Chapter 13 Nicholas Confession
After that, Nicholas and I went a whole month without any contact.
I'd completely changed the trajectory of my life and wanted to stretch every day into eight separate parts. After work, I'd wander through bustling markets full of life and energy. Shopping alone, buying whatever I wanted. Sometimes on my days off, I'd jog with the regulars at the park.
That's when it hit me—life could actually be this amazing? Not serving as Sabrina's personal blood bank. Not watching the Rosewood family's moods. I could actually live like a real person.
During this time, the Rosewood family suddenly went quiet too. Nobody came to bother me anymore, including troublemaker Sabrina.
I threw myself into work, focused on improving myself.
Right before lunch one morning, I received an email from Blake.
[Catherine, come to my office after you eat]
DI was pretty humane—after lunch, we got a full hour for our break.
"Mr. Gordon."
I knocked and entered his office. He gestured for me to close the door. I couldn't figure out why, mentally reviewing whether I'd messed up any recent work.
Blake poured me tea. "How's work been? Still settling in okay?"
"Pretty good. I've learned a lot."
I answered honestly.
Blake made an acknowledging sound. "What are your plans regarding the Rosewood family?"
"I've heard they've been causing you trouble multiple times. If it's really bothering you, I can pull you from the Rosewood Group collaboration project."
"Which team would you prefer? Your choice."
He pushed a stack of obviously pre-prepared files toward me.
I felt kind of awkward. Normally in this situation, wouldn't a company just suggest I leave? How was he actively helping me solve the problem instead?
Or was Blake helping me because of Nicholas?
I didn't ask directly, but I also didn't want to trouble him further.
"That's not necessary, Blake." I smiled, declining. "I'm still just an intern. Low rank. I don't usually interface with Rosewood Group people anyway."
"Besides, it's just work. No big deal."
I respectfully pushed the files back toward him.
Blake looked somewhat surprised. From his observations, I avoided the Rosewood family like the plague. Why wouldn't I accept his help now?
Thinking of Nicholas's recent state, he didn't push further. Instead, he asked, "Have you been in touch with Nicholas lately?"
I was a bit confused. What was he getting at with this question? Did Blake also know that fiancée? Was he fishing for information?
With that thought, I quickly distanced myself. "No."
My answer came out crisp and clean.
Blake's tone grew heavier. "Nicholas is sick."
"Is it serious?"
He didn't answer, just kept sighing. Even I couldn't help starting to worry.
Nicholas had helped me so much. Now that he was sick, I should visit him out of basic decency.
I asked quickly, "Blake, can I go see him?"
A smile bloomed across Blake's face. Finally, he'd gotten me to say it.
"Don't rush off after work. I'll take you."
I didn't understand why he looked so happy. It was just me wanting to visit Nicholas, wasn't it?
I was about to press for more when Blake's smile disappeared. "Head back to work for now."
I had no choice but to suppress my confusion.
After work, I rode in Blake's car with him. The vehicle cut through several streets before stopping beneath Nicholas's company building.
I looked around, puzzled. There wasn't a hospital anywhere nearby, was there?
I immediately voiced my confusion. "Blake, didn't you say you were taking me to visit someone sick?"
Had Nicholas actually been sick at all?
Blake answered casually, "Nicholas is working through his illness. Won't go to the hospital. He's been pulling all-nighters too."
I was secretly impressed. Truly befitting a major company CEO—still working this hard while sick.
Blake, unaware of my thoughts, led me through the building without any obstacles. When we entered Nicholas's office, he was still buried in work.
"Ahem!" Blake cleared his throat as a hint.
Nicholas looked up. Seeing me there too, he froze completely.
He hadn't known I was coming?
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at Blake beside me. The atmosphere in the room instantly turned awkward.
Blake pulled out his phone, looking between me and Nicholas. "Something came up at the office I need to handle. You two talk."
After dropping that line, he strode out.
The massive office was suddenly just me and Nicholas, staring at each other.
Worried being alone might cause misunderstandings, I also wanted to leave. But Nicholas pointed to the sofa nearby. "Please, sit."
He'd already spoken. Leaving now would seem really rude.
Feeling somewhat helpless, I figured since I was already here... just check on him and go!
I found a seat. "You're sick?"
Straight to the point.
Nicholas set down his pen. "Not real—"
Before he could finish denying it, his throat tickled with dryness, directly exposing his lie with a cough.
I couldn't help but smile.
"No matter how busy work gets, you need to take care of yourself. Want me to come with you to see a doctor?"
Suddenly, I saw his face flushed. Was he angry?
With a bitter smile, he told me a story.
After watching me leave that day, his mind had been spinning endlessly. He had returned to the apartment we'd once shared.
Every time he walked into the kitchen or sat at the dining table, he couldn't help but recall my face, my voice, my smile.
He'd received elite education his whole life. His parents' marriage had been arranged—they respected each other but nothing more.
Nicholas didn't know what love was. That's why when I'd asked him directly, his instinctive reaction had been denial.
But he'd wanted to keep me there. And I'd refused his request.
Disappointment and frustration kept battering his heart. Nicholas had confided in his best friend, who'd replied, "Nicholas, you've fallen for Catherine, haven't you?"
He liked me?
He said he hadn't admitted it at that time, but every single day since had reminded him—
"Catherine, I know this is sudden, but... I think I've really fallen for you."
His confession startled me. I instantly understood how he must have felt when I'd asked if he liked me that day.
Turns out getting confessed to out of nowhere really does make you panic.
"Are you running a fever?"
I tried to give him an out. It must be the illness making him talk nonsense.
Before I could fully convince myself of that, Nicholas dumped cold water on my theory.
His tone was serious. Earnest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd be coming today."
"I heard confessions should include flowers. Is it too late to order some now?"
Nicholas genuinely seemed to be asking my opinion.
I was completely thrown. I waved my hands frantically. "No, no, you need to calm down first."
"I am calm, Catherine. This is something I've thought through carefully."
I fell silent.
To be completely honest, he was great. But...
I took a deep breath. Under Nicholas's expectant gaze, I gave him my answer.
"I'm sorry. I don't feel that way about you."