TEACH ME NOT 2 HATE LOVE

20

🧑Nik Anthony POV🧑

So, it's been almost three months now since I took custody of Nikcaleon, and I felt like updating you all on how everything has been going so far. Here goes. I enrolled my kid in the best private school in Orion City a few days ago, Phoenix, which didn't take long since I owned that school.

After all, the kid needs to be around children his age. He needs to make friends and get more accustomed to his new life.

Of course, it wasn't easy at first, but now he's doing great. He smiled more and more as the days went by. He seemed very happy, and I noticed he enjoyed being in the company of Tajea too. In the boy's eyes, that fierce woman, who is still a pain in my neck, is like a second mother. Well, that's what he called her now, and she seemed cool with it.

On her day off, Nikcaleon would ask about her every chance he got. Where is my mother? Why does she have to go every evening? Why is she not living with us?

I tried answering them as best I could, but he doesn't seem to find them acceptable.

Should I ask Tajea to be a live-in caregiver so that he can get to see her more often? Will she even stay? She's so excited to get out of here when the clock strikes five. There's no way she'll agree. I might have to try bribing her with money.

But, to be honest, I can relate to Nikcaleon. Lately, this house feels a lot different when she's not around. Maybe it's because she's not here to get on my last nerves or have petty, meaningless arguments with me.

No. I don't like when she gets on my nerves or starts stupid arguments. Do I? I'm confused. Just when did she start playing such an important role in my life? I detest her. At least, I think I did.

I'm crazy. It seems I'm not thinking straight at all. I need to think about something else. As I was exiting my room to go down to the gym, I passed by the Tajea's quarters, overhearing joyous laughter.

The room door was open, so I could see Tajea playing some game with Nikcaleon, and for some reason, I got captivated and fascinated by the scene before me.

"Caught you!" She snatched him up, squeezing him tightly, kissing his cheeks, spinning him, and throwing him down on the bed, and the kid just laughed out of control.

"Again, Mother!" He beckoned her.

"Maybe later, my sweet boy." She sounded exhausted. I can imagine the amount of energy it takes to keep up with a child.

"No. I want you to do it now." He acted like a spoiled child—wrong move, kid.

"Boy, who do you think you are addressing in that tone? You better apologize right now! Before I slap you silly," she voiced severely. She also gave him that angry mother look. It kind of makes me feel some sort of way hearing her talk to him in that manner, but it's for his own good. Spear the rod and spoil the child, they said.

"I'm sorry," Nikcaleon apologized. He looked and sounded like a poor thing. "It will never happen again."

"It's better not. Because the next time you behave in that manner, your ass will feel it. Do you understand?" She warned.

"Yes, mother."

"Now come and give me a big hug." She spread her arms wide, and he jumped into her arms, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek. "That's my good boy."

"Uncle Nik!" Nikcaleon spotted me and shouted.

Crap! What should I do? Run or hide? Shit! It was too late. Tajea had already seen me.

"Go to your room and read a book," she ordered, placing Nikcaleon, who happily rushed off to do as she said.

"What is it?" She asked, watching me watching her.

There was nothing I could think of saying, though. After all, she wasn't supposed to see me, or rather, I was supposed to be working out.

"So are you going to stand there looking dumb all day or say something?" She seemed somewhat annoyed.

"Hi" was all I managed to say. Ugh, I'm stupid.

"OK. Something is clearly wrong with you. Are you not feeling well? Are you hungry?" She inquired. Concerned or not, I'm not sure.

"No. I'm perfectly fine, thank you." I replied, a bit tense.

"Don't thank me. I didn't ask out of concern." Well, there you have it. She doesn't care.

"Would it be bad for you to be concerned about someone like me?" I was curious to know her answer. Why does it matter? I don't know. It just does.

She looked at me from head to toe, seeming curious to know what was going on in this head of mine—or maybe she was mentally insulting me. "You are definitely feeling ill today."

"Is that a yes?" I asked.

"No," she snarled.

"No. It's not bad."

"Yes, it's bad. And why does it matter what I think? I just worked here." I must admit, that hurt pretty much more than I thought it would.

"Forget I said anything."

"Oh, don't give me that crap!" She screamed at me. "You're a pain, you know that."

"And what does that make you? Mother of all pain!" I found myself yelling back at her. There we go again.

"Your face looks like something I want to punch constantly," she argued.

"Well, your face. Your face. Your face." It looks like something I want to hold and shower with kisses. Heck no. What am I thinking?

"What's wrong with my face?" She started overreacting like she always does.

"You know what? I've had enough of this." I left.

As much as I grew to love our verbal fight sessions (that's our special thing), I think I want more than that. And this somewhat frightens me.

Just when did this even start happening? This feeling for her is welling up inside me.

The better question is, How does one win over an amazing, strong-willed woman like her? She won't make it easy, that's for sure.

Does she even feel the same?

Humph, as if an incredible woman like her wants a pathetic man like me. I'm too naive. Just forget it, Nik. It wouldn't have worked out in the end anyway.