Trouble in Paradise



My body felt like a boneless rag doll as Nicholas turned me over in his arms, inspecting me thoroughly. Then, as if I were trash, he dropped me beside him without a second thought.

He let out a heavy sigh, pressing his trembling hand against his brow. He shot me a sidelong glance, muttering under his breath, "Damn it."

A headache started throbbing in my temples, and I couldn't tell if it was from his words or the effects of the drug kicking in. But it was clear that Nicholas was far angrier than I was, his voice seething with frustration.

"Ariana, can you go one day without causing trouble? I was at the airport when I found out you had come here on your own. Did you even think about what would happen if I couldn't make it back in time?"

Pete was leaving the country today. He had gone to the airport to personally ask him some pressing questions. As soon as he had arrived, he overheard Douglas on a call with Pete.

Even the people around me knew to reach out to Pete when I was in trouble. How could he not be furious? Pete had even remarked casually, 'Because when she was in danger before, I was the one there with her."

Nicholas was almost at his breaking point, rushing back with all his might. He felt like he wanted to tear off my pants and give me a good beating, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He truly didn't know what to do.

I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. Apologizing or expressing gratitude to Nicholas felt inappropriate, so I lowered my gaze, almost too diffident to look at him.

Seeing my silence, Nicholas snapped, "I can't be bothered with you!"

He got out of the car frustratedly. A weight pressed heavily on his chest.

Was I disappointed when I saw that it was him? Was I hoping it would be Pete who came?

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a deep drag to calm his racing heart.

One car after another drove into the garage. Nicholas gave orders for Christopher to be taken away without sparing me a single glance.

A car was waiting for him, and for the first time, Nicholas felt he was in a dilemma.

He should have gotten in the car without looking back, leaving me to wait for Pete who would never show up. But when he remembered how scared and helpless I was just moments ago, he couldn't help but turn back.

'Pete is out of the country. He won't be showing up. Do you want to come with me or go on your own?"Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

He added a warning. "If you go on your own, don't expect me to help the next time you're in trouble. Do you think you can handle yourself? Fine, I won't interfere anymore."

As he finished speaking, he felt a pang of disappointment. He wasn't sure whether it was due to me no longer relying on him or his own repeated failures to maintain his boundaries because of me.

He didn't even wait for my response, nodding to himself. "Alright. I get it."

As he slowly straightened up, the breeze from his movement caused the messy strands of hair on his forehead to dance. Against the backdrop of his black and white attire, his finely crafted features appeared somewhat desolate.

He turned away, and his tailored suit jacket was speckled with dust. Remembering the bloodied arm that had emerged from the glass earlier, I noticed blood dripping from the back of his hand onto the ground.

"Nicholas." I focused intently on his back, wanting to call out to him. But my throat felt so tight that my voice came out weaker than a mosquito's buzz.

I wanted to shout his name, yet his figure began to fade from my sight. My nose felt unbearably sour.

I thought he would only walk further away. But to my surprise, the moment I called out to him, he turned around.

He fixed his gaze on my tightly pressed lips, and his eyes seemed to say, "Ariana, if you dare to disappoint me with what you say, just try it...

As I struggled to force a smile, tears streamed down my cheeks. "Nicholas, take me with you..."