50 Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 50: SMACK HIM ON THE HEAD

"Theo?" Did his meeting with the Chairman done already? And is he waiting for me?

"Nik..."

His gaze is soft and apologetic. What happens to him?

"You just had a quick meeting with Chairman Lee?" I asked. I don't feel comfortable talking to him when we're alone. I can't control my emotions from what happened to us a few days ago.

I hate it because I cannot forget it yet.

"About your handkerchief, I will wash it first."

"Okay. I'll pick it up tomorrow."

"Then, I'll go ahead."

I avoided seeing him. But what happens? I bump into him first thing in the morning. It must be just a pure coincidence.

"Nik, wait!" 

I walk past him, but Theo holds my elbow. I shrugged it off quickly. It's not because he's touching me, but because his palm electrified me. I make a few steps away from him.

"What do you want?" I asked lazily. I know I was now indifferent toward him than I was earlier. Since we were alone, I need not make a pretense we have this closeness.

"Can we talk somewhere?" asked Theo.

Somewhere what? And for the people seeing us together? He's not thinking, it seems. I avoided creating more damage to my reputation, but I didn't want to drag on his relationship with Min Xi. When those people believed I was sleeping around and seeing I was with random men, it could only feed their wild imagination.

"I have to go home straight. I need to tell me, Mama, I will work at Crow Corporation soon."

"What do you mean? Are you here to resign in the café? Are your coworkers bothering you? Or do you need a higher salary?"

I peered at him, confused about what he was pointing to.

"It's nothing to do with my current work," I replied. Although I look forward to a high salary and benefits. If I have those jobs, I need not be like a slut and sell my body.

Theo keeps silent, so I don't know what he's thinking then. And I guess I need not explain my life to him as well.

"I have to go."

"Nikki, please. I want to tell you something. Can we talk in private?"

Private? Where else? Inside a hotel room? In a motel? I know it is just my crazy thoughts, but he's got some nerve and even asked me.

"Sorry. If you think I go to hotels to fuck up, you are wrong."

"No. I won't bring you to a hotel. But we can go to my house and talk."

Seriously? I was staring at him with amazement. He's shameless to a different level. I can't believe I talked to Theo from the person I've spent time with these past weeks.

I fall for his charm, thinking he's different from most men I know. I even become defenseless around him and give my trust.

I fought back my tears from the verge of flooding my eyes.

"Are you this serious?" I blurted out.

What impression did he have of me? That I was some kind of little kid, easy to lure by a kidnapper to follow them to the car?

"If there's something you wish to tell me. Why don't you say it right here?"

I lifted my head and met Theo's gapes. They are pleading with me. I withdrew my gaze and avoided his eyes before they lured me. I should not fall for it.

Shut up, you, Heart. Castigating myself seems to have become a habit of mine since I met him.

"After I tell you something, would you come with me and have a proper conversation?"

I scrunched my forehead, then peered at him. What is his deal and being serious like this?

Maybe I can also make a pretense to hear what it is and then run after I listen to them.

"Okay," I replied.

I waited for several seconds to hear what he was trying to say. Theo seems to have the tension to reveal whatever it is.

How serious could it be? Does he suddenly become a teenager having difficulty confessing love to his girl crush?

"Nik, I—"

A loud, disturbing beeping of a car appeared elsewhere. Later, the car stopped in front of us.

"Hi, guys! Why are you both here?"

Min Xi stepped out of her car and stride toward us. She quickly hooked his hand around Theo's elbow.

"Hi, Nikki! How are you?"

I don't know, but she sounded unpleasant to me. "Hello, Miss Min Xi," I greeted back, partly bowed at her.

"What are you guys doing here in the parking lot?" asked Min Xi.

"I should be the one to ask you, Min Xi. What are you doing here?"

Cold-like-ice, it was Theo's tone toward Min Xi. Back then, at the party, I accidentally eavesdropped when they had a huge fight.

Now, I could recall Min Xi mentioned someone as a third party in their relationship. So I am hoping Min Xi won't misunderstand if she sees us together. I have been noticing; that they seem to be constantly fighting. What is missing in their relationship? They were perfect for each other.

"I have to go now, Mr. Shang, Miss Min Xi. Have a good day." I bowed and took a long step away from them.

"Nikki!"

I hate to presume, but I want Theo to stop showing he's somewhat interested in me even though Min Xi is around

What does he want from me? I don't want to assume he likes me too because it was just a meaningless hope.

Now that a better life is awaiting me, I will focus on that. And aside from my obligation to be someone's child's mother, I prefer to give all my strength and hold my role.

I need to clear my mind about what I want to happen in my life. The future that I could only picture is me, Mama, and my child soon. Avoiding and keeping a distance from Theo is the best thing for me to do. Getting involved with too many people would only lead my life into trouble or theirs because of me.

Dealing with him is already draining my energy, but I need him for mama.

And so, I don't want more drama when one storm is already threatening to burst out soon.

I don't know how I get home. But I was cheerful before I stepped out of my car. With many things going on inside my head, I almost forget to drop by a supermarket.

"Mama, I'm home!"

"Hello, Nikki. Welcome back! Right on time, we're almost done cooking."

"Oh, looks too tasty! Spicy Baked Tofu, roll Sushi, garlic chicken, vegetable salad? Are we preparing for a feast?" I asked. But my mouth was already drooling to taste everything on the table.

"Not really. But Theo promised to have lunch with us today."

The sky must knock me. I was filling my brain with many thoughts for a whole two hours while driving and strolling in the supermarket, deciding about what I wanted in my life.

But how could I do that when he has a way to keep appearing in my life? I wonder how did he gain Mama's favor?

"I wonder why he's not here yet. Can you make a call, Nikki?"

Dumbfounded, I tried not to scowl in front of mama. I could not explain to her yet that I wanted Theo to stay away from our life? But I cannot tell her everything if what's going on in my life.

"Ma, maybe he was in the middle of a meeting. It was embarrassing to bother him," I reasoned. Theo is with Min Xi right now. It is better if he won't show up.

But heaven doesn't side me. Am I unlucky? Or should I even consider myself lucky?

***

I was the only child. That is why my parents did not care enough to get a giant table, but this six-seater oval ironwood dining we have had for two decades. It was a great wood, and it will last for many decades, even for my children. They could still dine on this table happily and hopefully when they have their own children.

Wait… children? Why did I suddenly think of it? As if we will produce another child after I give birth.

I tilted my head to the side, forgetting that Theo was sitting next to me. Yeah. I complain because Theo's massive frame almost occupies this side of the table.

Across from us seated Aunt Maria and Chelsea, who have no class today. Sitting on Theo's left side is mama, and on my right side is Jasmine.

Once I arrived home, not long after, Theo stood at our doorsteps, ringing the doorbell. I don't understand him. He already has a girlfriend, so why is he keep bothering me?

Now I am intrigued by what he wants to tell me. What if I did listen?

But I didn't know that he would spend his lunch with us. Usually, I would panic about why he suddenly wanted to talk to me in private. If I knew this, I would instead invite him to speak here. Why does he have to frighten me by mentioning he will bring me to his house?

Where does he live anyway? Isn't he living with his family?

"Nikki?"

"Huh? Mama?" I look up and stare at her, clueless.

"Are you alright? Don't you like the food?"

Everyone is looking at my plate, which I seem does not seem to touch the food I set earlier. 

"Oh, it is good, ma." I tear a smile and resume eating. I love everything they prepared. But how could I be at ease? His legs and mine are rubbing under the table. I cannot move around nor keep a distance from him. I should have suggested for Chelsea to sit next to him instead.

"Theo, Nikki's birthday is less than two weeks, don't forget to be there."

"Sure, Auntie. I would not miss it."

Theo glanced at me while showing his broad smile. I wish I could smack him on the head.