A planned engagement

chapter 10

“Mia?” Nico said sharply, genuine shock crossing his face. “What are you doing here?”

She smiled slowly, swirling the wine in her glass. “I’m here for Pete and Rose. Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Nico’s expression hardened. “You’ve been gone for so many years I honestly thought you were dead.”

Mia didn’t flinch. “I won’t blame you for being rude,” she said quietly. “Considering what happened between us, I deserve whatever you say.”

“You deserve far more than words,” Nico replied coldly.

Her gaze shifted suddenly. She lifted her glass and pointed toward Alexi.

“And who is she?”

Alexi met her eyes, her chest tightening, a strange unease settling deep inside her.

“This is Alexi,” Nico said firmly. “She’s my fiancée.”

Mia laughed—a sharp, mocking sound. “Stop pretending, Nico. You and I both know you never moved on from us.”

“You’re drunk,” Nico snapped. He turned to Alexi, lowering his voice. “I’ll be right back.”

He took Mia by the arm and pulled her toward a quiet corner.

Alexi stood frozen, her heart pounding.

Rose approached gently. “Who is that woman?” Alexi asked, nodding toward them.

Rose hesitated. “That’s Mia.”

Alexi’s breath caught. “Mia…?”

“Nico’s ex,” Rose said softly.

“He didn’t tell you?” Rose added, lowering her voice. “She’s… intense. From the stories I’ve heard, she’s a crazy one.”

“What stories?” Alexi asked, her voice barely steady.

“ I think it's best Nico tells you, ok.”

Minutes later, Alexi began searching the house for Nico.

And then she saw them in a Conner.

Mia had Nico backed against the wall, her hands gripping his jacket as she kissed him—forcefully, desperately.

“Get away from me!” Nico snapped, shoving her back. His eyes scanned the room immediately. “Alexi—”

Mia laughed softly, unbothered. She straightened herself and walked toward Alexi, stopping just inches away near the door.

“I’ll always be the one he’s crazy about,” Mia whispered, her voice poisonous. “He can never move on from me. You’ll always be the other woman.”

Alexi held her gaze, pain burning behind her eyes—but she refused to look away.

Mia smirked and walked off.

Nico reached Alexi moments later. “Alexi, listen—this is not what it looks like.”

“Just take me home.” she said, her voice shaking.

“ Alexi” he called

“ Please.” She begged.

The music played on. Laughter echoed through the room. Then he reached out for his phone and called Andrew

“ Come take Alexi home.”

Andrew arrived shortly after and drove her back in silence. Alexi was in tears the whole ride, her heart shattered. As soon as they pulled up to the house, she rushed inside, straight to her room. She threw herself onto the bed and sobbed uncontrollably. After composing herself a bit that night, she picked up her phone and called her mother.

"Hello, Mom," Alexi said, her voice shaky despite her efforts to sound normal.

"Alexi, what's wrong? What happened to you?" her mother asked immediately, concerned .

"Nothing, Mom. I just miss you. How is everyone?"

"Everyone's fine, baby," her mother replied softly. "Are you sure you're okay? You don't sound like yourself."

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine. Don't worry. I just wanted to hear your voice. I missed you so much," Alexi said, tears welling up again.

"Oh, baby, I missed you too. So, when are you coming home?" her mom asked hopefully.

"I don't know yet, but I'll let you know when I'm coming, okay?"

"All right, darling. Do take care of yourself, okay?"

"Yes, Mom. Good night. I love you."

"Love you too, honey."

Alexi hung up and let out a deep sigh of relief. Hearing her mother's voice always grounded her, like a warm hug from afar. She wiped away her tears, headed to the bathroom for a long, steaming bath to wash away the emotional exhaustion. Afterward, she changed into soft nightwear and slipped under the covers, staring at the dark ceiling.

Her mind raced. How could Nico just abandon her like that? Leave her alone without a single word about what had happened with that woman—Mia? She felt a mix of fury and profound sadness. I can't believe he didn't come home with me. Didn't even try to explain. The devastation weighed heavily on her chest.

Before long, she heard the faint sound of his bedroom door opening and closing downstairs. "I have to get to the bottom of this," she whispered fiercely to herself. Fueled by resolve, she threw off the covers, stormed out of her room, and marched to Nico's door. She knocked firmly. No answer. She knocked harder, then banged with her fist.

The door finally opened.

Nico stood there with a glass of wine in his hand, exhaustion and pain etched into his face. He took a slow drink, not saying a word.

Alexi walked past him into the room and shut the door behind her.

“I think I deserve an explanation,” she said firmly.

“I don’t want to talk right now,” Nico replied coldly.

“No,” she said, stepping in front of him. “You will talk to me.”

"What do you want from me?" Nico shot back, frustration boiling over. "We're not even dating. We're not in a relationship. Why do I owe you an explanation?"

"Really?" Alexi replied, her voice cracking as fresh tears threatened. "Then fine. I want to go home. Back to San Diego. Tomorrow. I can't do this anymore."

She spun on her heel and reached for the doorknob. Suddenly, Nico's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist gently but firmly.

"Don't go. Please," he pleaded, his tone shifting to something vulnerable. "I'll tell you everything you want to know."

She turned back slowly.

“Go on,” she said. “Talk.”

Nico released her and sank onto the edge of the bed, his shoulders heavy.

"It started when I was young—a freshman in college. Mia was in her final year, older than me by a few years. I fell for her instantly, hard. We started dating, and I thought it was real love. I felt it was.

But my father didn't approve. Our family was starting to build wealth, and he saw Mia as a gold digger—coming from a poorer background, older, using me. He hated her from the start and begged me to end it.

I didn't listen. I was blindly in love. I fought everyone for her. Hell, I even ran away with her, dropped out of college, threw away my future because I couldn't imagine life without her.

Then one morning, I woke up... and she was gone. Vanished. I searched everywhere—called, drove around, nothing. That same night, my father rang. 'I told you so, son,' he said. 'She was a gold digger. I offered her three million to leave you, and she took it without a second thought.'

I was destroyed. Heartbroken in a way I can't even describe. I didn't hear from her for years... until after my father died. Suddenly, she reappeared, acting like she still loved me, blaming my dad for forcing her away, saying she never wanted to leave.

But I'd changed. I investigated. Turns out she'd become a drug addict, desperate. All she wanted was money. When I confronted her and offered 10 million to disappear from my life forever, she snatched it and left without looking back.

I haven't seen her since. Until tonight."

He paused, staring into his wine glass.

"Love is cruel, Alexi, It's all a lie. There's no such thing as true love."

The room fell silent. Alexi processed his words, the raw pain in his voice cutting through her anger. Sympathy flooded her.

"Nico... I'm so sorry. I had no idea you'd been through something like that," she whispered, moving closer.

He shrugged, pouring more wine, but his hand trembled slightly. "It shaped me. Made me guarded. I don't trust love—or people—anymore."

"But not everyone's like Mia," Alexi said gently, placing a tentative hand on his arm."You can't let her poison everything good in your life."

Nico finally met her eyes, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through his walls. "Maybe you're right. But seeing her tonight... it dragged up all the ghosts."

Alexi nodded, her heart aching for him. "Thank you for trusting me with this. It explains a lot."

"Stay," he said

"I... I'll think about it," she said softly , teasing him in the process.Alexi knew she wanted to be there for him. She cared so much for this man.

Too much she. Thought.