Nicole felt like she was having a dream. A very long and lustful dream in which she was kissing Leo. She wanted to stop herself but she couldn't. She felt helpless because it seemed he had held onto her so tightly that no matter what she did, she couldn't stop him.
She opened her eyes and found that she was in her bed and there was a cover on her. Someone had covered her up. Who could have done that for her? The last thing she remembered was her encounter at the café with Detective Gail. Apart from that she couldn't remember the rest.
Nicole sat up and subconsciously touched her lips. ''I guess it was really a dream; it felt so real'' she murmured to herself and shook her head. Why was she even thinking of such a thing? ''It's probably I haven't kissed a man in a long time. That is why I am having these kind of dreams. I've been starved for a long time. I should get a man and kiss him before I lose control of my rationality and attack Leo'' the thought of her attacking made her shiver and she shook her head and got down from the bed.
She walked to the kitchen and saw a man busy cooking inside her kitchen. The scene felt strangely familiar. She hugged her hands around her upper body as she walked closer.
''Leo? What are you doing here?'' Nicole asked and he turned. They both looked at each other. Each having a set of feelings that couldn't be spoken about.
Subconsciously, they both stared at each other's lips for a while before coming back to their senses.
''Come and sit down. You are just in time for dinner'' Leo said and turned away.
Nicole shook her head and went to sit on the dining table. She didn't know why but the kiss in her dreams had suddenly become more vivid now that she was looking at him. It felt so real but she knew it couldn't be. It wasn't possible.
''How long did I sleep for? What happened to me?'' Nicole asked as she casually drew circles on the table.
''About 4-5 hours, I think so'' Leo answered without turning. His hand on the ladle was tightened as he fought the urge to turn and look at her.
''Then, were you here all that time? What happened to me, I only remember that I went to visit Detective Gail and we went to a café to talk but what happened after that, I can't remember anything''
''Nicole'' Leo finally turned and faced her.
''Yes?''
''That Detective Gail, can you stay away from him?'' Leo asked, ''I know I don't know anything about your world and how dangerous it could be or even get, but I don't trust that man''
''Okay'' Nicole said to him and smiled seeing his serious expression. She could tell he was worried about her.
''Okay, what?'' Leo was confused.
''You said I should stay away from Detective Gail and I agreed''
''You… really will stay away from him?''
''En, I planned to do that before you asked me to. I feel that he did something to me, but I don't know what''
''If you need help with anything, I want to be the first person that you can call. I mean anything. Even if it has to do with a ghost. I might not be able to see them, but I believe there is some way I can help you''
''It's this how it feels to have someone care about you? It's a nice feeling. Thanks, Leo Ankrah'' Nicole chuckled.
''Then, in the future, I will continue to care about you'' Leo said and Nicole looked at him.
In the future? She wondered if there was something like the future for someone like her. But the feeling of having someone genuinely care about her was a good feeling and she wanted to cherish it; even if it was for a short time.
Leo brought the food to the table and placed them in front of her and also served another one for himself before sitting across her.
''Thank you for the food'' Nicole said and started eating. She pouted her lips as she ate and Leo found himself staring at her.
He thought maybe he was over thinking but all the same, he felt strange looking at her pout her lips. It made him remember the kiss a few hours ago. She was clearly unconscious but her response to his kisses made him feel as if those were her true feelings. The kiss was deep and sensual, and felt new to him. New in a good feel because he wasn't repulsed by her. If anything, he couldn't help but wonder how it will feel if he kissed her when she was conscious. Would she response that same way to him or would she by repulsed by him? What would happen if she found out about their kiss? He was really becoming a little over curious about her thoughts.
After a hearty meal, Leo went home leaving Nicole alone. She finished doing the dishes and went to the hall and found her phone ringing.
''What is it?'' she asked the person on the other side.
''Let's meet up'' Nick said on the other side.
''Okay''
An hour later..
Nicole pulled out a chair and sat at the counter in front of Nick.
''You came already?'' Nick looked up at her and smiled.
''En. Why did you suddenly call me?''
''Mom called me'' Nick placed his hands on the counter and looked at her.
''The reason why you called me here is to talk about Miss. Betty?''
''She has been crying since the day of the fight''
''Aren't you her perfect son? Console her''
''Stop being stubborn, Nikki. You know she feels guilty about what happened that year''
''A lot of people seem to feel guilty about what happened to me that year. Even you wished you could go back to that day. You wished you could have picked my call when I called just an hour before the accident. Miss Betty feels guilty that she only cared about her own pains back then. Even I wished I never boarded that bus in the first place. But, what can wishes do? They are not horses after all''
''You are really harsh; do you know that?''
''I know, but you know what's funny? I fainted this afternoon in front of my apartment. Had it not being for the ghosts who saved me, I would have probably been dead by now'' Nicole looked at Nick and smiled, ''funny right? I clearly have a family but I'm still a loner. Why? Because everyone is busy making a living. Nick, don't judge me. It will make me hate you too''
''I'm sorry'' Nick apologised guiltily.
''Don't apologise to me. You know I hate those words the most 'I'm sorry', people only know how to apologise after they've hurt you. do you know what Charles said that day? 'I'm sorry, but I don't think you are the one for me', that was just a little over two hours before our wedding'' Nicole wiped her tears away. ''Why am I feeling so sentimental today? I must have gone crazy after waking up''
''Nicole, are you… alright?'' Nick looked at her.
''Make me a drink''
''Okay'' Nick turned away to make the drink and Nicole placed her head on the counter and closed her eyes.
Behind her chair sat Ray who had a drink in his hand as he listened in on their chat. He smirked and turned to look at Nicole with a cold expression. He gulped down the drink and stood up. As he turned to go, he dropped something in a box into Nicole's bag as she hanged it around her shoulder. He placed a few dollars on the table under the glass and left the club.
Nick turned after making the drink and placed it in front of Nicole saying, ''your drink is ready''
''Thanks'' Nicole drunk it at a go and stood up, ''I have to go''
''Wait!!'' he said and Nicole looked at him, ''the card, I will reload it tomorrow. Buy anything you want with it. I have no need for the money''
''What a sweet brother I have. Love you'' Nicole smiled and pinched Nick's cheeks, ''don't let what I said trouble you. I just felt like venting out. Bye!!''
''Call me when you get home'' Nick said as she walked away. Nicole waved her hand at him as she walked carelessly out of the bar.
Nicole waved a taxi outside and got in.
After she left, Ray, who had been waiting outside made a call to the police, ''hello. Please, it's this the District V police station, I have a report to make?''
…..
Nicole walked towards her apartment as she sat and swung her body. At a distance, she saw Lizzy and Candy waiting for her.
''Oh, my friend. Lizzy, hiiii'' she sounded drunk.
''Finally, you are here'' Lizzy said to her.
''Why? Did you miss me?''
''There are two men in front of your apartment'' Candy said to Nicole and she frowned.
''Two men? Where did they come from?'' Nicole asked and walked towards her apartment.
When she reached there, she saw the two men knocking on the door and she asked them, ''who are you looking for?''
''Are you Miss Benson?'' one of the men asked.
''Yes, what can I do for you?''
''We have a report that you are in possession of a valuable item belonging to the late Miss Lizzy Dawn. You have to come with us to the station for questioning''
''We are from District V police station'' the second one said.