Do I Still Love Him?

"Whatever." Adeline rolled her eyes. "I don't expect him to change soon."

"Tell him about Erick and he'll stop bothering you. Trust me, It'll work." Molly smiled.

"Well I don't think it will. I'll just tell him next time."

"That's what you told me before." Molly shook her head. "That might be the reason why Erick's not contacting you. It's like your hiding—"

"It's not that I don't want to say it." Adeline looked away. "I—" she paused. "Never mind. You won't understand."

"I have more experience than you. Spill the beans, Adele."

"Well... I actually have no idea how I feel about him..."

"I think you should elaborate more about that."

"In short, I don't know if I still love him... I have Erick, but there's just this thing that—"

"You need to have a talk with Erick," Molly sighed. "You shouldn't keep this to yourself."

"He might end our relationship if I do so. You know I don't want that." Adeline sank onto her chair. "I love him...so much."

"Well it's up to you then. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you, Adele."

Meanwhile...

(At an unknown place)

As Ella stood next to a man wearing a black cap, she abruptly grabbed the man's throat and smiled. "You wanna kill Nicholas right?"

"I-I...Let g-go... I can't bre-breathe," the man begged.

Ella loosened her grip. "Kill Adeline then. It's better seeing him suffer for a long time isn't it?"

"Why a-are you even helping me? You must be—"

"We both have the same intentions. Wouldn't that be easier?"

"I don't trust you."

"So do I."

"I want Nicholas dead. No one else."

"Use your head." Ella folded her arms. "If he dies, then it wouldn't be him who's suffering."

The man cleared his throat. "Fine, but what do I get in return then?"

"We don't owe each other anything."

"Nothing's free in this world, miss."

"What do you want?"

The man smiled, putting his hand under his chin. "You."

Ella bursted into laughter. "Me? In your dreams! Look at yourself, do you think that we'd suit each other?"

"You had a one night stand, If I'm correct?"

"So?"

"That man you slept with was me. Don't you remember?"

Ella's mouth dropped open as she took a few steps back. "No...no... you're lying! It could be someone else! It can't be you!"

"You've slept with two men. I was the second one." The man smirked. "Want me to remind of everything that happened that night?"

"No! Leave!"

"Why?" The man grabbed her waist as he started unbuttoning her clothes. "You need to be responsible for it!"

"Let go!" Ella tried getting off his grip. "I'll pay you! Anything you want! Just not this!"

"Well we've already made a deal." The man tore her clothes and whispered to her ear, "I want you to be mine tonight."

"I'll shout if you—"

The man smiled as his hands went from sides of her head, down to her neck, out to her shoulders and down to her hands. "I own you...now and forever, Ella."

A couple of months later, as Adeline sat down beside Nicholas on the couch, informing him about the price increase of stocks, Nicholas noticed that she wasn't as active as she was before, so he placed his hand on her forehead and asked her if she was alright.

"Why do you care?" Adeline folded her arms. "Stay away."

"I can't believe your getting sick." Nicholas stood up. "Do you even take care of yourself?"

"None of your business."

"Answer me."

Adeline shook her head. "It's not related to work. It's my personal matter."

"Look at yourself!" Nicholas scratched his head. "What If your parents blame me—"

"Enough, I just wanna rest..."

"I'll drive you home then."

"No thanks." Adeline took a deep breath. "I'll just call Erick."