Chapter 31
Nicholas POV
Laurel came out, standing side by side with my dad as they walked toward us.
And I was there, leaning slightly toward Eric, whispering something in his ear while we both laughed at nothing in particular.
"What's so funny?" she asked, her eyes locking directly on me.
I straightened immediately.
"Why didn't you say you were coming today?" I asked.
"Because I didn't want to," she replied simply, folding her arms.
Typical Laurel.
I took a step forward anyway, arms already opening to pull her into a hug
"Don't you even dare"
She didn't even move. Just one word.
I stopped mid-step.
"Hug me if you want to die," she added calmly.
I exhaled through my nose, glancing away like that wasn't mildly humiliating.
"It's been a while," I said instead. "Almost a year."
Eric nodded beside her like he was counting the time too.
He also miss you laurel. My dad says has she tried to sit. You shouldn't be harsh with him he said smiling.
How I wish the house can be as full as it use to be.
Before anything else could settle, the door opened again.
Noah walked in, flanked by bodyguards.
"This is going to be a blessed week," he said casually, like he owned the atmosphere itself.
Then he walked straight to Laurel.
And hugged her.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
No warning.
No consequences.
I froze.
Eric made a sound beside me.
"Oh…"
I stared at them.
Everyone gets to hug you.
Everyone.
But me.
"This is so unfair," I muttered under my breath.
Noah sigh do not be jealous brother, you see her almost everytime, the last time I saw her was 6 years ago. Of course I deserve a hug he said with big smile in his face.
Eric, still smiling like a traitor, tilted his head.
"But I hugged you," he said.
I turned slowly to look at him.
"That doesn't count."
He only smiled wider.
And Laurel?
She didn't even look surprised anymore.
Like this was normal.
Like I was the only one still standing outside something I used to belong to.
Later in the evening after everything has been settled.
We sat by the pool for hours.
The night was quiet, the water reflecting the lights from the house in broken lines.
"You hardly call," I said.
"So do you," she replied.
I clicked my tongue.
"Did the others know you're back?"
"SEO Hee knows," she said. "And I'm sure Kang Dae has found out by now."
I turned to her.
"You told Kang Dae before me?"
"No," she said. Then she added, "I'm pretty sure SEO Hee already did."
I smiled faintly.
"Why would she tell him? It's not like they are"
I stopped halfway.
Laurel only looked at me and smiled.
"What do you know?" I asked.
She smiled I know everything she said proudly.
So do tell me.
It is not place to.
Laurel, i looked at her as she stood up.
"I need to sleep."
"When are you going back?" I asked.
"Tomorrow evening."
Then she walked away without another word and disappeared into the house.
I stayed by the pool, staring at the water.
Thinking about what she said. I need to know what is going i said to myself.
Kang Dae knows she's back.
SEO Hee probably told him.
Why would she?
I frowned to myself.
Suddenly, someone touched my shoulder.
I turned immediately.
It was Eric.
"I thought you'd gone to bed," I said.
He shook his head and sat beside me.
Up close, I noticed how much he had changed.
He carried himself differently now.
Straighter.
Calmer.
Even hotter.
Like life had finally started being kind to him.
"Why are you still awake?" I asked.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Oh." i said nodding.
A few minutes passed in awkward silence.
Then he asked
"Are you in love with my sister?"
I turned so fast I nearly hurt my neck.
"What?"
He looked completely serious.
I laughed hard, louder than necessary.
"Laurel? Who would fall in love with Laurel?"
His eyes narrowed immediately.
"What's wrong with my sister?" he asked protectively.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "She's just not my type."
He nodded.
"What is your type?"
I looked at him.
And for some reason, said nothing.
Because the answer in my head was simple.
Laurel.
But softer.
Laurel.
But kinder.
Laurel.
But easier.
Basically, the opposite of Laurel. I said.
"Are you dating someone?" he asked.
"What is with all these questions?" I said. "Is there someone you want to introduce to me?"
He ignored the joke.
"Your family seems nice."
"Yes."
"It almost looks like what you said before isn't true."
I knew what he meant.
The things I had once said about power and expectations and how dangerous my family could be.
I leaned back, my hands now supporting my body.
"That's because we don't bring business home."
He nodded slowly and stood up.
"I'll head to my room now."
Then I suddenly spoke.
"No."
He turned back.
"No what?"
I looked away.
"No is the answer to the question you asked."
He blinked.
Then smiled.
A slow, knowing smile.
And nodded.
"Goodnight, Nicholas."
He walked away.
I stayed there staring after him.
Why did he smile like that?
Was it because I said I was single?
That meant nothing.
Lots of people my age were single.
Plenty.
Thousands, probably.
Still…
That smile bothered me more than it should have.