Holding on

Chapter 11

October 23, 2023

**Blare's POV**

It was Monday, so I was at work. I was bored since I didn't have any missions or tasks to do while investigating the Ren clan or family or whatever. Mr. Evander decided to investigate since I couldn't find anything, so all I did was assist him, even though I'm not even his assistant. Annoying as it is, he's been kinder to me ever since he came over. He came over to my place to talk about work, but I kept fake laughing just to make Nicholas jealous. I didn't know if it worked, but maybe it did—I think so.

Suddenly, there was a knock at my office door. "Come in," I said. A delivery guy holding a bouquet of flowers walked in. "Are you Miss Blare?" he asked.

"Yes, that's me," I replied. He handed me the bouquet and left. I opened the note attached to the flowers: **Happy late birthday. Sorry I didn't get you a gift - Mr. Evander.** That was sweet of him. The flowers were pretty. I put them on my desk, though he could've given them to me in person. But I guess I don't mind.

**Timeskip after work**

It was 11 PM when I got home a bit late. I wore some shorts and a shirt. It was raining, and I loved the rain. It was very peaceful and calming. I was watching out the window until my doorbell rang. I went downstairs to check who it was—you never know, someone might want to kidnap me. But who rings the doorbell if they want to kidnap someone? Anyway, it was Nicholas. He was drenched, holding a big bouquet. If I planted all the flowers I've received, I could have a garden. Seriously, what's with everyone and flowers? It's getting on my nerves.

I opened the door, and Nicholas was in front of me, drenched. His black shirt clung to his muscular frame, making him look sexy. I looked up and saw his face bruised. There was a bruise below his eye, and his lips were bruised—poor lips. I wanted to kiss them, yet he still looked sexy. Gosh, snap out of it! But then I realized he was hurt—what happened to him?

"Come in," I said, pulling him to the couch before he could say anything. I grabbed a towel and draped it over his broad shoulders—sexy ass shoulders. "What happened?" I asked, worried.

He sighed. I hugged him, and he hugged me back, resting his head on my shoulder. I ran my fingers through his wet hair. God, it was the first time I'd seen him like this. He was usually happy and cheerful, but now I was really worried. I felt tears fall onto my shoulder. "It's going to be okay," I whispered, kissing the top of his head.

After almost ten minutes, he slowly lifted his head. I gently held his face—he looked so pretty when he cried. I could never handle it. God, what's wrong with me? Snap out of it! "What's wrong?" I asked softly.

He sighed again and began to open up as we cuddled. My cheeks turned red as I sat close to his lap, his hand around my waist while I held his face. "When I was 23, I lost my mom in an accident. It hurt, but I learned to cope with it. My dad was always abusive—he needed and wanted more. He would cheat on my mother and hit her. I didn't know much when I was young, but as I grew older, he started abusing me too. My mom would make excuses and cheer me up—that's why I like sunsets and sunrises. We would watch them together when she tried to cheer me up. Plus, she loved sunsets and sunrises. But the abuse got worse as I grew older. When my mom got into a car accident and passed away, everything got worse. My dad was out of control—he'd drink, and I just learned to cope with it until I could find a way out," he said, forcing a weak smile.

In books and movies, broken people are dark, sad, and mysterious. But he hid it easily—his eyes always had a spark, and he always seemed happy and cheerful. I never thought something like that was happening to him.

"God," I murmured, hugging him tighter. "I feel so bad."

"It's okay," he said, giving me that weak smile again. I wanted to go hunt down his father, but I held back.

"I'll get some ointment for your lips," I said, standing up.

"Okay," he replied quietly.

I came back with the ointment and carefully dabbed it onto his lips. "There," I said.

"Thanks," he replied, smiling a bit more cheerfully this time.

we were so close a blush crept on my face he was looking at my lips we were only inches apart he pulls my waist to his lap our body close our faces close the sexual tension was insane I wanted that kiss more that I'd like i wanted him actually no I needed him

"can I?"he asks so gently

god this man will be the death of me I nod his lips were on mine I close my eyes as we kissed