Still is, from the rumors I read online. His wife and son might have tamed him a bit, but something tells me Aiden King will never change.
“Just the truth that you’re refusing to see. He just called his sister unnecessary,” Daniel says. “Where’s that ray of sunshine anyway?”
“With Jonathan,” Levi answers. “And you’re on limited time, Sterling. One more snarky remark and I’m kicking you out of my house.”
“Your jealousy is cute, Captain. Now, are you going to sit us down or do you need to keep watching Nicole like a fucking creep without actually talking to her?”
“So it is Nicole.” Levi scratches his chin. “I thought she was a ghost following you and was contemplating whether or not to tell you.”
“I found her at Daniel’s house.” Astrid crosses her arms. “Bed, to be more specific.”
He bursts out laughing. “I knew I was right to bet more.”
Daniel’s lips twist and for once, he doesn’t have some sarcastic comeback.
My spine, however, jerks into a line. “What…bet?”
“Knox told us you were Sterling’s assistant and we bet on whether or not he’d cure his blonde phobia by falling for you again.”
There was a bet going on?
About us?
“You knew about Nicole and didn’t tell me?” Astrid asks, astounded.
Levi grabs her by the waist. “Didn’t want to worry you, Princess. Besides, there was a fifty percent chance she would’ve gotten out of his life.”
“Still…” She stares at all of us, shakes her head, then goes to the gazebo, glaring over her shoulder at Levi and Daniel. “We’re not on speaking terms until your majesties decide whether or not I’m part of your life and should be privy to information like this.”
“Was she always a drama queen or is this a new habit, or maybe you fucking impregnated her again so she’s becoming emotional?” Daniel whispers to Levi.
“Call my wife a drama queen again and I’ll hit you on the head hard enough to knock out your few functioning neurons,” he tells him, then catches up to Astrid, puts his arm around the small of her back, and whispers something to her.
At first, her face is blank, but then her lips break out in a smile. I always envied the connection they shared since we were in school, and to see how strong they’re still going is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
They had their differences and familial feuds, but they stood up for each other.
Which can’t be said about me and Daniel.
But then again, our circumstances weren’t the same.
A few minutes later, we’re sitting at the table.
While Daniel, Levi, and Astrid bicker, I spend the entire breakfast silent, trying to force down bites of food.
This setting isn’t for me. The itch to bolt out of here and run the fastest I can is more urgent than anything I’ve ever felt.
Maybe I can go to another country and not be forced into a place where my only ally is probably Daniel’s dick.
Okay, maybe Daniel, too, but a part of me is unable to believe his sudden change of heart. Maybe this is a trick and I’ll be dragged and laughed at in front of everyone American-high-school style.
“Why aren’t you eating, Bug?” Astrid stares between him and his full plate.
“I only eat Nicole’s cooking nowadays.”
Her eyes flash to me. “You cook?”
I clear my throat. “Yeah.”
“And her food is the best thing you won’t have the luxury to eat.” Daniel lazily wraps an arm around my shoulder, killing the few centimeters between us. “Be jealous.”
Astrid twists her lips. “Why would I?”
“You can’t cook an egg to save your life. If Captain doesn’t feed you, you’ll be a skeleton.”
“That’s not true. Right, Levi?”
“Kinda is, Princess.”
“Hey!”
Both Levi and Dan burst out into laughter and continue teasing her until Levi reminds Daniel of his earlier threat.
Me, on the other hand? I’m caught by the weight of Daniel’s arm on my shoulder. By the way he glides his fingers up and down the bare part right beneath my short sleeve. By the ease and possessive way he does it, making everyone see instead of hearing about us.
If it’s only for this, coming to London, to home, to Astrid and Levi’s house is worth it.
I would go through a thousand awkward meals if he’s right by my side.
That thought soon vanishes and so does my small smile when a shadow falls upon us.
“Long time no see, Nicole.”
My throat dries and I feel myself falling.
Not even Daniel’s hold can keep me anchored in place.
One of the reasons I left and was ashamed to even look back is staring down on me with his usual calm that I only saw shatter once.
When he found out that my mother caused his first wife’s death.
Uncle Henry.
“I called him on the way here,” Astrid offers and her voice sounds far away, as if it’s underwater. “He wanted to see you.”
Why? Just so he’d blame me? Kick me while I’m down as she likes to do?
I can take that from her but not from him.
Not from the father figure who taught me how to ride my first bike and put a plaster on my knees when I fell down.
Only so I would realize I was only a substitute for his dear Astrid. A silver medal. A second choice.
Maybe that’s what I am to Daniel, too. Levi has his dear Astrid, so he settled for me.
I jerk up so fast, four pairs of eyes focus on me. I try to keep my composure but I have a feeling that I fail as I blurt, “I have to go.”
My movements are stiff and uncoordinated as I practically jog out of the gazebo and to the house.
Where did Jay go again? We need to leave, like right now.
I spend a few minutes contemplating if going upstairs would be rude, then recalling I shouldn’t even be worried about that.
Steps echo behind me and I wish Daniel followed me and will now take us home.
No, I don’t mean that his flat or mansion have become our home. They aren’t.
They shouldn’t be.
When I turn around, however, it’s not Daniel who’s staring at me. Uncle Henry has followed me and is now closing in on me.
I turn around to run.
“Nicole, please.”
My chin trembles and I grab the handrail for balance as I slowly whirl around to face him.
Seeing Uncle Henry again is nothing short of being electrocuted. It’s been nine years since I last saw him, but the hands of time didn’t touch his strong bone structure and tall, broad figure.
Even the few white strands give him an elegant edge more than a sense of old age.
But the thing I could never forget about Uncle Henry? The way his green eyes hold the calm of Buddha, the wisdom of Confucius, and the kindness of Mother Theresa.
He made me feel safe.
Until safe wasn’t on the list of things I could have.
“How have you been?” he asks, oblivious to my near freak-out state.
“I’m f-fine.”
“Are you sure? If I make you uncomfortable…”
“That’s not it…”
“Then what is it?” He places a hand in his pocket and I’m glad he doesn’t invade the distance between us. “Last time you saw me, you ran away and I couldn’t find you again.”