Chapter 30 – The set-up
Nicholas POV
Soon, I finished everything I needed to do in the office and got home with Monica, who seemed a bit off. “Are you all right?” I asked, noticing her distant expression.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” she replied, but her voice lacked its usual warmth. I could tell something was bothering her.
“Monica, you can tell me if something’s wrong,” I pressed gently, taking her soft hands in mine.
She hesitated, looking away. “It’s just… it’s been a long day, that’s all,” she said with a smile that I knew was fake.NôvelDrama.Org content.
“Are you sure? You seem… different,” I said, genuinely concerned.
She took a deep breath, finally meeting my eyes. “Nicholas, there’s something I need to ask you. Do you care about me? I mean, truly care? Do you love me”
I was taken aback by her question. “Of course I do, Monica. You’re the most important person in my life right now.”
She nodded slowly, but I could see the doubt still lingering in her eyes. “Okay,” she whispered, leaning into my touch.
As we stood there, I vowed to myself to prove to her that my feelings were real, that she was the only one I wanted. No more doubts, no more insecurities. I would do whatever it took to make her believe in me.
“Hey people” Anthony walked into the house as he owned it. “How are you, Monica?”
“I’m fine” Monica replied as I hugged her from behind sniffing her scent.
“Nicholas, I don’t need to ask how you’re doing because you seem to be enjoying yourself behind Monica,” Anthony said with a smirk. He always knew how to ruin my mood.
“What are you doing here? These past few weeks without you in my house have been peaceful and lovely,” I retorted, my irritation evident.
“Ouch,” Anthony replied, feigning hurt. I just glared at him, not in the mood for whatever he came here to do.
“Don’t say that to your friend,” Monica scolded gently, releasing herself from my grip and walking closer to Anthony. “You’re always welcome in our home.”
“Thank you, Monica,” Anthony said, giving me a mockingly triumphant look. I could tell he was trying to get under my skin.
“Well, what brings you here today, Anthony?” I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.
“I just wanted to check on you two and see how things are going,” Anthony replied, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Everything’s fine,” I said curtly, hoping he would take the hint and leave us alone.
Monica smiled warmly at Anthony. “It’s always nice to have you around. Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure, I’ll take whatever you’re having,” Anthony said, following Monica into the kitchen. I watched them go, feeling a mixture of annoyance and protectiveness.
A few minutes later, Monica returned with two glasses of wine, handing one to Anthony and keeping one for herself. She sat down on the couch, and Anthony joined her, leaving me standing awkwardly.
I rushed quickly to where Monica sat and took the glass of wine from her “What is it?” She asked certainly not pleased with the way I took her wine.
“I don’t think you should be taking wines at your condition?” I said.
“Come on Nicholas, a sip won’t hurt her” I glared at Anthony who instantly averted his gaze “Monica thinks Nicholas is right. You’re pregnant and we aren’t sure if wine is good for the baby” Anthony uttered, shifting his point of discussion in my favor
“But I want wine. I feel like drinking wine” Monica uttered, pouting her lips like a baby and I found it cute.
“I don’t think wine is good Monica. Let’s just avoid this till the baby comes okay” I said, placing the already half-filled glass of wine on the table, far from Monica’s reach.
“So, how’s work been?” Anthony asked, taking a sip of his wine.
“Busy, as usual,” I replied, sitting down next to Monica and placing a protective arm around her shoulders. “But manageable.”
“Good to hear,” Anthony said, his tone light. “And how’s the baby?”
Monica’s face softened as her attention shifted from the wine a little, and she placed a hand on her belly. “The baby is healthy and growing. We had a check-up today, and everything looks great.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Anthony said genuinely, his playful and annoying attitude replaced with sincere happiness for us. “I will be going to the clubhouse today Nicholas, do you mind coming?” Anthony suddenly asked, his question directed to me.
“No, I have to be with Monica. She needs me” I uttered, declining Anthony’s invitation.
“No, I don’t need you. You can go” Monica’s instant reply to my statement shocked me.
“Are you sure? I want to be with you tonight and I also don’t have any interest in going to the club” I said.
“There’s no problem Nicholas. I want you to go have some fun” she said, smiling a little but her eyes saying something else.
“Won’t you be lonely?” I asked worriedly. I didn’t want to be anywhere far from Monica.
“No I won’t ” she responded. Her answer seemed suspicious but I just brushed off the creeping feeling I had. The club didn’t change a bit as all the ladies danced in front of Anthony and me. Though I was sitting in front of naked beautiful ladies, my mind seemed elsewhere. I very much want to be with Monica. She is pregnant and needs my care and attention.
I kept on checking my watch for the time and planning the next possible exit out of the club. I wasn’t comfortable with Monica being at home alone. I just wanted to hold her in my arms and kiss her to sleep.
“Hey Nicholas” Harley came in front of me, her boobs pointing right in my face but my mind was clouded with Monica.
“You seem lonely” she uttered, placing her hands on my chest but I instantly glared at her as I shoved her hands away.
“I’m not in the mood Harley” I uttered as I intended to stand but she pushed me back down on the chair and then sat on my thighs as she danced seductively on my thighs.
I felt instantly disgusted as I frowned deeply. Lap dancing was a perfect way to turn me on but for some reason, I just didn’t like Harley doing it for me. I didn’t even like the fact that she was sitting on my thighs.
“Harley get off me” I uttered but she only widened her legs and even danced more, trying to guide my hands to touch her boobs but before she could do that, I pushed her off me with great force, and that caused her to crash on the table.
“Nicholas” I heard her calling my name but I instantly rushed out of the club, intending to be with no one else but Monica.
“Where are you going?” Harley rushed outside following me.
“Home?” I said.
“Why?” She asked again, her voice shaky
“I don’t want to be here. I have a wife at home who I’m sure is missing me right now” I said.
“So this is about Monica right?” she said but I paid no attention to her as I opened the door of the car when I heard her next question which made me pause “What happened to us, Nicholas? You used to like clubbing and lap dancing and sex but now you’ve changed. What happens to us?” Harley asked as tears streamed down her cheek but I felt no pity for her.
“There was never a US Harley and to your question about what happened to us? Nothing happened to you Harley but love happened to me. I love Monica and I’m satisfied with her. Don’t ever try to seduce or lap dance me again. Whatever is going on between us or was going on between us is over and if you try to seduce me again like what you did in the office earlier today, you will lose your job at the office” I uttered icly as I noticed she swallowed hard in fear.
I got into the car and rushed home. I didn’t want to be anywhere else except besides Monica. The whole hour I spent in the club was torture. I couldn’t stop thinking about Monica. I applied more pressure on the car as I drove at high speed.
Soon enough, I got home and stormed into the living room just to find Monica watching something on her phone ” Hey babe. What are you doing here” I asked and she raised her head to stare deeply at me.
I looked closely at her to realize her eyes were puffy “Have you been crying? Are you hurt? Why are your eyes so red and_”
I went mute as Monica’s lips crashed onto mine, and I stood frozen. She deepened the kiss, her hands snaking their way up my shoulders. I closed my eyes as our lips moved together, the passion of the moment exciting me gradually.
My heart pounded in my chest as I felt the warmth and passion from her soft plump lips. Slowly, my arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.