"Oh, my god! I can't believe this!" Emily screams hysterically.

"Shhhh, Emily, people are watching us," I tell her, looking around the cafe and finding a few people sitting nearby giving us weird glances.

"Can you believe this? Our Sam just aced in his exams. He is a freaking topper in his batch." She says now in a hushed tone trying to suppress her excitement.

"That's insane. Nobody would have ever thought this. Considering his behavior, I wouldn't have imagined him being capable of doing anything other than jumping like a chimpanzee here and there." She states, taking a loud slurp from her milkshake.

"Yeah, I guess deportments can be deceptive too." I smile at her.

"True." She laughs, and that's when Sam appears at our table, holding a tray in his hand.

"Butterscotch mousse cake for the ladies." He grins, placing the plates on the table. Emily and I exchange a few suspicious glances, and then together, we look at Sam in surprise.

"I know, you guys didn't ask for this, but guess what? It's a treat from me for..." He trails it off and then says. "Do I even have to say it?" He smirks at us smugly.

I roll my eyes. "We know how smart you are. No need to brag about it."

Then Emily interrupts in-between. "You think you can get away with this?" She asks, raising an eyebrow at Sam.

"You can't slip away with this little treat..... because we are going to celebrate this." She chimes and I look at her in confusion.

"You are going to take us to a club tonight." She sings to Sam in a childlike voice.

"That's a fantastic plan, Emily. Why didn't this occur to me before? We're definitely gonna go clubbing tonight." Sam smiles excitedly, singing along with her.

"Oh no...I am out of this, guys." I tell them, shaking my head in disapproval.

"Nikki, do you ever start your sentence without saying a no?" Emily says shooting daggers at me.

Seeing the sudden change in her expression, Sam laughs. "I agree with her."

He then turns towards me and pouts. "Please Nikki, I don't want to miss the only chance that I am getting to celebrate something." He says looking at me intently.

"It wouldn't kill you to come with us to a club. After all, we are exploring new things, right?" Emily says. How the hell these two perfectly sing in a chorus when it comes to persuading me?

"As far as I know last time when we went to the mall, you bailed out on us. So, take it as a punishment for doing that." She says narrowing her eyes at me.

"Yeah, Nikki, you have to come with us. It would be totally amazing." Sam says.

Do I have an option? I guess no. "Fine, I'll come but only when you guys promise me to behave like civilized citizens," I tell them pursing my lips together.

"Done," Emily says. "This is going to be so awesome." She claps her hands excitedly and I roll my eyes.

I see Sam smiling at me like an idiot. "Don't you have other customers to take care of?" I ask him.

He looks around and scratching the back of his head; he says. "Oh right, I have to go now. I'll catch up with you guys later." With that, he vanishes.

Emily and I sit there, talking about random things. She tells me about the new range of books that arrived at her store. In between our talk, she even asks me about the new place where I moved in. I just tell her the same thing that I told Becky. However, Emily doesn't look suspicious about it, she believes everything I say to her and that's really good for me. After we are done, we move back to the counter to pay and tell a quick goodbye to Sam. We reach the counter and suddenly Emily's phone begins to ring. She excuses herself and moves out to take her call. I see her going out of the cafe and when I turn around; I see Sam looking at me keenly.

I feel a little awkward by his gaze. After a moment he says. "Nikki, can I have a minute with you?" I see that his demeanor has changed. He looks dead serious now, unlike how playful he was a few minutes ago.

"Sure," I tell. I just hope he doesn't bring up anything about that date.

"Nikki, you remember that day when we went out? It was really wonderful." He says with a gleam in his eyes. Fuck!

"I wanted to tell this to you before, but I couldn't get time." He says blushing a little.

"Yes, it was great," I say.

"Really? Did you like it?" he says, popping his eyes out in astonishment.

"Of course," I tell him, giving an awkward smile. Damn! What should I say?

He then stares at me for a minute and says. "I was thinking that...if you are okay then we can go out again?" He says shyly.

Oh no. This is bad, I can't go out with him again. It wouldn't be fair with Sam if I'd say yes. I look down at the phone in my hand and see a text from Peter. I wouldn't lie, but I had been talking with Peter a lot lately. We even went out once, and it was really good. Peter seems to be a nice guy. I guess I like him, but I don't know why my mind doesn't restrict me from thinking about Christopher. I have kept ignoring him these past days to sort my fucking mind. Whenever he tries to make a conversation, I pretend to be not paying attention and busy myself with my phone. I haven't told Christopher about Peter. A couple of times he caught me taking on the phone, but I always keep lying to him that it's Sam. Because I don't know how he would react to it, as a matter of fact he already appears to be pissed with my closeness with Sam. I feel like a bitch juggling around three men. Wait, why did I count Christopher in it? Oh god! What is my problem? I fucking hate myself for doing this to Sam, but it's better for him. I can't keep him in dark. I can't go out with him when I don't feel anything for him.

"I am sorry, Sam, but I can't go out with you," I tell him.

A flash of hurt appears over his face as he looks at me, knitting his eyebrows together. "Why?"

"I have to concentrate on my work, Sam. I have always been focused in my life and worked really hard to get where I am right now. My career comes first to me. And it's a crucial time for me to build everything." I tell him guiltily. Nicole, you fucking liar!

"Ohhhh."

"I don't intend to sound rude to you, Sam, but.....you'll always be a good friend to me," I say. What? Don't look at me like that, I've never rejected a guy before so I don't know what to say?

He sighs and says. "It's okay, Nikki." His lips curve into a sad smile.

"I hope you'll understand, Sam." I return him a small smile.

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

After leaving the Cafe I walk Emily back to her bookstore and hire a cab to go back home. The primary intention behind ending my work early and going to the cafe was to avoid an awkward ride back home with Christopher. I just don't want him anywhere near me.

While talking about tonight, Emily insisted me to come to her place to get ready. She urged that she'll do my makeup, giving me no other option than to agree with her. I am more than okay with it as I consider myself a total fail in that department. She demanded me to bring some dresses that can be suitable for a nightclub. She said that she would be the one selecting the best for me. It's just a club. Why is she hyping this so much? We aren't going to an extravagant party. I don't even know if I have that kind of dress. Anyway, it's Emily's concern, I don't care about it. I am just worried if Sam would be okay. I don't know if he is even going to show up. He was so excited about this, and I spoiled his mood by saying those things. I curse my bitchy ass once again for hurting Sam like this.

As I walk into the gate, I see one of Christopher's men standing outside. I discovered a while ago that his name is Robert. He stands there with the usual serious expression, but when he sees me a small smile appears on his face. I've got to know that he and the other guard whose name is Micheal are staying just in the next lane. They usually go back there once Christopher is back home. They don't talk much to me neither do I.

Micheal seems to be more reserved and serious while Robert is easy to talk with. He gives me a welcoming smile whenever I come back from work. I have talked to Robert twice, and he appears to be a nice guy. I have even suggested to him that they don't have to guard me up the complete day and that they can go back to their place and take some rest when Christopher isn't home. At first, they were very persistent about not listening to me, but then I eventually made them agree by saying that leaving the house for an hour or two wouldn't cause any trouble. And after all, Christopher wouldn't even know about. I didn't know they would easily agree with this, but I guess luck was on my side. Thanks to my persuasion skills. What is it that a lady couldn't do with her intelligence?

Honestly speaking, I was fed up with these men constantly circling the house. It was annoying for me to be constantly watched. When Robert agreed, I was happy to get back my freedom. And this is how I managed to sneak out of the house and even go out with Peter without anyone knowing about it.

I enter the house and head straight to my room, knowing that Christopher wouldn't be back till night. As soon as I get into my room, I go into the bathroom for a quick shower. Freshening up, I change into a blue spaghetti top and my favorite black jeans. Tying my hair into a ponytail, I walk towards my closet to grab the dresses.

I don't really shop for dresses frequently. I remember buying some clothes a while ago but I didn't really get an occasion to wear them so I dumped all of them without even making an effort to remove them from their bags. How lazy my ass is. I open the cupboard and see a few shopping bags resting there, without even looking into I grab them all and hurry down. I have been to Emily's house once when I went there to return her a book but I certainly don't remember her address so I texted her to send me her location.

I race down the stairs looking down at my phone and when I lift my gaze I gasp looking at Christopher resting on the couch. I look at him in shock. How is he here at this time? He isn't supposed to be here before 9 pm. He looks at me with a blank expression.

"Where were you?" He asks me as I take in his appearance. He looks just as good as always wearing a black t-shirt. He would have probably changed into it after coming back.

"What?" I ask him in disbelief.

"Where were you?" He repeats. "You weren't in your clinic when I came earlier in the evening to pick you up." He says eying me up and down.

"I don't find any reason to explain that to you," I tell him sternly.

He clenches his jaw as his face changes, giving me the allusion of seeping anger through his body. "Fucking bullshit, Nicole! Do you have any idea how worried I was?" He says through gritted teeth.

"I was going around like a fucking madman looking for you." He screams, standing up. "You don't know how risky it can be, Nicole. You could have been attacked again." His voice cracks while saying that as he gives me a pained look.

"Here, I am trying to protect you and you are going around throwing yourself willingly into danger." He scoffs.

"I know Christopher, You are doing everything in your capacity to keep me safe but you can't keep controlling me like this. I have to go out for my work, I can't live in a freaking house arrest." I understand what he saying, but he can't scream at me like that.

"I am not restraining you from going to work. I am just telling you to be safe, to be at your clinic." He says. "I have said to you that I would be checking on you and I'll drop and pick you up from there. Then where the fuck you went?" He runs his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"I was with my friends, Christopher. Now don't make a fuss out of this." I frown. "Apart from that, I don't want to bother you for everything. I can manage my transport."

He looks at me and lets out a humorless chuckle. "Who are you fooling, Nicole?"

"What do you mean?" I narrow my eyes at him.

"I know you are doing all this to ignore me, right?"

Fuck, how the heck he got to that. I look away and ignore his statement.

"Answer me, Nicole?" He stresses as he makes his way towards me.

"Fucking no."

"Answer me." He says now standing right in front of me.

"Fine. if you are forcing me to say it then listen, I am not ignoring you, Christopher." I look straight into his eyes and say. "I am avoiding you."

"And if you are going to ask why, then let me answer you already. I don't want us to be anything more than two strangers living in the same house for a few days, and I want you to get it straight in your thick skull." I say, crossing my arms defensively.

His eyes harden as he keeps staring at me without saying a word. Then suddenly my phone rings. I look at it and see Peter's name flashing. Fuck! Christopher narrows his eyes towards the phone and snaps his eyes back to me. I immediately switch it off and slide it in my back pocket.

"Is it that kid?" He says clenching his jaws.

"It's none of your fucking business," I tell him roughly and try to walk past him, but he grips my arm and yanks me back.

"Where are you going?" What the fuck is wrong with him?

He is getting on my nerves now. Why can't he leave me alone?

"That isn't necessary for you to know," I say and try to tear my hand from his grip, but he doesn't let me go.

"You wouldn't go anywhere until you answer my questions." He says tightening his grip over my arm.

I look at him irritatedly. What the fuck is his problem? "You know what? You can go and fuck yourself." I spat at him angrily and jerk his hand off my arm. But before I can walk away, he grips me back and pins me angrily against the wall next to the stairs. I gasp in horror, dropping the bags from my hand as I look at his steely grey eyes staring at me furiously. He cages me with both hands on either side of my face, offering no space for me to tear my gaze. I stare at him with a terror-stricken expression as his face moves closer to mine. My breathing hitches as I feel the warmth of his body when he presses himself more onto me, trapping me between his legs. Our bodies are so closely pressed that our clothes seem to be the only barrier separating us.

"Watch your fucking mouth, Nicole." He says scanning my face fiercely. "Don't you ever dare talk to me like that....or else," He hisses maliciously, his lips centimeters away from mine. I realize If he tries to move even a bit, the chances are high that we might end up kissing. My eyes waver over his lips as the desire of having his lips on mine builds inside me. Wait, where the fuck it came from? You are mad at him, Nicole. He is a stranger. You don't even know him. You can't think like that about him. I instantly dismiss that thought and snap my eyes back to him.

"Or else what?" I shake, letting out a humorless chuckle. "You're gonna kill me?" I scoff at him. His anger intensifies with my words as he presses himself more harshly on me. "You fucking criminal." I mock him more, knowing that he is getting all riled up with it. His eyes vitrify hearing me and I mentally celebrate my little victory. He fucking deserved it for talking to me like this. But after a minute his face changes, the scowl which was evident on his face a few seconds ago is replaced by an evil smile. I feel something weird in the pit of my stomach with the way he is looking at me. Oh no, this doesn't look right. His face gleaming with an unusual sinister smile indicates me that I have completely triggered the wrong nerve.

"Maybe something worse than that." He says with a cocky smirk as I knit my eyebrows in confusion. Before I can ask what he meant, he dips his head in the crook of my neck and starts kissing me. Fire erupts through my body as soon as his warm lips make contact with my cold skin. He begins with slow butterfly kisses but after a minute I feel his lips moving more frantically making me lose my sense as I forget everything and close my eyes enjoying his sweet torture. His lips travel their way over my neck, planting feverish kisses hungrily. My legs glue themselves to the ground and my hands betray me from pushing him away. I don't even try to open my eyes, fearing that I would regret it if reality dawned upon me.

He sucks on my skin as I hear him whisper sexily. "I can make you feel so many things, Nicole." He makes his way down using his tongue. "Things that you would have never even imagined in your wildest dreams." I feel all hot when his warm tongue dances on my skin. I pant heavily as his hands leave the wall and snake around my waist, pulling me closer to him. He then slides the string of my top over my shoulder, providing himself with more access to my exposed skin. I moan softly and arch my head back in pleasure as his lips find a way over my shoulder towards my collarbone. He devours me with his mouth as his hand roams over my back possessively. With his every single touch, I see everything blurring in front of me. I didn't know someone could have this kind of effect over me.

I hear his hoarse voice bringing me back from the daze as he growls in between the kisses. "You have no idea how dangerous it can be..." His lips going down to the area just above my breast, he sucks in desperately, squeezing my ass gently, making me whimper in bliss. I clutch to his shirt, trying to hold my body from collapsing.

" Careful...You are messing with the devil, Cole." He doesn't let me breathe for a minute as he starts attacking me with his open-mouthed kisses all the way back. Rapture succumbs me as I feel his lips again on my neck, traveling higher. I breathe heavily, unable to maintain my composure while being acquainted with this unfamiliar sensation. His lips reach my ear as he gently nibbles my earlobe.

"You know why people call me the devil?" His breath fanning over my ear. "It's not because I am a sinner."

His harsh breath comes out in pants, showing me how equally he is affected as he continues. "It's because I am capable of making innocent people commit sins." As I process those words, reality hits me like a solid brick. I snap my eyes open immediately. Fuck! What am I doing? How can I be so dumb? I realize what he is doing. Nicole, he is trying to manipulate you and you are easily falling into it. You can't lose yourself like this. You can't fall into his trap. I instantly compose myself and push him away harshly with all the power I have in me.

He stumbles back a bit, looking Amused. I see his eyes shining with lust as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. His eyes rake over my body and settle over the string hanging off my shoulder. A satisfying smirk appears on his face, looking at his accomplishment. I know he is trying to play with me. But I am not going to let him succeed in this game. Fucking bastard! I immediately adjust my string in embarrassment as I realize what I was into just a few seconds ago. What the fuck I was thinking while making out with a criminal that too with whom I was fighting minutes back? I hurriedly grab the bags from the ground.