Chapter 6 Nicole

• I dropped my head on the steering wheel of my car before I sighed in relief. I had not discussed much with Dr Vic but the little I told him is enough to ease a little burden in my heart. I practiced my breathing process for a minute before starting the car, the engine roaring to life. I should head to the office now. I have some important things to do.
• Luckily for me, my drive to the office didn't take much of my time. I parked my car in my parking space, grabbed my bag and locked my car, double checking if I was securely locked. I walked majestically to the entrance of my company, the company I fought hard for. The reason I married Nicholas in the first place.
• “Good afternoon, Mrs Nicole” the receptionist greeted me as I stepped foot into the building.
• So it is afternoon already. I didn't know I was this late to work but who can query the boss? No one right.
• “Good afternoon, Stacy” I replied her briefly, heading to my private elevator. I stepped inside, turning to position myself and to press the button, then I saw the one person I didn't want to see right now. What was he doing here by this time?
• Before I could press the button, he strolled in quickly, knowing that if he wasted any time, I'd press the lift button and make sure it closes before he entered. He adjusted his suit as he stood closely to me in the lift.
• “Nicholas. Why are you here? I asked him calmly, making sure I didn't show any sign that will make him suspect me. It is not like I'm doing anything wrong, I just don't want him to know where I went to this morning.
• “Why are you just getting to work? He replied with a question. Though, that was not what I was expecting him to say. I contemplated on giving him an answer or giving him a silent treatment, but I went for the first.
• “I told you I had an appointment” that's enough answer for now. “You have not told me why you are here, by this time of the day.” I turned to him, trying to get clue from his facial expression. As usual, his features gave me no answer.
• “You had an appointment outside your work place? You should elaborate, Nicole.”
• Before I could reply him, the lift stopped and I walked out as fast as my leg carried me. Never giving up, Nicholas followed me, matching my pace. Before I knew it, his hands took my hands, intertwining our fingers. I tried to pull my hands out of his but his grip was firm. It was not a harsh grip, it was surprisingly comforting. I would have loved it if he was not doing it for a show.
• “We have a lot to discuss but we don't want to do that in front of your secretary” he explained calmly.
• That was the reason for the public display of affection. I knew it. We walked together, in a slower pace that the one I was using before. His touch on me can't make me think straight at the moment. This man won't let me breath, he won't let me enjoy the feeling I got after my therapy session.
• “Good afternoon, Mrs Nicole. I was really worried about you” Amanda, my secretary said as she saw me and Nicholas.
• “Worried about me?” I don't understand. Why would she be worried about me. “Why would you be worried about me?”
• “You didn't come in at your usual time this morning. I thought of it as random until hours passed and you still didn't show up” Amanda explained.
• It is surprising that someone aside my mother was truly worried about me. I quickly mask my surprise by an indifferent look. “ You could have called me.” I replied sounding indifferent.
• “I called, countless times ma'am. But your phone was switched off” she gave me a suspicious look.
• I forgot about my phone. I turned it off before starting the session with Dr Vic. I didn't want to do it but it was the rule. “Turn off your phone” the flashback Dr Vic’s voice echoed in my head. I took my phone from my bag, I turned it on immediately. I wonder how many important calls I had missed because of my negligence.
• Turning to Amanda, “I turned my phone off because of an important meeting.” I told her, hoping she won't press further on the issue.
• “Important meeting? There was no meeting on your schedule this morning.” I knew I was hoping for nothing. Amanda is a nosey person and she is only adding fuel to Nicholas suspicion.
• “Private meeting. Or am I not allowed to do things on my own?” I fired back leaving no room for further interrogations. I can't be interrogated by Nicholas and my secretary at the same time. It will be chaotic.
• “I'm sorry ma'am. Next time, let me know so I won't call your husband from his workplace.” Her revelation hit me like cold water. She called Nicholas because she could not reach him. How could I make this mistake? I should think of a believable explanation because Nicholas won't let this slide in any way.
• I entered my office, Nicholas was waiting for me inside. I can't escape his questioning glares, can I? Why is he not saying anything now? He had waited for this moment, to have me alone so he can lash out his anger. Why are you quiet Nicholas? Say something and stop killing me with suspense.
• “Since you don't have anything to say, maybe I should start” I don't even know if I should just tell him the truth or not. No, I can't tell him the truth, he will definitely stop me from seeing Dr Vic again.
• “I had an important meeting with a client….. privately.” I explained, that was half of the truth.
• “I could have told you about it but I don't know if you were ever interested in my business.” That was a lie, if there was anything I am sure of is the fact that Nicholas is the only one interested in my business. He wants to know the details of everything I was doing.
• “An important meeting that made you turn off your phone, Nicole. An important meeting that your secretary didn't know about?” He threw the pieces of my lie to my face.
• “I'm not stopping you from living your life. I'm not stopping you from enjoying yourself. I won't stop you from satisfying yourself, since I can't do anything for you, but please, I beg you, don't turn off your phone again”
• I can't listen to the end of whatever he was saying the moment I heard “satisfying yourself.” Like what the fuck did he take me for? Does he think I was cheating like him. I really wanted to laugh but the look on his face advised me not to laugh.
• Should I clear the misunderstanding? I thought about leaving him with the idea of me having an affair but that will be bad for me. It will only make me look like a bad person. I've been the one complaining about his own scandals, I should not be doing the same thing. It will only make me an hypocrite.
• “It is not what you think” I told him. “It is far from it, I swear” I can't even imagine myself having an extramarital affair, even if our marriage is just a contract. I'm not the type to do that.
• “I have an important meeting in thirty minutes time” he said before walking out of my office. He didn't even give me a second look. I'm sure he didn't believe me. “What have you gotten yourself into, Nicole?”