chapter 21

Lauren's POV

I tied my hair up in a messy bun, sighing as I read through the papers in front of me. I still can't believe Nic bought a building so I can start my own psychology business. I have never heard or seen anyone do that to their lover. Yet here is Nic, being an exceptional girlfriend and a one of kind.

I slumped back on the couch as I looked at the paperwork, more like glared at them, as they're scattered on the coffee table. There's so much to do and I feel so powerless to finish them. Although, I can't let Nic down and all the money she paid for go to waste. She believes in my dream and I have to believe in it too. I have to believe in myself.

I looked at the clock that's hanging on the wall to see it's 1pm already and my stomach made a loud growling noise. I realized I haven't eaten anything since last night and now, I'm starving.

I stood up, leaving my work behind because even though there's so much to do, I'm in a desperate need to take a break. Besides, I don't have to finish it all in one day. That's the only good thing about working on your own; I can work on it whenever I feel like it. Although, I do need an adviser or anyone professional for that matter to help me solve this quickly.

I entered the kitchen and opened the fridge to find it half empty with only a few things that I don't like. I sighed, why do I have to be in a relationship with a food devouring monster? I sighed once more. Well, at least there's juice.

I took a bottle of lemon juice out and heard rustling of keys from outside the front door. The front door opened and I heard a familiar sneeze that I always thought was cute to hear. Instantly, a smile appeared on my face. "I'm home." Nic called out and I heard the front door close.

I opened the cupboard to take a glass out when I felt a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. I sighed as Nic kissed the back of my neck. I turned around, her arms are still wrapped around me, and captured her lips with my own. I can never get sick from kissing her and tasting her sweet lips.

I pulled away when I felt my knees weaken beneath me. I don't need to fall and embarrass myself like I did last time. I became the joke of the month when Nic couldn't stop talking about it.

I turned back around, opening the bottle and pouring the juice inside the cup. I closed the bottle, taking it back to the fridge. "You need to go grocery shopping." I told Nic without looking back at her. I already know how look she's giving me.

"Why me? I went grocery shopping the last time." She complained and I took a few gulps until the glass became half empty.

"I always go grocery shopping. Last week was your first time. Not to mention, You ate half of the food." I turned around with a raised eyebrow, daring her to say something. She sighed when she knew I was right. God sometime, it feels like I'm living with a small kid rather than a girlfriend.

"Fine but you're coming with me." She gave in and I rolled eyes but didn't reject either. Grocery shopping with Nic is always fun for two reasons; one Nic gets bored and when she gets bored, she would walk around the store saying jokes about the food and products. Sometimes, she would talk in a weird voice and I won't stop laughing.

When she's bored, She would talk to stranger's kids about ghost and demons which is very funny to see considering the parent is standing next to them. Some kids would stare fascinated by the crap she's saying and others would be terrified. A few times, the parent would get mad at Nic then walk away with their kids.

The other reason why it's fun because after shopping, she would take me to the same ice cream shop we had our first date in. We would spent hours just laughing and talking about anything we can think of.

I stayed silent as I drank my juice and another thing came into my mind. I wasn't sure if I should tell Nic since it does concern her but I can't. If I did, she would get mad and I don't want her to get hurt. I'm too scared to do so. But Nic noticed something is different in me. She says I get lost in my thoughts way too much and I rarely speak to her when she comes home from work. Do I really do that? Distance myself for her? I need to be better at keeping this inside but I can't help but feel like I'm suffocating if I did.

"You're awfully quiet for the past few days, are you okay?" There it is once again. The same question Nic has been asking for the past few days. I sighed but before I could say my usual response which is to lie and say that I'm fine but I stopped and debated myself. should I tell her? I looked up to find Nic massaging her head with her middle and index finger. Her eyes were closed as well. Perhaps not.

"Yes, it's just a little overwhelming with the new building, that's all." I told her, half lying and half telling her the truth. I was stressed over it but that wasn't the main reason. I knew that she didn't completely believed me; if she did, she would've stopped asking. I think she's waiting for me to say it but I don't know if I can. They told me not to.

Suddenly, I heard someone ringing the door bell and Nic stood up from her chair. "I got it." She said, leaving the kitchen to go open the front door. I felt this worry and paranoid feeling inside of me. What if it's them? I speed walked out of the kitchen to catch nic before she opens the door."Nic wait-" but I was too late; Nic was standing there with a shocked look in her eyes. She stared into a strange man's eyes, who was wearing a tight white shirt and skinny black jeans.

"Hi." He stood on our door way with a shy smile on his face and dark circles under his eyes. He looked oddly familiar like I've seen him somewhere before but I can't recognize him. I just hope he's not one of them.

Nic looked so lost, staring at him. If I didn't know she was gay and completely in love with me, I would've thought she loves him. She shook her head as if she was lost in a trance but then a warm smile appeared on her face. She pulled him towards her and hugged him tightly like an old friend. Maybe he is an old friend. He hugged back, smiling brightly. I was relieved it wasn't who I thought it was but I was curious to know who is he and how did Nic know him.

"Josh." She said his name as she pulled away. "You look." She paused as she stared at him up and down. She looked up at him in the eyes with a welcoming smile. "Grown up." He laughed and I didn't understand what's so funny? Look who's being jealous! I sighed at myself.

"Yeah, the years do past quickly without you realizing it. You look different too with the short black hair. I didn't recognize you for a few seconds." He pointed out and she chuckled with her captivating smile.

"It was grey before but I chose to dye it black." She said and then she turned to her right to find me standing there. She jumped a little in surprise and I smiled at how startled she was. "Hey sweetheart. Umm Josh meet Lauren, my girlfriend. Lauren meet Josh, he's an old friend." Nic introduced us both and we shook hands.

I noticed how his expression turned dark when Nic said the word girlfriend. It's either he likes nic and he's jealous of me, or he doesn't like me simply because he thinks something is wrong with me. But the second reason doesn't make sense; he doesn't even know me.

"I know you, Lauren hills. You used to date Cole's brother didn't you?" He said, surprisingly. Wait, he knows me. Is he one of Nic's old friends from high school? It's not possible since Nic told me she only had two friends back then; rita and some guy named Chris. She never mentioned a Josh. Was he with her in college? Possibly but how does he know about me or me dating her brother? Maybe, Nic told him....but he recognized my face. It's either Nic had a picture of me and showed him or he seen me before.

"Lauren? You there?" Nic waved her hand at my face and I shook my head as Nic stared at me with concern. I need to stop making her worried. That's all I've been doing for the past few days. I gave Josh a warm smile.

"Sorry, I was just thinking. I have a question though." I said, pausing and Josh nodded his head for me to continue. "How do you guys know each other? I can't remember hearing a Josh before." I asked, referring to both of them with genuine curiosity.

That's when Josh's smile faded a little and I saw him gulping as he debated himself to tell me. I looked at Nic to find her with a knowingly look on her face, she knows who he is, but why did he look so scared to tell me?

"I'm Grace's brother." He said and now I know why he hesitated, and why he looked so familiar; He's her younger brother. My smile instantly disappeared as I thought of Nic's ex girlfriend, Grace. The one who cheated on her in a high school party. Why is he here?

Nic noticed the tension going on between us and she decided to cut in which I'm grateful for. "Do you want to come in?" She asked a welcoming small on his face, Josh gaining his attention from me.

"I can't." He said and Nic frowned while I was feeling something weird in me. For some reason, I was nervous and I know there's something he is hiding. He was rocking himself back and forth; he seemed hesitant to say what he's about to say. He took a deep shaking breath before saying. "You have to come with me." Nic and I frowned as he said it.

"Why?" I asked and he glared at me for intruding but can you blame me? He wants my girlfriend to go with him when they just met after a long time ago. He turned back to Nic who was waiting for him to answer my question.

"It's about Grace." He said with urgency and that's when I felt jealousy invading my veins. "She needs you Nic." He said and I immediately stepped in, wanting to say something but Nic cut me off when she saw me stepping forward and asked "Why?"

He paused and I saw his eyes glowing with tears. That's not a good sign. "She's in the hospital; she's sick, Cole. She told me to look for you. She wants to see you." He said and I turned to Nic to see her eyes filling up with tears. Oh God, you can't be serious?

"What do you mean she's sick?" she voiced her concerns. A tear dropped from josh's eye and he started trembling which made my heart stop. He was hurting so bad.

"She has a heart condition and-" He paused and a sob escaped his lips. He couldn't continue and I felt sadness and sympathy filling my heart. Nic turned around and I saw her taking her jacket from the hanging then going to the kitchen. I followed her to see her picking up her phone and wallet from the kitchen counter. She went back to me and pecked my lips. "I'll go and see what she wants, okay?" She asked. I nodded and she kissed me one more time before leaving with Josh.

That was eventful and weird. What does Grace want from Nic? Does she still love her? I can't help but think that way. Jealousy filled my mind and I sighed. The girl is sick, Lauren. At least she can say what she wants to say to nic. I sat back on the couch to finish my work. This should keep my mind of things.

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Nic's POV

I raised my fist to knock on the door but paused; I didn't know what to expect. Josh told me on our way here that the doctors said she won't make it.

How would she look like? Would she be pale, broken, almost lifeless as she laid on the bed? Why did she want to see me? Did she want to tell me or give me something? All of my questions have answers inside that room.

I took a deep breath, putting my fears to the side and knocked on the door. I heard a faint 'come in' and my heart pounded on my chest.

I remember her voice, I can never forget her voice. How it brought me comfort, how she would lay beside me and whisper soothing words in my ear after a rough day in school.

She was my rock until she left me for some asshole. I sighed and opened the door. Slowly stepping in, I saw white sheets, and as I got closer, I saw her face. Like expected, she looked fragile with paler skin. She had dark circles under her eyes and dry lips. My heart broke as I saw her like this. This beautiful, gorgeous, filled with life human being looks so devastating now.

I swallowed the limp in my throat and gave my best smile. She doesn't need to see my sympathy. I know how it feels like to be sympathized and I don't need her to feel like that. It makes you feel weak and powerless but no, she's strong.

She hasn't noticed me as I entered the room, she was staring at her window with a hurt expression. Better words, a longing expression. "Hey." I called for her and she turned her head, looking surprised to see me.

The frown on her lips turned into a smile and her eyes filled with tears. "Hi...." She whispered softly. I felt my eyes getting wet and I know that I'm going to cry in any second. Her tears fell and mine did too.

I went closer to her and sat beside her on the bed. I leaned closer and kissed her forehead. I heard her sighing in content and I pulled away. "Hey." I said again, looking into her eyes to see this glow in them. It made feel better.

"Hi." She said again and I smiled as she studied my face. She lifted her arm slowly and touched my cheek with her soft palm. Her hand felt cold but I didn't flinch or pull away. "You look so different. More beautiful. The years have changed you, didn't they?" She asked and I nodded my head.

"They did." She pulled her hand away and touched my hand which was on my lap. I smiled and placed my other hand on top of hers.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, wanting to know if she's in pain or if she needs a doctor. I want to help her as much as I could.

She may have hurt me before but I know that she has a pure heart. That's what made me fall in love with her in the first place. Although, my romantic feelings for her are gone but that doesn't mean I don't care about her anymore. She still means something to me.

"I feel better, now that you're here." She said as she gazed deeply in my eyes. "I told Josh to look for you. He spent weeks trying to find you until he went to your parents house and your mom told him. I didn't expect you would be here today. I thought maybe Josh would come and tell me that you didn't want to come." She said with a sad look but immediately smiled and said. "But you came."

"Well, I still care about you." I told her and she smiled even more.

"Why don't you tell me what happened all these years?" She asked in genuine curiosity.

"Well, a lot has happened." I said, recalling all the good and bad memories that occurred in the past few years.

"I got all day and night so...." She said and pointed to herself. I smiled and started telling her what happened from the very beginning. The day we went to my parent's beach house. Where it all started.

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Lauren's POV

I heard a knock on the door and I stood up, hoping its my girl coming back home to tell me what Grace wanted. It's been almost two hours and she didn't come yet. So you can say, I was getting worried. Anxious maybe.

I looked through the door hole and frowned as I saw who it was. I wanted to keep the door closed and ignore him until he leaves but I know that he won't until the door was opened. He's just that stubborn. I sighed, wishing for the best and opened the door.

"What do you want?" I asked, going straight to the point. He looked up and caught my eyes.

"Not even a hi?" Jonathan said with a cheeky grin as he shamelessly checked me out. I glared, waiting for him to answer me. He caught my eyes and sighed, shaking his head at me. "I'm looking for Nic."

"She's not here." I told him with same emotionless expression. He shouldn't expect a welcoming gesture.

"Well then where is she?" He asked while looking behind me, trying to find her.

"Why would I tell you?" I asked blocking his view by closing the door a little. I don't trust him anymore after what he said to Nic. What he said caused a huge scare in her heart and seeing her broken like that agitated a flame in me.

"I'm her brother." He caught my eyes and said the words I was surprised he even said. He doesn't even act like one.

"You don't act like one." I told him and he glared at me. I saw his hand turning to a fist but I didn't back down. His smug look is gone replaced by a frowned angered look. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

"I have to tell her something." He said, going all serious. I frowned and I had a feeling that he was going to tell her something I know. Something I'm trying to hide.

"You can tell me and I'll tell her." I said and he shook his head at me. He doesn't want me to know. This makes my theory slowly coming true.

"I need to tell her myself. So, where is she?" He asked one more time and I knew if I didn't say anything he'll explode.

"She went to visit someone in the hospital. What do you want to tell her?" This time I'm the one who's asking. He grinned and started to walk away but I caught his arm before he escapes. He has to tell me what he's going to tell her. From that look on his face, I knew whatever conversation he's going to have with Nic won't be pleasing.

"It's none of your business." He said, snatching his arm away and started to walk away.

"You're lying. You didn't even look at me when you said it." I called out to him which made him stop and turn around. He grinned smugly at me, conforming what I just said.  "What are you going to tell her?" I repeated my question, hoping this time he will answer me.

"About what happened between us." He simply said and I knew it. He's going to use this to his benefit and to hurt Nic's feelings.

"That was a year ago and you forced yourself on me." I said, holding back my anger as I remembered what happened on the exact same day Jonathan came back home and he said those hurtful words to Nic.

One year ago....

Nic slammed the door shut and I turned around to Jonathan who was breathing heavily from his rant. His eyes were on the floor, deeply lost in his thoughts. "What the hell had gotten into you?" I asked, looking at him in disgust. This is not the Jonathon I know. The one who I became close friends with.

He sighed and looked up at me. His eyes softened but not once did he look guilty. "Why are you dating her? From all the people you could have chosen, it was her?" he said looking surprised as its a miracle that I'm dating her. I couldn't understand why did he hate his sister so much. I know he still have feelings for me but for Jonathan to think it's impossible to date nic is absurd. I know I was mean to nic in high school but as time passed I realized I was wrong for doing so. I was bully and I will regret being one for the rest of my life. Nic is amazing, smart and charming. I was blind for not seeing that.

"I love her. That's why I'm with her." I told him and his frown deepened. He shook his head as if what I said was a lie and impossible.

"You're lying. You told me years ago you'll never stop loving me. You promised." He said, reminding me of the promise I made to him when we were in high school. But I was drunk!!

"We were drunk when-" unexpectedly as I was talking, he grabbed me from the waist and smashed his lips on mine. I was shocked and my eyes grow wide but I didn't push him away. Stupid me, I didn't stop him. I kissed him back because I'm an idiot. I was so lost in the moment that seconds later, I remembered nic and how her lips brought a spark in my heart. That her kiss was different than Jonathan, more powerful and filled with love. Jonathan is good at kissing but he never once brought that spark, that feeling where you feel breathless and weak, weak in love. I pushed him away and ran out of the house with one thing in mind; I'm sorry Nic.

"But it happened. I may initiated the kiss but you didn't stop me nor did you pull away." He said and I was reminded about the disgusting truth. "You cheated on her." He said and I felt like slapping him across the face, but I was in wrong; I did kiss him and I feel so guilty. I haven't told Nic because it didn't matter to me. She was the one with no doubt. I was lost in this stupid moment and I feel so horrible; I know Nic deserves better. She doesn't deserve to be cheated at once again but I was scared that she won't forgive me. That she would leave me and after a few weeks when I couldn't handle the guilt, I knew that I was too late.

"You haven't told Nic, didn't you?" He asked knowingly and I felt tears in my eyes, waiting to burst out. I nodded my head since I couldn't speak or a sob will come out. He chuckled and I looked up at him, flames of anger in my eyes.

"Not one day goes by, I don't feel guilty about it. I don't love you and I never will. You won't gain anything from this. If you think I'll be back to you when you tell her, I won't. I love your sister and only her. She has my heart." I told him and his smile fell with hurt in his eyes. I felt a tear drop from my left eye and I wiped it as soon as it fell.

He smiled, a sad smile and said. "Well, she deserves the truth." He said and turned around. This won't end well.

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A/N

Okay first, WHATTTTTT? I mean WHATTT? :D I know some of you are mad (all of you maybe) and I know you have all these questions like: who's them?, what does Grace want from Nic? Does Lauren have another secret or this is it?

They will all be answered soon.

Second, tomorrow is 24th of September which means it's been one year since I started this book!! God, my baby is growing up *cries* so this make me happy.

Comment what you guys think and ask me whatever you want. And I'll see in the next update. Byeeee.