Chapter 8

It was a cozy Saturday night, and Nicole was looking forward to a relaxing evening with her sister Ashley. They had planned to watch a horror movie together, but as they settled into the couch with their snacks, Ashley had other ideas.

Ashley picked up the remote control and started browsing through the movie options. Nicole assumed she was searching for a scary movie, but instead, Ashley clicked on a rom-com.

"Which movie is it?" Nicole asked, eyeing the screen suspiciously.

Ashley grinned mischievously. "Friends with Benefits!"

Nicole's eyes widened in surprise. "What! Why did you play it?"

Ashley shrugged, munching on her popcorn. "Because I want to see it!"

Nicole frowned, feeling a bit disappointed. "But we had planned to watch a horror movie."

Ashley waved her hand dismissively. "I know, I know. But I'm not in the mood for horror tonight. I want something light and fun."

Nicole raised an eyebrow, teasing her sister. "You just want to watch Justin Timberlake, don't you?"

Ashley giggled, unapologetic. "Maybe a little. But come on, it's a great movie! And who doesn't love JT?"

Nicole rolled her eyes good-naturedly, settling into the couch beside her sister. "Fine, we'll watch it. But don't expect me to start swooning over Justin Timberlake."

Ashley grinned, snuggling into the couch. "I wouldn't dream of it, sis."

As the movie played on, Ashley's eyelids began to droop, and she eventually fell asleep, snuggled up on the couch with a soft blanket. Nicole, on the other hand, remained engrossed in the movie, watching the romantic comedy unfold on the screen.

As the credits rolled, Nicole felt a spark of inspiration ignite within her. She thought back to her conversation with Ashley earlier, and a naughty idea began to take shape in her mind. She thought about how perfect Gage was—they shared similar tastes, she could trust him, and they were neighbors. Most importantly, she didn't want to be in a relationship, and Gage seemed like the perfect person to fulfill her desires without any strings attached.

Nicole's heart began to beat faster as she contemplated the possibility. She felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of bringing the movie's storyline to life. She thought to herself, "Why not? It's the perfect solution. We can have fun, satisfy our desires, and still maintain our independence."

With newfound determination, Nicole got up from the couch and started making her way towards the door, intending to go and ask Gage about her proposal. However, as she reached the door, she caught sight of Ashley sleeping peacefully on the couch. Suddenly, her conscience kicked in, and she felt a pang of guilt.

Nicole's eyes widened in realization as she thought to herself, "What am I thinking? This is crazy! Gage is my friend, and I've lost my mind listening to Ashley's suggestions and watching this movie." She felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her, and she quickly retreated from the door.

Instead, Nicole walked over to Ashley and gently covered her with a blanket, making sure she was comfortable. As she looked at her sister, Nicole couldn't help but tease her, saying, "You're just like Mom, always trying to manipulate me into doing something I don't want to do. Mom wants me to get married, and you're after my virginity!" Nicole chuckled to herself, shaking her head in amusement.

She stood there, watching her sister sleep; Nicole felt her naughty idea slowly fade away, replaced by a sense of loyalty and friendship towards Gage. She realized that she needed to keep things platonic between them and not complicate their friendship with romantic entanglements. With a newfound sense of clarity, Nicole smiled to herself, feeling grateful for her sister's presence in her life, even if she could be a bit meddling at times.

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Nicole walked into the office, feeling a bit refreshed after her short break. As she made her way to her desk, she noticed her boss, Mr. Harrison, sitting in his office, sipping a cup of coffee. She knocked on the door to announce her presence.

"Good morning, Mr. Harrison," Nicole said, smiling brightly. "Welcome back from your vacation. How was your trip?"

Mr. Harrison, a 60-year-old man with a kind face and a warm smile, looked up from his coffee and nodded at Nicole. "Good morning, Nicole. Ah, the trip was wonderful; thank you for asking. My wife and I spent two weeks in Hawaii, and it was absolutely lovely. The beaches, the food, the scenery... everything was just perfect."

Nicole's eyes widened with envy. "That sounds amazing, sir. I'm glad you had a great time. Did you manage to relax and unwind?"

Mr. Harrison chuckled. "Oh, yes. I did a lot of golfing, and my wife did a lot of shopping. We both came back feeling very relaxed and rejuvenated. But now, it's back to work, I'm afraid."

Nicole smiled. "I'm glad to be back to work too, sir. I've missed the office, and I'm excited to dive back into my projects."

Mr. Harrison nodded, his eyes twinkling with approval. "I'm glad to hear that, Nicole. You're one of my most valuable assistants, and I rely on you to keep things running smoothly around here. Now, let's get down to business. I have a few meetings scheduled for today, and I need you to prepare the necessary documents and presentations."

Nicole nodded, taking out her notebook and pen. "Of course, sir. I'll get right on it."

As Nicole left Mr. Harrison's office, she felt a sense of excitement and purpose. She was ready to tackle her work and make the most of her time in the office.

Mr. Harrison continued to chat with Nicole, a warm smile spread across his face. "You know, Nicole, I've been thinking a lot about my son lately. He recently moved to this city, and I'm so proud of the man he's become."

Nicole's curiosity was piqued, and she leaned in slightly, interested in hearing more about Mr. Harrison's son. "Oh, really? What's he like, sir?" she asked, her tone friendly and inquiring.

Mr. Harrison's eyes sparkled with pride. "He's a wonderful young man, Nicole. Very kind, intelligent, and hardworking. And the best part is, he's achieved all his success on his own, without relying on my name or influence. I couldn't be prouder of him."

Nicole smiled, genuinely happy for Mr. Harrison. "That's terrific, sir. It's clear that you're very proud of him."

Mr. Harrison nodded, his expression turning slightly serious. "But there is one thing that worries me, Nicole. He's not interested in getting married. I just don't understand why today's generation is like this. Your generation, I should say."

Nicole's smile faltered for a moment, and she considered Mr. Harrison's question thoughtfully. "I think, sir, that today's generation values their freedom and independence a great deal. We've seen so many examples of unhappy marriages and relationships, and I think that's made us a bit wary of commitment."

Mr. Harrison nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered Nicole's words. "I see what you mean. And I suppose the lack of trust is also a factor?"

Nicole nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, sir. Trust is a big issue for many people in my generation. We've grown up seeing so many examples of infidelity and broken relationships, and that's made it difficult for us to trust others easily."

Mr. Harrison sighed, a look of resignation on his face. "I suppose I can understand that. But it's hard for me to accept, Nicole. My wife and I have been married for 25 years, and we're still happy together. I just wish my son could find that kind of happiness too."

Nicole smiled sympathetically, feeling a pang of understanding for Mr. Harrison's concerns. "I'm sure he will, sir," she said gently. "Everyone finds their own path in life, and maybe your son just needs a little more time to figure things out."

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