Illicit Attraction

Chapter Eight

"I know her," he said to Mr. Parker. Looking so interested Mr. Parker runs his eyes to Nico and I. There were even several times that I saw the corner of his lifts up as if he has something on his head that he just couldn't say to us directly.

"Now I remember." Mr. Parker laugh while slowly moving his head up and down. "You were his date on their corporation's anniversary ball," he said that I wish he kept to himself because now that he mentioned it and Kierra heard it too, everything will be a little awkward for me.

"What a great coincidence, huh?" he murmured and tasted the wine on his glass. Nico with give me a flat smile. "Hmm," he mumbled before he tore his eyes off me and sit back on the sofa to join the company's CEO whom I think is his good friend too.

"Excuse me." I force a smile for Kierra and walk my out of the vip section nonchalanty. It was by far, the best acting that I've ever pulled. The drastic beating of my heart pushed me to check my chest. It's thudding so much that for a second I thought its violent movement in my ribcage is noticeable.

Looking here and there. I finally found Uiji sitting on the bar counter and enjoying a glass of negroni. I sit beside her, from the drink that she's having fun with she look at me. "He's the new damn major shareholder of the company!" I whispered. The bartender approached me for the drink that I want to have. "I'll have a fog cutter."

"One fog cutter, coming up." He announced before he took all of the ingredients that he need to mix the drink that I want.

"Woah chill. Fog cutter? Planning to get drunk? Also who is he that you're talking about?" I glance on the elevated platform of the elexir where the vip section is located. I didn't know if I saw it right but for second. Nico is staring darkly at me while the wine kept his lips moisturize.

When I felt Uiji look at the direction where my eyes are directed I looked away and tap her right leg to take back her attention. Uiji's eyes pop out. "Is that---"

"Don't you dare point," I warned her.

"Fog cutter." The bartender serve me my cocktail drink. I was so stress and nervous that I find myself finishing the glass with one gulp.

"Wait up, woman!" Uiji is panicking at my sudden aggresiveness in taking alcohol. I raised my finger. "Another one."

"Adi, wait..."

"Nicodemus Possilico is the new major shareholder of the company. This gotta be a dream. Fate is f*****g kidding me!" Uiji blink her eyes. I caught her looking up to the vip section. I caught a glimpse of the people there and there are three of them in that spot now. Mason, Nico and Pharrel.

My eyes jump to Uiji and caught her shaking her head as if she's shoving her excitement or anything that she could possibly feel after seeing her prince charming, Pharrel Possilico Quintin.

"Uiji?" Pharrel may not be doing anything to her but Uiji looks like she's magically hypnotized by him. "Uiji Seredette Castillo!"

"Woah, yeah..." she trail off while blinking her eyes. "Yes? Yes. Uhm... and so what if he's a shareholder in Music Co. It's not like you'll be working directly with him." That made sense.

When the bartender gave me another glass of fog cutter I get to enjoy it a little unlike when I dry off my first glass.

"You have flight for New York tomorrow." The last words of what I'm gonna say to Uiji left hanging in my throat after I see the unoccupied stool where she's at a minute ago. "Where the hell did she go?" I whispered to myself.

My alone time didn't last long since Kierra kept on pulling me in all the corner of Elexir to introduce me to different people that are working and affiliated with Music Co.

Passed eleven pm when I receive a text message from Uiji saying that she needed to leave early because she has a flight at six am for New York tomorrow

To: Uiji

Be safe. I'll text you when I'm home later.

"Adi," Nico uttered my name softly. I put my phone back on my bag and give him a casual look. "Do you have a ride home?" no words came out of my lips to respond on his question and I didn't want to force my mind to drop anything. I want Nico to clearly see the barrier that I built between us and ignoring him will keep those wall sturdy. I walk away from the dancefloor where Kierra left me after she introduce me to one of the most lyric genius in Music Co, Gelani Ongpauco.

I sitted myself on the stool and ordered my third glass of fog cutter. "Thank you," I said for the first time. The bartender only smile at me and my alone time ended for the second time when Nico sit beside me minutes after I left him standing like a fool in the dancefloor.

"What do you really want, Nico?" he chuckled at my aggressive behaviour. "Be careful with question that you ask, Adi. If I tell you what I want I might won't be able to stop myself from showing around until you give it to me." My eyebrows shot up. "Are you flirting with me?" Nico bark a laugh.

"This is a casual conversation. We wouldn't be here if I'm already flirting with you... I'd bring you to a more private place if we were." I fake a smile.

"Right. Like what you did with what her name again---"

"Baby, you're still upset with what happened that night?"

"Stop it Nico."

"Do you want to hear me explain now?" I drink my remaining fog cutter and stood up.

I will go home now. I'll just text Kierra that I left 'cause I feel sick... Nico is making me feel sick.

Several steps away from the exit. The the effect of fog cutter starts to kick in. My feet is starting to be unsteady in action. I couldn't walk straight and something in my stomach wants to come out, I want to throw up and the least thing I'd like to happen is make a mess inside. I run as fast as I can then throw up on the side of the street. My hand is holding onto the street light's post for support as I continue to bring out things from my tummy.

My stomach started to feel better after that but my body is a lot weaker. I can't even take another step, hence go home all by myself.

"Here." I saw a black handkerchief before my eyes. The intoxicating manly perfume on it introduces its owner. I didn't accept his handkerchief. I was stunned when Nico hold up my chin to wipe the side of my lips with the handkerchief that he's giving to me earlier.

Shoving his hand from my face. I gasp when he cling on to my waist instead of backing off. "Nicodemus!"

"You can't go home like this. I'll send you home when you're sober," he said and swift me off my feet. I've already drained my energy so fighting back and trying to free myself from his arms is quite impossible. Unconsciously, I'm already resting my head against his chiseled chest that I can clearly feel even if there's his coat and button down between our skin.

"Where are we going then, Nico?"

"In my unit at Ciudad de Castelleon." I look at him and waste the remaining bits of my energy by shaking my head to disagree on his plan. "I don't wanna go there. I don't trust you enough to let you bring me to your place."

"Okay fine. Let's just stay in my car. You can take a quick nap there." He continued to walk to the almost empty basement parking where he is.

I opened my drowsy eyes. "Where is your car?" Nico's lips protruded to point a black Bentley. I closed my eyes and open it after he made me sat on the shotgun. His hands were watching over me as he adjust the recling car seat so I'll be more comfortable.

"Go back to the party. I'm fine here. I won't make a mess in your car and quietly once I'm sober."

"I'll stay with you," he said that shut me immediately. I didn't say anything anymore and just turn my back on him. Nico's heavy breathing distracted me from the sleep that I'm trying to get.

"Stop that."

"Stop what?" he asked sounding so irritated for a reason that I don't know.

"Your way of breathing is disturbing me."

"Well your position is disturbing me too, Adalira!" I sat up straight after I secretly examine my position.

"f*****g pervert!" I howled. Nico rolled his eyes in a manly manner before he proceeds on taking off his coat. He gave it to me cooly. If you ever see a badboy trying to be gentleman. Nico is exactly like that at the moment.

"What is this?"

"A coat," he answered with a hint of sarcasm on his tone.

"Oh." I look at the piece he gave me, faking my amusement. "I thought it's a food. Kinda starving," I whispered but loud enough for him to hear it too. I crumpled his coat with my two hands and throw it back to him. "I don't need that."

"Just take it. Your dress is short and everytime you make a move its lifting up. Your nude seamless underwear is showing," he said. I was stunned at what I heard from him that I failed to move as quick as I should. Nico take his coat from his lap and cover my legs with it. I fix it more before I closed my eyes and make myself comportable on the reclined seat which is hopeless because my mind refuse to shut down after I had that conversation with him.

I sat up straight and adjust the seat to its original position. "Take me home. I can't sleep here." Nicodemus stared at me for a while. When I look back at him that's when he started the car's engine and drive.

"Same address?"

"Same address." The silence between the two of us stretched and I can't stand with it. I need something that will lessen the awkwardness between the two of us.

"You can play a music if you want. My phone is connected to my speaker," he said and gave me his phone before he bring his eyes back on the road.

Breathe in sumeul naeswigo

Duryeoume matseol twae

The korean song, an ost for a k-drama that I had great time watching blast on his speaker. Nico's piercing eyes made their way to me, lowkey asking what kind of song I'm playing

"It's a korean song. Of course we can't fully understand the lyrics but if you search for it in the internet. It's inspiring," I started to explain but it seems like he didn't care so I zip my mouth and continue to jam with the song inside of my mind. Five korean songs and I decided to switch for something that two of us can effortlessly understand.

"Don't you have any plan to move out of your parents house?" he asked seconds after he pulled over in front of our gate. For the first time tonight, I shake my head. "I don't know... maybe soon. Fallon and I doesn't want to left our Dad. He'll be sad... we don't want him sad." I unbuckle my seatbelt.

"Did you change your number?" I shook my head again. "Did you?" I asked back and like me he said no with his head. I closed the shotgun and walk straight to our gate.

I can if I wanted but the reason why I didn't is not yet clear but there's a tiny voice at the back of my mind that is saying I didn't because I was waiting to receive a call from someone... from him.