42 Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 42: A MYSTERY CALLER

He said he would unlock the door after he had prepared the food for me. This house has that kind of security system. The owner could monitor everything in his place, even if he were away. 

Then he watched me from his office. Oh, shot! Yesterday, I messed up.

I raided his drinks and got drunk. Because of it, it looks like we had more intense lovemaking than the last time we did before. 

My body was sore all over, and from what I could recall, I was responding wildly. Oh, my gosh!

I will stop drinking from now on. I should not forget that I purpose to get pregnant and want a healthy child. 

Ugh. I hope he won't get angry at me. I wish I could talk to him before going home, but we exclude it from our arrangements. I have a lonely sigh.

I glance at my phone screen. It was 4:20 in the morning. Finally, he texted me that my breakfast was ready. Last night, I didn't have dinner. No wonder my stomach growled this much.

He unlocks the door to my room. I wonder if he's still here. I glance at the door in the corner. He must be in that room right now, watching my actions around. I swallowed.

Okay. I'll have a quick meal and then go home. Gradually, I made careful steps down these grand stairs. My legs are still wobbly. What exercises did we do last night? I felt like my body would break at any moment. I hope I wasn't partly at fault, like doing something stupid while drunk. Even so, I'm reluctant to ask him.

Hmm, it looks like the food were too tasty, like the food Theo makes for us. Darn it. I remember him when I was just as someone's arm-sharing heat an hour ago. I heaved a long sigh. 

My eyes feasted on the food offered to me. The spice even made me crave it. I wonder what kind of soup he made for me? My mouth is drooling just looking at it, and hmm...

The soup tastes on top of the world, and the garlic fried rice he makes is spectacular. He added bacon and ham in stripes cuts. I didn't notice I had emptied the bowl and the large platter.

Before I headed out, I sent him a message.

"Thank you."

I was blushing while typing this. And before I could get out the door, he replied.

"Erika was waiting below."

Hmm, we're back to being strangers. Well, indeed, we are strangers to each other, so why do I expect more of his attention for me? Like we're not too worked up under the shower a while ago or make love like a real couple the entire night.

Besides, my mind was filled with a particular man, which made us EVEN in this AFFAIR.

I tilted my head to the side while pressing my back to the elevator's wall. I should use to this already. We will never have a special relationship between us, but only as a parent of a beautiful life soon. 

I shook my head. I look forward to getting pregnant soon and getting to know him more.

I stepped out of the lift, and Miss Erika was already waiting nearby. I walked toward the car and sat beside him. I hope she's not waiting for me all night.

I scanned her, and I was happy she was wearing fresh clothes. I'm glad she didn't wait for me and sleep in the car all night.

* * *

I bowed and watched the car until it disappeared before my eyes. I quickly head to the entrance door, and a few of my neighbors I meet in the lounge, just next to the elevator.

"Good morning, Nikki. Oh, went out with friends all night?"

"Good morning, Mrs. Lim. Yes, ma'am," I replied, then smiled at my former teacher in Junior High. My heart is beating fast. I felt like it caught me, but I calmed myself. She's a retired teacher and walks around the neighborhood every morning. I hope she won't gossip about me to the other apartment residents.

Well, I care more about Mama. Jasmine is awake this time, so I text her to see if Mama has woken up already. It calmed me; she replied to me.

"Aunt Lucy was still sleeping, and do not worry, sister Nikki, Miss Erika already called last night that you will stay overnight." 

Oh, she covered me up? Wait, she called Mama? I did not expect she would do that, but I have to thank her for the next time I see her. It puts me at ease; however, something is slightly off here.

Quietly, I entered the house and saw Jasmine making coffee in the kitchen. She waved at me but did not make any sound.

I just nodded at her. I don't want Mama to know that her daughter is sneaking home when the sun is about to rise.

I was about to push my bedroom door when a sudden realization popped up in my head. I turn around and glance at Jasmine.

Why haven't I thought of this before? Jasmine was assigned to me when I was in the hospital. She knew Miss Erika and possibly that man.

By chance, did Jasmine work for him? Or for Miss Erika? Or is she watching us for that man? By chance, is everything just a coincidence?

However, I cannot directly ask Jasmine about it. Also, I could be wrong in my conclusion. And even if Jasmine is working with him, in our arrangement,t I should not raise a lot of questions to him. Most especially about his private life.

Ah, my bed. I want to sleep more. I'm yet, to sober up. I rolled to my bed and lay on my belly. I dropped my body and felt heaven.

His touch was still burning into my skin. I compressed my thighs. I could still feel a tingling sensation between them. I could still feel his warm hand holding my frail body upon devouring me completely. It seems we overdo it.

Ugh, before I lose my mind, I need to sleep first.

* * *

It must be noon already. The sun shone too high in the sky, and it was a pain in the eyes, and my headache throbbed.

Oh, goodness! How should I face Mama today?

I have never been a bad girl, but she will be disappointed in me after learning what makes me stay out till morning.

Ugh. My head is hammering deep. I won't drink ever again. Also, I have to apologize to her. I stepped out of my room, and I saw Mama in the living room talking with aunt Maria.

"Oh, finally, you awake."

"Hello, mama."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Ma. I was just too hungry now." I said.

"Perfect timing. We're about to have lunch."

Hmm, so I sleep for over five hours. I watched aunt Maria head to the kitchen and began setting the table.

"I will help, Aunt Maria." I declared and was about to sit up.

"Don't worry, Nikki. I'm good. It will not take long."

"All right, Auntie." She must have noticed I was sluggish and wobbling. Then, I turned to Mama.

"Ma, I'm so sorry. I stayed late overnight and got drunk."

"It's okay, Nik. Have you forgotten what I am telling you? You should enjoy life while you are young."

I feel the guilt. But this is not how I am supposed to enjoy my life. Meeting friends is not wrong. But should not get drunk and turn wild. I mean, having sex and such. I sit closer to Mama and lean on her shoulder.

"I missed your Chili Chicken and stir-fried noodle."

Her body shakes, and I hear her chuckle. "Do you want it tonight?"

"But you shouldn't do chores yet."

"Don't worry. I will instruct Maria on how to prepare them."

"Thank you, Ma," I said.

"I'm sorry, hun."

"Hum? Why are you apologizing?" I asked her, glancing at her teary-eyed face.

"All of our savings, supposed to be yours to start a restaurant. Even in the land of your grandfathers, it is a good start for a high-in-class restaurant."

I laughed. At the same, it touched my heart. I didn't know Mama had dreamed of this for me.

"Did you still want to work in the hotel? If only I don't need treatments; you need not work with a boss but be a boss yourself." 

Now my eyes are on the brink of tears. "Don't worry, ma. Maybe someday, our dreams will come true! You are there by my side on that day, as you are fully healed by then!"

"I will be in the front seat, always."

"And before anything else, you join me at the table."

It surprised us to find aunt Maria wiping tears from her eyes. She was listening to our conversation, and she was the one who got carried away by the sentiment mama and I shared.

Well, if the day comes when I can reach my dreams, everything of my hard work will honor my friends, who were also family to me.

* * *

After lunch, I locked myself in my bed since Mama had taken a rest. I was about to close my eyes when my phone rang. The number registered on the screen was unfamiliar to me, so I ignored it. But then, it calls me back one more time.

Who could it be? Curious, I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Miss Lindsey?" A deep baritone voice is what I heard from the other line.

"Who is this? And how did you get my number?"

I know, I asked rudely. But I was actually not in the mood to answer any calls from a stranger.

"Ah, that hurts me. Anyway, we just met once, so I assume you don't remember me anymore."

"Okay, then... is there anything we should discuss?" I asked, trying to be polite. I don't know, but I felt like my blood was boiling just hearing his voice.

"If you don't remember, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brandon Hale."

Brandon Hale? I remember nothing.

"I'm sorry. You must have made a mistake. I hope you will find who you're looking for."

I hang up the phone. I don't remember him, and my head is throbbing; I want to sleep more.