Nikolai had always been captivated by birds. Their elegant wings, the way they soared effortlessly through the sky-it was a kind of beauty that never ceased to amaze him.
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He often watched them from his window, imagining what i...
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CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
(Nikolai pov)
"Don't tell anyone this, okay, darling?" Nikolai said, taking Claire's hand and brushing his fingers lightly against her palm. He looked up at her, watching as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, a sight that filled him with satisfaction.
"You'll be very useful to us," he continued, flashing her a charming smile while employing his doe eyes to soften her demeanor. "You look very pretty tonight." The compliment earned him a delightful giggle from her, and he felt a surge of confidence.
"Thank you, Nikolai... uhm, I'll see you tomorrow," she replied, her voice a blend of shyness and excitement. He nodded, reluctantly letting his hand slip from hers.
"That'll be great!" he exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. "Hope to see you." He added a playful wink, causing her to blush even deeper before she retreated into her apartment, closing the door behind her.
With a satisfied spin, Nikolai exhaled, feeling a mix of triumph and excitement. Finally, he could head home. He grabbed his coat and turned, eager to return to his space.
Summoning his ability, he felt the familiar rush as he transported himself back to his apartment. Arriving in the living room, he blinked in surprise at the sight before him. Y/N was missing. Her blanket lay on the sofa, a few snacks were scattered on the coffee table, but there was no sign of her.
"Y/N?" he called out, curiosity creeping into his voice. He glanced around the apartment, searching every corner for her. "Where are you?"
As he searched, a nervous laugh escaped him. "Haa! I get it, dove! We're playing hide and seek!" He tried to sound playful, but he couldn't shake the worry that began to gnaw at him.
"Sadly, I'm too overworked to continue this game," he said, an exaggerated sigh escaping his lips. "Maybe you could come out now?"
His worried expression belied his teasing tone, revealing the genuine concern he felt for her absence. He glanced toward the bedroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, but the silence was unyielding. "Come on, Y/N... don't leave me hanging like this."
Nikolai bit his lip, a mix of frustration and concern swirling within him. "You're making me anxious," he muttered, feeling the weight of the empty apartment settle around him. "I swear if you've left me to fend for myself, I'll—" He paused, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'll just have to summon you back myself."
With that thought, he took a seat on the couch, propping his feet up on the coffee table, ready to wait her out. "You can't stay hidden forever, you know. I've got snacks, and I'm not above using them as bait." He grinned to himself, trying to lighten the mood as he settled in, determined to coax her out of hiding.
Nikolai waited for ten minutes, growing more restless by the second. His patience, already thin, wore out quickly. Letting out an irritated groan, he pushed himself off the sofa. "M-maybe she went out?" he mumbled to himself, walking toward the door.
