Setting you straight

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“Used to be?” It was hard for me to utter those 3 words. I couldn’t help but croak when I said this.

“As in past tense.” He said slowly, waiting for my reaction. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.

“But...what about what Jasmine said? She said it in the present tense.”

“She can’t wrap her head around it. She was doing that to spite me!” he exclaimed, finally losing his grip. My eyes went wide. So she was lying when she said it in present tense?

“Her and I both.” I said softly. He cocked his head to the side questioningly.

“Wrapping our heads around I mean.” I explained. “Why did it end? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I found out she was faking her pregnancy. She really wasn’t pregnant.” His head hung low as he said this. “I was so fucking excited when she told me she was going to have my child. It didn’t matter to me that she cheated with my best friend. It didn’t matter to me that through the span of our 4 year relationship, she cheated on me 4 times, excluding the best friend.” His head hung low as he said this.

I couldn’t help but scoot closer to him and place my hand on his knee. He looked up and offered me a sad smile which I returned. The pain was apparent in his eyes even with him smiling. My heart ached for him, how could someone do this to such a wonderful man?

“You don’t have to talk about it anymore, Niko. I’m sorry.” This was all I could muster, I didn’t even know if it was the right thing to say.

“No, Mika you have nothing to be sorry about.” He said, enveloping my hand in his. His gaze had me captivated, I couldn’t look away. “It’s alright. I want to get this off my chest anyway.” He took a deep breath and continued.

“I found out she wasn’t pregnant when she fell down a flight of stairs and went to the hospital. While she was knocked out, I talked to the doctor to ask how the baby was. He told me there never was a baby.” I heard him choke, so I buried his head on my chest and hugged him tight.

“Oh, Nikolai. I’m sorry she lied to you. I don’t understand how she could do that to someone as sweet as you.” I told him sincerely.

“I’m sorry too. But you know, I’m happy for that, because then I would’ve found out about it after we got married, then it would’ve been too late.” He said, shrugging away from my embrace to come face to face with me. He had a smile on his face, a genuine smile this time, not a sad one.

“I’m glad. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to do this with you.” Before he could react, I crashed my lips on his, and he responded immediately.

This kiss was different to anything I’ve ever felt before. It wasn’t just hungry, but there was passion in it and I couldn’t help but smile while we kissed. It felt so perfect. His arms snaked around my waist, and he hoisted me up to sit on his lap. I wrapped my legs around his waist and caressed his soft blonde hair. After what felt like an eternity, we stopped breathlessly, resting our foreheads on each other and smiling.

“Wow.” He whispered, breathlessly, a huge grin planted on his soft lips.

“You took the word right out of my mouth.” I giggled. Then I abruptly remembered something heartbreaking.

“Girlfriend.” The word escaped my lips even before I could process it. Yes, he didn’t have a fiancée, but he had a girlfriend! I pushed myself away from him and stood up.

“Mika? Something wrong?” he asked me, scratching his head. I paced the floor, trying to sort my thoughts out. Fuck sorting thoughts out.

“Don’t you have a girlfriend?!” I exclaimed, no longer trying to keep my cool. I wanted to know, I really did! Being with Nikolai felt too good to be true, I didn’t want any loose ends.