Kate was trying to hide her pain and maybe injury from Nick that she kept her body in a curling position. But Nick did not hesitate to lift her like a sack of potatoes in his shoulder, walked, and laid her down on the couch in his dad's study room.They were already by its door when Kate caught up with Nick as he was heading to it and Kate wanted to ask something."I'm fine, I'm fine!" Kate panicked when Nick throw her to his shoulder and walked towards the study room."I will say you are if you are after I check on it," Nick glared at her. "Now stay still or I will forget about the deal we discussed earlier."Kate could no longer retort. She was really in pain but she was afraid to look even more stupid in Nick's eyes, so she said she was fine. Now that Nick is obviously annoyed, Kate wanted to curse herself for being so clumsy. She was so eager to hand him her class schedule that she aimlessly ran to her room. She did
Nick would usually drive to school, but he decided to take a cab this time. He won't make it to focus driving when he needs to do some things in multitasking. He checked his phone for Kate's class schedule and tried to remind her never to be meek in front of her bullying schoolmates.Nick decided to send her a message as she might already be busy by now. Besides, he doesn't call her. It would be weird if he starts doing so.Nick: "Don't let anyone bully you, or I will tell your mom what happened at home yesterday. Fight if you have to, physical or verbal. Do not let other people push you around, do you understand?!"No reply.Nick: "Tell me if anything happens. You may not have my father's last name, but your mom is his wife. You defend yourself, and you also defend the family."Nick did not want to make his concern sound ambiguous, so he used the family as a chopping board. He was hoping his motivations and warnings would wor
"Yes. May I know who is calling?" Nick politely asked.He knew it was a number from the school, but he wasn't sure who was calling. The seriousness of the situation will depend on who is calling him if it has anything to do with Kate being in trouble."This is the Principal of the Rosa Parks High School," the principal wasn't sure if the Nicholas Eudovic that he knew and this man over the phone is the same person, so he did not mention knowing a person with the same name. "Are you the guardian of Kate Taylor?""Yes. Is she alright?" Nick asked abruptly.The principal was taken aback to realize the guardian was not angry about his student being in trouble. He sounded worried about her safety instead. The old man cleared his throat and glanced at Kate, who was still sitting properly on a chair in the Principal lounge."She is alright. But not the student she had trouble with," the principal answered.
Nick sat properly across from where Kate was sitting with her head bowed down. The Principal asked for anything Nick would like to drink, but the young Eudovic politely declined. As Kate's guardian, Nick was eager to find out what had happened more than anything right now. So, Principal Johnston sat at the head of the table and started to ask."Kate Taylor, can you tell us what happened?" asked Francis formally.Nick was silently watching Kate. He was trying to check if she was injured or hurt in any way, but he could not make his concerns known just yet, not in front of Kate herself. Kate looked at Nick first, as if she was asking if it was okay to speak. Nick nodded. Seeing his approval, Kate sat up straight and spoke with due politeness and respect. "Andrew has been annoying me ever since he saw me in the morning. I tried to avoid him, but he won't listen to whatever I said. He harassed me, so I kicked his ass," Kate spoke with her head still down as she was loo
"You shouldn't be too strict on her," Francis gently spoke when Kate was gone. "According to her teachers whom I have called to ask about her usual behavior and personality, she is well-mannered and polite and not even a shade of what this Andrew Kindberg said about her which I assumed anger Kate Taylor and ending up breaking his arm in the process," he explained thoroughly. Nick smiled when he heard about the Principal trying to clear Kate's personality to him as the guardian. "I know that very well, Sir," he politely replied. "I am even proud she can protect herself, but I cannot let that show. She might go overboard if she notices my honest reaction," Nick chuckled as he made known to the Principal his opinions. "Do you mind if I ask, who is Kate Taylor to you?" Francis cautiously stated. "But no need to answer if you don't want to. I can't help but curious, you know," he snorted. The two men shared soft laughter, an
"Huh?!" Kate was startled to hear Nick ask. She thought only her nose heard what her mouth said. How come Nick's ear did when she isn't even sure her own ears heard them? This man is so scary. You can never hide anything from him! "Weren't you saying anything?" Nick asked again. "Mhmm... nnnno...thing..."Kate stammered. She just hopes her face is convincing enough to satisfy him that she meant what she just said. She cannot tell him what she murmured a while ago, no matter if he strangled her to say it out loud, anyway. "We are going to speak to a lawyer. I suggest you say everything that would be helpful to solve this issue," Nick did not look at her as he spoke. He knew she was walking behind him, so he informed her of where they were going next. Kate felt even smaller in front of Nick with how he can manage and deal with everything son smartly. He took her to the company. The lawyer came te
The two curled in their sleep. Facing but not seeing each other. They both had a sleepless night the before today. One had difficulty sleeping, knowing the other was mad and upset about her, while the other could not sleep because he had been digging everything to protect the girl he cherishes the most in the world. They were too close but yet too far. They are both at an arm's length, but they cannot stretch their arms to reach out. All with and due to different reasons. Reasons which for now seem so blurred to see a clear picture of what the future has in store for them. But unknown to both, their situation is what brings them closer together. While they were sleeping like babies, Kelly was waiting at home for Kate to be back. Kelly had been calling her on her phone, but as it was on full silent mode, with no sounds and even vibration, which Kate would do when she goes to school
Kate nodded her reply. She has at least five minutes more left to think about her answer. As Kate gave it a more profound thought, she realized Nick had a point. Letting her mom know about what really happened today will sadden her that Kate is being bullied at school. She might even know the extent of her misdeeds about having a boyfriend and inviting the guy to their home when her mom was not around. Kate was even more afraid of Kelly finding out that Kate had made out with her so-called boyfriend that time he came over to their home right at their very own living room. Kate knocked her head. She silently cursed herself for her stupidity. Lucky for her, Nick came, or she wouldn't know how far they could have gone with how persistent Andrew was and how pathetically weak she had been. The car stopped. Nick looked to his side. He saw Kate still had her face covered by both her palms. "We have to get inside now. What h