29 Almost close yet far away 1

''It's getting late. I have to go back now'' Nicole looked at her wrist watch.

''Nicole, I am serious about that man''

''I already made a promise to help Lizzy. I can't go back. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I believe I will be able to overcome anything''

''Don't hesitate to call me anytime, no matter where I am, I will always come to meet you. here, I made this for you'' he removed a necklace from his side pocket and stuffed it into her hand.

''What is it?'' Nicole looked at the beaded necklace and asked.

''It will protect you. It will make the dark cloud become invisible to the evil spirits''

''Does it also make it difficult for ghosts to get near me?'' Nicole looked at him, his silence made her put the necklace back into his hand, ''I told you I am helping Lizzy. I am not wearing anything that will make me invisible to her''

''Nicole, this is for your own good''

''I will take care of myself'' Nicole walked away from him. She got to Leo's car and got in and he drove away.

Detective Gail sighed and stuffed the bead into his pocket and a voice spoke to him.

''I told you, it will be difficult to get her to wear that necklace. That girl is quite smart''

''I know, right? But, she still has to wear this necklace one way of the other. We need to trap her in before we can take the three people around her''

''I don't care, do whatever you have to do. I am getting weaker without a body to reside in. You said she was the only one with the perfect body type for me to reside in, so you need to work hard at it or else… I might just take things into my own hands'' the voice said and a whoosh sound could be heard beside Detective Gail.

….

''Do you like that detective or what?''

''Why? Do I not deserve to like him?''

''You could just answer with a yes or no''

''My relationship with him is none of your business. I'm tired. Wake me up when we get to the house''

''I'm hungry'' Leo looked at her. She had closed her eyes and leaned against the seat.

''I have food in my house. I am not dining with you''

''Whoa. I thought you were going to invite me? How could you be so heartless to someone who prepared that food for you?''

''I am a naturally selfish person. Didn't you know that''

''I see''

….

Leo soon arrived at Nicole's apartment and pulled over and got down together with her.

''Where are you going?'' she asked him.

''You should pay me for the grocery shopping and the cooking'' he said and raised a brow at her.

''Are you asking for housekeeping fees from me?''

''Yes, I should get paid for my services'' Leo said and leaned closer to her face.

''What? You… don't say words that would make someone misunderstand me''

''Are you keeping and feeding a man now, Nicole?'' a voice asked and they turned and saw Miss Betty at the door.

''Mom, what are you doing here?'' Nicole asked flustered.

''Who is this man?'' her mother asked as she walked closer to them.

''You heard wrong. it is a misunderstanding mom''

''You little wench. How could you be keeping a man?''

''Mom, please. He is not a kept man. Leo, explain it to her'' Nicole turned to look at Leo and realise he was laughing subtly at her.

''Oh, maybe I should just die and join your father'' Miss Betty exaggerated and placed her hand on her chest.

''Miss Betty, you can't stop die right now, so stop talking about death, okay?'' Nicole sighed feeling a headache creeping in.

''Mrs Benson, you misunderstood us. I am not a kept man'' Leo finally explained.

''Then, who are you, handsome boy? Are you our Nikki's boyfriend?''

''No!!''

''Yes!!''

There were two different answers. Nicole turned to look at Leo who said yes. She furrowed her brows and looked at him confused.

''You had a boyfriend?'' Miss Betty sound excited.

''No, mom. He is not my boyfriend. He was just spouting nonsense'' Nicole said to her mother and turned to Leo, ''aren't you leaving?''

''You wench, trying to keep me in the dark? That's why they leave you without any explanation''

''Mother, stop it. You are embarrassing me'' Nicole screamed at her mother and went inside. Leo was about to turn and leave when Miss Betty touched his shoulder making him to stop.

''Where are you going? Shouldn't you take responsibility? Are you also going to leave her like the others? Come with me'' she said and turned to go inside without waiting for Leo. He sighed feeling things were about to get messier but he couldn't avoid it since he made his bed, he might as well lay on it.

It was a moment of impulse; he didn't know why he gave that sort of answer but he knew it was the wrong kind of answer.

When he finally went inside, Candy stood at where Leo was and smiled slyly. She might have had a hand in that impulsive answer he gave just now, but who could see her?

When Leo got inside, he saw Nicole walking out of the kitchen with a glass of water to give to her mother. Her face was clearly not bright at all.

''Nikki, I'm worried about you''

''I'm fine Miss. Betty, you don't have to worry about me. Just worry about yourself''

''Is the fault of that stupid guy who rejected your pure and innocent love back at college. Since then, all your relationships never pass 3 months. Is like she is being cursed'' Miss Betty said and Leo looked at Nicole surprised. He had no idea such a thing could be possible and it turned out it was all his fault.

''Stop it Mother, get a grip on yourself'' Nicole chuckled sarcastically and looked at her mother, ''just worry about yourself and don't bother about a useless daughter like me, okay?'' Nicole said angrily and Mrs. Betty slapped her.

''Is that how you speak to me your mother'' Leo didn't see the slap coming and he felt a lot of emotions watching the mother and daughter quarrel because of a silly act he did years ago. He suddenly realised his actions back then might have hurt Nicole a lot.

''You never acted like my mother. To you, I am just the girl you want to throw off to any man who shows little interest in me. Isn't that so? Because I am strange and you are afraid I might tarnish your image, right?''

''What? Nicole, how could you say that to me?'' Miss Betty felt like a string had been pulled in her heart.

''The only child you have is Nick. I am just some weird kid whom you are ashamed of…''

''Stop it Nicole, she is your mother'' Leo tried to stop them.

''I don't have a mother. I lost her the day I had the accident and turned into this freak'' Nicole said and ran out crying and Mrs. Betty also sat down in tears.

''Excuse me!'' Leo ran out and saw Nikki rushing out and he followed her in his car.

…..

Leo drove alongside Nikki slowly as she walked. He looked at the darkening sky and pulled over and got down.

''Where are you going Nicole, get in, I will take you'' he said to her, holding her hand.

''Just go, I don't want to talk to you''

''Listen, this is all my fault. I didn't know anything and caused this big misunderstanding between you and your mother. I'm sorry for what happened''

''Just go, is not your fault. I will call you when I'm ready to talk'' Nicole didn't know how to face him. She felt so ashamed of herself and didn't know what he thought of her after witnessing what happened.

''I can't. Listen to me Nicole…''

''Just go Leo, I'm too ashamed to talk to you right now. Can't you see I am feeling awful right now? You are the last person I want to see right now''

''I'm sorry but, I can't leave you when you are like this'' Leo pulled her by the hand to the car and opened the door. ''Will you go in or do you want me to help you? I can carry you into the car myself if that is what you want'' Nicole looked at him and furrowed her brows before she got into the car. Leo locked the door with his key immediately before going to the driver's seat.

''Where are we going?'' Nicole asked him softly.

''My house'' he said in a straight tone.

''Huh? Why are you taking me to your house suddenly?''

''The way you look at me is akin to that of a kidnapped woman. Miss Benson, don't worry. I have no interest in you at all''

''What a way to console someone who is sad'' Nicole frowned and looked away. Leo smiled as he drove the car away.