Fearlessly Yours

No Matter What

So here it is! The first tangible chapter of the series. After reading this chapter, I'm pretty sure y'all get the idea on whose love story is this book. However, this is just a part of the whole story. Enjoy.

Once again, strong and suggestive language. 

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Nicolas Dynn Mendoza dragged his exhausted body through the hallway leading to his apartment. He just got home from a three months undercover job, moving from one province to another in keeping up with the Mexican drug cartel who was trying to invade the Lower Mainland. One look at him and he was barely recognizable. His facial hair was so overgrown, his tan so pronounced and his muscles more defined. A proper shower and a proper shave is what I need. God, I even smell like a fuckin criminal that I could barely stomach it.

As soon as he came back from being off work for six weeks due to a gunshot wound he sustained, he was thrown into the thick of things. He's not really complaining but holy shit! At least give me an easy job to begin with. But nooo! He had to pack up his life in a duffle bag and disappear like thin smoke. He couldn't even tell his family where he was going for fear that if his cover gets blown, his enemies will go after them. The job was only supposed to be for a few days, but the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months. Until finally, his team closed the case and they were all given the go signal to go home.Yeah, such is the life of a decorated officer of the law.

As a kid, Nicolas had always dreamt of being an RCMP officer. He was first introduced to a constable at the age of 10 when his dad, Ted Mendoza (a defence lawyer at the top of his game, that time), took him to work one day. Since then, Nicolas's fascination with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police grew until it became his goal in life. Straight out of high school, he went to Simon Fraser University and took a degree in Criminology. After he graduated, he signed up for the RCMP cadet training program in Regina, Saskatchewan. That took another year of his life but he graduated with flying colors. He stayed in Regina for another 6 months and when the opportunity came up for a job opening in Vancouver, he grabbed it and he was back home in no time. His career flourished since then and now he is one of the most decorated undercover detectives of the RCMP in Vancouver.

He finally reached his apartment, quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside. Ahhhhh home. Finally! He looked around the bachelor pad that he's called home for the last 5 years and the overwhelming desire to just phone his parents and his siblings took over his emotions. The Mendoza clan have always been a close knit family. His parents have instilled in him and his siblings the importance of keeping family first and foremost, no matter what. Two of his siblings have their own family now and as much as he tried to deny it, he too, longs for a family of his own. A wife and kids to come home to. But he chose to put his career first and now at the age of 35, he still comes home to an empty apartment.  

Nicolas headed to his bathroom and after taking a much needed shower and a shave, he settled into his leather sofa and reached for the phone. It took 2 rings until he heard his mom, Maryann Mendoza's eager voice on the other end.

"Anak? Nico is that you?"

"Mom. Yes it's me" he replied with a hitch in his voice. Gaahh he missed his mom so much.

"Teodoro! It's Nico! He's home! Oh my god anak! We were so worried about you" Maryann started and then nothing could be heard but her sobs as she tried to contain her happiness in hearing her son's voice after 3 months of not hearing anything from him.

Nicolas himself was crying on the other end but not as loud as his mom. Sheesh, that would just be awkward. 

"Mama, I'm home, I'm here" he soothed and then he heard some fumbling on the other end. After a few seconds, he heard his dad's booming voice.

"Nicolas! Son! "

"Dad" he stated with a laugh. "It's good to hear your voice dad."

"You too son, you too" Ted responded. "Are you in one piece, son" he asked tentatively not really wanting to voice out his real concern. If his son was hurt or not.

"In one piece dad. All of me is still here, last time I checked" Nicolas answered with a laugh.

" Good, good" Ted stated. "It's good to hear your voice, son" he added with a thankful sigh. "Ok, here's your mom."

"Anak, I'm so happy you're home. Did you eat yet?" Maryann asked. Leave it to his mom to ask the most important question.

"Not yet. I just got in. I took a shower and called you guys" Nicolas explained.

"I was at your apartment last week and I did a little bit of groceries. There's a can of your favourite corned beef in the cupboard. Go and cook that now so you can eat" Maryann encouraged.

"Later mom. I'll eat later. Let me just hear your voice for now" he answered back.

"Of course" Maryann conceded.

"So what's new?"

Two hours later, Nicolas ended the call to his parents. His mom updated him on what happened in his absence. He learned that Maine, his youngest sister, just delivered a baby girl early that morning. He promised his mom that he will visit them in the hospital later but he also made his mom promise to not to tell his siblings of his return as of yet. He wanted to surprise them himself. 

He also found out that Joan has been a constant in all the Mendoza gatherings in the last three months even without his presence. In all honesty, he thought for sure that Joan would just disappear as well since he didn't really give her a good reason to stick around. When he had to leave suddenly, he wasn't able to give a proper explanation as to why he was leaving. It was better that way. The less she knew, the safer she was. In those three months that he was hopping from one province to another, he was tempted many times to call her and tell her of what's going on but he just couldn't risk it. 

Whether he admits it or not, Joan has now become an important person in his life. After Maine and RJ's wedding, their relationship had blossomed into something more tangible, something more concrete. He was starting to see a future with her. Of having her in his life forever. Of growing old with her. Dare he admit it? That he was falling in love with her. And then he had to leave. Fuck! I'm going to die alone. 

As he sat there, alone, in the middle of his empty apartment, he came to a life changing conclusion. He decided that he will do everything he can to make a certain woman; a petite brown haired woman who possesses the most enchanting smile, the sweetest voice (that could definitely send shivers down his spine), the warmest brown eyes and the face of an angel, fall in love with him, no matter what. Yes, no matter what!  A woman with the name of Joan Demarco.