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“Kyle!” Perry’s voice echoed in the hall. “What are you doing there?” He asked as he approached me.
I was still hiding in the corner, trying to listen to Nico’s reply, but Perry broke my concentration. And with his loud voice, it would be impossible for Nico not to hear him.
“Great timing, as usual…” I said and smiled sarcastically at him.
“What? What did I do?” Perry protested confusedly.
“Nothing really…” I said sarcastically. “Let’s go, I’m hungry,” I said and then walked ahead of him.
“What are you doing there, anyways? Were you eavesdropping?” Perry asked with a smirk.
“So, what if I am?” I sighed.
“Tell me, Kyle, what’s really going on between you and Nico?” Perry suddenly asked.
“Drew!” We heard Nico’s voice.
“Speak of the devil.” Perry snickered. I continued walking without looking back at Nico. “He’s calling you, aren’t you going to talk to him?” Perry asked with a smirk.
“Drew, wait!” Nico caught up to me, placed a hand on my shoulder and then turned me around.
“You go on ahead, Perry,” I told Perry with a wry smile.
“Sure… but, I’m still waiting for your answer,” he said with a meaningful smile and then walked away.
I turned my head to Nico and saw him looking at me quite guiltily. “Did you hear…?” He asked in a careful tone.
“Hear what?” I acted oblivious.
“What Emily and I talked about…” He bit his lips before he replied.
“Yes. I heard it,” I replied honestly.
“How much did you hear?”
“Almost everything. To think that Emily even took the risk to audition just to work with you, she must really not be over you. She finally figured out what you felt about her pretending to be Stephen’s lover, and now she’s fighting for you…” I bit my lips after saying those words. I felt bitter about it.
“Drew…” Nico said.
“She still loves you, Nico…” I interrupted him. “And if you want to go back to her, I won’t stop you. I’m not going to be mad about it either, because I know how much she meant to you.” Saying those words was really painful. It was like I was drinking a poison that was slowly killing me from the inside. I looked down at that moment, not wanting Nico to see the pain in my eyes.
“How can you say that?” Nico suddenly said. “You know exactly what I feel about you, so why are saying that? Why are you even thinking that I would go back to Emily?” Nico asked. “Drew, are you doubting me?” He asked.
“If going back to her would make you happy, then I…” I said, but very word I said broke my heart.
“Drew, stop it!” Nico said impatiently. “Why do you keep on talking like you’re giving me away? What made you even think that I would go back to her?”
“Then, what should I do?! What exactly should I feel, Nico? Ever since that night, nothing had happened between us. No dates, no holding hands, no kiss. Nothing. You’re not even trying anything. Do you know what I fell right now? I feel like just one of your friends, no one special. A friend, Nico. I feel like your friend, not someone you like.” I burst out impatiently. I could clearly see the surprise in Nico’s eyes. I guess he didn’t expect me to snap like that.
“Drew…” Nico said pleading as he tried to hold my hand.
I moved my hand away. “It doesn’t work that way, Nico. I mean, do you even really want to hold me?”
“I admit, I’m afraid, Drew. I don’t know what to do, I mean, I’m new to this kind of relationships, and I’m….” Nico said.
“And you think I’m an expert? And what are you even afraid of? That people might see us? That they might find out about us?” I asked impatiently.
“No!” Nico replied firmly. “I don’t care about other people, Drew. I don’t care what they say or think about us. I’m not afraid of that. What I’m afraid of is that I might lose control,” Nico said.
“What? Lose control of what?” I asked.
“Of my emotions, my urges, my desire,” Nico said. “I’m not a very strong person, Drew. If I hold your hand and kiss you, then I would want more. I would…” Nico stopped and paused. He was staring intently at me. He gulped and then caught me by surprised. He placed his hands on my cheeks and then placed his lips against mine.
The kiss was soft and gentle at first, but then it turned very passionate. Nico parted my lips with his own, and then started kissing me with vigor. I kissed him back. We kissed for a long time and then Nico bit my lower lip before ending our passionate kiss.
“I’m sorry, Drew, for making your worry, for letting you feel unsure about us,” Nico said as he rubbed my blushing cheeks with his thumbs. “It’s just that if I hold your hand, if I kiss you, then I would want something more. And right now, it’s taking every strength I have to hold back, Drew. Because, frankly, what I want to do right now is push you against the wall and ravage you.”
I gulped at Nico’s words and my cheeks suddenly felt hot. What he said was so embarrassing. How can he say something that embarrassing with a straight face? More importantly, how can he kiss me in a place like that? We’re in the middle of the hall, what if someone sees us?
“What are you doing? What if…?” I reacted embarrassingly.
“I don’t care,” Nico said with a smile. “If kissing you in front of a whole crowd would prove to you how I feel about you, then just say the word and I would do it,” Nico said.
I lowered my head in shyness. “You don’t have to do that, that kiss was more than enough…” I replied meekly.
Suddenly Nico chuckled. “Have I told you how cute you are when you’re acting shy?” He asked in a sweet tone.
My cheeks burned even hotter. I bashfully slapped Nico’s hands away from my cheeks. “Annoying.” I clicked my tongue and then turned around.
“Hey, where are you going?” Nico asked as I begun to walk. He tried to hold back his laughter but failed, in the end he let out a chuckle.
“Really… annoying…” I said under my breath. “To the cafeteria. I’m hungry.”
“Let’s eat together then,” he said as he caught up to me and then held my hand.
I was surprised by his actions, but I really liked it. A smile erupted from my lips. “You’re treating me,” I said as-a-matter-of-factly.
“Sure,” he gleefully. “Anything for you.” He said, lifted my hand and then kissed the back of it.
“Hey!” I protested bashfully. How can he do embarrassing things one after the other.
“I told you, it’s hard for me to hold back,” he said cheekily with a smirk.
I was the happiest, at that moment. To be held by Nico like that, as I thought, it was the greatest feeling of all. Sure, being kissed at the back of the hand like that was embarrassing, but the truth is… I liked it.
Nico and ate our lunch together, although I told him that the cafeteria was fine, Nico insisted that we eat in a nearby restaurant. It would be a little bit more private, he said. It turns out, whether we eat in the office cafeteria or in a restaurant outside, we’ll still end up being stared at by a lot people, and it’s all because of him.
“What’s wrong?” Nico asked with a smitten smile.
“Hey, everyone is staring at us.” I complained in a whisper.
“Why?” He sounded really clueless.
“You’re kidding me, right? How can they not, when you’re trying to spoon feed me the whole time? I already told you, I can eat on my own,” I complained embarrassedly as I refused to eat the spoonful of food Nico was trying to feed me.
“Let them be, I’m just trying to make up for making you feel bad this past few days,” Nico said, still not putting his extended arm down. “So, just be obedient and open your mouth. Ahhh…” He said as he tried to feed me. I closed my mouth shut and then shook my head. “Drew.” He called my name forebodingly. “I’ll get angry,” he said threateningly.
I closed my eyes, sighed and then ate what he was feeding me.
“What a good boy,” he said with a smile.
“You’re dead…” I said with an irritated smile.
“Stop talking and chew it properly.” Nico said with a satisfied smile. “Are you thirsty? Do you want some soda?” He said as he offered me his glass of soda.
I looked at him with sharp eyes and prodded my head angrily towards him. He’s totally treating me like a little boy. How irritating. I definitely turned on some switch in him. Why do I feel like I dug my own grave again?
Refusing to go on with Nico’s ridiculousness, I took my own glass and drank it in one go. Then I smiled sarcastically at him. I know what he was up to at that moment; yet again, he was teasing me.
Apparently, Nico loves teasing me. He said he just loves my expressions when being teased. I don’t know what to feel about that, should I be happy, or get angry?
“How messy…” He said with a smile as he leaned forward with napkin on his hand. He wiped the side of my lips and our eyes met.
“Thanks…” I said shyly as I blushed and looked down the table.
“You’re really cute…” Nico said and his eyes changed. “I can just eat you up right here.” He whispered as he looked at me with sultry eyes.
I gulped and then looked at him, my cheeks felt really hot. Nico wasn’t laughing at all, he didn’t seem like he was joking either. That made me more embarrassed and worried.
When we left the restaurant, the same heavy feeling from being stared at followed me. With everything that Nico did, being stared at was something I wasn’t really surprised of. I’m not embarrassed of Nico at all, it’s just that his actions are really sweet and affectionate and I wasn’t really used to being treated like that in public.
Several times in the past, I’ve been in the giving end of affection before, but that was the first time I’ve ever been on the receiving end. Well, if you don’t count my parents and Brent. Getting such affection, in public no less, it was quite overwhelming for me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate it. Not at all. In fact, I think, I quite like it. It’s just that I need to get used to it.
We went back to the office and I told Nico to tone it down a little. We’re at work, after all, and we need to be professional. Nico agreed, well sort of. His exact words were; “I’ll try to hold back, but I can’t promise anything. You’re just too adorable,” he said with a smile.
Again, I don’t know whether I should be happy or mad about that. I could tell that he was being sweetly affectionate, but I could also tell that he was teasing me and enjoying my bashful expression at that.
Nico’s really sweet. After that day, he constantly texts and calls me; either to ask if I’ve taken my meal, or if I got home safely, and sometimes he’d call just to hear my voice. I love that about him.
That’s why I decided to do something special or him in return. I’m no good when it comes to romantic surprises; the likes of reserving a restaurant, hiring a classical band to play as we dine, and all those things you’d see on a movie. I mean, I can think of something like that, I wouldn’t get this far in my career if I didn’t have that romantic creativity in my mind, and I could also plan it, I just really don’t have the energy to do something extravagant like that.
I’m a fan of those simple and more intimate things.
That’s why, instead of bringing Nico to an expensive restaurant, I decided to cook for him. I can proudly say that I’m a good cook, not great, but good enough. I initially wanted to cook Nico’s favorite dishes, but I didn’t know who to ask, so I just picked whatever I thought was good.
I also ordered a lot of flowers form my Mom’s flower shop. When she heard of my purchases, she called me instantly. “Who are those flowers for?” Mom asked excitedly. “It’s for the girl that you’re dating, isn’t it?” It’s a guy that I’m dating. I answered in my mind. “Don’t tell me, are you going to propose?”
“Mom!” I complained. “That’s too fast,” I blurted out.
“Oh… so it’s for her…” She chuckled.
I sighed. It’ not even a girl. “Mom, it’s just a romantic dinner. I’m just going to cook, alright?” I explained. “The flowers are for decorations and also I’m going to give it to… that person.” I figured it wasn’t the right time to tell her that I’m dating Nico.
“You’re going to cook? Where? At your shared flat with Brent? Then where would Brent stay when you’re having dinner with her?” Mom asked. I swear, Mom was more concerned about Brent than my plans with for Nico.
“I’m not going to do it at our flat. I have somewhere else in mind. I’m not a bad friend Mom. Do you think I would kick Brent out?” I figured I would do it in my condo unit. I mean, Nico is really special to me, and although I couldn’t tell him all of my secrets yet, at least I could bring him in my place of solitude. After all, now that I have Nico, being alone is not a very appealing thing to me. I want him with me all the time.
Speaking of Brent, I wonder what he would say if he finds out that I’m dating a guy, Nico no less.
“I see. Drew…?” Mom called my name. “You’re happy, right?” Mom asked suddenly.
“Now more than ever.” I replied surely with a huge smile. I’ve never been this happy before, and it’s all because of Nico. With Nico, I feel secure, I feel comfortable, I feel like nothing else matters. I am happy. More than happy. Because Nico is with me.
“Then do everything to hold on to that happiness. There’s no such thing as going too fast or too slow. There’s no perfect timing in love, Drew, because every time is the perfect time, when it’s true,” Mom said.
“I understand, Mom,” I said in a cheerful tone. All I could do at that moment was smile at Mom’s words. I knew that she was right. Mom is always right.
Friday came and I was feeling excited for the surprise I was preparing for Nico. “You don’t have plans tonight, do you?” I asked Nico as we walked out of the audition room.
“No. Why, are you going to ask me on a date?” Nico asked teasingly.
“Yeah. Let’s have a dinner date tonight,” I replied with a smile.
It was Nico’s turn to suddenly blush. His expression was too adorable. With his blushing cheeks, Nico looked really handsome. For a brief moment, Nico just stared at me with wide eyes.
Nico suddenly held my hand and squeezed it tight. “My heart is beating really fast right now,” Nico said. “I’m just too happy,” he said and then smiled. “Drew asked me on a date…” Nico said gleefully. “I must be the luckiest man on earth…” He added.
“Actually, I’m going to cook, if it’s alright with you,” I said.
Nico’s eyes suddenly beamed and his smile became even wider. “Really? You’re going to cook for me? Wow…” Nico looked really happy and I felt like I made the right decision to cook for him instead of bringing him to a restaurant. “Sorry, Drew, I’m just so happy right now, I don’t think I can hold back,” he said and then pulled me for a very sweet and tight hug.
“Nico, does it really make you that happy? That I asked you on a date and that I would cook for you?” I asked.
“You must be thinking that I’m shallow,” Nico said as he continued of embracing me. “But, I just really like you so much that everything you do or will do makes me really happy. I just feel so special that you’re paying that much attention to me.”
To think that the cold prince would act that way made me realize why Emily was so hanged-up on him. Nico doesn’t usually show that kind of emotion, most of the time, he’s stoic, cold and somewhat snobbish, so to be treated like that by him, to be shown such adorable, sweet, kind, and animated side of him would make someone feel really special. He doesn’t have to make any big gesture, because acting that way, and treating someone that way, is enough to make them feel that they’re special and important to him.
Nico left the production office after lunch, he had some business elsewhere so we agreed that he’ll come back to the office to pick me up in the evening. I took that opportunity to go home and prepare everything, and one I arranged all the flowers and prepared all the ingredients, I went back to the office to wait for Nico.
We decided to go by Nico’s car, so I left mine at the office. “Mmm… this isn’t the way to your flat…” Nico said confusedly as I told him the directions.
“Brent is there, do you think he would allow me to have a dinner date with you there? It would turn into a living hell,” I said with a chuckle.
“Then, where are we going?” Nico asked curiously.
“My place. My other place,” I said with a smile.
“Your other place?”
“Well, Brent and I shared that flat ever since we both started working, but along the way I got enough money to buy my own place, so I did. I tried living alone for a few days, but it didn’t quite work out for me. Everything was a mess, basically. So I lied to my family and friends about getting my own place and told them I went on a vacation instead. Basically the whole place is now my very own fortress of solitude. A place where I can be alone, think, and just forget everything else,” I explained.
Nico smiled. “So it’s your secret place then.”
“Yeah. That’s actually where I went last week when I disappeared. No one knows the place, or that I even own one, so it was perfect,” I replied with a smile.
“If it’s such a special place for you to be alone, then why are you bringing me with you?” Nico asked. I guess he just wanted to hear the answer form me, even though he already has an idea as to why.
“That place is special and important to me, but Nico, you’re more special and important. Besides, between being alone and being with you, I like the latter best,” I said and then held his hand that was on the gear shift.
Nico turned his head to me, with blushing cheeks and a beautiful smile. He seemed really satisfied with my answer, and it really felt good seeing him happy like that. To see Nico happy because of what I said was enough for me to know that he feels the same.
When we arrived at my unit, Nico was greeted by hundreds of petals of white and red roses on the small hall leading to the living room. “Wow…” Nico muttered as I lead him inside. “When did you prepare all this?” He asked as we walked in the living room that transformed into a garden because of all the flowers around it.
“Wait, there’s more,” I said as I pulled him towards the dining area.
Nico chuckled. “Drew, you did this all for me?” He asked as he saw the beautiful table arrangement I made, surrounding the table were hundreds of red roses that formed a heart shape.
“Of course, anything for you,” I smiled at Nico. “Do you like it?” I asked Nico.
“What’s not to like? You brought me to your secret place, you prepared this surprise for me, and you’re even going to cook for me. I couldn’t ask for anything more, Drew. It’s perfect,” Nico said with a smile.
“Thank goodness, I was worried that you would think that it’s lacking…” I left out a sigh of relief.
“Drew, being with you is more than enough for me. Come here.” He said and then took my hand. Slowly, Nico placed my palm against his left chest. “Can you feel it? My heart is going crazy right now, because you’re with me. My heart is beating so fast because I’m so happy right now. Everything is more than perfect, so stop thinking that it’s lacking.” Nico’s words made me blush instantly.
“Thank you,” I told Nico with a smile. “Why don’t you take a seat first, I’ll start preparing the food.”
Nico held my hand all of a sudden. “Right now, I’m crazily happy. I want to kiss you really badly. Can I kiss you? Or should we save that for dessert?” He asked in a very sweet voice.
I held Nico’s hand back, and then placed my other hand on his cheek. “Or, we could just skip to dessert,” I said before I leaned closer to him and planted a kiss gentle kiss on his lips.
I started to kiss him gently, but as I thought, Nico wanted more. His lips started moving, and he begun kissing me passionately. That kiss was very intoxicating; his lips were sweet and hot. I was not serving any alcohol that night, but it seems that I was already getting drunk with his affection.
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