Wow! Thank you everyone who is reading this story! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you for all the reviews, it means a lot and I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Please read and review! :-)
Nikita took a deep breath.
"I-I was at the bar. I drank a few shots and I guess I was pretty drunk…" Nikita explained. "Then Owen came into the bar and he threw me over his shoulder and took me home. I thought it was a kind gesture until we got to my apartment…" Nikita swallowed hard. "When I mentioned your name, he just changed, completely. He got rough and pushed me against the wall and h-he started to touch me and tried to kiss me! But I didn't want it, but he wouldn't stop!" Nikita cried. "I was so scared. But then you came in."
Hearing as Nikita explained the situation infuriated Michael again. He wished that he had taught Owen the lesson he wanted to. He wanted to hurt him as much as he'd hurt Nikita. What if he didn't make it in time? Michael kept his cool, for Nikita. "Nikita," Michael said. "I was so worried about you after you ran off."
"I know."
"No," Michael said. "No you don't. I wasn't even paying attention to Cassandra! All I could think about was you. I just had to make sure you were okay. I just had to." Michael leaned in and rested his forehead against Nikita's as he closed his eyes. He wasn't going to let her see the tears forming in his eyes. His voice continued speaking softly to her. "I came straight from the office to your apartment. And thank goodness I did, if I didn't or if I came to late a-and something happened to you, I would have neverforgiven myself." Michael swallowed hard and let a tear slide down his cheek.
Nikita listened as Michael's voice broke. His voice carried his affection for her. Her heart ached as she realized Michael was crying. She watched as his silent tears fell from his eyes. She could feel his love.
He was real.
"And Cassandra, she means nothing. She's got nothing on you," Michael chuckled. "You're one of a kind."
Nikita giggled. "I'm sorry. I think I overreacted."
"No, actually I understand. You think because I work with all the models I just have my way…"
"No! Michael, no!" Nikita interrupted. "I know you're not like that. I wouldn't think of you that way, it's just how can you not? All the other beautiful models-"
"You're better."
Nikita sadly smiled. "I just have a hard time trusting people. It's just so hard when everyone that has come into my life eventually ends up hurting me a-and I just don't want to feel that pain anymore…"
Michael looked away from Nikita's gaze. "I-I'm sorry I hurt you when I told you I wouldn't."
Nikita moved her hand to Michael's cheek and tilted his face back to face hers. "You didn't mean to."
Michael leaned in and kissed her. Nikita shuddered at the taste of his lips. The joy it brought her. Nikita kissed him back. When they pulled away, Nikita rested her head on his chest as Michael pulled her closer to him.
"You've got a shoot tomorrow."
"Yeah I know." Nikita bit her lip. "Will you be there?"
"Wouldn't plan on missing it." Michael kissed the top of her head and they both drifted off to sleep.
Michael and Nikita were walking to the shooting location together when something at a newsstand caught Nikita's eye. She went over and Michael was confused, but he followed. She was on the cover of a magazine. She bought one and looked through it as they walked, Michael just stared at her confused.
Ok! talks about the hot new breakout model Nikita. Her beauty captured everyone's attention in the sexy new Victoria's Secret ad. She really impressed Michael because these two have been inseparable. They have been spotted everywhere together. The hot couple were recently spotted in his sports car late at night with his jacket around her. Aw how sweet! How long do you think they'll last? The picture below the article was a picture of Nikita sitting beside Michael in his car last night when they drove to his apartment.
"Oh my god," Nikita gasped.
"What?" Michael said confused.
They arrived at the photoshoot.
"This," Nikita said handing him the magazine.
Michael read the article and smirked.
"Why are you smiling!" Nikita said slapping his arm.
"You are on a magazine. Everyone knows your name. They all know your face. Your famous Nikita," Michael said.
"What about us?"
"Does that mean you trust me now?" Michael smirked.
Nikita leaned in and whispered in his ear and smiled. "I always did."
Michael pecked her lips. "Then let the world know."
Michael was just sitting in a chair next to the cameraman as always. He always accompanied Nikita during her shoots. Nikita was only halfway through her shoot when Michael felt his phone vibrate, it was from the office. He excused himself and stepped outside with his phone.
"Birkhoff?"
"Michael. Cassandra said she wants to see you right now…"
Michael sighed at the mention of Cassandra. "Tell her I'm busy."
"But it's her first gig, Mikey, you can't be unfair," Birkhoff reasoned.
"Are you on my side or her side?" Michael questioned.
"I'm not on anyone's side. I'm just saying that all your attention is on Nikki and Cassandra isn't getting any."
"Because I only wanted Nikita! You forced me with Cassandra!"
"Alright, alright! I'll transfer her to Ryan by the end of the week. Can you just please finishing introducing her?"
Michael didn't want to. He really didn't want to do it. But he had to. Of course, it was against his will though. "Fine. I'll be right there."
Michael hated that he had to abandon Nikita in the middle of her shoot. He didn't have any control and it was his job. He needed to attend Cassandra. He hated himself for breaking another one of his promises to her. He told her he'd always be at her shoots and now he had to run. Damn it.
He took out a piece of paper and pen. He needed to give at least some explanation before leaving. He didn't want her to be as mad as he knew she was going to be.
Nikita,
Birkhoff called and I'm needed back at the office. Call me when you're done.
Love,
Michael
Michael walked back into the room. He went over to the director and folded the note in half before handing it to the director. He told him to give this to Nikita when she was finished with the shoot. He nodded his head and Michael left.
Nikita watched from the corner of her eye as Michael left the room. He came back after a while and whispered in the director's ear, while handing him something. Her heart fell as she saw him turn it back and leave the building. The photoshoot didn't feel the same and she didn't try as hard. She just felt like she had to get through it so she could just go home. She didn't want to be there anymore. She would glimpse around and find the seat beside the cameraman empty.
Michael walked onto his office floor. He saw Cassandra waiting outside his office for him. He took a deep breath and prayed that Nikita was okay before taking another step. He opened his office door and gestured her to come inside.
"Hi, Michael," Cassandra smiled.
"Cassandra. I booked a photoshoot for tomorrow." His voice was fast and rushed.
"Fine with me." She innocently hovered her hand over Michael's on the desk and asked, "Will you be there?"
The question was like déjà vu. His mind flashed to when Nikita asked him if he'll be there at her shoot and how he just abandoned her. He was thinking about her again. He glance at his computer and it was 2 hours later and still no call or anything from her. He started to get worried until he was pulled back into reality.
"Michael?"
Michael cleared his throat and replied, "Maybe. I'll try." He shook Cassandra's hand and told her to have a good night before rushing out of the building. Michael called Nikita's cell, but she didn't answer. It rang once and went straight to voicemail, he knew she knew that he was calling, she just didn't want to pick up. He was running to Nikita's apartment because he was hoping she was there.
Nikita finished the shoot. She felt upset and sad that Michael wasn't there. He just left. The director handed her a note. She unfolded it and read it. All she could think of was…
Cassandra.
Even if he explained himself, it wouldn't change that he broke his promises. It wouldn't change the fact that he left when he said he wouldn't. Why do I continuously trust the people that hurt me the most? She waved goodbye to the director and thanked the cameraman before leaving the building. She needed to think and relax. Her heart was burning with pain thinking about what Michael was doing right now, without her.
She stopped at the coffee shop. She got a cup of tea and sat by the window and just blankly looked out. Her phone vibrated on the table and she looked at the screen.Michael. She immediately hung up. She had to just push her feelings for Michael away because obviously it wasn't going to work. The broken promises. The lies. And just the fact that he didn't have time for her. A tear slid down her cheek as the thought filled her mind. She quickly wiped it away. She was startled when she realized someone sat down in front of her. She hoped it was Michael, but it wasn't.
"Hey," Owen greeted.
Nikita slid back her chair. Her heart picked up it's pace. "Get away from me. Now."
Owen backed his chair back slightly. "Nikita. I'm sorry. I just wanted to apologize. Jealously just took me over and I wanted to let you know that I'm sorry." His voice was sincere. Like the first time, he'd ever spoken to her at Starbucks.
"One black coffee please," Nikita ordered.
"Black?" Owen raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah? Is there a problem?"
Owen shook his head. "No problem here. I just didn't think a girl like me would be able to take such a bitter taste." He chuckled.
"Oh really? And what is a girl like me?" Nikita grinned.
"Beautiful and sweet," Owen smiled. He handed the coffee to her. "Here you go."
"Thank you," Nikita blushed. "How much?"
"You know what? It's on me," Owen said as he extended his hand out to her. "Hi, I'm Owen."
Nikita shook his hand and smiled. "Nikita."
Nikita sighed and slid her chair back closer to the table. "Where's the Owen I met the first time? Is he still in there?"
Owen slid his chair closer too. He tried to smile. "He's still here. And I promise I won't try to hurt you again."
Nikita let out a sad laugh and looked down at her tea. "Promises."
Owen leaned closer into Nikita and it sent a shiver down her spine and Owen noticed. He wasn't planning on doing anything. He stared straight into Nikita's brown eyes, which were clearly going through pain. "I'm serious."
Nikita just wanted to get Michael out of her head. And maybe this is the way to do it. Maybe she had to show him that she didn't need him. That she wasn't desperate for him. That she didn't care and maybe he'll feel how she felt everytime he had to run to Cassandra.
Nikita looked into Owen's eyes. They were full of sincerity. Nikita leaned into Owen and caught him off guard. She kissed him.
As Michael was walking to Nikita's apartment, he was about to pass by the coffee shop until his feet just stopped moving and the world stopped. He felt his chest tighten up as his heart shattered inside. He stared into the window and saw Nikita kissing him.
Well that's it! Thanks for reading! I hope you liked this chapter! Please review and tell me your thoughts, I'd love to know. Reviews mean a lot to me, thank you to everyone! Xx
