Chapter 5: The VIP Room (1)

The following week I only focused on school and work and I had no more encounters with Mr. Woods or Nick as I called him now. It was supposed to be a blessing, but being honest with myself I had to admit that I kind of missed him. His cool gaze which could freeze people and that arrogant smirk which told the world he knew he was good to look at. Just remembering that smirk made me roll my eyes, but at the same time smile as I pictured his face. I'm sure that if I flipped open a magazine or went on Social Media I'd find pictures if, he'd grace me with his cool gaze and arrogant smirk. But that was also the reason why I tried really hard to avoid those things.

Brandon who was being overprotective of me wasn't a pleasant presence to have in my life right now. And adding Nick's rash behavior from the other night to the mix just made him invade my space and stick to me like glue. At first, I didn't mind it that much, but seeing his behavior wasn't changing anytime soon made me anxious and long for some privacy. I also didn't quite understand his dislike toward Nick, he never met the guy in person, but apparently, Nick was his least favorite person on the planet. I didn't question him about it because it would probably only add fuel to the burning hatred he had for the guy.

"Please stop glaring at a photo of him." I mumbled, pushing the magazine down Brandon was supposed to be reading, "I've told you a hundred times already, nothing happened!"

He slammed the magazine down but still looked pissed, "You're lying. I've seen that look in women's eyes before. You want him."

I tried hard not to react to that, "You're delusional." I mumbled, grabbing the magazine he was reading.

Scanning through the pages I nearly choked on my coffee when I spotted a photo of him together with the superhot model from the night before. Just looking at her hurt my eyes, she was shining brighter than a diamond, only making me feel worse. The words Giselle threw in my face kept echoing through my mind. At first I was able to brush it off, but lately, it nagged on me. Making me doubt myself a lot more. I'm guessing that was why Giselle said those words to me in the first place. Observing the photo I checked the date and felt another wave of anger wash over me as I realized that it was a recent photo of the couple. Nick was definitely messing with me. He wasn't keeping his words so I wouldn't keep mine either.

I pushed the magazine toward Brandon and pointed at the picture, "You see, he is together with that woman. There is nothing going on between us." I was only upsetting myself more by saying those words, but I needed to convince both Brandon and myself that I meant nothing to Nick.

"I told you, rich guys think they can get away with anything." Brandon spat, slamming the magazine shut, "He doesn't care if he has a girlfriend, he has a thing for you and he'd do anything to have you."

I clutched my coffee cup tightly, "Well he can't have me." I said firmly, "So let's stop assuming I'm Nick's new plaything, alright? I have more self-respect than that."

My words seemed to have the effect on Brandon I had wanted to have minutes ago. Finally, he let go of his ridiculous fantasies about me and Nick.

"That's right, my girl doesn't let assholes like that get to her."

I couldn't help but laugh. His attitude completely changed, this is why I loved Brandon. When he was in a good mood it radiated off him, affecting the people around him with his charming smile and sparkling eyes. Grabbing the magazine I threw it at his head, he ducked just before it landed on his head, but still glared at me anyway.

I pretended nothing had happened at all and sipped from my coffee, "You shouldn't have doubted me in the first place!" I mumbled, "I admit that I know why women like him, he is an attractive guy." I held up my finger when Brandon wanted to say something again, "But his attitude is crappy and I don't like men who order me around but don't keep their word in the process."

"He ordered you around and gave you his word?" He asked, his good mood faltering right before me, "His word about what? What did you two discuss in the employees' room?" He looked ready to pick a fight with someone and I felt the need to softly rub his arm to calm him down, just like you'd do with a pet.

"You're getting the wrong idea again." I sighed, "Nothing sexual..." I knew it wasn't a lie, but it wasn't exactly the truth either, "He just reminded me of the no dating policy but he was confused. He thought we were dating and he told me not to do it."

Brandon narrowed his eyes at me, for a minute I feared that he saw through my half lie. I did tell Brandon the truth, but I left out the fact that we both turned each other on in the employees' room. I had played around with Nick and he liked it.

"Like I would ever date a brat like you." Brandon mumbled, a smirk spreading across his face, "You're trouble."

I glanced at the book in front of Brandon and rolled my eyes, "You are supposed to be helping me study, yet here you are insulting me and not focusing on the subject whatsoever. Great help you are."

"I have to entertain myself, okay!" Brandon chuckled and grabbed the book in front of him, "Okay, let's go back to this."

After thirty minutes of actually studying for my exams, Brandon left for the bathroom. I grabbed my phone to check my mail and texts. I was really into keeping up with my social life that I got annoyed when a shadow suddenly hovered over me. Glancing up from my phone I smiled when I met Mike's gaze.

"It's Mike the lawyer." I said with a small laugh, "Didn't think I'd see you again."

He held up his cup of coffee, "I needed a pick me up before going back to these files." I glanced at the huge pile of papers he was holding in his other hand.

"Nick should hire more lawyers."

Mike narrowed his eyes at me, "It's Nick now?" He asked curiously, "Because last time we met you kept calling him Mr. woods which was endearing."

I blushed, realizing how this might look to him, "No! Last time we met was that night at the club. He was there with his model girlfriend and we talked. I haven't seen him since! We're not on a friendly basis or anything, but keeping up with the politeness is tiring when you met each other a few times already, you know."

Mike threw his head back and laughed, "I forgot, you forget about your brain to mouth filter when you're nervous." He quieted down, shaking his head, "His model girlfriend, you mean Estelle?" He rolled his eyes as he mentioned this woman, "Trust me, Nick is not serious about women like that. They more or less use each other to get more publicity, that's how those things work."

It made me hate myself all the more when I realized how this piece of information lightened my mood. I tried to play it cool, because I didn't want Mike the lawyer to catch onto my on and off again feelings for Nick. I first had to understand my own feelings before I'd share them with others. Right now we were in a gray area, it was safe but could sway either way. For now, it was best to brush him off like he meant nothing to me whatsoever.

"I don't care about the women in Nick's life." I shrugged, flipping through my flashcards, "I think that with you closing this case Nick and I have no reason to be meeting up again."

The look on Mike's face told me he wasn't convinced at all, I could actually see the calculating look in his eyes when I shifted nervously in my seat. If he didn't break the awkward silence soon, I would and I'd be embarrassing the two of us with my usual awkward rambling.

"I think that Nick quite enjoyed your company that day, even if you two met up briefly."

I bit my lip trying to make sure I wouldn't say anything which Mike could use against me. His smirk told me that he knew exactly what I was doing. Thankfully he was a nice enough guy not to mention it out loud.

He held his paper cup up again and glanced at the door, "It was really nice to see you again, Miss Pierce, good luck with the studying."