DORIA    "Really?" Nik attacked me the second that money-hungry rat was gone.   I kept my eyes out of the tabloid on my screen for a split second. It had been the reason for my flare-up. Tonight was supposed to be all about getting Nikolas back to my side. I had no problem playing my role if Katherine, a bitch from my modeling agency had not spilled the tea that would probably make front pages tomorrow. Some photographer had caught Nik taking that slum rat to our special place. My special place! The way the picture was taken, it was bound to spread rumors about me and Nik's temporary break. I just couldn't take it.    "What?" I retorted, trying to keep my calm. It was only juicy paparazzi news for now but if I messed tonight up with Nik. There would be no chance of us getting back together. I finally put my act together and spoke. "Alright, I admit it. I was out of line. I just couldn't control myself." &n

ALVA Accepting Lilika's preposition seemed to be the bigger mistake. I realized that the moment Lilika passed me a generous slice of Almond and dates cake. The room was a battleground before but now there was no solace. Nikolas would not stop studying him. I made sure to avoid looking in his direction but that did not stop him. I hated that I was the one feeling guilty for the kiss. Nikolas kept his eyes on me like he expected an answer from me. He made me feel excruciatingly self-conscious! More because Doria, his fianceé kept serving me glares like she knew very well the sin we had committed and a little because I couldn't get the picture of Nikolas's kiss out of my head. I felt my core warm up just at the thought of it. It was wrong, I told myself but the more I seemed to hammer the mantra into my head, the more my biology seemed to debunk it. It told me the stark truth I had subtly realized over the days I had spent with Nikolas. The

DORIA The dinner was a disaster. Playing prim and proper was not me. Not when Nikolas kept passing me looks like I was the monster. I wasn't even sure what Nik's mother was doing anymore. Her vile disposition towards Alva had completely settled. With Lilika involved, one could never be too sure but the act of kindness bothered me all the same. I however got a reality check when Lilika threw the bomb. "I wouldn't mind if he could visit sometime or maybe come stay with us." My eyes lit up and for the first time, I looked at the Attica rat with hope reeking in the depths of my soul. If Nik's son came to the family house, Nik would do. I hoped the peasant girl considered it. Knowing her social standing, I was sure she was going to try to please Lilika which was precisely what we needed. Once we had Nik and his son, it wouldn't be long before this Alva girl was out of the picture. She looked in my direction,

ALVAArriving back at the apartment, I proceeded to the room to find Samuel sleeping. To think I was afraid to leave him to a babysitter. Whoever the woman was, she had outdone herself. Nikolas walked in soon after. He sloped by the door and watched us. I found it unsettling so I spoke first to ensure that things stopped from ending up weird."You should go to sleep." I urged."You wanna know what I think?" Nikolas asked as he strode closer."What?""I think you should take your own advice. You look like a single mother micromanaging everything. Give yourself some space to breathe.""Except I can't. Samuel's health is my priority."Nikolas sat next to me, his hands reaching out for mine. It was stupid to accept it knowing what had transpired tonight. I wanted to get him out of my head but his presence refused to let me forget. However, he was being nice. I had to tell myself that not to mention that he sincerely cared f

ALVA The sound of the car engine roused me from my half-sleep as Nikolas pulled up in front of me. That was what I got for insisting I made breakfast for all three of us despite staying up super late the night before and playing a game of 'we aren't really strangers' with Nikolas. For me, it was some sort of escapism. When Nikolas got through to me, it always felt like I was betraying Charis' memory. At the same time, it felt wrong to continue to judge Klaus by actions he committed in the past when it was crystal clear he wasn't that sort of person anymore. I patted an equally sleepy Samuel and carried him in my arms. He had an appointment today, and while I wanted to follow him, I had school. Nikolas was more than capable of taking care of Samuel. I allowed myself to trust him that much. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand and groggily got into the car, barely managing a mumbled "Good morning" as I set Samuel into his seat and latched his seatbelt in place. Nikolas simply no