Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

13 The protectors

Rylen:

I'm feeling restless as I observe from the side and I can hear what Nicole is saying. I try to approach closer to be ready if any escalation is going to take place at any moment. I am just a few steps from them when Nicole whispers to Joana, she leans down as she takes advantage with her tall figure.

"I see...you cheated better than you lied, sweetie."

Damn.

Even I could see redness spreading on Joana's face as she turns to Nicole, they are facing each other. I see Nicole smirks because she finally gets Joana shocking reaction.

"Nick..." I call her lowly.

Joana looks over her shoulder and she frowns as she knows who I am before her gaze back to Nicole.

"Who are you?" Joana stutters as she takes a step back.

"Someone you don't want to mess up with. Well...also, like I said, I am a family friend."

Joana brows arch, there is something in her eyes, maybe confusion or worry. "No. Who the hell are you exactly?"

"Nick, don't." I try to warm her because Joana already raises her tone.

Nicole chuckles and closes their distance, I follow her closely. "I'm the best friend."

"What?" Joana breathes out.

Nicole holds out her hand and slicks a few strands of Joana's hair behind her ear, she stops right in front of her face.

"I'm Alvi's fiance best friend." Nicole says casually, her head falls to the side as she studies Joana's face. "You've seen her just now, in the room, upstairs." She adds, "With Alvi in that room, remember?"

Joana's eyes widen after she finally connects the dots, she swallows nervously. She glances at me for a confirmation about what Nicole said.

"See, you met her already. She is Alvi future wife." Nicole chuckles and she stands tall in front of Joana.

Joana scoffs, "You think you can tell me what to do? They are not even married or even engaged, they are just-"

Nicole holds her finger up and Joana goes silent at the coldness she radiates from Nicole towards her. "Stop. You're annoying me."

I look away, trying hard not to giggle.

Nicole points at her, "This is a mistake, your attempt for you to try and assert love over someone for your own enjoyment. I'm telling you and everyone else if I must, that I even don't want you to think about him. Alvi is off limits. He belongs to her."

Joana's face is red, neither is it from anger or embarrassment. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Who the fuck are you then? Oh, but I don't care, now scram." Nicole steps in towards her, and I am ready to catch her hands if she really makes her move. "You are the cheater, now you dare to come back to him? How shameless are you that you still want him after you left him for someone else? Don't take me lightly sweetie, I can make your life a living hell if you ever do anything stupid to ruin their happiness."

Joana takes a sharp breath, her chest heaves, nostrils flare of anger and her hands curl into fists. "You think you are above me?" Her voice trembles.

Nicole laughed lightly, "Oh no, I don't think, I am above you, sweetie." She says with playful tone. I hid a smile when she said it. "I must admit, I make a few friends which love to hear a juicy scandal. This town really needs fresh scandals sometimes, don't you think, Joana?" Nicole adds while she waves into the crowd, I too look at it and she exchanges smiles with someone. A man in a casual with a camera in his hands. A reporter? How did Nick know him?