsense.”
He smiled faintly, picking another fruit. “Say what you want… but your eyes don’t lie Cassy.”
I looked down quickly, chewing quietly.
After some moments, I sighed. “Nik.. can I ask you something?”
He nodded slowly. “Anything.”
“Do you ever… think about the future? I mean… us?” I asked carefully.
He tilted his head. “Every single day.”
I blinked. “You do?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I think about how to keep you safe, how to make you stay by my side, how to give you more than you expect.”
My chest tightened. “That sounds like too much pressure..”
He reached for my hand across the table. “Not pressure. It’s what I want. My choice.”
I looked at him quietly, then whispered, “You’re too much sometimes Nik.”
“And you’re worth every bit of it,” he replied without hesitation.
I couldn’t speak for a while. My eyes watered, and I quickly looked away, blinking fast.
Nikolas stood, walked over to me, and knelt right in front of me.
“Cassy..” he said softly, holding my hands.
“Yes..?” I whispered to him.