Alaric sat in the backseat of his car, his head bent as he replied to a message when the car suddenly jerked.
"Wow! Easy Trainer!" he snapped at Trainer who was both his driver and head of security.
"Sir… it's your wife," Trainer said, his eyes fixed somewhere in particular.
Alaric followed Trainer's eyes, then he saw Nicolette. "The fuck…"
What was she doing here?
And why the hell did she look like that?
As Trainer moved forward, Nicolette quickened her pace and suddenly started running.
Alaric chuckled at the action, amusement coursing through him.
Did she really think she could run faster than a Ferrari?
But when she didn't stop running, he realized that something wasn't right.
And he was more terrified than curious about her actions.
"Block her," he ordered Trainer.
Trainer maneuvered the car in the way that blocked Nicolette, forcing her to slow down. With one final maneuver, Alaric's window was next to Nicolette.
He lowered the glass, his mouth curved into a smirk. "I guess I won this race, huh?"
Nicolette's eyes widened with shock before it was replaced with surprise. "Alaric?!"
"Yeah," Alaric was terrified by the relief in her tone.
She didn't know it was him?
"Open up," she said hastily and he obeyed. Once she was in the car, she pointed to Trainer. "Drive please, as fast as you can."
Even Trainer seemed to notice the distress in her tone, and sped off without a second thought.
"Are you okay?" Alaric asked, concerned in his voice. "What happened?"
Nicolette didn't answer immediately, she kept glancing back as though to be sure she wasn't being followed.
Some minutes later, she finally relaxed as she settled in the car.
What really happened?
He wanted to know.
He looked at her, concern rising in his chest.
Nicolette had her eyes closed, her hands were curled into fists. There were leaves on her hair, her gown had some holes in it, her makeup was smudged, and her face was sweaty.
Even though she looked like she had dressed for an occasion, she looked like she was going to a battlefield rather than a celebration.
He was curious, yet he didn't want to rush her process.
Finally, Nicolette opened her eyes and turned to him. This time, her eyes were devoid of fear and her expression was much calmer.
"Thank you," she said with genuine gratitude.
"You're welcome," he said softly to put her at ease.
She turned away, adjusting her gown.
"You have…" he said and then paused when she looked at him again.
"What?"
"Leav—stuff in your hair," he replied, gesturing to her head.
"Oh," she gasped and began to dust off all the particles in the car.
Normally, he would have frowned at the act, annoyed by someone making a mess in his car. But he didn't say anything. It was her first time in his car, and she didn't need to see that version of him yet.
Nicolette's hand moved to her breasts and his eyes lingered there, watching as she shook debris from her fresh-looking cleavage.
They jumped as she dusted them, and for a split second, the thought of having them in his mouth filled his head.
Alaric groaned, forcing himself to look away.
Whatwasthat?
He cleared his throat and adjusted his tie.
"Sorry," Nicolette said. "I shouldn't have done that here."
"It's fine," he said, without looking at her.
"I will have someone clean it, you don't have to be so grumpy," she said, folding her arms.
Alaric sighed without saying anything.
Ifonlysheknew.
"What were you doing here anyway?" Nicolette asked, visibly annoyed at his silence.
It was incredible to watch her go from shock to fear and to irritation.
Just wonderful.
Before she got more annoyed, he answered. "I was going to see your father."
She looked at him, her cheeks turning pink. "For what?"
Alaric massaged his chin before he spoke. "Honestly I don't know," he admitted with a sigh. "Last night, I told myself it was because I needed to publicly put it out that I am his son-in-law, but for this morning… I don't know."
"I'm glad I caught up with you then," Nicolette said.
Caughtuporraninto?
But he didn't say that out loud. Instead he asked, "Why?"
"Nothing. It would have been pointless," she said, pressing her lips tightly together.
"What happened there?"
She didn't even pretend not to understand what he was talking about. "I… don't want to talk about it."
Her voice was so thin that he couldn't tell if it was out of fear or anger.
But Alaric let it pass. "Alright then. So where are we going?"
She straightened up, her voice more lively now. "To Suzie's house, but I need to call…" she trailed off as she patted herself, her eyes darting around in different directions.
"What's it?"
"My phone," she said, her eyes widened. "I… didn't.. I left it."
"Okay, should we go back and get it?" Alaric asked.
"No!" she uttered quickly. "I… I will get it later." She settled in the chair.
Something about her was off, and now it made him uneasy.
He decided to try again, hoping she might bulge this time. "Do you want to talk about it?"
But she stiffened beside him, turning completely away. "No."
His brow creased in annoyance at her unwillingness to talk, and he decided he wouldn't push it anymore.
"Give Trainer your home address, let's drop you there," he said, gesturing to Trainer whose eyes were straight on the road.
"We… I… I.." Nicolette stiffened, and then bit her lips to stop herself.
Alaric cocked a brow. "What?"
She sighed loudly. "Take me to your house. I don't want Suzie seeing me like that?"
Why Suzie's house?
Why wouldn't she go to her house?
Was she running away from something? Was she hiding something? Or someone? Her boyfriend?
He was itching for a response, something—anything—but judging by the way Nicolette had turned away, he knew he was getting nothing.
"Take us home, Trainer," Alaric said.
When they got to his mansion, Nicolette cocked her head, he could tell she was impressed by her future home.
"Not bad at all," she said.
He rolled his eyes. "Giving compliments wouldn't kill you."
"I just did," she said with a smirk.
"Fair warning, I have a German Shepherd who is not so kind to strangers," Alaric told her before they entered."He wouldn't bite or anything, I'm not going to let him—"
"Yet," she said.
He rolled his eyes again and ignored her. "—I'm just telling you."
"Alright, Mr Allens. Noted."
His jaw tightened at the formality, but he shook it off as he unlocked the door. To his surprise, Bagel was in the living room.
Alaric placed his body in front of Nicolette to shield her from Bagel's possible attack, but he got another surprise of the day.
Instead of barking, Bagel panted, wagging his tail for Nicolette.
She bent down and scratched his back. "Aww such a cutie. I'm sure he doesn't bite."
Alaric narrowed his eyes. "Betrayal Bagel."
Bagel whined but still not leaving Nicolette's side. "What's his name?"
"Sir Bagel, Bagel for short," he replied.
He couldn't believe Bagel hadn't barked at Nicolette like he had done for others.
Nicolette straightened up and looked at him. "I would like to…"
"Ah yes. Anna!" Alaric called his house keeper, when she came, he said. "Take her to my room and find her something to wear."
"Yes sir," Anna said then she turned to Nicolette. "Lets go ma'am."
Nicolette followed Anna and mouthed, "Thank you."
When they left, Alaric bent down and rubbed Bagel. "You sly, embarrassing Daddy like that."
Bagel barked and wagged his tail.
"Come boy, let's go do some work."
He straightened up and led Bagel into his study. He was busy with work when Nicolette walked in.
Her black hair was tucked behind her ears, she was wearing one of his shirts, except it looked like a gown on her.
He tried not to look at her breasts. Yet, his heart flipped at just her smile.
"This is not bad either," she teased him, as she looked round the room. She went over to the only couch in the study and sat. Bagel moved to her and she rubbed him absentmindedly.
"Do—" Alaric was interrupted when his phone rang. "Excuse me," he said and saw it was Alejandro calling.
"Do you want me to go?" Nicolette asked, already on her feet.
His brow furrowed. "No. It's just the artist that made me almost meet your dad."
"Who is he?" She asked.
"Alejandro. You might not know him."
But her eyes widened. "I know him! We worked on a project once…" her voice dropped, "before he moved to your father's company."
"Well, he left yesterday. He now works for your dad."
It pained him to say that out loud.
But he braced himself expecting Nicolette's jab, instead she matched towards him and picked the phone.
"Hello, Alejandro," she said.
Alaric had no idea what Alejandro was saying so he leaned on his chair, hearing only Nicolette's conversation.
"That is true," she said with a smile. "Absolutely. I don't have to say everything, but yes you'll be foolish to migrate to Voss house."
Alaric's heart pounded. Was Nicolette serious? Was she really going to save his neck even if it meant going against her father?
She paced round the room without saying anything for a while, but finally she spoke, "Absolutely, welcome on board." Then she hung up.
Alaric stood up, his pulse racing.
"It is done, Alejandro is back on your team," she said, her eyes glinting with joy.
Alaric couldn't believe it. "But how? You didn't say anything?"
"I didn't have to. Alejandro and I go way back," she said, her tone filled with pride.
"But why?"
Nicolette stepped forward, a cold smile on her face. "For revenge, Mr Allens. My father has to pay."