Sawyer and I just finished our lunch together. Sawyer is really nice and sweet. Sometimes he's quiet, perhaps too quiet but every time I engage him in a conversation, he would sincerely oblige. We also have grown close together. I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts to him and I think Sawyer feels the same way.

"So, let me get this right. You challenged a group of teenagers to play baseball. Yes?"

"Yup."

"And you are dragging me to the game even if I'd rather stay here."

"Uhuh."

Sawyer lets out a sigh of defeat. "What are you doing?" He said.

"Getting you a shirt and some pants. Unless of course you want to go nude, I wouldn't mind." I said teasingly while scanning Sawyer's closet. "Here, this would be fine." I went towards his direction and handed him a shirt and pants. Sawyer crossed both his arms in front of him like a stubborn child. "Really? Really now Sawyer? Are you seriously getting shy on me right now? I have practically seen everything except of course the uhhh... you know." Sawyer's face slowly turned red.

"How many times do I have to tell you Belle that I'm not an invalid! I can put my clothes on my own."

"Just please let me do my job Sawyer. You know, you're stubborn like that Tom Sawyer kid from the book. And speaking of Tom Sawyer, that kid is a complete gentleman even though he is terribly hard headed. He's really nice with girls too, especially with Becky. So please just be nice to me just like Thomas Sawyer." I give him the puppy face.

"You know, you're the only person I know who wins an argument by telling a children's story." Sawyer said in defeat.

"Yay. Okay so chop chop. I don't want to be late." Honestly, I really want Sawyer to get some fresh air. He only gets to go outside the house during his therapy sessions. Otherwise, he just stays in his room, sulking. I want him to be around people.

Matty and his gang were already there when we arrivedat the baseball field.

"Hey kids, ready to eat some dust?" I approached them all too confidently. "Okay so here's the deal, I'm only up for at least 5 innings. Are you good with that?" Truth be told I think my legs would not be able to keep up with my enthusiasm. Since that incident when I fell more than twelve steps down the stairs in one of the buildings back in college, my activities had become limited to non-straineous ones as per my father's advise or to be exact his order.

"Fine." Matty exclaimed.

While stretching, I see Sawyer smirk. "What?" I mouthed.

Sawyer just shook his head in response. My heart is filled with joy everytime I see Sawyer smile. I can see in his eyes that he is sincerely happy. I could never ask for more.

At the fifth inning, I was able to hit a homerun. The ball went over the fence, to Matty's dismay. They were all in awe as I made the run.

"Yay! Did you see that Sawyer? I killed it!" Sawyer lets out a laugh from his stomach. Oh thank you heavens for this wonderful day and for putting a smile on Sawyer's face.

"You know, you're really badass." Said Matty as he and his teammates approach my direction.

"Well thank you very much." I made a small curt in response. "So are we cool?"

"Yeh, we cool." Said Matty.

I walked towards Sawyer while the boys went to pick up their things.

"Wow Belle, I didn't expect that you have it in you." Sawyer sounded amazed.

"To be honest, I also didn't know I still have the grip. I guess I just got lucky." Sawyer shook his head in response.

"Cmon let's celebrate my victory. Hahaha." I look towards the boys' direction. "Hey boys cmon let's go grab pizza, my treat."

"Yeah?" Matty said.

"Yeh sure. Now cmon before I change my mind."

We went to a pizza place not far from the neighbourhood. Me, Sawyer, and the boys had a great time, laughing and hitting jabs at each other. I can see Sawyer engaged with the boys really well. For the first time, I see Sawyer forget about the fact that he's on a wheelchair and the possibility that he might not be able to go back in playing football again.

~

We were almost halfway to the house but my legs are doing it again. I feel like anytime now, my legs are going to give up on me, and Sawyer was able to sense it.

"Come sit here, don't worry I can carry you. I'm just crippled from waist to feet but I'm strong."

"No, I'm okay Sawyer."

"No. I insist. You have been very helpful to me, now its my turn to do the same in my own little way."

"Okay. I don't want you to change your mind." I said all too quickly. I then sat on Sawyer's lap and wrapped one arm around his neck. I giggled when I felt Sawyer slightly tickle my side.

"You know Belle, sometimes you really are peculiar."

"Peculiar good or peculiar bad?" I said while I crinkle my eyebrows.

"Peculiar good, don't worry."

Sawyer is wheeling us both smoothly. He's right. He is strong. Maybe because of his training as a quarterback.

"Sawyer, I really believe that you can go back to playing football. You are a very strong person both literally and figuratively. Mark my words, you will be out of this wheelchair in no time."

"You have too much faith in me Belle."

"I don't say words that I don't mean Sawyer."

Something caught my eyes.

poster from a small restaurant.

"Buy me a bagel Sawyer, I want to try it. Puleeze? I have money but I want you to buy it for me to make it more memorable."

"Haha. Okay okay."

I wiggled my feet in gladness. My first ever bagel. "Thank you Sawyer you're the best!"

"It's just a bagel."

I just stuck my tongue out in response.

While Sawyer is doing the manual labor, me on the other hand is just sitting on his lap eating my bagel. I would put some in his mouth from time to time.

~

It's past 6 pm. I told Sawyer to just text me if he needs anything. I told him about Nikolai and he wished me luck. Sawyer has been very nice to me. He's like the little brother I never had. I really think that if I had little brothers or sisters, I would be the best sister ever or at least I would try to be the "bestest".

Pizza has arrived five minutes ago. Ill just reheat this again later.

I touch my lips as I remember my kiss, my first kiss. Ahhh! I intertwined my fingers in front of me and wiggle like a 16 yr old teenager who just saw her crush. It was the most amazing feeling ever!

I almost jumped off my couch when suddenly my phone vibrated. It's him. I cleared my throat and pull myself together to not make my voice sound too excited for tonight's kinda date.

"Hello."

"Hello Belle. I just called to say that I wont be able to make it tonight Belle. It's just that--"

"No it's okay." I interrupted him. "You don't have to explain really. Uh if that's all, I really have to go. I'm kind of caught up into something." I lied.

He was about to say something but I quickly said goodbye and hit cancel on my phone. I decided to turn it off. I don't want to talk to anyone especially Nikolai.

I cant understand what I'm feeling right now. Moments like this I wish Amy is here. I opened my laptop and prayed that Amy is online.

AmyLee143 is offline.

Dammit A, I need you right now!

I feel like my apartment is suddenly suffocating me. I decided to go for a walk. I changed to my running sweats, pink Nike shoes, tank top and gathered my hair to a pony tail. I haven't done this for quite sometime now, my weak legs being the main reason and my heavy breasts secondly. I swear these babies give me back aches all the time. Not that I'm complaining.

No matter what I do, I cant seem to shake off the thought of Nikolai from my head. Did I misunderstand everything? Maybe the kiss was nothing to him. It was just me who made a big deal out of it. And asking me for dinner was just him being polite.

Wow, I surely got ahead of myself this time. I am so stupid! Naive even!

After almost thirty minutes, I decided to return to my apartment. I am at least five blocks away from it. I didn't even notice I went this far.

As I was nearing our block, I noticed three persons in hoody jackets that are attempting to spray paint Lariza's.

"Hey! What do you think youre doing? You know Vandalism is against the law? That's a private property!" I uttered with conviction.

They just looked at me and laughed.

"Stop it or Ill call the police!" I yelled at them.

"Beat it lady!" Said the one slowly walking towards me. The other two followed him.

I suddenly feel like they are going to harm me so I took a step back.

"Don't move any closer or I will scream."

"Too late bitch." One of them men spits.

As I take another step back, I collided with someone.

"Do we have a problem here?" Said the familiar voice and accent behind me.

One of the hooded men took a halt and I can see the look of surprise on his face. It looks like he recognized whoever is behind me. He then tapped the other guys signaling to retreat.

Thank God!

"What do you think you're doing here at this time princess?"

I turned around and I see Alexei, his hands are in his pockets, he's wearing a black suit and looks all too dapper.

"You always attract trouble don't you?" He said while looking down at me with a smug face.

I rolled my eyes on him in response. I know too well he's going to give me a sermon again.

"Huh! You act like my father. I had the situation handled. You didn't have to but in!" I said arrogantly.

Truth be told, I feared for my life. Against three men, I doubt if I would even have a chance.

Alexei snorted. "Clearly you had the situation under control. Okay, so enlighten me. What are you going to do with those thugs who might have guns with them?"

"Enlighten you? Who am I, Buddha?" I really don't know how to answer Alexei's question. He knows very well I cant.

"Haha. Smart mouth. Let's go."

He then grabs my hand and drags me with him.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting you home and safe. The Boss got worried when he was not able to reach you after your last conversation on the phone. He sent me to find out what happened. And he's right. You clearly are in trouble, AGAIN." He faced me sternly emphasizing the last word.

I was not able to say a word to Alexei. I just let him drag me. I was exhausted and my legs are tired. And I hate to say this but he's right, again.

"My brother had to deal with some business. We can't afford to let this one pass because this my might blow over us." Alexei explained and he looks serious.

We arrived home and my eyes widened when I saw my door. It's broken.

"What the hell? What happened to my door?"

He ignores me and continued to drag me inside.

"I did that. We cant reach you on you're phone. When I came here, the light is on but nobody's answering. I went to your neighbor and he said that you already went back to your apartment."

Geez this man is paranoid.

"But my door." I made a sad face.

"We'll have it fixed tomorrow. Sit."

My lips parted in disbelief. Is this man serious? He orders me just like my father!

Normally I would stand my ground but not this time. I obliged. I'm too exhausted to argue with Alexei and I feel lightheaded.

"Eat. Volkov said you were supposed to have dinner together. He can't come but you must eat."

I just stare at the food in front of me. Alexei lets out a sigh of frustration.

"Look, whether you like it or not you're part of the Boss' life now."

Huh? What in the world is this man talking about?

"Youre kidding me right? Your Boss and I have just met."

"Sure but I believe he has already laid a claim on you."

I snorted in disbelief. Is this man being serious right now? Claim me?

"First of all, I am not a property to be claimed. And second of all, let me humor you and say that your Boss stood me up on our dinner. Sending a proxy on a date is quite the very opposite of claiming."

"Something came up that is why Volkov cant make it tonight. He will explain it to you when he gets back. He specifically told me to take charge tonight and make sure that youre not in trouble again."

I rolled my eyes on him and decided not to push any further. I'm too exhausted and famished to even argue anymore.

I inhaled and sighed in defeat. "Eat with me Alexei?"

"Whoow whoow, I will have my head in the stake if Volkov finds out. Although I cant blame you, I know I'm attractive and all but you're the most off limits woman in the whole of New York right now. People should know better."

"What?" I swear I'm going to choke this man to death.

"You asked me to eat you." He answered.

At this point, I laughed like a crazy hyena. "I said eat WITH me. Not eat me, silly!"

"There you go, that beautiful smile is back."

I hit him with a piece of bread but he just caught it and put it straight to his mouth. I just shook my head in amusement.