Chapter Nine

•Previously•

°Madelaine's POV°

He hugged me and I felt safe in his embrace. He didn't judge me for anything that I do. That's when I know I love him. No matter who he is or who he will be and if forever is a long time, then I'll love him forever, and nothing will ever change that.

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•Now•

°Nik's POV°

She cried herself to sleep in my arms. I've never held anyone before, at least not like this. It may look like I knew what I was doing but I didn't. It was just reflexes.

She started shaking a little so I picked her up and walked to her bedroom. When I got inside, her things were scattered around, books, bags, shoes, clothes. I decided to just let her sleep in my room for the night.

I got out of her room and went to mine. I put her down gently and put the blanket over her body. I turned up the heater and rang the maid to clean up her room.

After making sure she's fine and comfortable enough to sleep, I opened the balcony door, stepped out, and closed it back. I took out a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, lighting up the stick before putting it between my lips.

Before the smoke could reach my lungs, my phone rang. An unknown number popped up on the screen. I've known not to pick up any calls from an unknown number, in case they were trying to track me down. But this time, I answered without hesitation.

Coughing could be heard from the other end before someone spoke, "Hey son, how are you doing?"

"James, what do you want?" I put the phone on the table and on speaker since the door separating the balcony from the bedroom is soundproof.

"Come on son, don't be like that. I'm your father, show me some respect."

"You're only my father when you want something from me and I don't think that's how the term father and son works." I said bitterly.

My father, James disowned me after he found out I had secretly been gathering with the mafias. He refused to have any contact with his unholy son. While my mother fled away with her lover.

He was not involved in all this, but using my money dragged him into this world, he didn't have a choice.

He'd been calling me a few times in a month asking for a large amount of money. After mother found a new lover he started gambling, going to strip clubs, and all that stuff broken-hearted people do.

"That's not true! I-"

"Cut the crap James, how much did you lose this time?"

"Five thousand." He shamelessly uttered.

"I'm done loaning you money. Look, I won't ask for the money you've received back but I can't keep fucking doing this for you. We're not even related anymore remember? I hope you escape death if you're lucky enough."

"Ple-" I ended the phone call before he gave me that father talks again.

I looked out from the balcony and for a second I thought I heard sobbing I turned around to face the bedroom. Guess it wasn't that soundproof after all.

Madelaine was now on the floor hugging her knees with her head buried in between her knees and arms, she shook violently.

I put out the cigar and go through the door. When I got to her side I hoisted us up to the edge of the bed. She was now in my lap shaking violently, tears stained my shirt as she rested her forehead on my chest.

I'm going to take a wild guess, it's either nightmare or she has nyctophobia (fear of darkness).

I pulled her closer to my chest and rubbed her back like I did the last time. "It's ok sweetheart, I'm with you." I kept on rubbing her back till she calmed down. She moved her head to the crook of my neck and got comfortable there.

"You want to talk about it?" I asked while brushing her messy hair back with my hand.

She shook her head and I understood. I wouldn't just tell my problems to a stranger too if I was her.

"Nik, did you lock the door?" I turned to look at the door and back at her.

"No, I didn't." I replied.

"Can you lock it? Please..." She said tiredly.

"Sure baby." I put her down on the bed then strode to the door and locked it. I came back to her side after. "What's wrong?"

"We have to lock the door! Or he will come in and.. and do horrible t-things to me." She stuttered.

"You're safe here. I'll never let anyone hurt you, I'll lock the balcony door too if you want and the window. The window is glass so I can't exactly lock it.."

"Yes please." She replied.

Locked.

"We're all good?" I asked her. She looked tired, she was worried about something. Was it her ex? Fuck I don't want to intrude but I'm fucking curious.

"Yes, we're good." She wiped the tears from under her eyes and sniffed softly.

I continued rubbing her back and tried to lay her down but she refused to. She kept looking around and was very anxious to sleep. So I took out my largest most comfortable blanket from the closet and gave it to her.

"It's thick and pretty warm." I explained to her and handed her the blanket.

She took it from me and tugged herself in. She's so precious.

"If you want to sleep on the bed, I don't mind. Just, could you keep a safe distance please?" Did I mention that she's so precious?

"It's ok I can sleep on the couch." I have a big couch, enough for 4 people to fit in there and sleep.

"Ok.. are you sure?" She hesitantly looked at me.

"Yes, don't go all soft on me now." I rolled my eyes playfully and she chuckled. Best sound I've ever heard in my whole entire life.

"Goodnight Nik." I pecked her cheek before going over to the couch and turned on the fireplace heater.

"Goodnight sweetheart." Soon, sleep took over and I'm out like a light.

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The next morning I woke up and the bed was already empty. Getting up from the couch, I gulped down a glass of water by the table and made my way to the bathroom.

"Santa merda! I forgot you were here." I said as I covered my eyes and got out of the bathroom. (Holy shit)

Closing the door, I decided to go to the guest bathroom and finish my business there.

After a much-needed cold shower, I proceeded back to my room but she was gone.

Choosing a neat black suit for the meeting, the bedroom door opened.

"Are you going somewhere?" Her sweet voice rang through the room. She closed the door halfway and stood beside it.

"Yes, sweetheart. You need anything?" I asked while buttoning the rest of my dress shirt.

"I thought maybe we could go to school together?" She asked as a little frown appeared on her face.

"I could drive you." I picked up the suit from the bed and walked toward her. "Let's go."

"Well, actually, if you don't mind can I just stay here today?" She started playing with the hem of her shirt. She did that when she's upset, but it might be a habit since she did it almost everytime.

"Ok. Call me if you need anything." I kissed her cheek and slipped out of the door and made my way downstairs until I reached the garage. "Red," I said to my butler and he handed me the key to my red Ferrari.

As I drove out of the mansion I looked up from the windshield and saw Madelaine looking at my car from the balcony. Were those tears? Cazzo, what did I do now?