Nicole didn't know whether she woke up well, for instance, her back didn't ache, and her bones were perfectly okay, just like what her mother always says.Speaking of her mother, it has been long since she heard her mother's soothing and calming voice. She propped her laptop, and clicked video call to her mother's and Aunt's Nova contact.The screen split into two showcasing her mother, Natasha wearing a scarf, or was it a hat? And Aunt Nova, her mother's best friend sipping something that couldn't be described as coke."Niccy! Good morning." Aunt Nova's voice rang in her ears. "I still don't get why you are calling at 4am." Nicole could see Aunt Nova, leaning against the counter, her hands supporting her laptop, while she sipped her coke or was it coffee?"Time difference," Nicole grunted, well, damn that."Oh. Dear." Her mother squeezed her face in worry, "How's Italy over there? I hope they aren't stressing my cutie pie." Nicole loved her mother, sweet and dedicated.She also love

Was it just her or the corner of his eyes seemed to darken a bit?She stretched her arm forward, letting it lie on the table. She was itching for some beer right now, but her throat wouldn't let her. That's what she gets for taking beer early in the morning.He didn't speak for so long, that she wondered if he was ever going to say something. Shit.She bit her lower lips, staring at his rigid face. "Do you know anything?"His breathing hitched, "Nicole. Don't try to learn about that."No, she hated this, people treating her like she was just someone little, don't do it. You are young, just don't try to find out. She hated those kinds of things, and now Xander fucking Castillo was treating her that way too.She smiled. But it seemed like she was gritting her teeth, "You don't have to tell me if you don't trust me.""I am only protecting you, Nicole." He finally said, everywhere paused. No one said a word."Well, don't." She finally broke the silence, her voice sending daggers, "I can p

Nicole had no idea where she was going.She never stormed off during an important conversation that mainly involved her friend, and because Zane was her friend. She had every right she could think of.Now, who needs to be scolded right now? She took a minute to think, Xander, her blood boiling, that man had not even taken a second to appear in the show, like it bored him or something, oh and Lucas, her mind reeled in fury. They were close to Zane yet they didn't care that he was being punished. Were they humans at all?They deserved her lashings, absolutely, that was why her first stop was at his private study. She wriggled with the knobs hardly, before stepping into the room that was stacked with books, the smell of old and new books greeted her hard. Not now books!There was he, all perfect and composed, flipping through the pages of a book, the light of the lamp on the table etched perfectly around the book, giving it light just so he could read?Oh and Lucas, bless him that he was

"You have the guts to even grin at me?" Azura frowned, before deeply squeezing the napkin onto his back.He winced softly, his lips parting apart. "Yeah."It was weird that she was leaning against the bed frame while he sat there completely shirtless, her attending to his wounds. She could see the muscles that toned his body, so flawless, perfect."Are you done staring?" He said from behind.She sputtered, the napkin almost flying away from her hand, "I am definitely not staring.""I know it when I see it." He grins behind her.Her hands moved towards his muscles willingly, so perfect, she wanted more. To linger her hand there, to trace it along every soft bone, but then she found herself asking, "Is it always like this?"He raised his brows at her.She wanted to know more, she pressed further. "Do you always get punished this way?"He sighs, breathing in the air tightly, there's a way he tensed his body that Azura didn't like, "Yes."Her heart broke. "What in the hell?" She grew red

He wasn't thinking, he never thought before he did anything stupid. He found himself swiping her hand away, letting the coat fall to the floor."Xander!" Her face was red and puffy, causing those bloodshot eyes to glare angrily at him."No one touches you," He says, through gritted teeth. He stared hard at the man who appeared flustered."Um? Nicole. What's going on?" He gazed around shyly, biting his lips."Well." Nicole breathed in, her eyes gazing at him sharply, trying to ask him why he was even here. "Xander. This is Brock, a business partner here in Italy.""Broccoli." Xander mumbled under his breath, seeing the man turn red. Yeah, no one likes when you twist their name but that's what he gets for even going near her.Don't even dare touch her. She's fucking mine.Mine.That word, his heart blared just by thinking about it, and now he was left by staring endlessly at her like this was some tug of war, that she was supposed to pick a side.But he knew Nicole Hart really well.She