I Care

"What?" Nicholas snatched the phone from her. "How could you trust him? He can take advantage of you!"

Adeline sat on the couch. "He won't."

"Why would you—"

"He's my boyfriend, happy? I trust him, so get out of my way."

"When...?" Nicholas grabbed her shoulders. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why should I?"

"You aren't allowed to date him."

"Whatever." Adeline rolled her eyes as she started walking away. "I don't have the time to quarrel with you."

"I'm serious." Nicholas grabbed her wrist. "Who allowed you to—"

"Can you just shut up? I'm dead tired. Is it that difficult to give me a minute of silence? Why do you even care about what happens in my life? We have nothing to do with each other! You're just my boss and I'm just your useless secretary!"

"I'll drive—"

"I said I don't want to!"

"You can't refuse me."

"Look, can you just stop making me get the wrong idea?" Adeline threw the book she was holding onto the floor. "Stop making me think that you have feelings for me! I'm tired alright? I'm tired of love, so mind your actions. You told me that you were different and that I didn't know you... Well same goes for me. Don't act like you still know me, Nic. We're different...in every single way. We're not meant for each other, so it's best if we forget the past and move on. Let's stop wasting each other's time cause everything's too late..."

"We can't even be friends? Is that what you think?"

"You're the one that has a problem, not me."

"I'm not allowing you to get out of this room if you call Erick."

"Okay, fine!" Adeline clenched her fist. "I'll just walk home!"

"You..."

"I can go if I don't contact him right? Well the only way—"

"If you leave someone, at least tell them why." Nicholas looked away as his cheeks flushed. "You don't know how long I've waited."

"What?" Adeline scratched her head, gawping at him. "Stop you're drama. I'm not in the mood."

"Are you just gonna treat me like how you treated Julian and the other guys?"

"Stop bringing it up. We can talk about work, but not this."

"Why? Just because you already have Erick?"

"What's wrong with you?" Adeline put her hands on her waist. "Shouldn't you be happy for me? Shouldn't you be glad that I'm not bothering you anymore?"

"Ever since day you came back...you noticed that my attitude towards you was quite different."

"So? I don't give a damn about it."

"Really Adele?" Nicholas grabbed her wrist. "Is it still not clear to you? Stop acting like you don't know what I mean!"

"I have no idea." Adeline started walking towards the door.

"St-Stop hurting me... Is it too late...?"

"I—"

Without even letting her respond, Nicholas grabbed her wrist and turned her around before she crashed into his chest. He then pulled her closer and gently brushed his lips in hers. His lips were warm and inviting, but the Adeline didn't respond. She just stood there and waited for him to release her.

"This can you tell everything," Nicholas said with his lips close to hers.

"Let go." Adeline's eyes flashed angrily at him.

"What?"

"Didn't you hear me?"

"You didn't even—"

"How could you?" Adeline slapped him as she bursted into tears. "Why now? Why did you have to realize it so late? Why did you realize it when I already have someone else?"

"I-I'm sorry..."

"You think kisses don't matter to me? Do you think that I'm that cheap to sell my body to anyone?"

"Look, I never said that—"

"Enough!" Adeline covered her ears as more tears started falling from her face. "How wi-will I face Erick? You... Why did you have to do that? You think you can do anything you want just because you're more superior right?"

"Then stop acting like you're unaware of my feelings. Stop hurting me..."