Done with her noodles, Adira stepped out of the threshold to get some air. She had a glass of wine with her which she sipped at intervals while losing herself in a vacant state. The atmosphere seemed so peaceful. It didn't take long before she heard the door opening behind her and guessed it to be Na-ri. That lady has been moving around the house like she owns it. Was she done from Nikolai's room already? She turned to give her a glance and nearly choked on the wine she had in her mouth when she discovered it was Nikolai. It wasn't Na-ri, but Nikolai. She felt the fingers of nervousness crawling into her heart again as she locked eyes with him. Since the previous night, her anxiety had gotten worst around him. He was dressed in black shorts and a T-shirt and looked really handsome - as always. And tho z his eyes looked tired,a subtle glimmer of warmth sparked into them the moment they found Adira.For a few seconds, the air around them freezed as they just gave unexpected stares at each other z making Adira wonder if he had something to say like she did. He slipped his hands into his pockets and walked pass her. "N... Nikolai," she didn't know where the courage came from, but she was ready to voice out his name. He halted and turned to her, his face expressionless. Even in the dimly-lit surroundings, he looked charming, still. Ir was more like his eyes cast a spell on Adira. He didn't need to say it out; his expression said it all that he was waiting. She dropped her glass of wine on the floor and moved two steps closer to him. "I um..." she sighed, her eyes on the floor. "I actually have a few things I'd love to talk to you about." Nikolai said nothing but stared calmly at her. "Firstly, it's about the misconception you have about um... Lancelot. Before I got shot, I want you to know I didn't have that dinner with him for pleasure sake. I actually did it as a plan 'cause I wanted to take pictures to send to his wife. I just wanted her to feel hurt, that's all. You must know that I'm not foolish enough to have feelings for Lancelot." Adira froze. Okay, the last line might have been a little off. Why did she need to explain herself about having feelings for anyone? Was he supposed to care? What if he reads a different meaning to it? He said nothing still, but judging from the look in his eyes, she could tell he understood her. So, she proceeded. "Also, I... I wanted to ask. About last night, I got drunk and frankly speaking, I can't remember a lot of things. But I have a feeling I might have done something nasty. If that happened, I want you to know I'm sorry." She lifted her gaze at him, releasing an unnoticeable shaky breath. "You did a lot of things," Nikolai sighed, looking away. "but none of it was nasty."Adira's eyes grew wider. Huh?! Did he just say she did nothing nasty?! So....all the memories she had - the touching, the kissing - they weren't nasty to him? The scenery of the kiss replayed in her head and this time around, she got to understand that he had kissed her first. In conclusion, Nikolai kissed her! Thoughts fought in her head, she couldn't arrange her next words. Not until he started walking away. "I have...one more question," she swallowed hard. He stopped walking and turned at her again. "I'm... I'm sorry I'm wasting your time, but... I do remember something from last night. You talked about the day I had nearly drowned in the pool. You had also sounded like we've met before the day at the bar. I'm just confused - have we met before?" Nikolai gave no response for a while, his countenance shrouded in an enigmatic veil. He perfectly hid his emotions behind his stoic facade, making it impossible for Adira to get a hint of his thoughts."We've actually met before," he answered finally. "We met at the pool, met for the second time in a different place. But you were too interested in Lancelot and can't even remember." A dark cloud eclipsed Adira's heart, casting a shadow of melancholy. What was he talking about? Why couldn't she remember? Her eyes became unavoidably watery, she was about asking more when he stopped her. "I'd appreciate if you don't ask about this anymore," he interrupted placidly. "It's in the past and doesn't matter anymore." Adira's lips clamped shut, but her heart didn't. She lowered her head and listened to his receding footsteps, unable to stop him. Unknown to them, Na-ri listened from the door which was slightly open. **** Throughout the night, Adira found it difficult getting sleep. She kept thinking about Nikolai and how they had possibly met when she was younger. That day at the pool, she could recall meeting a few people. But they didn't seem important, hence, she didn't take note of their faces. So, Nikolai had been one of them? But who was it? And where did they meet for the second time? *** By morning, her eyes were heavy because she had barely gotten enough sleep. From time to time, she kept tossing and racking her head. She sluggishly freshened up and went down for breakfast. She still wasn't supposed to get back to work. So, it was going to be another boring day at home. The dinning had already been set by the time she arrived and she began eating - alone as usual. But not long after, she heard footsteps and looked to see Na-ri descending the staircase with her luggage. Right there, relief flooded through Adira. At last, she was leaving.Na-ri had a scowl on her face. She felt humiliated that Adira had to watch her leave. She rolled her luggage to where Adira was and stood in front of her. "Are you happy?" She scoffed. "Are you glad I'm leaving?" Adira furrowed her brows. Why was she acting like she could read her thoughts? "I bet you're happy," she crossed her hands below her chest. "Well, you must not forget, Adira, that I'm only leaving his house, not his life. Nikolai..." "I don't understand. Why are you feeling threatened when I didn't even say anything?" Adira cut her off. "Oh! Please, stop pretending," Na-ri rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't get what's going on between you and Nikolai, and I don't even want to know. But you must never forget that your marriage with him expires in less than three months. So, no matter what you do, don't fall in love 'cause you'll only be hurting your petty self in the end." Adira was slightly shocked. She also knew about their limited marriage? Why was she told? And with the way she sounded, Adira could tell she had something serious with Nikolai. Could she be his girlfriend? Or the woman he was going to marry right after he divorces her? It looked like it. She looked at Na-ri and was about uttering something when Nikolai showed up, looking charming in a plain black long-sleeve tucked neatly into a black pair of tailored pants. He wore a diamond chain, a diamond earring on his right ear and a rolex on his wrist. Why did he look exceptionally handsome that morning? Adira found herself tripping all over. No, she shouldn't be feeling this way. Na-ri got rid of her scrowl and put up a warm smile instead, like she was the friendliest person in the world. "Nik, you're down already," she went closer to him. Nikolai stood for a moment, sliding a stare through her and Adira. It made Na-ri hope he didn't hear their conversation. "Good morning," Adira lowered her eyes, her voice soft and gentle.She noticed him nod before looking at Na-ri. "Let's go." "Alright." She giggled and reached for her luggage, shooting Adira a glare as she did. Walking closely by Nikolai's side, they vacated the house. Adira's heart plummeted like a stone into the depths of despair. Nikolai was giving her a ride, wasn't he? He obviously cared about her. She made a pout as she returned her gaze to her meal, and just then, her phone started ringing. It was Lancelot. She stared blankly at the screen for a while, not touching the phone. ****†****† Na-ri sat pathetically at the backseat, throwing side glances at Nikolai from time to time as he worked on his system. He looked too serious, she didn't know if he was approcheable at the moment. "Nikolai," she called finally, pulling a pitiable face. "I'm... I'm really sorry for what happened yesterday. Sorry for getting you angry and making you say those words to me. It's all my fault - I should've never known my limits. I promise you, I'll never push you to the edge like that again. Just... don't hate me, Nik. Please." She knew it didn't make any sense. She shouldn't be the one apologizing for the hurtful words he said to her. But well, it was Nikolai Kensington, and an exception could always be made for him. Despite her pleas, he just remained focused on his laptop and didn't act like he heard a thing. This got Na-ri worried. She puffed out her cheeks and looked at the window beside her, staring aimlessly at the passing scenery. "Stay away from Adira," she suddenly heard him say. Swiftly, she snapped her head at him, but his eyes and fingers were still on his system."I don't want you causing her trouble or ever trying to intimidate her. That's the only way I won't hate you, Na-ri. Don't ever disrespect her." Na-ri sucked in a deep breath, her eyes going wide with shock. Was she dreaming?! Did Nikolai just threaten her because of Adira?