Chapter-22-"I want to do it right this time"
Pauline June's POV
"You scared me!", I said putting a hand on my chest.
"Sorry", he apologised.
"What are you doing in a girl's washroom?".
"I just wanted to talk to you".
"About?", I asked.
"About you and Nick and the.... bet", he said taking a step towards me.
I looked away from him, not knowing what to say.
"I know you are not ready to face me, but you should face the truth".
"Oh yeah. I know the truth. You guys made some stupid bet that involved me. I know it's not about my virginity, but I am sure that in the end it's something about breaking my heart-", he cut me off.
"No! It's not about breaking your heart! Wait a minute! How do you even know that we had a bet?", he asked looking at me.
"I heard you guys talking on the graduation day".
"What did you hear?".
"I heard you guys talking about the night before about us finally doing it! So, I assumed it's about my virginity! I thought that Nick was going to break my heart, telling me that we are breaking up or make me a fool in front of you guys. I didn't want that so I ran away. I just wanted to.... go away from him".
"So, instead of staying and asking what it is, you just disappeared?", he asked coming closer.
"No! That morning dad told me that we were going to New York for his new job! I was about to tell Nick about it, but then I heard all this and I couldn't make up the strength to tell him. I didn't think he would even want to know about it", I said looking down.
"He wouldn't want to kn-Do you know how crazy he went when he didn't find you? God Pauline! You should have stayed and asked us what it was all about!".
"What will you do if you were in my place? Huh?! Go and talk to the guy whom you love the most, who is your first lover in everyway and then you came to know that he just wanted to have sex with you to make fun of you in your friends and is about to break your heart!", I shouted as tears fell down my face.
"No! He never made fun of you! We all never made fun of you! But you should have contacted him in some way. At least later".
"I didn't have the heart to call him. I thought he would be happy that I am gone", I said folding my hands and looking down asahmed, now that I know that he didn't.
"I know that you both are not in a relationship like you guys tell everyone. I can clearly see through this lie, cause the Nick and Pauline that I know wouldn't behave like this. You two are maintaining some distance. No, you are!", he said pointedly.
"Ryan-".
"Why did he tell me that you both are back in relationship? Or is it true? Cause you don't seem like you are, although Nick does". I sighed.
"No we are not. It's all just a contract", I told him.
"A contract. Seriously?!".
"Yes", I confirmed.
"Look Pauline, I know that you are angry at him about the bet and all, but, you should know about it completely. Do you even know what was Nick's life like after you left?".
"What happened?", I asked hoping that something bad didn't happen.
"He.... He cried. I mean, I know that it sounds lame, but yes.... he cried, although only in front of me, twice. Then he kept calling your know which you switched off and never used. At one time he wouldn't come of his room as he filled his room with your pictures. Then he started drinking as we started college. He almost became addicted to drinking.
His parents were worried about him. We all thought that this is enough and took him out to a party forcedly. So he drank again and slowly he started getting better day by day. We thought that he is forgetting you, but no. He started having flings. So many that it got us worried. One day we confronted him and he tried to show us that he is fine, but we all knew he was not.
We kept talking to him and made him angry to bring the truth out of him and then he shouted at us that he still forget you that he is still trying to forget you. Those all flings were just.... they are like a distraction for him to forget you, but still he didn't. Then after the college is over, he went to the house you lived and just stood there for a few minute before he came home.
I was there with him all the time. He started coming to his father's office. He then slowly became a C. E. O. Even after all this, he still kept you in your heart. One day I went to his office and found a file with your name when he was not there. I read and found out that he hired detectives to find you. He kept trying to find you after the six months you left.
That's how crazy he is about you. I know you may call this madness, but I don't. I can clearly see that he loves you. Otherwise he would have just let you go or at least tried to be with someone, but no. He never gave up on you. If it not true love, I don't know what is", he explained looking at me. Tears are continuously falling from my eyes.
God! Nick went through so much! He really loves me! Even after all these years. I was moping in my own world thinking that he betrayed me. I was being so mean to him all this days and he didn't even get angry at me. He even became addicted to drinking! What is something happened to him? I can't even bear the thought.
"I know that in your view Nick just used you all these years and you felt heart broken after you came to know about the bet. I am sure you went through a lot too. But not as much as Nick", he said coming and leaning against the sink beside me.
I nodded my head, looking down, feeling so ashamed of myself. I was being so selfish.
"The bet is, he should make you fall in love with him by the end of school. You told him that you loved him before the day of graduation. So, that's why we all must be talking about that night and also about you both.... you know doing it, which is when you must have heard us. Nick called me and told the bet is off or that he wouldn't even care about it that morning".
"Really?", I asked knowing it is true, but wanting to hear it.
"Yes. The first place as to why this bet between me and Nick started is because.... I don't even know how to say and where to start", he said running a hand through his hair.
"From the beginning", I said he nodded before telling.
"You remember you joined our school in sixth grade.... or is it seventh grade, I don't remember", he frowned.
"It's seventh", I informed.
"Oh yes. Seventh grade and since then, he started having a crush on you. Slowly that became big. I should say really big. The years passed and it was almost the last year of senior high. He still didn't talk to you. One day we all friends were talking about you both and argued. They said that he will not fall for you, but I know him well and yes he fell.
He didn't know we made a bet that time. I made another bet with him that he should make you fall for him before the end of graduation, so that he will come close to you and tell you what he feels. That's what happened. He won. But it is not about winning. It's about you two. I knwo that the bet is stupid and all, but at the end we wanted you both together", he explained.
I nodded my head understanding.
"I am telling you all this because I want you both back again. What happened to you both? You are in your own world thinking about the bet. He is in his, wanting you back. You both never talked things out and I am sure about it. I know that you still love him. Don't leave him again. He will not be able bear it", he said calmly.
"I will not", I told him wiping my tears as they kept streaming down. Cause I can't bear it too.
"Good. Now go and get him Beautiful", he said smiling at me. I laughed from my tears.
"I will", I said sincerely and tears still fell.
"Clean your face and go. You look like zombie", he teased. I hit his arm playfully and laughed. He was about to go out of the bathroom, but I stopped him.
"Ryan, how will I know that this is all not a bet again? Why should I trust you?", I asked as he turned to me. I know I am being rude again, but I don't want my heart to break again.
"You know I am telling the truth. But if you still don't trust me, take a look in his eyes. I am sure you will see pure love and you will know that you can trust him this time. Have faith beautiful", he said before leaving. I turned back to the sink.
I love you Nick. I made you go through so much and played the victim part when it was you who got hurt. I left him and he still loved me. He kept waiting for me. He searched for me. I was just being mean to him and he still loved me. I am such a bad girl friend! I will not leave you this time.
Thinking that, I cleaned my face from any traces of tears and wiped my face with. I heaved a sigh before looking at myself in the mirror. I took a deep breathe while closing my eyes and let it out while opening my eyes.
I can do this.
With that thought, I walked out of the washroom, only to bump into someone at the door. I looked up too see Nick. He looked worried.
"Nick?", I asked confused as to why he is here.
"Baby girl, are you okay?", he asked pulling me out.
"Yes, I am. In fact I am more than okay. Why? Is everything okay?", I asked as he looked so worried.
"Why did you take so much time in bathroom? I thought something happened to you", he said cupping my right cheek.
"You worry too much Nick. I am completely fine".
"Good. Let's go. The party is almost over and everyone is leaving", Nick said taking my hand and pulling me with him.
"But at least let me say bye to your Amelia", I said while walking with him.
"No need. She and Zack left as she felt light headed", he informed. He entwined our fingers.
"Zack, can you please walk slowly?", I asked him looking at him.
"No. I won and you are going to do what I say", he said grinning as he lifted me in his arms. I blushed as everyone looked at us. I hid my face in his chest. Nick. My Nick.
He told valet the car number and soon our car arrived. He put me inside and went to sit in his seat. He kissed my cheek before starting the car. I grinned.
I feel so happy. It's like the pressure on my heart is lifted and now.... all I want to do is love Nick. So much. I will show him how much I loved him and how much I am still in love with him.
"Nick, I have to tell you something once we go home", I told him as he kept driving.
"You can tell it to me now", he offered. I smiled and shook my head.
"No. I want to do it right this time", I whispered the last part to myself.
"Your wish. But once we go home, after you told me what it is you should do what I say, because you lost the bet", he said teasing me that I lost the bet. I grinned again.
I will do anything that he says. Tonight will be the best night.
Little did I know that, it will not be what I think it will be.
A/N:
Hey my cute dumplings!
So, here's an important question. Do you guys want to know about Nick in those ten years and have a clear view about him?
PleaseVOTE and COMMENT.