FATE'S SECOND CHANCES

Chapter 23

After Nicole's argument with East. She felt she wasn't the same. Deny as she might she knew why she responded that way to East's kiss because she still loved him that much. Wounds of the past may have not completely healed but in spite of that, her love for East was still there especially since she knew how much he had changed for the better. But as they say "A sinner is always a sinner" no matter how they make amends. She was threading on the safe side with Kevin. Nicole even decided to postpone wedding preparations for almost two months making Tuscany as an excuse. She was just thankful that Kevin didn't see thru her thoughts. The main reason was that she was still downright confused.

Nicole deep inside was worried over East. She had not seen him for more than a week feeling extreme guilt at the harsh way she treated him even slapping him viciously. He rarely dropped by the office. So she had to feign an excuse to see him in the site bringing some inner layout designs that needed his confirmation just to quell her fears that something bad happened to him. She had that certain knack to predict that especially where East were concerned.

Nicole found Ben in the site but no sign of East. Her heart thudded with worry and uncertainty. Why was East not around? What happened to him? She had to talk to Ben instead making excuses to him about wanting to consult East on the inner layouts of the Phase 2 of Tuscany. An obvious lie just to see how he was doing.

Is East around Ben? I wanted to discuss some things with him. she said motioning to the roll of designs on the table as she scanned the small office they built right beside the site.

Ben could only observe the obvious worry in her eyes. He felt there was more to Nicole's visit. The fact that East was purposely staying away from the office when he could be there instead of putting up with the dust and heat in the site.

Are you alright? You turned so pale. Tell me this isn't just about work right? Ben's eyes looking straight through her. This time there was no cause for covering up. She needed to be honest with Ben. She knew she could trust him.

Is East okay Ben? I haven't seen him in the office for almost a week. Call it a gut feeling but I'm worried about him. she signed. I just had to come here to make sure I wasn't worrying in vain. You know how I am with East sometimes I can really be harsh to him and I feel really guilty.

Honestly he has been himself lately pushing himself too hard as if he's working himself to death. He's taking your engagement the hard way Nicole. He doesn't really talk much about it but you know how East is. You'll at once know that he's not okay. He's that transparent. Ben said with the same concern as her.

Where is he now? He doesn't seem to be around. Nicole sighed out loud feeling extremely unhappy. It didn't help matters how badly she treated him responding to him with all her heart and slapping him afterward as if it was his fault. She was a see saw of emotions with East as the victim. Even acting like a tease toying with his feelings when in fact she was engaged to Kevin.

I sent him home yesterday Nicole. He was running a fever the past days and still as stubborn going to work. Yesterday was bad he was burning up his temperature really high. I was afraid he was going to pass out. I'm still swamp here but I wanted to check on him today. If you can it would be really good. East needs you now Nicole more than you know.

Ben said being really honest with her knowing what they had shared in the past.

Nicole was over wrought with worry tentatively putting a grateful hand on Ben's arm.

We live in the same apartment complex. It will be easier for me to see how he is. I know how East can be so stubborn. Thanks for letting me know Ben.

Go to him Nicole. I'm worried about him too. he urged as she nodded in agreement.

This time Nicole was worried sick what may have happened to East. He had been abusing himself because of her as if willing his death. She felt sudden tears sprang her cheeks as she drove to the point of speeding to their apartment complex. She would never forgive herself if something bad happened to East.

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The first thing Nicole did as she reached their apartment was buzzed on East's door. Even with the incessant buzzing there was no answer which made Allison even more fearful. She even had to sound convincing to the supervisor to give her the key claiming that East and her were good friends and needed to see him with some urgency to open his apartment.

Nicole's hands were trembling as she opened East's apartment. She called out at once East's name feeling her heart pounding. Where was he? She scanned his room her eyes resting on East's figure sprawled on his bedroom floor.

She cradled him in his arms seeing his limp form kissing him on the forehead. How much she loved him was beyond her. He was delirious burning in fever. She had to move fast as she tried to carry him to his bed wrapping him in blankets. Nicole wanted to call 911 not knowing the condition he was in. Nicole could see him stir mumbling senselessly her name over and over.

Nicole was beside herself with worry having the presence of mind. She got medicine and antibiotics from her medicine cabinet for East to take. She soaked East forehead and limbs in slightly cold water to put his temperature down.

East was tossing and turning mumbling incoherently his head in a haze in his stupor his vision could make out Nicole hovering about him. He was wrapped in a coldness feeling slightly his high temperature slightly abating.

East hush. You have to keep your strength. What have you been doing to yourself. she scolded but concern was written all over her face.

She was efficient as she made him take warm milk in order for him to quickly take his medicines. East tried his best to be cooperative even if he felt so weak. Even the liquid was hard to swallow he just wanted to lie down on his bed. He was hurting all over. But having Nicole beside him was heaven by itself. Taking care of him never in his wildest dreams that he could imagine Nicole being like this.

Nicole could only hold East close to her seeing how vulnerable he looked his face a deathly pale. How hard he was trying to be cooperative but she knew how sick he was. She also knew how East hated hospitals a phobia he had when he was confined in the hospital as a little kid having a severe case of the measles.

He groaned just looking at her as she looked almost teary eyed seeing his sick state. With little strength he had he grasped Nicole's hand into his own.

Stay with me Nicky. Please don't leave me. he pleaded. His eyes saying please. How it meant so much to have her with him in his down state.

Nicole could only nod at East's words the pleading tone in his voice.

Please just get well East. That's all I ask. she said quietly a wave of emotion welling inside her. Loving this guy who was weakly looking at her.

Please don't leave me Nicky. Please stay. he repeated in a mumble.

I'll be here East she replied softly.

Nicole had no heart to resist him. She lay beside him instead and wrapped her arms around him. She would do anything to make East well again.

East was still in a haze but it made him feel secure that Nicole was there right beside him made him realize how much she still loved him. She might not say it in words but it was in her face and actions. Even in his bad condition East felt the greatest heaven as he clasped Nicole's hands tighter feeling her arms wrapped around him even more.