The next week turned out to be pretty busy, I spent most of the time in my clinic taking appointments and doing regular stuff, and when I didn't have any patients to attend I would hang out with Emily at her book store.

She is such a sweetheart, never does she mind me hitting her store untimely. I wish I could be like her. She is just always that happy, bubbly girl who doesn't think twice before pouring her heart out. I wish I could be carefree like her, not giving a fuck about anything going on. But that just remains as a wish because I am nowhere near to her. I am just a super awkward introvert who doesn't know how to behave with new people. Hell! I don't even know how to act around the people that I know. And my awkwardness even tops its level when I am around boys, especially cute boys. I don't know why I am like this?

I was never a social butterfly nor a party-loving person. Whenever I was out with my friends or at a party I'd always be thinking of an escaping plan of getting home so that I can lay on my comfy bed or watch an old movie or just waste my time doing nothing. I don't know if I am that lazy or what but that's how I live. As it is Saturday night so I am enjoying my time at home. sitting on my couch with a chocolate bar in my hand and watching Pretty Woman, I guess I have watched it like a thousand times still I never get bored. You know its that epic. Chocolate and a great movie surely is the best combination I must say.

Becky isn't home yet, I think she will be staying at Kayden's. It's not a problem as I don't mind being alone. Actually its really peaceful that way. Peaceful or rather you can say boring? my life has always been like this and still continues to be least interesting. It feels like I have been caught up somewhere between my clinic and my home and there isn't any other place for me to go. It really sucks to live life like this. You know, With nearly no social life and non-existent love life. I mean common I am fucking 24 and still single. Can you believe that? Okay, I might be a little exaggerating, there would be surely people around my age who aren't involved in a romantic relationship. It just feels weird because I haven't dated anyone in a long time. I remember having a boyfriend in school but it wasn't any serious though. Thinking about the lack of men in my life reminds me of Sam asking me out last week. I am really looking forward to it as I have never been on an actual date. That's crazy, isn't it?

I divert my attention back to TV, suddenly I feel my phone vibrating next to me on my couch. I don't even remember when did I hear my ring tone last time. most of the time I have it in silent mode because nobody really cares about my existence. I look at it and a smile appears on my face seeing Sam's name flashing. I click on the receive icon and answer him.

"Hello!"

"Hey, Nikki!" He screams on the phone enthusiastically as I have to pull away from the phone to prevent myself a hearing loss. "So I guess you were waiting for my call." He says in an amused tone.

"What? No, not at all. Why would I?" I tease him.

"oh common Nikki, lying doesn't suit you. otherwise, you wouldn't have picked up my call faster than I thought you would."

"That's because I was going through my emails, you idiot." Okay, that was a straight lie.

" Whatever." He says. I know he must be rolling his eyes at the other end.

"By the way, I hope you remember me asking you out on a date this weekend."

"Yes, I do."

"So I called you to ask, is it okay if we go out tomorrow in the evening. Only if you are free?"

"Sure, I'll wrap everything up earlier, then we can head out."

"I'll pick you up at 6 in the evening then?" he asks.

"Okay."

"I' m sorry for calling you up this late Nikki."

"Never mind, I wasn't asleep though."

"Hey Nikki, you really look good in these pictures." He says out of nowhere.

"What pictures?" I ask him confused. I never really gave him any picture, so what he is talking about?

"The ones on Facebook, I was looking at them just now, I guess they are from your high school. You really look good in that red dress Nikki." I can hear him laughing while saying that.

"What the fuck Sam??" I haven't opened my account in a long time and I know there are some pictures of me from high school. I remember how weird I looked in them, and even I was a bit fat back then. I never liked clicking pictures, it was my friend who forced me to do it at that time. now I regret not deleting them. Fuck, this is embarrassing!!

"Why were you stalking me on social media?" I ask him angrily.

"Why wouldn't I?" He says. is this really funny to him?

"Who wouldn't want to stalk a beautiful lady like you?" he says playfully.

"I am telling you Samuel if you ever go through my profile again, I swear to god I'll block you." This boy is really getting on my nerves now.

" Ouchhh! that hurt! don't be mean Nikki, in fact, you should be more open to accepting such compliments."

" Ohh Thank you Sam for letting me know that I should be aware of random creepy people stalking me on social media at fucking midnight," I say sarcastically.

he laughs at my response. "Okay Okay, I get it. I'll let you sleep before you pounce on me straight from the phone."

"Goodnight Sam."

"Goodnight Nikki and yeah don't dream too much about me," he says before hanging up.

I stare at my phone smiling like an idiot. He is such a boy. I think I should go to bed now. As I am about to switch off the TV, I see a shadow near the window. I can feel someone standing but who could be there? and that too at this hour of the night? I should definitely stop watching those creepy horror shows, they are really getting on my mind now. I walk towards the window and pull the curtains aside. I open the window and look outside and find no one there. Thank god! But something is really strange. From the last few days, I am having a feeling of getting followed while going to my clinic and coming back to home. Two days ago when I was at Emily's store I saw two men watching me from across the street. When I again looked at them, they were already gone. I didn't take it seriously because I thought I was being unnecessarily paranoid. I don't know maybe I am still acting like one? I guess these are the repercussions of my lack of sleep at night. I always do stuff related to my work at night that's why I barely get any sleep. Nicole, go and get some sleep now, everything will be fine. I go back to my room and get on my bed. my eyes begin to close as sleep takes over me.

-----------------------------

The next day I finish my work as soon as possible so that I can get back home to get ready for the date. it's around 5 in the evening as I search through my closet for something suitable to wear. finally, after a lot of struggle, I end up putting on a black crop top and my favorite ripped jeans. I add a little bit of mascara and nude lipstick as my makeup. as said by him earlier Sam arrives at my place on time at 6 pm. I utter a quick goodbye to Becky who is in the kitchen talking on her phone and then head out. Sam takes me to an outdoor restaurant a little far away from the city. it has a classy yet cozy and comfortable atmosphere. I can hear the music playing in the background giving this place a romantic touch. Sam had a reservation for us so we didn't have to waste our time searching for a table.

As our order arrives I look at Sam and say "So are we gonna talk or just eat our food and get back home." Sam hasn't spoken a word since we arrived here. our ride here was also silent. I don't know what has happened to him?

"Oh I am sorry, You look really beautiful today Nicole." he smiles at me. it feels weird when he calls me Nicole as I have only heard him calling me Nikki always.

"Thank you," I tell him blushing a little.

"Actually I am really nervous Nikki" he fiddles with his fingers showing his obvious nervousness as he continues, looking at me innocently " I like you, Nikki I've liked you since the day I saw you at the Cafe but never really had the guts to ask you out. and now when I am here with you I am not getting any words to say."

I don't know what should I say to him. What do you say to someone who tells you that they like you? thank you? Shut up Nikki don't be ridiculous. "Its Okay Sam. That happens with all of us. I am not good with words either." I smile at him "We have been friends for about a year but we don't know anything about each other. Let's get started with that. What do you say?"

his eyes sparkle with excitement as he speaks "Yeah you are right, so do you have a boyfriend?" As soon as he asks that question he looks away from me. I guess he is embarrassed about asking such a silly question.

" If I would have had one I wouldn't be out on a date with you now. but yeah, I had one when I was in school. unfortunately, it couldn't last for long." I say honestly.

"What about you? had any girlfriends?"

"Yes I had a girlfriend too back in school." he looks at me for a moment and continues "I liked her very much and was really serious about our relationship." I listen to him without interrupting.

"But then she left me because I couldn't give her enough time that she needed." I can see the pain in his eyes as he says the next words." at that time my mother was suffering from leukemia. so I had to spend days in the hospital looking after her. I couldn't tell that to my girlfriend because I didn't want her to pity my situation. soon after a month of our breakup my mother died."

I don't say anything but place my hand over his and squeeze it gently. He gives me a sad smile.

"That's why I decided to take this medical field as a profession. I want to be an oncologist so that there won't be any other one out there who has to suffer as my mom did. I want to help them, Nikki I want to save lives, I want to make their families happy Nikki. I want to put a smile on their faces." I see him fighting back his tears.

"Your mother would be really proud of you," I say smiling at him.

Rest of our conversation continues, I try to cheer him up by asking him about his childhood days. that actually works and lightens the mood as Sam tells me about how mischievous he was when he was a kid. he tells me about his sweet memories with her mother. he also tells me that his father owns a supermarket and he takes care of it too whenever he gets time. We talk about random things and then head out. Sam tells me that there is a lake near and insists me to go there with him. we walk there, the lake view is really beautiful. The surface of the water sparkled under the moonlight. it was serene and mesmerizing. everything quiet around us. we sat on a bench at the corner enjoying each other's company. it was so peaceful sitting here in silence and watching the shimmering reflection of moon casting silverly sparkle on still water. the sweet smell of lilies surrounding us. even the insects were at peace. this was too perfect. Sam requested me to go on pedal boating with him. it was really fun. I was actually happy after a long time. I felt like a teenager going out with her boyfriend. This day was really amazing.

At half-past eleven we decided to head back. I told Sam to drop me at my clinic as I have to collect some papers from there for my work. But he suggested that he can wait for me till I get them and then drop me at my home. finally, after a hell lot of argument, I managed to convince him. As the car stops in front of the clinic, I turn around to face him.

"Thank you for this wonderful night Sam. it was really special for me. I loved spending time with you." I say sheepishly.

He smiles at me "I can say the same, Nikki. I am looking forward to many such nights in the coming time." He leans towards me and I become stiff, for a second I think he is going to kiss me. As if sensing my hesitation he moves away and places a gentle kiss on my cheek. I instantly turn red at his action.

"I can wait. Goodnight Nikki" he winks at me saying so.

"Goodnight Sam!" I step out of the car and wave at him as he drives away from the clinic.

I can't believe that I went on a date. and it was actually great, I never expected it to be this good. I didn't tell Sam that I never went on a date and that this was my first one. because that would have been so embarrassing for him to know. but I think he wouldn't make fun of me knowing how considerable he is. Sam is actually sweet. I honestly loved spending time with him. I guess I like him too. it makes me think that we can actually work. I mean, I feel like I can have a real relationship with him. Today was great and I am actually hoping to spend more time with him. I smile as I begin to unlock the door. I soon notice an envelope lying at the doorstep. something was not right. I have a weird sensation in the pit of my stomach as I look at it. who could send this? who the hell sends letters in this era of technology? My family doesn't send me any letters and I don't have any close friends living far away. Suddenly I have a dreaded feeling. what if it's him? what if its from Christopher? No Nicole it can't be him. why do you keep thinking about him? he is gone. he won't come in your life again. stop imagining things that are not real. as when I thought that my life is going to be on track again this has to happen. Oh god please help me. let this not be him. Hoping so I pick up the envelope.

I look at the envelope in my hand, blood-red in color screaming danger, asking me not to open it. my hands are shaking, not able to comprehend anything at the moment. sweat trickling over my forehead. I gulp the lump forming in my throat. I am very much aware that once I open it there won't be any going back. with my heart racing, I tear it open to find a letter in it. I choke on my words when I read it.

Dear Nicole,

You may think that you can run from me but you are wrong Cole. even if you still think so, You can run as much as you can but you can never hide from me. even if you are hiding deep beneath the core of this world, I'll dig up and find you, princess. You just can't leave behind the world you belong to. you can't escape from me, I'll drag you straight back to hell darling. meet you soon Cole.

Your sexy bastard,

Devil

I knew that I was looking at the catastrophe that has hit my life.

A/N:

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Janvi❤