Chapter 30

“He perhaps told you about me at least?”

The woman entered even though Say had not yet invited her. Then she remembered a short conversation with Nick and the sales personnel in the boutique the other day.

“Hi, sir...you're looking for a dress or something for your wife...or your girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend.”

“A-are you the g-girlfriend of Nick?”

“Girlfriend. Partner. Business Associate. I'm his everything...”

She was silent for a moment. She doesn't know how to deal with the girlfriend of the man she loves.

“Okay, so while you are still thinking of what to ask, why don't you pick up my baggage and bring it to the room of Nick where I will stay too.”

In the Master's bedroom? Where Nick and I just spent our night together?

“Cat got your tongue? I told you to take my stuff to Nick's room. He told me he stays in the Master's bedroom. He picked me up at the airport earlier but he couldn't take me because he still had a business meeting. So that's why I wanted you to bring me there...NOW. ”

Did Nick tell her to stay in the Master's bedroom? And she thought it would be... it would be... What foolishness are you thinking this time Say? You know Nick is mad at you...Did you just hope that will change just because he kissed you?

She took a deep breath before answering Brooke. "Yes, I'll take your things upstairs."

***

“Do you still need anything else?”

“Oh, please prepare the bathtub for me. I want a warm dip and clean myself before Nick arrives. He also asked me to tell you to cook a nice dinner by at least 8 pm. ”

“Is that it?

She raised her red-colored nails and smiled at her like she was a butler. “Oh yeah...an ice-cold juice too.”

Say's fist clenched. The lady had more orders than Nick before. “Anything else?”

“That's all.”

***

A couple of hours after, Nick arrived. And it looks like he already forgot what he promised he will do tonight as e he got busy when he saw Brooke. Say was preparing the dinner table when Brooke entered and Nick followed her.

“Brooke...You're here?” Nick looked like he was surprised.

“In the dinner table? Of course yes. You told me we’ll have dinner at 8 PM right so I just came in earlier than you. Anyways, the dinner is prepared by Say herself.” Brooke looked in Say’s direction and smiled sweetly.

“Thanks, Say.”

Although she was crumbling into a thousand pieces inside, she forced to smile. “You're welcome.”

Then Nick’s face suddenly became worried when he saw her. “Say...you’re still sick, why are you–”

“Lady, can you please get us a bottle of wine I brought earlier? Please include 2 Champaign glass.” Before Nick could get close to her, Brooke already pulled Nick to sit down next to her. And Nick obliged like a little boy.

Say can’t help but smile bitterly. He is worried about me? That is preposterous, how could he when his girlfriend is also here?

She returned a few minutes after carrying what they needed. “Is there anything else I can do, Ma’am Brooke? Master Nick?”

Nick just stared at her looking like he doesn't know what to say.

“That's all. You can leave us now. Oh, yeah - please fix the Master’s bedroom.”

****

When the door was closed, Nick pulled Brooke away. “Now, let’s talk. Why did you follow me here? ”

They were now in the Master’s bedroom, right after Say has just fixed it after their dinner. He was so surprised when Brooke was in the Philippines. He has other plans tonight with Say.

“Don't you think you know the answer to your own question, Nicholas?”

“Damn it, Brooke, don't talk in circles.” He held Brooke in the wall wanting to get his answers.

“It's been two weeks and yet, you haven't returned to Seattle so I came here. And then I saw who the woman you're talking about. I wonder how could you like her, love her, with her looks. And now, you act like a teenager who doesn't know what to do in front of that girl.

“What do you –“

Brooke grasped the collar of his long sleeve. “Don't you remember the plan, Nick? Two weeks in the Philippines - Two weeks you will punish her, mistreat her; you'd ask her to do everything you want including bedding her. Did you even slightly remember the plan? ”

Nick averted his eyes, removed Brooke's grip on his collar and he walked over to the bar and poured himself a stiff bourbon from the desk.

“I didn't forget that.” The bitter taste of the liquor poured thru Nick.

“Then why does it seem like until now, you are like a dog whose tail waggles when you see that girl? For goodness, I thought she is really that pretty and –” Brooke took the bourbon from his hands and drank. Her eyes were focused on Nick.

“She is pretty.”

“In a simple way. Look at this plainly, Nick - She is no longer the woman you fantasized about ten years ago. Her stature, beauty, popularity were gone ... ”

He was silent for a moment. Brooke continued.”

“Remember that she is the woman who embarrassed you...the reason your mother is gone now ... The mother you forgot and left in haste because of the pain that woman did to you on the same night she had a heart attack. You told me that she had another man, another boyfriend while you were supposedly in a relationship. Don't you think that girl is the one you'd be afraid to face? Don't tell me you are falling in her charms again Nicholas if there was any...”

He gritted his teeth when he remembered everything, the plan. “NO.”

“There you go. So, make up your mind and finish that damn revenge thing. Get your satisfaction by making her be punished for what she did to you. I can’t wait to bring you home...but right now, I can't wait to kiss you, babe. Come here.”

And then Brooke kissed Nick hungrily.

That was also the same scene Say painfully saw when she opened the door abruptly while bringing sets of blankets and pillow. Say stood cold. For a moment, Nick wanted to run to her and tell her it was not what she thought of. But Brooke held him back.

“S-say...”

"I'll just leave here what you need tonight." That was all she said and Nick saw her turned away. He felt a pang of guilt as his eyes followed her steps. Brooke touched his face and pulled him back to look at herself.

“Nick...are you okay?”

“I am.” He sighed. His heart might be saying something else but Brooke was right.

"It's better that she saw us that way so you can re-start your plan. I don't want you to fail this time, alright?"