locked onto hers. "Sorry to bother yo

"No problem; very few guests come to our house anyway, an

t to Nicole at the kitchen table. They both began to eat the

es, her curiosity getting the bet

t night. I just have to arrange stuff in the house. I

surprise. "So where did y

ievous. "I neither ea

ws shot up in s

rned serious. "This

s piqued. "By the way

s soon as Gage replied, the water spilled out

inkling at the corners. "

e a man who is simple, simple in clothes, glasses on his eyes, formal shoes, straightened straight hair, and you... you don't fit

and he shook his head. "Well, I a

managed to swallow it without spilling. "I work in

ater spilled out of his mouth as he coughed, and

of his hand. "No, nothing. That com

dded prou

ightly. "Then why didn'

a private trip, and before leaving

into a wide smile. "Gr

sed an eye

his expression serious. "Will

oftened, and sh

s warm and genu

*

age. "You haven't done anyth

rinkling at the corners.

envy in her voice. "Me to

le. "Well, you can use my home gym

rprise, and she smiled grat

the task at hand. "Let's s

rganizing his kitchen. The hours flew by as they worked together, th

mpty apartment into a warm and welcoming home. Nicole was impressed by

to admire their handiwork. Gage's apartment was now a bea

ion and accomplishment. "It looks amazing,"

the corners. "We make a good team,

ing a spark of attraction between them. She smiled, fee

eyes drooping with exhaustion.

athetically. "Le

lit up with a

ria. As they waited for the pizza to arrive, they sat down on th

athtaking view of the city. "The view of this part of t

crinkling at the corne

lint in her eye. "Yes, sure

ughter sending a warm feel

insistent. Nicole stood up, a smile on

ree. But as she opened the door, her smile faltered. Standing

t sinking with a sense of dread.

ho was standing behind her. "Ooh, looks like you're with a

with anger. "Stop ta

re a stupid girl; you feel someone's love is controlling. How

anger. "Hey, do what you have come for and le

n't be fooled by this girl; she w

ok a step forward, her eyes blazing. "

but there was a hint of steel in h

ervously between Nicole and Gage. For a moment, he seemed to hesit

ith anger. But as she turned to Gage, she saw that he

e asked, his voic

ratitude towards him. "Yes, I'm fin

e corners. "Anytime," he said, his vo

*