The Actress' Husband

Episode 19: Can't Help Falling In Love

One of my favourite songs of all time. A forever classic in my heart.

Episode 19: Can't Help Falling In Love

"Hold on, I can't-" Emily panted, heaving for a deep breath as Nicholas looked down at her, not having broken even a single sweat yet. "I can't handle anymore. Give me a break. Please."

"You have such a low stamina," he said, then shook his head and helped her up off the floor where she had fallen onto from the treadmill.

Nicholas handed her a water bottle which she greedily took and drank from.

"You didn't even last fifteen minutes."

After gulping all the contents of the water bottle, Emily glared up at him with her shoulders still heaving.

"Well, Nicholas, I know it may come as a big surprise but...we can't all be as fit as you."

Nicholas flashed her one of his more frequent smiles and raised his water bottle to her as if he was making a toast. After a minute, he then took her place on the machine, and started at it like a cheetah on crack. "Body-wise, there is no problem about your fitness," He panted. "But your inability to match my pace will pose as a disadvantage later on."

"For what?"

Nicholas glanced at her, his hair stuck to his forehead and muscles on display. Then he raised those eyebrows of his suggestively and Emily finally got what he was getting at.

She was flushed and shook her head, then watched for almost another hour as he ran the stretch of the machine then moved on to lifting with the heavy weights, until finally, he had broken a sweat as well. It made Emily's bruised ego feel better when he had gotten about as much sweat on his body as she had from just the one exercise. Only just a little bit better.

Emily had decided to join Nicholas today for his usual morning workout, since she wasn't going to work today. She always knew Nicholas exercised - he didn't get that gorgeous body of his naturally, it would be insane if he did, but she never actually witnessed him doing so. Therefore, Emily had cheekily woken up earlier than usual to bless her eyes.

After today, she was ready to diagnose herself with Alzheimer's after having witnessed a shirtless Nicholas work his rippling body to shreds. She could no longer function properly.

Now, as they both walked out of the exercise room, she couldn't deny how her body heated up.

And it wasn't because of the workout.

"I'll see you for breakfast after a shower," Emily said, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible while Nicholas gave her a certain glance. "Oh wait. You'll probably want to shower before me, since you have work and all..."

"Why is your skin so flushed?"

Emily blinked up at him.

"Huh?"

Nicholas took a bold step forward and placed his hand on her arm. The perspiration on the surface had cooled and made her even more sensitive to his warm palm. Emily bit her lip as he trailed down the length to grasp her hand. She watched him completely wide eyed and immobile as he took her hand in his own and brought it up to her face.