Chapter 25

Alitha's POV

'So we can eat together.' His last words reverberated in my mind. But I didn't say anything and nod at him. I started to walk across his motorbike and waited for him there.

""We'll follow you, bro." I heard Cedrick say. I turned to Glaiza and she just winked at me. "Sure!" Niko pick up the other helmet. He wore it on me. I was looking at him but his attention was on my helmet. I immediately averted my gaze when he looks at me. I didn't want to meet his gaze because I was afraid he would see how happy I was. He was rough outside but he's the sweetest inside.

He turned around when he was done and put on his helmet. He strode the motorbike and helped me get on afterwards. He took my two hands and wrapped them around his waist. My chest pressed on his back but he seemed not affected by the contact of our bodies. But our closeness brought me a different feeling. I feel embarrass yet starting to feel comfortable.

I hugged him tightly as he began to drove fast. Hugging him this tight gives me the new feeling of excitement and carefree. I didn't know that I will ride with him as his girlfriend. The man I did not like at first. After twenty minutes of driving, we parked at the old restaurant in town. He also helped me get off his motorbike. Even as we entered the restaurant, he was holding my waist. I'm not used to this but I'm not bothered either. But it's really electrifying and thrilling to feel. He is the one who supports me and not my bodyguards.

Cedrick and Glaiza followed us. Niko guided me to the fourth table in the middle of the restaurant. Nobody's around because it's too early except for the staff and crews. "What do you want to eat?" He leans closer to me and whispered. "Nah, I'm good." "You need to eat again. It will be a long ride." His hand went to my back down to my waist.

A simple gesture but I felt scandalized. I didn't scold him anymore because he won't listen either. I also like this feeling even though I'm surprised. Glaiza smiled sweetly at me. She must have seen what Niko did. "A sandwich and a cup of coffee will do." I said for him to stop gripping my waist. A slight grip that burns my inner being. He nodded with a grin on his face.

"How's your day yesterday?" Glaiza faced me when the two boys ordered our food. "It was fine. He came." I said gesturing my head to Niko who turned his head and look at me. "Cedrick told me everything. I'm so happy for you, Ali. And he's definitely happy he have you now." I smirked. "Oh? What's that for?"

"Should I thank you?" I sarcastically asked her. "I called you last night but you were busy." "I was with Cedrick on the phone. I'm sorry." She's doing her signature puppy eyes again. "You keep on doing that to the point that I hated seeing that already." She pouted her lips. I'm serious because of what she did. Although I didn't regret being Niko's girlfriend.

I just don't want to be surprised. There are things that have happened in my life that I did not expect. I don't want to be led in my decisions. "I know why you're mad at me. Because I told Nikolai how you feel about him. But you should be happy, right? Because you now have a boyfriend like me." I raised an eyebrow at her. "Did I ask you for a boyfriend?" "No. But I want you to feel the same way I feel now. To be like back and be with the man you want too. I can't keep quiet and being happy while looking at you suffer and thinking about him. If the truth is, you two acted the same. Why do you restrain yourselves? You are the only ones who will suffer. So, I did what I need to do."

I thought, she was right. Everything she said was right. "Sometimes you actually use that brain of yours, Glaiza. It comes out each time my brain rusts." She laughed. "So, how are we? Don't be angry anymore." "If you hadn't convinced me, I'd probably still be still mad at you."

"That's enough. Did you know? Your boyfriend arrived at our house at five thirty in the morning. He hasn't even eaten yet. Cedrick just woke me up through a call." Five thirty? "Why is he that early?" "Did you really ask? Isn't it obvious? Your Nikolai is head over heels to you. He likes you that much." "He likes me, yeah, but maybe because he's excited that's why he came early."

"Okay, stop talking now. They're coming." She said and look at the two who was approaching us and carrying each tray of food. Niko looked at me intently. What time is it? He must be very hungry. Why does he arrived early at Glaiza's place? I was still asleep at that time. I feel pity for him. So I give him a sweet smile that made him stunned for a moment.

He still doesn't take his eyes off me when he gets close to me. He's like a fool. I was suddenly embarrassed. "Stop smiling that way." He whispered in my ear. "What? Why?" Am I ugly when I laugh like that? It only happens once, and yet it didn't came out in a nice way. "I might kiss you here in front of our friends." I was shocked looking at him. Is he serious? He's just joking, isn't he? Is that why he reacted that way? "I'm serious. Close your mouth now, Ali. You're torturing me." I quickly closed my lips without realizing that it parted a little.

"Hey! What are you whispering there? It's early in the morning, you're flirting with my best friend, Nikolai!" Glaiza scolded us and Niko just laughed. I was suddenly embarrassed. Why is it that since I got close to Niko, my feelings have suddenly changed? I just shook my head. He ordered a lot of food for me but I didn't eat it all because I'm still really full. To my surprise, he consumed all my leftovers. And he looks very tasty while eating them. It's embarrassing to look at but the feeling is good.

We traveled again towards the place we were going to. I thought we were going to the waterfalls but we went further away from there. We also made our way pass to Cedrick's beach house. It must have taken us an hour and a half to arrive at a hidden resort.

My reaction was similar when I saw the two beautiful places he showed me. This place is a paradise. We walk on white sand and the sea is very clear. "Let's go." He took my hand and pulled me away. "Huh? Where are we going?" I thought we were here but we walked a few kilometers away from the sea. We passed a very large cave. I could hear Glaiza's praise and sigh as we made our way into the cave. Niko just smiled at me and didn't answer. Glaiza also asked Cedrick the same question but the man always joked with her.

We only did a few minutes walk. It is not so dark in the cave because there is sunlight coming in from above. But when we stopped walking, I gasped. In front of us is a huge lagoon. I open my mouth but I can't utter a word. This place is heart-breaking because of its beauty. Glaiza's reaction is the same as mine too. We both speechless.

"This is my Mom's place. Dad bought this private resort for my Mom." Niko look at me and I was amazed knowing that they own this place. "Won't your Mommy scold us for coming here?" The sudden sadness on his face didn't escape my sight. "No. I already inherited this place from her." Inherited? Meaning? "Oh. I am so sorry. I.. I didn't know." Clearly, his Mom is dead. "It's okay. That was a long time ago. I was glad she gave this place to me. I have a beautiful place where I can bring my girlfriend." His eyes were still sad, I could see that. I close our distance and hug him tight. I don't care if he did not expect what I did. As long as I hug him and erase that loneliness in him.

He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly as well. "It's okay. I'm okay now." He said but I could feel the smell he did on my hair. "I'm sorry." "Hey, it's okay. Stop saying that." He laughed. I feel lonely for him. If his Mommy was gone, who will take care of him? His Dad? "Who takes care of you?" He released me and looked at me. "When Mom died, Dad married again. Unfortunately, they lived in another country. I live alone. Not totally, maids are with me at home. They cook for me every day."

Are only maids with him? "How old are you when your Daddy remarried?" "I was eleven back then." Eleven? That young? He has no one with him except their maids? I feel pity for him. He was no one to talk to. To share his problems with. "Cedrick's with me that time. He's been with me ever since."

That's why he was so worried about his best friend. I didn't know that was the story of his life. It's sad to know that. So maybe he's rude at anybody in school. He fonds in fighting because well, maybe he had no parent to continue to guide him." Don't worry, you have me now. It's not only Cedrick or your other friends. You also have me." His eyes suddenly lit up upon hearing me.

"Promise me you won't ever leave me, Ali." I just answered him yesterday, will I leave him immediately? What am I? Stupid? Of course not. "I will not leave you." "Make a promise." He stared at me determinedly and seriously. "Promise, I won't leave you until you say so." "That's never gonna happen." He was about to kiss me when we heard Cedrick's voice.

"Hey! You two! Come down here." Cedrick shouted for him to be heard. "We're coming!" Niko shouted back. I thought we were going down but I was shocked when he hugged me and kissed me on the lips. I automatically clung to his neck and clung on. The effect of his kiss on me was still the same. I guess that won't change anymore. He hugged me with a kiss and seem to want to go further. But we heard Cedrick's voice again calling us.

He sighed as he released me. "He's really a nuisance. I think it's better if I punch him later." I laughed at his blow. He looks cute. He's sweet and he looks cute. I laughed at the way he looked. "Let's go down." I invited him. He was still staring at my lips. "Your lips are swollen." I immediately rubbed my lips. It's really swollen. I felt my lips thickened. "Why did you kiss me like that?"

"Maybe I should kiss you again to lessen the swell." I slapped him on his arm which was still hugging me. "Why? Do you think your kiss feels like venom?" He laughed. Fun and real laugh. "You don't know what kind of venom my kiss brings, baby. You might get addicted with it." I laughed this time. "Maybe I'll avoid you next time. Your kiss is deadly, Niko."

"Deadly, huh?" "Yeah." "Avoid me? You think you can avoid me?" I felt his fingers tickled me on my side. "Stop it, Niko!" But he still kept tickling me. "Niko! I said stop it!" I slipped out of his embrace. I ran closer to where Glaiza and Cedrick were. But Niko followed me and I knew he would tickle me again. I screamed because I could still feel the effect of his tickling.

I screamed again when he caught me. I thought he will tickle me again but I was wrong. He picked me up and turned me around. I slapped him on the shoulder so he could lower me. "Niko! I'm dizzy!" He stopped but still laughed louder. I also couldn't stop laughing. But he did not lower me he tightened his embrace with me instead.

We stared at each other and the smiles gradually disappeared from our lips. His gaze became fixed on me and so did I. His eyes not leaving mine. His eyes seemed to be talking and there was a hint that I didn't know and couldn't understand.