LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 56: Devil Nic

*NO ONE POV*

Nicolas Fuentes brought Barbie to an expensive restaurant. As soon as they entered, they were greeted by an elegant waitress. After a short but formal greeting, the waitress guided them into a corner. There were many customers, all were with a big name in industry.

Barbie was glad that the table reserved for them was quite far from the noise of other customers. She couldn't help but think that her friend was now a big shot.

He pulled a chair for her.

When the two of them sat down, food was immediately served which was all Barbie’s favorites. She was happy because Senior Niv ordered her favorite foods. Senior Nic was really considerate and thoughtful. He never forgot Barbie’s favorites despite being separated for many years.

“Senior Nic, you are really amazing. You still remember my favorite foods.” Barbie said happily.

“Of course! I may forget my name but I will never forget what you like.” Senior Nic said.

“It looks like you abroad shaped you so well. You are not only returning home with career success but also changed you into a great person and handsome.”

“Don't flatter me.” He stretched out his palm, “Let's dig in.”

“Alright!” Barbie rubbed her palms with her eyes dilating wide before she lifted her fork and spoon. She quickly reached out for the Pork Chop rice and then Blue Crab Omelette. “Hmmm, Senior Nic, this food is too yummy. It is yummier than what I ate before. How did you find this restaurant?”

“This is famous here. How could you not know? It seems like you rarely go out.”

“Yes. Every time I go out, something bad happens. I almost ran into trouble. Fortunately, Angelo always appeared to protect me. Otherwise, I have been dead.”

“So serious.” Nicolas stared at her.

Barbie stopped chewing as she noticed Nicolas looking at her strangely, and said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Nicolas shook his head while cutting his steak. “That Angelo, was he your boyfriend? A day before yesterday, I accidentally watched the news about the tragic accident in Maltana Town Road and you two were filmed. You two kissed with his mask on. Do you know how envious the girls are for you? They said, you have such an amazing and selfless boyfriend. They also thought it was too romantic to see a couple kissing with a mask on,especially, it was right after overcoming danger. “

“He is not my boyfriend. Although I love him and he loves me, we can't be together for now. That is what he said.” Barbie looked down and clasped her palms on her lap.

“Even if you two likes each other, then.why did you let him kiss you?”

“Because I love him. That's all.”

“You are being easy for him.” Nicolas clenched his jaws. “You are a girl. You should pay attention to your actions. Otherwise, he will take advantage of you. You are at the loss side. Additionally, you should not lower your guard against him. Or better stay from him.”

Nicolas' tone made Barbie furrowed because she found his words a bit strange but she chose to ignore it. “I know it. Don't worry, Senior Nic. I will mind that from now on. Okay, let's continue eating. By the way Senior Nic, what business are you managing now?”

“Law Firm.”

“Wow, that's awesome. I didn't know, you really managed to grasp your dream. I am happy for you Senior Nic.”

“Thank you.”

Barbie raised her glass of juice, “Here Senior Nic, let’s have a toast for your success.”

Nicolas lifted his glass of water too and they clashed their glasses.

“Cheers!” Barbie exclaimed. She drank it and then breathed with a sound, “Hope your company will flourish so soon.”

“That is for sure. Believe your Senior Nic.”

“Of course!”

“Enough talking about me. Let's talk about you.”

“Me? My life is boring since the day you left. There is nothing to talk about.”

“Just tell me. Don't worry, for me, boring means something. So I will definitely listen to your story.”

"My life has been empty and hard since my mother fell sick. Since only my father worked, I dropped out from school. I volunteered to watch over my mother while my father worked. You know, treatment bills cost a lot. Since then, Our daily life has become doubly difficult. Dad's business started to go bankrupt because he could no longer focus on work due to the onslaught of my mother's illness until all our properties, including our house, were finally sold just to save mom. But eventually she died.” Barbie's eyes blinked a couple of times to prevent herself from crying as she remembered her painful years and she missed them so much.

Nicolas reached out Barbie’s hand but Barbie unintentionally retracted it down her lap, reason for him to grit his teeth in secret.

“Barbie, I am back now. The reason I came back here is because of you. I don't care what is the thing between you and that damn Angelo. I will make you mine. I have always dreamed of being with you for my lifetime. So I won't let anyone take you away from me. No one can take you away from me. You are mine.” Nicolas’ mind shouted.

Barbie waved her hand in front of Nicolas’s face. She frowned, “Senior Nic, are you listening? Why are you in a daze?”

“Just go on.” Nicolas smiled awkwardly.

“Okay. Don't you know how much we have suffered since my mother left us. My father became a useless alcoholic. He totally forgot that he has a daughter. He roamed around and came back home so late and drank. If he was home, he kept crying in his room while hugging my mom's portrait. He remained like that for almost half a year until one day I fell sick because of hunger. After that day, my father woke up from his senses. He returned to his normal self and went to work. But work in the province is hard for those who don't own property that's why he came to look for his sister who is also a wicked one. She bullied and looked down of father. Even until his death. She didn't even let me grieve for my father's death before burying him.” Barbie couldn't hold back her tears anymore and finally sobbed.

Nicolas slid his chair next to Barbie and leaned her head on his shoulder. He whispered, “Barbie, I am sorry. You suffer too much. I should have not gone abroad. You shouldn't be hurt like this.”

Barbie sat up properly. She pulled a tissue and wiped her tears off. “It's okay Senior Nic. It happened a long time ago already. Besides, I won't feel happy if you give up your dream just for me. I am not that selfish.”

“But you suffered. And I am blaming myself for not being with you during your tough days.”

Barbie smiled, “Yes. Since my parents died, my days are so dark and tough. But not until the day I met Melanie and Angelo. They both pulled me out of drowning from the vast sea of my sadness. They gave me hope and enlivened my life. They are my most precious friends for life.”

Nicolas's jaws moved and his cheeks stiffened. He hated to hear Angelo's name. He more hated to see Barbie admiring Angelo and looking high on him as if he was God.

“Is he really that better than me?” Nicolas tried to sound pleasant to Barbie and hid his resentment towards Angelo.

Barbie observed him closely and then giggled, “Don't get mad Senior Nic, although you are also handsome but he is truly better than you with two baths. You have never seen his face so you don't know. Besides, he is not just good looking but also has a good heart.”

“How long did you know him?”

“A couple of months.”

Nicolas's eyes widened, “What? You just know him for a short while but the way you spoke up for him as if you know him for centuries. You even easily fall in love with him.”

Angelo said, “There is no short or long time of knowing before falling in love. As long as your heart beats for that person, then you can do nothing to do against it except accepting it.”

“Ridiculous!”

Barbie laughed and stood up, “Alright Senior Nic. Excuse me for a while. I just needed to go to the comfort room.”

“Sure.”

“Okay.”

Nicolas grinned dubiously. Since earlier, he was eager to do something that could make Barbie surrender to him. He just didn't have a chance to carry it out. Now, she left. He has a big chance to achieve his plan.

Nicolas giggled evilly as he groped something inside his pocket.