Chapter 24

Alitha's POV

"That's Alec, huh?" He asked sarcastically. "Yes. You know him?" What is it this time, Niko? I wanted to ask him but I was annoyed by his action and the way he spoke. It seems like I want to undo what I decided earlier. I have been planning to give him a chance and answer him. But if he does this, it might make me back off. It was as if I were going to pick up a rock and hit it on my head. I called that stupidity.

"No. I saw him with you last week, remember?" Why do I sensed something is wrong with him. He sounds like he's crying but his face is showing danger. How is that even possible? He saw me last week but he acted like he haven't. "Yeah. I came here every weekend. It's either Saturday or Sunday." "Why?" Do I have to answer that? What will I say? Alec forbids me to tell our session to anyone unless it's my family.

But Niko is not my family so I need to come up with a lie. "He's my tutor." His eyes lingered in my eyes but I couldn't see any emotion. "Tutor?" "Yes, Alec is my tutor." "Why you're asking for his help? I mean, you can find another tutor. A female tutor perhaps."

"Why? What's wrong with Alec? He's been teaching for a couple of years now." I can't understand him. Why is he acting that way? "It's different now, Ali. You have a boyfriend now and it's not good for me to know that you're alone with him all day in that fucking house!" He shouted that makes me halted. "No one has shouted at me yet, Niko." I said calmy but my eyes are showing anger and annoyance.

"Because you're hurting me!" He slammed his chest three times afterwards. I was stunned at the strength of it and stared into his eyes. I silently asked him. "I'm jealous! I've never been jealous and I will never get jealous but you made me feel that way!" He ruffled his hair with both hands and pulled himself up. He walked towards my car and hit it several times with both of his hands. He was just next to me so I closed my eyes because of the force of his rattle on the roof of my car.

He's a violent type of person but that doesn't work for me. He was silent for a few seconds. I didn't say a word or even look at him. I just quietly leaned back in my car and alertly anticipating his next move. "You keep on hurting me, Ali." He said after a while. His voice is softer now. He faced me and lean his side on my car. "You know that I like you. I'm jealous whenever there's a man next to you." Damn, self! He's already jealous but why do I feel like there's numerous butterflies flying in my stomach?

It's tickling me but I know that it's because of his words that's why I am feeling this way. "I was going to answer you tomorrow but since you're here, I'm going to tell you now." He was speechless and I felt him stand straight waiting for the next thing I say. "I don't like men who are jealous, violent, dictatorial, possessive and bad -tempered. But from what I can see, you have that all." I sighed. "I can change for you, Ali." He abruptly said. "Can you?" I am challenging him.

"If you will let me be with you, I can show you that I can change all that, for you. Just.. be with me, Ali." There's that feeling again. It tickles not only my stomach but also my heart now. "It's hard being with me, Nikolai. You may not be able to cope. You might not be able to stand me." Isn't that better? It'll test how much he feels about me. Yeah, why not?

"I can adjust for you. I want to be with you all the time. I want to make sure you're mine. Even though we haven't been together all day, I know you're all mine, Ali." He faced me to him and looked he stared at me. I really can't resist him if his face is so handsome. The way he pleads to me just to answer him. "I will give you a chance but promise me one thing." His eyes widened and there's small smile on his lips. "What is it, baby?" "Don't hurt me, Niko."

His hidden smile gradually faded and turned into a sweet smile. "I promise you, baby, I won't." I smiled at him too. I am like a bird released from captivity in a cage. He hugged me tightly and I laughed. He even kissed me on my forehead. "I'm so happy! So much! I want to jump but I'm ashamed of you, baby." He whispered to me. I hugged him tightly and secretly grinned.

"Don't make me jealous." He suddenly said while we're hugging each other. "Alec is just my tutor. Nothing's special." "I will still erase him there in yourself. I want to be the only man in your life aside from your father." I looked up at him. I was so happy. As I looked at him he was staring at me. His lips were smiling as well as his eyes. I think that's how I look now too. "I hate possessiveness, Niko."

"I can't help it, baby." His hands touched my cheeks gently. His lips found mine and kissed me hard yet gentle. It's the same kiss he gave me yesterday evening. I kissed him back with the same ferocity. I admit I missed him a lot. He didn't let me sleep the whole night. But I pushed him away when I suddenly remembered something. My bodyguards are probably watching us.

"W-what's wrong?" He held on my waist and he didn't want to be away from me. "I need to go home. My parents will be looking for me." His confusion changed to amusement. "Oh, okay. I will see you tomorrow then?" I felt excited by the thought that I cam see him again tomorrow. "Okay." "Call me when you arrive." "Ahm, I don't have your number." "Ah, yeah. I will be the one to call you. Glaiza gave your number to me." I raised my eyebrows. "Really?" "Yeah. Hope you don't mind." I shrugged. "You're my boyfriend now."

We smiled at the same time. He even hugged me tightly before putting me in my car. He didn't want me to leave because he hadn't closed the driver's seat door yet. "I will call you." I nod. "Okay." "Take care." "You too." I was surprised when he bent his head and approached to kiss me. He kissed me full of longing. Doesn't he get tired of kissing me? Why? Are you tired, Ali? I was secretly caught up in the question of my mind.

Will I get tired kissing this man? I don't think so. "Take care, baby." He said and quickly closed the door. He no longer waited for my answer. While I was still savoring the sweetness of his kiss on me.

I shook my head when I heard his motorbike. I smiled as I started the engine of my car. I even looked at him first before I drove away. I arrived home still smiling and shaking my head in disbelief. I can't stop thinking about what happened between us. Our conversation especially the kiss we shared woven into my mind.

I was lying in my bed but my eyes couldn't shut off. The lights are off but I was looking at the ceiling. Imagining his face over there. I can't believe Nikolai Johnson is my boyfriend now. The man I loathed and I hated most. The brute, stupid, fool and indecent Nikolai Johnson is my boyfriend now. I called Glaiza but her phone was busy. Maybe she's talking to Cedrick right now.

I slept earlier so maybe I can't sleep now. It's twelve o'clock midnight but he still doesn't call. Maybe he falls asleep. Or maybe he forgot the he promised to call me. He said he would call. I keep tossing and turning on the bed. I'm not in the mood to watch a movie so I'll just think. But I was taken aback when I felt the cellphone vibrated next to me.

Only a number registered on the screen. Maybe it's him. I compose myself and tap the accept button. "Hello?" I can hear the ragged breathing on the other line. "Hi, baby." Finally, he talked after a second or so.

"Did you run?" I can't help but to ask him that. He sounds like he's tired. "No. I just keep on walking in my room." "Oh, is that so?" I don't know but I can't control my heart from beating so fast. I can't control my lips from smiling although there's nothing to smile about. "Sorry I'm calling you late. There's this something Cedrick requested from me." "No, it's okay. I was busy though I didn't mind it's late." There's silence on the other line but I know that he's still there because I can hear him breathing.

"What are you doing?" He asked. "Just lying on my bed. How about you?" "Same here." There was silence again. I don't know what to say to him. "Ahm, I'm going to see you tomorrow, okay?" "Where?" "Can I come to your place tomorrow?" I was alarmed. He can't. "Some other time maybe?"

"Okay. I will pick you up at Galiza's place tomorrow." "Where are we going?" "Out of town." I felt excited all of a sudden. The smile on my face grew bigger and bigger. "Okay." But I see to it he didn't hear the excitement from my voice. "You better sleep now. We will be leaving early tomorrow." "What time?" "At exactly six in the morning." That early? "Shall I go to Galiza's place at six tomorrow or early at six?"

"Be there at six twenty. Or I can wait for you there. Don't worry." He laughs teasing me. "I'm not worried. I just want to be on time." He fells silent. But I heard him again but there's seriousness in his voice. "Thank you for giving me a chance, baby." His voice is husky that made me close my eyes.

"I.. I want to try. I mean, this is my first time being in a relationship. I want to experience this too with someone I like most." He laughs nervously. "You just make me giggle right now, baby." "Why?" "Nothing. Anyways, see you tomorrow?" "Okay. See you then." I said. If we will meet early tomorrow, we better sleep by now. "Goodnight, baby." He whispered. That sounds so sweet. "Goodnight, Niko." I smile and ended the call without bidding a proper goodbye to him. That's proper enough though. I already said goodnight and he did too.

My phone beeped and I received a text message from him. "Bye, baby. I miss you." A simple text with five words in it but my heart beats wilder and wilder. I couldn't contain my mouth from smiling. I don't know but I can't stop giggling. I couldn't help myself to smile sweetly. Is this what they feel? I think I look stupid right now. I shook my head and decided to go to sleep. I'll be early tomorrow so there's no time for this.

When morning came, I just said goodbye for a moment to Aunt Caroline and Uncle Dan. Good thing they allowed me to go out. I just said I was going to Glaiza. I also talked to my bodyguards last night. I begged them not to tell Daddy about Niko first. Because I will be the one to tell him. That I would introduce them to Niko even though I had no intention of doing so.

I just don't want him to find out who I really is. It was six fifteen in the morning when I reached Glaiza's subdivision. Not far away I saw the three in front of my friend's house. Niko was sitting on his motorbike and smoking.My heart jumped at the sight of him. He immediately threw it away seeing me and stood up. Glaiza waved at me. Does Glaiza already know about me and Niko?

I parked the car next to his motorbike. My face was serious as I went out and walked closer to them. I don't want Niko to notice the effect he has on me. "Good morning!" Glaiza excitedly greeted me as well as Cedrick. "Morning." I lazily greeted them back. Glaiza came over to me and hugged me. "There's something you're not telling me." She mischievously scolded me. "Because you're busy." She released me and went back next to Cedrick. Niko walked over to me. "Morning". He says. He was so handsome in the morning. "Morning." I said the same.

He came even closer to me so that maybe Glaiza and Cedrick wouldn't hear what he had to say. "Have you eaten breakfast?" His voice was soft. I wanted to smile sweetly but I restrained myself. "I'm done, thanks." "Is that so. How was your sleep?" "It's okay." He nodded. "You're not going to ask me, are you?" "Ah, how's your sleep then?" Should I ask him back? Naturally, Alitha! Aren't you his girlfriend?

"I slept well, thanks to you." I looked at him confused. "Because you answered me last night so I slept well." He sounds corny. But I secretly smiled at what he said. "Did you eat well?" I just asked him to cover up my excitement. "Not yet. I was planning to go through the restaurant to eat there so we can have breakfast together."