I got the letter three days ago and, I am still in dread of what outcome it will bring. Working had been something that has always kept me engaged. No matter how stressed I was, once I got in my working mode, I tend to forget everything. It was like a stress buster for me. But at this moment, even my perfectly loved job was not enough to keep my mind away from those terrible thoughts that were tormenting me. It has now started to feel more like a burden because I couldn't concentrate on anything.

Everything seems to me like a blur. I couldn't get what people say to me anymore. It feels like I am probably lost in these thoughts expecting the worst possible follow up to hit me. I never thought it was going to be this bad, but now I know, to what extremity it can lead.

Yesterday I got a call from my mother asking me to come and visit them. At first, I was surprised to see her call because she rarely ever tried to contact me. I guess our bonding just faded over time. Her unconditional love for my father has made us drift apart. I don't know, but it felt like he wasn't worth it. Anger races through my body as I think about my father. I hate him for what he did. Just thinking about him makes me feel sick.

My dad never loved my mom the way she did, that I knew very well. I was the apple of her eye when I was a kid. But at some point when she had to make a decision, she felt like choosing her husband over her children. That was the time when we lost our connection. I became more closer to my siblings, especially my baby sister Charlotte. God! I miss my sister so much.

While talking to my mother, I felt like telling her about what is going on in my life. But then what am I supposed to say? That some psychotic criminal is stalking me? I know she would surely try to blame me for getting myself into this situation. that is the last thing I want right now. So I just told her that I am doing fine and I'll try to come to see them when I'll get some breathing space. I really intend to meet my sister. maybe I can tell her, I believe that she would understand everything.

taking a deep breath I close my eyes and lean back on my chair. today was a tiring day. loosening my bun, I free my hair to let them fall. I should be heading home now, I don't want to repeat that horrible incident which occurred a year ago. I stack all the papers lying here and there on the table together and remove my coat. grabbing my bag I make my way out locking the clinic.

A cool breeze of wind hits my face as I walk through the street. I am feeling much better than back when I was sitting in that tiny working room of mine. many a time I have thought of buying a car for my convenience. but then I wouldn't be able to feel what I am experiencing right now. this view of the night city is just spectacular, you wouldn't want to miss it in any case and apart from that, I like taking walks. especially getting fresh air. it just makes you feel carefree, forgetting all your worries and filling you up with positivity. life has become so stressful that people don't even get time to breathe. In such moments it's always nice to have a good evening walk.

Soon I see my house in the view. god! I am so tired. all I want to do is to jump on my bed and have a good sleep. I hurriedly make my way towards the door to find it locked. I guess Becky isn't home. I pull out my keys from the bag and open the door. finally, I am back. it feels like I should take a leave from my work for sure. I can be locked up in my house for a few days. in that way, I'll get some rest and, even Christopher wouldn't be able to find me. The only way through which he can get to me is my clinic, so if I don't show up there for a few days he might never find me. Great plan Nicole. You are genius!

I grab a water bottle from the fridge and walk upstairs to my room. I am not at all hungry right now, all I see in front of me is my soft bed calling me with its open arms.

Opening the door I switch on the lights and gasp in horror at the sight of a man standing in my room. I know who he is. I am facing his back as he is looking out from the window. His perfectly chiseled body is hidden under a black jacket combined with matching black jeans. his dark hair is just as appealing as it was the first time I saw him. everything about him is screaming Christopher Harris to me. How the heck he get in?

The bag which I was holding falls from my hand in shock, and that's the moment when he turns around. My eyes lock with his steely grey ones. for a moment everything around me becomes still and all I could see is his piercing gaze on me. I am not able to take my eyes off of him. Is it even legal to be this handsome? How does he manage to look so good? I mentally scold myself for thinking so. what the fuck Nicole? A minute ago you were quivering with fear just by the thought of him getting here and now when he is here, you are admiring his beauty. What is wrong with you?

"What the fuck are you doing here and how the hell you get in?" I ask him coming out of whatever trance I was in.

He slightly turns around pointing towards the window and says " Enjoying the scenery." with a smirk. "what does it look like?"

what the fuck? Is he for real? I walk towards him and stop right in front of him keeping some safe distance. I fold my arms across the chest and say with anger "I mean what the fuck are you doing in my house?"

He gives me another cocky smirk and without saying anything walks to the dressing table. standing in front of the mirror he runs a hand through his hair, styling it perfectly. I blink a few times registering what exactly is he doing? Did he just ignore me? He glances at me a couple of times and lastly giving me a wink he goes to the bed and sits, making himself comfortable on it. wait! what did he just do? did he wink at me? Fuck that was so sexy. I look at him in pure shock.

"I am offended by the expression you are giving me right now. I thought you would be happy to see me," he says in a fake hurt tone shaking his head. He stretches his legs in front and relaxes both of his hands on either side of him on the bed. Why is he acting so casual? roaming around and relaxing on my bed like it's his own fucking house.

"You left without even saying goodbye," he tells after a moment.

Is he being serious? "So you are telling me that you came all the way from Boston to Los Angeles jus to have a proper parting away ceremony?" I snap irritatedly.

I hear his chuckling. "Are you really dumb Cole or you are just pretending to be?" He says with amusement.

What did he call me? Cole? Damn ...no one has ever called me that. I've heard people calling me Nikki my whole life. This was the first time someone called me Cole and I love it. hearing it from his mouth sounds even better. How does he make it sound so sexy? for a moment I forget that he was insulting me by calling me dumb and concentrate on my newly discovered nickname.

"Anyway, jokes apart, I came for a business in Los Angeles and while I am here I am going to live with you." His face turns serious bringing me back to reality.

"What?"

"Okay, so now I found that you are deaf too along with being dumb." he directs at me in a bored tone.

What? did he just throw another insult at me? I am gonna rip his pretty little head off his body.

"You can't live here. no way in my sane mind I'll allow a malefactor to live with me." I say shaking my head in disapproval. " And I don't live here alone, my friend Becky lives here too."

"So? I'll live in your room. I wouldn't dare to bother her." Is he being serious again? I look at him with my eyes literally popping out.

he shrugs continuing " if you aren't used to sharing your room with a sexy and extremely good looking guy then it's not my problem."

Fucking narcissist! "Nope... you are not going to stay here. don't you have some shady place to live? after all you are here for your illegal business," I say. Why am I talking so normally to him? wasn't I terrified of facing him? I guess I was in fear of encountering him for so long that when I am actually facing him now, I am not feeling anything.

He looks at me and says " Yes, I do but I don't want to stay there." I raise an eyebrow questioningly. I wouldn't allow him to stay here at any cost. as if reading my mind he tells.

"fine, then I'll seek help from your friend Becky."

"NO...." I scream in disbelief. fuck! I can't let him speak to Becky. I don't trust Christopher. what if he tells her something which isn't true. what if she thinks I have some kind of relationship with a mafia gang. what if she thinks I am working for it? she will surely tell the police and I've to spend the rest of my life behind bars. What would my family think? I don't want to ruin their name. I can't risk it.

I don't know if I am thinking straight because fatigue has got better of me. I am so tired that I don't want to argue with him. I just want to sleep, maybe I would think of what to do about this situation tomorrow when I would be in my full sense. I don't trust him but Christopher doesn't seem like a guy who would do anything to me against my will. I've known that when he bashed Tony for hurting me when I was there. so I can count on him for that.

I sigh in frustration "okay, you can stay." I walk towards the other side of the bed and sitting on it I say in annoyance " now get out of my bed so I can sleep."

He turns around and looks me up and down in amusement. what? is he checking me out? I shift in my bed feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

after a moment he says " you don't look like a mini hippo. I am sure you can fit there." he kicks his shoes climbing on the bed " And don't worry I don't do some kind of judo karate in my sleep. I wouldn't be trouble." He looks at me amused. " but I can't say the same about you." he says with an evident smirk.

What? In no fucking way I am gonna share my bed with a stranger and that too with a sexy criminal. and how dare he accuse me of something like that. I surely am not idiot enough to jump on him while sleeping.

I look and find him still smirking at me. I would love to slap that smirk off his face. cocky bastard.... before I can open my mouth to say something I see him crawling towards me. what the fuck? what is he doing? I begin to move backward automatically. fuck! he gets closer and closer, and my heart skips a bit when I see his face inches away from me. his stormy grey eyes exactly in front of me. And then I hear a loud thud.

I groan in pain as I realize that I fell off the bed straight on my butt. It hurts like bitch! and when I look up I see that little twat laughing hysterically lying on my bed.

"Idiot," I mutter under my breath angrily.

"I am worried about that cute little ass of yours." I hear him say pointing at my ass on the ground still laughing.

I don't make any efforts to stand rather I drag myself to the bed still on the floor and grab a blanket from it.

"Fine, I'll sleep on the floor. you can have the bed all for yourself." I scoff lying down pulling the blanket over my head.

"Cole.." he begins to say something but I cut him off.

"Shut up and don't forget to switch off the lights." with that I fell into a deep slumber. I don't care about anything for now. I leave everything for tomorrow. I don't want to think about how shitty my life has become. I don't know what future beholds for me. I leave the worrying for later and doze off. In my faint sleep, I hear a husky voice saying 'Goodnight Cole'.

Nicole, it's just the beginning.

A/N:

Finally Christopher and Nicole meet. what do you think about their interaction?

Please do vote and comment.

Thank you for reading!

Janvi❤