15 Chapter fifteen

Cassie, are you serious right now?' She asked as Cassie picked her up from the airport.

Truth! She had been totally bored for a week, attending meetings and attending shows, her father told her to visit her uncle while she was there and she had called Cassie before she slept off last night to be at the airport to pick her up at 12 when her plane landed.

She won't lie that she didn't enjoy the short visit to her aunt's school which she owned and her cousins were excited to see her but she couldn't lie that she missed home and Skype.

And she just heard from her friend that she was pregnant! Wow.

'Cassie, are you serious?' She smiled half laughing.

She looked at her friend as she drove.

'Does Maxwell know?' She asked her.

Cassie blushed. 'Yes,.'

Why did she think that; he wouldn't know, of course Maxwell would know, he knows everything about Cassie.

'How long are you?'

'Three weeks now.'

Amber shrieked, looking at her friend. 'Then you shouldn't be driving. Cassie, let's switch. I'm not that tired.'

'Amber, I'm not that tired and besides if you stop getting so excited, we won't crash intentionally.' She said with a smile.

'When did you find out?' She asked, no matter what Cassie said she couldn't stop the excitement she felt for her friend. She was going to be an Aunt. 

'Yesterday.' She said as she turned right.

'Tell me how it happened.' excited gushing Amber asked half looking at the road and at her friend.

Cassie cleared her throat as they stopped at the Red sign.

'I vomited when Max made me dinner on Sunday when we got back, I was feeling tired; he panicked and made me soup instead and he didn't leave my side for a second and he told me to

go with him to the hospital. When my test results came; the doctor couldn't reach me; because I dropped my phone somewhere in my office, so she called Max instead told him and my sweet hubby...my Maxie came to pick me up at the office; I almost thought something had happened.

He waited for me.' Cassie paused as she drove off again, her eyes not leaving the road.

'Instead of taking me home; took me to the Grandpalace; where Nicholas had already prepared the table.....candlelight dinner.'

At sound of Nicholas' name, her smile almost faded thinking about him and Jake before suddenly returning to Cassie's story.

'He was simply wonderful, amazing and then we talked about everything I didn't already know. He took me home and we danced like we did on our wedding day; we made love twice....on the same night.' She said as she bit her lower lip.

Amber rolled her eyes smiling; she asked for details, didn't she?

'And then he gave me the news; I almost screamed and we made love again, I almost didn't go to work the next day. Max didn't even want to go too but he has been coming home from work before I finish cooking dinner; he said he wants to be part of our baby growing in my womb, the whole process.'

Amber nodded.

'When he hears me throw up; he makes sure I sit down for a few minutes before doing anything.

Isn't he sweet?'

Dreamy she could tell. 'When you went for your second honeymoon.....' She stopped as she

referred to business Cassie was supposed to be on.

Cassie smiled a bold smile. 'Whenever, I was free, we'd go sightseeing and most times, when I

didn't have anything to do; Maxwell and I will be in the room just ordering room service....there

was a time, Amber. We just sat down playing the game they kept in my room; Frank stopped by and wanted come in but when he tried to push himself into my room. Maxwell came and stood by the door; looked at Frank before putting his hands around me and pulling me to him.'

She smiled so widely, that Amber thought her cheeks would tear. Frank was the one who got the meetings scheduled; why would he had gone to Cassie's room?Frank worked for her father.

She laughed. 'Frank wanted to introduce himself but instead my Maxie just shook his head and called me babe and turned me to face him to give me a kiss, a sweet kiss and then I heard the

door and the next thing, we were on the bed, doing what we do. You should have seen Max when he held.....like....' She couldn't find the words.

Then suddenly a car zoomed past them.

'Cassie, eyes on the road!' She said when her friend was still in dreamland.

'Your fault.' Cassie blamed her for asking, putting her hand on the wheel as she stepped on the

gas. There was no way she could talk about her husband, without feeling what she felt that moment again.

Amber agreed. It was her fault but who would blame her for loving details.

'Please don't crash you, your baby and I. Just keep your eyes on the road.

Cassie smiled again and did exactly that.

She smiled at her friend and suddenly he came to mind.

He had called her a few times and when she had the opportunity to pick up; he wanted to know

how she was doing, if she was eating well and when, he asked if she was bored, she told him the

truth and he offered to come but she immediately declined his offer. How could he come over!

If he did then she would more distracted, it was better they were away from each other; it got

her to think  about her feelings for Nicholas and Jake.

She sighed and looked at the window, the houses they passed.

Jake was sweet, goodlooking, persistent, a teacher and a fine stock broker but he had more debts to pay;

more than Nicholas ever had when they were together.

Nicholas was sweet, hot, goodlooking, quite a charmer, a fine business man and he had three paying jobs not as it was before when he was a clerk, station manager and aWaiter now he worked as a manager in a company, as a model of a magazine and owned his own restaurant.

Nicholas was a big man now.

She loved him, married him and then he disappeared....only to come back after almost a year to tell her, he wanted her back, she still felt shy whenever he came close to her, she loved when his hand touched her, she loved hearing his voice, no matter what mood he was in, and when he kissed her, she missed his kisses; how could she not fall for him, again.

She shook her head as she thought.

Jake, she cared about him, they have been dating for close to five months now although he didn't demand she sleep with him but his kisses had never been enough to make her weak on her knees for him or make her want him to kiss her over and over again. He wasn't as romantic as Nicholas.

So?

She stopped as the car turned right.

After comparing and contrasting the two men in your life? 

Amber, what is your conclusion?

She sighed. Her conclusion?

She didn't know but one thing she was sure was she missed Nick; not Jake, Nick.

'We are here.' Cassie said as she stopped the car infront of her house; she looked at it, she heard Skype barking and someone was inside, she turned to her friend.

'Thanks for the ride, Cassie.'

Her friend nod, she opened the back door to take her luggage and begun walking to the entrance;

she turned when she heard Cassie said; 'Call me.'

Once she turned the knob of the door Skype came at her, and she bent down and hug Skype and the dog wag his tail and breathed deeply, it's tongue hanging out in happiness.

'How are you, Skype?'

Skype barked at her and she laughed before going into the house, Skype behind her and she closed the door, she just dropped her suitcase when she saw Jessie's head on George's laps,

looking at her.

When did this happen?

'Amber.' George looked happy to see her but her sister didn't even move or say hi.

'I didn't think you would becoming home soon after.'

She sighed. 'I was bored and tired.' She said as she entered the kitchen, to drink a cup of water.

'How are Uncle Austin and the kids.' Apparently, Jessie had seen them, when she went on her

trip last two weeks.

Amber came back to face her, holding her suitcase. Uncle Austin, her father's brother mentioned that Jessie had came by. 'They are fine, they send their regards.' She said heading up the stairs.

'Call mom!' She yelled before Skype followed her up.

She let Skype in before closing her door; for as long as she could remember George has been crushing on her sister for ever and finally, they were down stairs together on her couch. 

Has Jessie forgotten Nicholas now? She wasn't waiting for him again?

Maybe whatever Nicholas must have told her was enough to get her to stay away from him.

She laid down beside Skype and stroke her collar; at the same time, she brings out her phone; she saw his name pop up on her screen; there was a message from him 15 minutes ago.

'Hey, are you back now?'

Throughout her stay at the suite, she always looked forward to his next message; he made sure to send

before she slept each time, she heard his voice, maybe he was one of the reasons she came back as soon as possible.

She clicked reply on her screen and she typed.

'Yes, just got back actually. Thanks for asking.' then send.

Sometimes, she was confused on how to answer his questions without thinking about his

intentions. But so far, his intentions has been good towards her.

She hadn't spoken to her boyfriend, after he called her two days ago and she had told him, she would becoming back today, he hadn't still called her.

She sat up. Jake have not been too caring this days, or attentive; which was having her think, it was high time, she stopped a five month relationship, that was going nowhere. She didn't even love him.

When she called him, after Nicholas had hung up; he didn't answer; she gave him two missed call but he didn't call back.

She smiled at her dog, before going back to her phone, strolled down to Jake's name and pressed call.

She waited as it rang, waiting for someone to pick up but he didn't and she left him a message on his answering machine.

'Hey baby, it's me. I just got back. If you are not to busy, can we have lunch together here? Call

me.' She spoke.

She laid down next to Skype again.

She was going to try and put effort into the relationship, if she still didn't feel like being with Jake, she would breakup with him.

And go back to Nick?

Not now but if she saw that Jake wasn't the kind man she wanted to endure life with, she would

keep him at a distance but not because of Nicholas. Besides....

Nick still has five months and a week, to make her fall for him again.

If you don't already.

'Lucy, get me the report for last week and send the reports for the delivery. Tell Cassie to send me her reports for the last meeting; she is not with her phone at the moment and call Devin; tell her; if anyone asked for me; I am not in and if they insist Lucy; schedule an appointment for tomorrow, not today.' She told her secretary few minutes she sat in her office, after the meeting on Monday morning.

Lucy's voice came through the telephone. 'Yes, ma.'

'Lucy?'

'Ma'am.'

'Did Nicholas...I mean.....Mr Mitchell.' She paused, she wasn't sure she should ask Lucy this. But she had started anyway.

'Did he asked for me?'

'No, Ma.' Lucy answered.

She nodded her head and disconnected the call.

She didn't know what was wrong with her; was she so wrong in missing him; she was feeling the same way she felt when he left her after the argument, she stayed strong for three days, hoping he would come back to her but on the fourth day she had cried all the tears that she bottled up;

she refused to see anyone, her parents had  to insist she gave them the spare key so that they would not find her dangling in the air and a rope round her neck

because Nick left her.

She wasn't that stupid then and she wasn't now.

This sudden display of emotion was just because she was used to having him around her and since she hasn't seen him around, she just.....maybe missed his company?

She stopped her thoughts when she heard Lucy's voice over her intercom.

'Yes, Lucy.'

'Ma'am, there are flowers for you.'

'Come in.' She said and disconnected.

Lucy came in with a bouquet of flowers, it was beautiful, she placed it on the stool by the window. 'Who sent it?'

Lucy shook her head. 'The delivery guy didn't say, but it has a note in it.'

'Alright, thank you.'

Amber paused for a second after Lucy closed the door behind her. She moved closer to the bouquet of flowers, she carried it and put it by her opened window and she picked the card and moved back to her seat.

She opened the card.

'Hey, Amber. Sorry, I could have called or texted but I don't know where I dropped my phone; I wanted to call the house but I wasn't sure you would be at home.

I remember you love flowers, maybe this is not the best I can do but I just thought maybe this

could light up your day, make you smile, that smile I love so much.

I miss you, I would have loved to come over but I can't right now. Have a nice day, Amber.

Love.

Your Nick.'

She smiled; speak about the devil; funny thing yesterday didn't go as she planned; she went to church with her parents, had breakfast, waited for Jake while she made lunch and bathed Skype and went to bed after making dinner for she and Jessie but rather it had gone like this, Sunday

service with her parents, lunch by herself and she spent more time with Skype and made dinner she and Jessie ate before she went to bed.

Jake haven't shown up, atleast, that got her to give Skype a good bath and take her to the vet; she

didn't do that often.

But still he hadn't shown.

She wondered what happened to him when she heard his message, he left on her answering machine at

1am, he had said;

'Hi babe, I have busy; I am sorry, I haven't called but as soon as I'm done with this new project. I will have enough time to spend with you. And Amber I can't come tomorrow, my brother and I are going to our parents for dinner. So I will call you, when I have time. I hope you had a safe 

trip.'

She didn't even bother calling him, because she felt he would still not pickup; he was busy; Jake was a teacher and schools were writing exams,what could take his time that he couldn't spare a few minutes of Sunday lunch time with her, teachers don't work on Sundays. Maybe he had something else to take care, like he said dinner, at his parents.

She frowned, it was always one excuse or the other with Jake.

Well, you were the one who agreed to date him in the first place.

She sighed and turned back to her work. Later, she would try his phone.

She didn't know what to think; Nicholas wasn't answering David's phone calls. Mr. David came to

her office, to tell her, Nicholas was ignoring his calls and not answering, when Amber asked him why he was calling the kind man, he told her, he wanted to do business with Nick.

She just got down from her car, past the security and walked into the company's building heading

straight past the receptionist and to Nicholas' office; if he was busy, hebl could at least call....even if it was just one call. She called him yesterday but he didn't even answer, even when she called him after she called Jake; who still did not answer her on Monday night.

She smiled at the employees' greeting.

She didn't want to think of a probability that something might have happened to him.

She just got him back, even though with this between them, she didn't want to lose him again.

She came out of the elevator and it closed behind her. She moved towards Pheobe who just dropped the

phone and picked it up again.

'Hello, Pheobe, here.'

There was a pause as she moved closer to the Secretary's desk. Pheobe saw her and was about to

stand to welcome her but Amber raised her hand to stop her as she continued to listen to bothered person on the line.

'I am sorry, sir but right now the boss is unavailable.' she said when the person grew quiet.

Another pause.

'No, Mr. Trevor is not around either, he is always at the site but I can give you his number.' She offered.

A short pause.

'I am sorry, Sir. I really don't know when he will be back but I could reschedule an appointment for

you...'

Another short pause.

'He can't find it but.....as soon as I am able to reach him, I will let you know.'

A pause.

'Yes, sir.' then the line went dead. Pheobe sighed as she cleaned her sweaty forehead.

She threw a warm apologetic smile at Amber.

'I'm sorry, Ms Amber.'

Amber shook her head. She had seen the way secretaries worked and besides she had been one herself.

No worries.

'How long has it been?' Amber asked concerning his whereabouts.

'A week. It has not been easy postponing meetings and rescheduling them, Mr.Trevor is not

around if not the work load would have been cut down a bit.'

She nodded again. She understood.

'Where is he?'

Pheobe without holding back told her.

'At home but I can't tell anyone this.' she said picking the pile of documents closest to her.

Nicholas never stayed home, except something made him stay home; Apirl, wasn't sick; she had

seen her leaving the company with her bag but she didn't ask where she was going.

'What happened?'

She sat up and stopped typing on her keyboard.

'He has flu and has refused to go to the hospital.'

Amber looked at her and turned towards his office door. Nicholas has flu, that was why he hasn't come to see her, that was why he hasn't being answering his calls because he was at home, all alone; with a running temperature, sneezing and coughing.

Because he had flu.

How did he even get it!

She came back to reality when she heard Pheobe say;

'I am supposed to take this to him to sign.' She touched the pile of documents folders on her desk.

Amber's eyes widened; how can a sick person sign all these?

'Pheobe?'

Pheobe face her. 'Ma?'

Amber looked at her; she was done for the day anyways and besides she needed to give

Nicholas, David's message....not because she cared about him that much; he helped her out in

time for need, she should help him now, she was Amber after all and she has a beating heart.

'Write me his address.'

Pheobe wrote the address quickly, just as the phone rang.

'I am going to take this to him.' She added hitting her hand on the pile of paper work.

Pheobe couldn't be happier, she smiled and said thank you before answering the phone.

'Hello, Pheobe here.'

Amber gathered the paper work into her arms and she held her bag in her hand about to take her leave, her steps paused when she heard.

'I am sorry, sir.'

Pause.

'Sorry, I am going to bring it.'

Amber muttered silently; 'Nicholas?'

Pheobe nod her head.

'Don't tell him, I am here.' She told her.

Pheobe nod.

'Yes, sir.'

'No, I haven't seen her, sir.'

Amber stopped just as she turned towards the elevator; she knew he was asking about her.

When Pheobe dropped the phone, she told Amber what he said;

'He told me to tell you; he will call you soon.'

Which she knew was a lie. But she didn't tell Pheobe this, she just nod and entered the elevator.

She passed her house and continued until she turned right.

She found the apartment building and continued to the parking lot.

She walked to front desk and asked for Mr. Mitchell's apartment; the security guard wanted to call

him first but Amber stopped him, seeing the time; he might be asleep and he would have to

stress himself to pick the phone.

'I need to call to tell him, You are here.' The guard insisted.

Amber looked at him and smiled. 'I am actually his wife.' She showed him, the ring on her finger.

The guard looked at her, like he didn't believe a word she said; 'You can be any body, do you know how many ladies have come here with rings saying they are married to him, just to see him?'

She nod her head; she understood the measures they were taking.

'He is sick and has asked me to bring this for him.' She tried again but the guard was not convinced.

She looked for her phone in her bag, unlocked it and she looked for a picture of her and Nick and there was one she saw; that they sat on the couch and Nicholas was kissing her and she was laughing.

The guard looked at it twice, he seem convinced. He didn't call but just dropped the receiver.

'Room 18. His sister is in.' The guard told her.

She smiled at him as she put her phone, back in her back, before heading to the elevator.

Jessie had told her to delete that picture but she refused and kept, it brought a smile to her face every time she looked at it and most of all , it reminded her of how happy she was when they were together.

So much for seeing one person.

Her soon to be  ex-husband.

She stood there after pressing the bell for close to ten minutes before someone opened the door.

It was Apirl.

'Ms Amber, what are you doing here?' Apirl asked inviting her in at the same time.

She dropped the papers on the table and stretched her now tired hands.

'I came to see Nicholas.' she answered, although she wanted to ask Apirl how she knew she was Amber.

But she didn't bother; Nicholas must have told his sister everything and how he had been hanging around her.

Apirl pointed to the half opened door, just a few feet away.

Amber nod, dropped her bag and begun walking to the door, Apirl entered the kitchen. She stopped but didn't enter; Nicholas was lying down not moving; there was a wet towel on his forehead and he was covered with a lot of blankets.

She didn't know how long she stood looking at his weak self; maybe if he had stayed where he was, he would be better than he was right now.

Then, if he had gotten sick, she wouldn't have known or done anything about it. He would have

died without her knowing.

'Amber.'

She turned at the sound of her name. Apirl called her Ms Amber at the office but when they were in a less formal environment, she called her Amber; the name she called the first time; Nicholas introduced her while holding her waist.

'Daisy called me. She said I am needed at the office.' She told her.

Amber nod as she moved away from the door, she didn't want to disturb Nicholas.

'It's fine, I will take care of Nicholas.'

Apirl smiled and quickly continued.' I made enough meal for you both. When you are hungry.....'

'I will find it. Go.' Amber assured her with a smile.

Apirl smiled, moved close to her and took her hand in hers. 'No matter how it ends between you guys....you are still my sister-in-law.' She said and excused herself; taking her bag and she was out the door.

Amber smiled; maybe she did hire Apirl because she liked her.

She moved to Nicholas' room. He looked so tired and sick; he looked pale and almost.....almost dead.

But she didn't want him looking feebly, she wanted strong agile Nick back; she missed him chasing her around, fighting to get her attention.

She moved to his side and slowly gently not wanting to wake him; she rubbed his cheek gently and stopped immediately when she realized his face was hot, she remove the damp towel from his head and moved towards the bathroom by her left and she came backwith a wet towel

folded it and put it on his forehead, just as she was about to position it properly, his eyes opened.

She stopped and looked at him, her gaze wandered to his lips and back to his eyes; she was so close, all she needed was moved closer and their lips would meet.

'Amber?' She heard his hoarse voice and gave him a small smile.

She saw that he tried to raise his hand but he was too weak to even try to touch her face to see if she was real.

'Am I dead? My angel looks exactly like the love of my life.'

She smiled. 'You are not dead, Nick.' She told him, rubbing his forehead with the towel.

The love of his life. So cliché but with her it worked every time.

'Then if I am not dead, kiss me.'

She raised her brows, really? Can anything bring Nicholas to lose his sense of humor and jokes.

Nicholas has always been strong enough to fight them off, Amber.

She sighed and smiled again. She was glad, he didn't die and wasn't dying, because honestly she

would miss him very much.

'I am not going to kiss you, Nick. You are sick and sick in the head.'

'Then thank God, I am not sick in the heart....because my feelings for you are still intact.'

Amber blushed and held him back as he tried to get up.

'What are you doing?' She quieted.

'I want to kiss you, since you don't want to kiss me.'

She frowned at him. She missed his lips on hers but she could not just give into a sick man.

'I want you to stop kissing me, Nicholas.' her voice quiet but yet unsure.

He looked at her. He didn't talk for a few minutes and suddenly she wished she hadn't said it but

it was true, whenever he kissed her, she forgot about everything but him and it made her confused about her relationship with Jake.

He closed his eyes.'You are just an angel; my real Amber will not say no. She loves me kissing

her.' Then he fell into a lazy sleep.

True, she loved his kisses but she have to stop it from happening again.

She was up and about in his room. Cassie had called her by 3:00pm, asking where she was.

She had told her friend everything, not holding anything back and Cassie had said she can stay there as long she liked.

She smiled at the end of the call, before turning towards Nicholas; who by this time was

at her.

She was relieved, she went quickly to his side.

'Are you okay?' She asked placing the back of her hand on his forehead feeling his temperature.

He smiled and he tried to seat up;she helped him,removing the blankets from his body. He took

her hand before she removed it and held it in his not too stronger ones.

'Did you miss me?'

She scoffed and pulled it out of his grip gently not to hurt him. She stood up.

'I want a divorce doesn't mean I want you dead.' She said, taking one last look in his direction,

she went to get his meal; he was weak, he needed his strength back for that he has to eat.

When she came back, he was sitting on the end of his bed, his hands supporting his head, like

they were going to fall from his neck.

'Give it a few minutes and rest.'

She said sitting beside him with the tray in her laps. She looked at him as she looked at the covered food questionally.

'Apirl, made this for you, you have to eat.'

He made a face. 'I told her I was fine.' He grumbled.

'You don't look fine, Nicholas. You need eat to take your medications.'

He turned away from her and then Amber remembered he was annoying when he was sick and it was irritating.

'Nicholas, you need to eat.' She insisted. Even if he refused,she would force it down his throat,

she wasn't going to let him fall sick more than he has already.

He looked at her and smiled. 'Can you feed me. My hands are tired.'

She groaned and put the tray on the bedside table, did she forget; he behaves like a ten year old rather five year old.

She held the plate of food, taking the spoon on the tray, she sat down and turned the food before taking a spoonful and raised it to him but Nicholas was still amused, he opened his mouth when she gave him an angry look.

'Do you remember the last time, we were like this?' he asked as he chewed hisfood.

She was going to pretend she didn't hear him.

He continued knowing she'd talk eventually. No matter angry she was at him, she didn't give him

the silent treatment for too long.

'You were panicking.' He said with a laugh.

Shenshoved the spoon into his mouth, to quiet him but only a moment before he continued.

'Water.'

She sighed and reached for the glass of water, and fed it to him; after he took about just enough,

she removed it from his reach.

'You didn't wait untiI could get better.'

'I called the doctor, anyways. You were such a baby.'

She remembered that day; Friday morning.

She had called Nicholas down for breakfast but he didn't answer,when she went to check what was keeping him. He was on the floor, not moving and his breathing faint. She almost cried, her

chest heaved,she didn't know what to do, she picked up her phone to call Cassie and that same

time, Nicholas' eyes opened. She was scared dropped her phone immediately Cassie answered

and pulled Nicholas into her arms like a baby, trying to smoothing his body which was hot, beyond

normal degree of a body temperature.

'Hey, babe.'She heard his voice, breaking and low.

She stroke his cheek. 'Nicholas.....' A tear fell from her eyes.

'You look so scared. Amber, I'm not going to die, I can't leave you alone in the world....yet.'

'What do I do?' She asked as he gently wiped the tear from her cheek.

'Call Lucky and I just need to lie down.' He said getting up.

She helped him up and wasabletoget him to the bed without the both ofthem falling sideways.

'How can I help?' She asked as she put the blankets over him.

'First,you place a small wet towel on my forehead to reduce the temperature and then come lie

next to me, I am cold.'

She panicked, Nicholas have never felt this cold without thinking much, she brought the towel

placing it on hishead, before lying next to him,his eyes were already closed but he still held her

hand in his.

Before he slept, she heard him. 'I won't ever leave you.

When she knew he had slept off, she had to call Lucky and before she called Cassie again

apologizing and telling her everything that has happened.

After she had hungup,she checked on him more times, than she could count to make sure he

was still breathing. And when he had awaken even with Lucky and the nurse in the room, the

first thing he did was kiss her passionately and fell back to the bed.

If he had died then, what would she had done.

She shook her head and continued feeding now quiet Nicholas.As the food was closing almost

finished, Nicholas said, he was full and he was tired, after taking his medications, she excused

herself to drop the plates, by the time, she came back to his room; it was empty and Nicholas

came from the bathroom and sat on his bed again.

'Why did you come Amber?' He asked looking at her.

There was no way she was going to tell him, the truth, that she missed him, missed his dmile and his company.....even though it was the truth, she didn't want him to know that she was beginning to fall for him again.

'I was worried about you and besides David told me, you haven't been picking  his calls....I just thought I ask what the matter is about.'  This was the truth.

He looked at her for a few seconds, like he wasn't going to believe her, he dropped his gaze and

raised his legs; he felt even more tired after taking his medications.

He lay down and closed his eyes, she moved towards him to check his temperature before she

placed the blankets beside him.

Before she moved away, he held her hand and gently pulled her to him.

'Amber, I am glad you are here.'

She was too. She was glad to be here with him but she didn't tell him that. She gently touched his forehead gently. 'Hey, get better soon.'

He nod and immediately drift into a lazy sleep.

She looked at him one last time before going outof his room.

She spent her time, calling Lucy and asking how the company, was if she needed her even though

Cassie had told her again that she should not worry about work but about her husband. Her words exactly. She was tired of correcting Cassie that he is going to be her ex.

She moved to the kitchen.

At 5:30pm, he opened his eyes, he looked round, raised his head and sat up. He thought Amber was just here or had he been dreaming?

He could perceive her perfume and her shampoo mixture. He loved the fragrance everytime he went to bed, every time he woke up in the morning.

'Amber?'

No answer.

He removed the blankets from his body and climbed off his bed, taking his shirt, he just put his

hand in and left the buttons as he walked out of the room.

He smiled when he saw her on his couch, her shoulders bent. This was what he wanted to come back to, them living in the same house, her scent every where and the first thing he sees when he wakes up, is the love of his life.

He walked to the couch.

'I thought you left.' He said as he moved over to her.

She adjust for him to sit beside her.

'I can't leave a sick man by himself.'

'I am a man,I can take care of myself.' He said as he sat down beside her.

'If you can, you should have been able to take care of yourself and not let Apirl babysit you.'

He shook his head and rest his back on the couch.

'How are you feeling?' She asked touching his neck to feel his temperature.'You are getting

better.' she told him.

'I feel stronger.' he told her, when she withdrew her hand from his body.

'What are you doing?' He asked, looking at the papers she had In front of her.

'Reading these documents, before you sign them.'

His memory picked immediately, he had been thinking about the documents he had asked

Pheobe to bring to his apartment, immediately she got off, but he didn't know where the

strength to read or sign them would come from. And how come Amber was here with...

'Pheobe.....' He didn't know he said his secretary's name out loud until Amber defended.

'I went to your office, then I heard the news. I offered to bring the documents here.' She said

looking at him.

He touched his forehead, maybe he shouldn't even be here, the pain was unbearable.

She was over him in a second. 'Do you need me to bring anything for you?'

He opened his eyes and suddenly, the pain disappeared. 'I would like a glass of orange juice, please.'

Before he closed his eyes and opened it, she was up on her feet and already in kitchen.

She came back soon with a glass  of orange juice. He smiled at her before accepting it. He had

missed her going around for him, he missed their talks and small fight. Her teasing him and all he had to do was pull her closer to kiss the smile off her mouth.

'I have read the documents.' He read her voice, a sound he missed.

'You don't have to strain your eyes, you just sign where I tell you.'

He just nod his head. He sat up and picked the pen and attended to the first document in front of him.

'Salary approval.' She said before he signed.

She kept saying the purpose of each document until she reached the last one. He finished signing the document and looked at her, like he was seeing her for the first time. She met his eyes.

'I miss us being like this, Amber.' He said taking her hands.

Amber let him touch her, he touched her cheeks and his hand remained on her cheek.

'I wanted to call you, but I couldn't. Can't we just go back to the way things were? Just me andyou.....together.' He said moving closer, his face was inches away from hers.

'I have given you a chance, Nick. Isn't that what you wanted?' He heard the uncertainty in her voice. 

He could feel her trembling beneath his palm.

'I want you.....to come to me. I want to be yours again. I don't want to share you with anyone.'

'Nicko....'

He pulled his face closer to hers and rubbed his cheek against her cheek gently and slowly. 

'I want us to be like this....again Amber.' He whispered.

She was about to move her face from his but he claimed her mouth in his. The gasp he heard

increased his anxiety to want to kiss her more.

She lean into him as he pulled her even closer to him. Her kisses drove him insane each time,

every time, he touched her, he wanted to touch her again. If he could instirred such feelings in

her, making lose herself him and forgetting about Jake, he could definitely win Amber back.

His hand moved to her hair and he removed the band that held her hair in place and raked his

fingers into it, makinghim lose his mind. He pulled her closer to him and slowly pulled her down

to him. He was down on the couch and Amber on top of him, giving him kisses he could never

get tired of.

He moved down herneck before finding her lips again; if with kisses, he could convince Amber;

he was hers and will always be, he would keep kissing her endlessly.

He was intoxicated by the mouth, he took in his, her lips were delicious, tasty and to die for; but

there was no way hecould stop Jake from kissing her.

He loved this woman in his arms and he was going to do everything in his power to get her back,

even though it meant he was going to fall sick continuously, but he wanted to go home with her.

To their house. But any where with Amber was home.

He pulled her closer again.

'That is why it is called a bedroom.' They heard.

'These kinds of things are not done here, guys. They are done in a bedroom.' Maxwell moved closer

with a smirk on his mouth.

He felt her push him down to the couch but he still held her close, looking at the person at his

frontdoor.

'Maxwell,what are you doing here?' He asked just the same time, Amber pulled herself up from

his grasp.

He was angry with his friend fornspoiling, the makeout, he was having with his wife.

'Can't you knock?' He asked again looking at Amber as she arranged the documents, he couldn't

tell what she felt because she hid her face in her hair.

'I did, apparently you were too busy and I actually came to return your keycard.'He said as he put

the card on the table and stood there.

'Hi, Amber.' Hesaid with a smile, he knew she didn't see because she was looking around for something

and suddenly she forgot about it and carried her bag.

'Hi, Max.' She said about to walk past him.

'Amber, where are you going, I am still sick.' Anything to make her stay.

She turned to looked at him and arranged her hair at her right shoulder before giving him a brief flush. 'I didn't want to leave you by  yourself, Maxwell is here now, besides you will be fine by tomorrow.'

She told him.

'Amber...'

'Get better soon, Nicholas.' She said as she nod her goodbye to the two men, before taking her leave.

'Maxwell, what is your problem?' Nicholas asked just as the door closed.

'Amber still loves you, Nick.' He said taking his seat.

'You don't think I know that. If you hadn't come....'

'If I hadn't come in...you would never have wanted to let her go. Nick, the plan is to make her pick you on her own freewill. She is seeing someone now.'

'I don't want that.' And every time he felt like if he didn't do anything, Jake was one step ahead of him.

'Then keep your hormones in check. Jake wants to keep Amber too and knowing Amber; she

would never want to have to be the reason for two grown up men fighting like teenagers over her because they lack sense of dignity and reason.'

Nick frowned at his friend and carefully picked his glass of juice about to put it in his mouth but

Maxwell dragged it from him carefully not spilling the drink and he put it in his mouth.

'What is that about?' He queried Maxwell's behavior.

Maxwell shrugged when he drank half and spoke when he removed the glass from his mouth. 'I am thirsty  and since you didn't offer me anything. I am practically serving

myself.....' He said as he exchanged the hand the glass in his other hand and held itaway from Nicholas'reach.

'You can drink Amber's own, she didn't finish it.' He carefully added.

Too tired to argue, he just picked Amber's half finished drink.

'Why are you even here?'

Maxewell looked at him, Really? 'Didn't you hear what sister-in-law said: I came to take care of you.'

Nicholas rolled his eyes, he didn't need to think long of who he was talking about. They all

wanted he and Amber back together. Right, he needed no watching over.

'I am fine.' He insisted.

Maxwell dropped the glass. 'Of course, you are fine. I actually came for the other thing.'

'What other thing?' He asked as he sipped his juice.

'Today is game night.....Lucky should be here in a minute but the only thing I am doing is making the popcorn, since you are not strong enough...so, my friend get ready to raise your

bet.' He said as finished the glass with a smile on his face

Nicholas smiled back. Anything not to make him feel like he was sick or dying. His friends would do

anything.