Savin' Us

Chapter 16- Two Sides Of Nick van Hale

I've never thought of myself as the outgoing kind of girl.

The type who do what they want, who say exactly how they feel and make it look easy. But with Marcel, I was. I could be myself and act all goofy around him, because that was the kind of relationship we had.

And that's why I could break down and cry in front of him, even when he told me it was over between us. Of course I feel like a total fool after. But then I think about it and I've decided that it's pointless, dwelling on the past like I could change it.

"Hey," a soothingly familiar voice says, jolting me out of my reverie. "Earth to Evelyn."

"Sorry, Nick. Did you say something?" I ask, embarrassed. He really is a great guy and I feel guilty for running to him like he's some kind of rebound. He isn't.

I think of him as a good friend.

"Yes. I was saying I hope you don't mind that I told Vanessa you were here. I used your phone when you were asleep. I didn't go through it or anything. I just called her."

I can't help but smile at how shy he is sometimes. Some stuck-up rich bachelor he is. I shake my head. "No, that's fine. Actually, thank you. She must have been worried."

We're seated around his kitchen island. I take a sip of the coffee he made for me while he bites into his toast. It's one of a few normal things I've seen him do.

"Don't thank me yet. I think she thinks we had sex."

I cover my mouth to stop myself from spitting the coffee out. "Why would she-" Of course she'd think that. Anyone would. I start laughing.

Nick stares at me like I'm​ crazy and I raise my eyebrows at him.

"Nick, come on. You're Granville's most eligible bachelor and of course a notorious playboy. Anyone would think we had sex. You don't just invite women over to watch movies."

He smirks. "Yes, you're right. I've been known to be the movie instead."

I almost choke on my coffee. I think I should stop drinking for this conversation.

"Are we having a conversation about sex at breakfast?" I raise an eyebrow.

"You started it." He laughs. It's a wonderful sound.

"Did not."

"Did too," he opposes.

"Did n-"

"We sound like children, Evelyn." He laughs again. "I've never laughed like this in a while. It's refreshing."

I stare at the man before me. Even when he isn't dressed in a three pieced​ suit, he clearly demands attention in any room he walks into. But it's obvious from the frown lines in his forehead that he isn't lying when he says he hasn't laughed in a while. It's sad that people don't see this side of him often if at all.

"Why is that?" I ask curiously.

He shakes his head, obviously not sure how to answer.

"It's sad," I think aloud. "Such a great guy and you hide it. You act like a jerk to hide your true self. Why?"

For a moment I think he isn't going to answer but he does. "You wouldn't understand-"

"Try me," I push.

"Evelyn-"

"It's Lyn. Why do you always have to call me by my full name?" I interrupt again. Well I'm on a roll today.

He sighs and runs his hand down his face. "Habit, I guess. And I must say you're in one hell of a psychiatric mood this morning." He takes a deep breath. "Evelyn, I come from an extremely wealthy family. We don't get where we are by being nice. Nice guys finish last and in the business world you aim for first place and nothing less. My great-grandfather started the van Hale group of companies. He passed it on to my grandfather and from him to my father.

Naturally I am the heir to that fortune and I cannot let the van Hale name down. So it's sad to you that I don't have time for excessive fun and games besides a few one night stands here and there but to me.... To me, this is my life," he finishes.

I stare at him, bewildered. Without thinking about what it, I reach up to touch his forehead. I run my fingers across his frown lines, wishing I could erase them. He gently grabs my hand but doesn't let go. He just stares back at me.

A few moments pass before I speak. "You're so much more than just a van Hale, Nick."

Without releasing my hand, he leans into me. His breath stirring the hair at my neck. "I'm nothing but an asshole, Evelyn. Go home."

And with that, he walks out of the kitchen and leaves the house- probably going for a jog. Leaving me wondering what the hell just happened.

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"So let me get this straight," Nessa begins, pacing around the room I occupy in her house. "After you went totally M.I.A yesterday, you grabbed a cab, came home for your car then drove two hours to Nick's place?" I nod. "When you got there he was still at work so he called his house and told them to let you in. Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"And when he came home, he made-"

"We ordered pizza. He says he's never done that before." I interrupt. I ran through this story already but Vanessa likes to be thorough. And a little dramatic if you ask me.

"Pizza. Right. Then you both basically pigged out in his living room-"

"Home theatre. It was sort of a movie night. Continue."

"Home theatre? Shit," she says, impressed. "So you pigged out in the home- movie theatre and watched movies and talked all night?" I nod again. "You expect me to believe that?" She narrows her eyes at me.

"It's the truth whether you believe it or not. We did not- I repeat- did not have sex."

"Not even kissed?"

I squirm uncomfortably on the bed. We didn't kiss, no. But there were a few moments when he got a little close to doing so. Or so I thought. Even this morning it felt like he was going to kiss me. The question is, would I let him?

My silence misleads Nessa. "You totally kissed!" She squeals, sounding like a teenager.

I roll my eyes. "No, we did not. We just hung out like two normal...friends."

She smiles. "I think Mr van Hale is going soft for my favourite girl."

Yeah right. I don't think Nick gets soft for anyone.

"Oh by the way. You remember my cousin, Linda? The one you met at the club? Nessa asks.

I nod.

"She's coming over this weekend. Says she has some business in town so I invited her to stay here instead of a hotel."

"Okay." I have no problem. Linda seems nice enough and there's plenty of room here.

"She wanted to warn me though." Nessa laughs. "She's taking her friend with her. The model looking one she came to the club with. Ariel, I think her name was."

"Warn you?" I ask, confused. "Why?"

"Because she's pregnant. And the mood swings are a bitch." Nessa laughs again, leaving the room.

I laugh. But I can't shake the feeling that something is off about that Ariel girl.

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A/N

Hmmm...I wonder what's so 'off' about Ariel. ;-) haha.

And have your teams switched? #team_Marcel or #team_Nick?

Don't forget to vote, comment and even fan if you like. Would mean so much to me. Thanks for the reads!

Love

TT