Part 53
(Nicole's POV)
You woke up to be somewhat startled to see Seto lying there. You then looked remembering last night's events. He had to be there, because your arm trapped his own around your waist. Your cheeks went red realizing you had been like that all night. You quickly let go of him and looked at his sleeping form. He seemed so child like, the exact opposite of the older guy he tried to always be. He seemed so peaceful for once as no emotions played on his soft face. The only thing telling you he was alive was the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. His mesmerizing blue eyes were hidden behind his closed eyes and brown hair. You just couldn't resist. You softly and slowly moved his hair to uncover the closed eyes that lay behind. You could tell by the light coming in from the window and balcony door that it was early morning. You decided it not best to wake him since he probably had never slept in once in his life. You quietly got off the bed and took the jacket he covered you with and covered him up. You lent down and softly kissed his cheek almost wishing for sweet dreams. He shifted a bit making you tense up hopping it didn't wake him. Soon as it started, the shifting stopped. You sighed in relief and grabbed the bag which held your clothes as you walked into the bathroom. You locked the door behind you and chose out a nice work out outfit, that you would wear to do a little bit of wandering around in. As soon as you had things settled, you go into the shower to freshen up after the recent happenings of the past few days.
(Seto's POV)
You woke to the sound of running water. Who was in your bathroom? Then you opened your eyes to remember where you were and why. You came to find no Nicole and the jacket you covered her with was now on you. You began to panic about where she was, then something hit you. You looked over to the bathroom door to hear the sound of running water. She must have woken up and gotten into the shower. You ran your hand through your hair in relief. You were completely honest when you told her about worrying about her. You were surprised by her reaction to it though. You thought she would deny that fact, but she went and told you that you were right about it. Then your thought traveled to last night. It took so much to stop her. She had no idea how much you wanted to let her have her way, but you knew she was not thinking clearly at that point, so you had to. You then came out of your thoughts when you realized. The water wasn't running. If she thought you were asleep then that would only mean..... You quickly got up grabbing your jacket and hurried towards the door that lead out into the hallway. By the time you got halfway, it was too late. You heard the door open and you didn't look back even though how much you wanted to. You reached out for the knob only to be stopped by her voice.
(Nicole's POV)
You walked out to not find Seto sleeping. You looked over to the door and saw him walking out.
"Good morning sleepy head" you cheerfully spoke. He stopped in his tracks not daring to look back. Why wouldn't he look back? Then a thought popped in your head.
"It's ok, I dressed in the bathroom, so you can turn around silly" you giggled. He seemed to sigh in relief and turned to face you.
"I thank you for your Modesty Seto" you spoke unwrapping your wet hair from the towel. You could swear at that brief moment, you saw him blush.
"Well I- I wasn't sure what was going on, so I..." He tried to explain. You waked up to him placing one of your fingers on his lips.
"Sh, no need to explain yourself. You being here is partly my fault, wait, make that all my fault." You softly spoke. He took your hand removing it from his lips.
"Well can I say I enjoyed it?" he asked walking up and bringing his arms around your waist.
"Well I hope it'd be a lie if you didn't."
"It would be." He smirked leaning over kissing you yet again.
You broke away and looked at him. His cloths were wrinkled from sleeping in them and his hair was sort of out of place, making the sight kind of funny to where you couldn't help but laugh. He gave you a weird look.
"Nicole are you sure you're OK" he asked. You looked at him,
"It's just, I think....." It was hard to explain, so you just pointed to the mirror.
He took you hint and peared at his reflection. Smirking at what he saw.
"I get it" he commented running his hand through his hair.
"Well, you can go to your room, and do all the morning stuff you do, and I'll meet you downstairs with breakfast." you told him as you gently gave him a kiss and walked out.
You retraced the steps you took last night back to the main hallway, and from there, you remembered the way to the kitchen On the way, you bumped into Mokuba.
"HI Mokie" you spoke up.
"Oh hi Nikki! Have you seen Seto, he wasn't in his room this morning, or when I came to say goodnight last night." he asked. You sort of tensed up not knowing what to say. You couldn't tell him what happened.
"Those must have been the times he was with me last night. Um..... He wanted to make sure I was settled in here, and woke me up this morning." you lied. He bought it.
"Well, do you know where he is now?"
"Yeah, he went to take a shower and get dressed. I'm cooking breakfast, so you have any suggestions?" you answered motioning to the kitchen.
"Pancakes!" he answered jumping up and down.
"Calm down Mokuba!!" you suggested taking his hand and leading him to the kitchen.
The two of you walked in, and you began looking through the cabinets trying to figure out where everything was. After a few minutes of searching, you managed to find all the needed things. Mokuba seemed very interested in what you were doing.
"Hea Mokie, you want to help" you asked as you took out the eggs. His eyes seemed to shine.
"Yeah!" He answered grabbing a chair, so he could stand at the counter without seeming too short.
He became your little helper as the two of you made breakfast. Soon enough the two of you had enough pancakes for three people. The down side was the two of you were sort of messy now.
"Well, before we can eat, we have to clean ourselves up" you explained walking over to the sink.
You quickly cleaned yourself up then directed your attention to Mokuba. He was the messiest of the two of you. He had flour all over his face and apron. It's a good thing you had him put the apron on over his clothes. You took a wet washcloth and knelled down and wiped off the flour that covered his face. He giggled as you did almost as if it was tickling him. Next you started on his hands. As you were wiping them off he spoke.
"Nikki,"
"Yeah"
"Do you think you and Seto are going to get married?" he asked curiously.
You immieaditly stopped trying to take in the question. It's true you liked Seto a lot even loved him. Marriage was a totally different thing. What were you going to say?
"Well Mokuba, Your brother and I are only 17, and can't really do something like that." you answered as you resumed wiping off his hands.
"Well how about when you two are old enough" He pressed on.
"Mokuba, by that time, things will have changed. It's hard to tell" you answered.
"Well, what if things don't change" he persisted. You now looked up to meet his gaze.
"Well, in that case it wouldn't be so bad now would it. I mean, some people say your brother is a total jerk, and I shouldn't give him the time of day, but they don't know him. The way he acts sometimes is just his way of saying he doesn't trust easily. He puts on the icy guy attitude, but once you get through that, he's a totally different person. It would be nice to have someone like that." You spoke finishing up. "Well, you're clean" you pointed out as you took off his apron.
"Can we eat now" he asked getting all excited.
"You set these plates, and I'll bring everything out" you instructed handing him three plates.
He took them and rushed into the dinning room. You picked up three glasses and the silverware needed and brought them out. You set those up and went back in the kitchen to grab some more things. You came back out with the milk and syrup, and found Mokuba setting in a chair across from two other plates that were side by side. You could only guess they were for you and Seto. You poured the milk ad went back in the kitchen for the most important thing. About a minute later, you came in with the plate of pancakes and set them in the middle of the table giving some to Mokuba to eat. As if on que, Seto walked in and stared at the sight.
"Seto, come here. Nikki made pancakes, and I got to help. They taste great" Mokuba anxiously spoke grabbing his brother's hand and bringing him to his seat at the table. You couldn't help but laugh a bit at this sight. The one and only CEO of the largest Gaming company was being pulled around by a little 11 year old.
"Well, I had to learn to cook when my dad...." you began but stopped yourself from saying anymore and sat down yourself.
Now all three of you sat down and ate. Everything was great. The only thing was you just couldn't get your mind off what Mokuba had asked earlier. Would you go as far as marring Seto? You both were only 17. Would things change and you two wouldn't be together in the future?
"Nicole are you alright" a voice spoke up. You shook off you thoughts and faced Seto.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just......... thinking." you spoke up as you continued to eat.
Soon enough, the three of you had finished eating, and Mokuba ran off to play. You picked you yours and Mokuba's dishes and went into the kitchen, so you could finish cleaning. You placed the dishes in the dishwasher when Seto entered.
"Nicole, What's wrong?" He asked placing his dishes in the dishwasher as well. You looked up at him.
"Nothing" you quickly answered.
"I don't think so. What's on your mind?" He asked walking up to you. You moved and walked over to a different spot.
"Nothing. Nothing at all" you spoke as you began to clean off the counters. He came up behind you and placed his hands over yours taking hold of them and wrapping them around you. He leaned to your ear and whispered.
"Something's wrong Nicole I can tell. Don't try to hide it. Tell me" What were you going to say? Would he think you were crazy for thinking of such things.
"It's just...... Mokuba asked me about you and me....... getting married" you spoke up trying to look at him as he stood right behind you. He seemed somewhat shocked at the comment.
"What did you say?" He asked.
"Of course, I said I didn't know. I told him you and I were only 17 and couldn't do something like that. That's just been on my mind. Thinking about it" you explained.
"Nicole, I don't think it's just that that's bothering you." He whispered.
"Well, sort of. Thinking about it makes me think of my dad. We used to be the closest pair until our studio went under. That changed him so much. H-He resorted to drinking.. a lot.. A year later he almost killed me and Sam."
"You didn't tell me-" but you cut him off
"From what I can understand, my dad pushed me down the stairs because of some argument we were having. Sam ran down the stairs to check on me and make sure the fall didn't break my neck. My dad was right behind him. He punched Sam so hard it knocked him off his feet saying it was Sam's fault I got pushed. He would have beat Sam to death if the others hadn't arrived. I guess Mac heard all the noise and busted through the front door. He fought off my dad and locked him in a closet while Alex and Taylor called 9-1-1 as they tried to stop what bleeding there was. I woke up to find my mom, friends, and some detectives at my bedside wanting to ask questions. I couldn't remember the incident due to the several hits my head took in the fall. I was told what happened and was shocked. My dad could be a violent man when drunk, but not that violent. Right after that, my mom gained full custody, and we were on the run. My father never changed or ever will. It's just..... Remembering that makes me realize that when I do get married, whenever it is and to whoever it is, he won't be there. He can't. It's just hard to realize that." you paused for a brief second as your eyes began to water, "When I was little and thought boys had cooties, he would always tell me that that was the day every father dreamed about. The day his little girl is no longer the little girl he raised, but a young woman who starts a new life with someone else. Now that dream is gone for me and him." the tears traveled down your cheeks.
"Nicole, I really don't know what to tell you," Seto began holding your face in his hands, "But I will say I will keep my promise to help you and keep you out of harm's way. I've learned why you've been running, and I will keep you safe. Alright?"
"Thank you Seto." You smiled.
"How about we go work on that new project of ours and get our minds off all this for awhile." He suggested sensing your uneasiness on the subject. You nodded and took his hand. He led you up to the library where two computers were set up side by side.
You worked for awhile. At one time, you decided to take a break while Seto continued working. You looked among the shelves of books and found one that looked somewhat interesting. You began to flip through the pages. About ¾ of the way through you came across a picture. You took it out and turned it over to look at it. What you saw caused you to drop the book and start to laugh uncontrollably. Seto stopped his working and looked up at you.
"What's so funny?" he questioned seeming annoyed by the interruption. You stopped briefly to look at him, but started yet again. "What's so funny Nicole?" He asked a little more annoyed and waking up to you.
"Talk about black mail material" you somehow managed to get out in between your bursts of laughter. He gave you a weird look before coming right up to you.
"Let me see" he spoke holding out his hand.
"What if I don't want to?" you placed the picture behind your back, "All I can say my dear Seto, is green is not the color for you." You then began to laugh again. The look on his face was priceless. He must have realized what it was of.
"Nicole," he spoke sternly, "Give me the photo" He held out his hand once more.
"No" you refused keeping it behind your back and taking a few steps back as well.
"Don't make me force you" he sternly spoke up matching your steps with his own.
"Nope" you spoke placing it between two of your fingers and holding it in the air.
"You leave me no choice" he spoke.
Suddenly you felt yourself against the book shelf behind you, and Seto forced up against you. He wasn't just standing there, He was kissing you. You forgot about everything, and wrapped your arms at his neck. Suddenly you felt something being taken from your fingers, and the kiss stopped. You felt him smirk.
"Mine" he whispered. You came back to reality to find he had reached back and took the picture from your fingers. "No fair!!" You wined bringing your arms down.
"Told you I would have to force you now didn't I?" He asked.
"still, you didn't have to use that tactic. You tease. arg! I was actually enjoying that moment, if you want to know" you informed him. He just smirked again placing the picture in his back pocket.
"I'm sorry" he teased, "But if it makes you feel better, I was enjoying it too." he then turned and went to sit back down.
"Oh, and a piece of advice with that picture. If you ever have kids never let them see that, or you'll have them dying their hair as well, and you won't have any power to stop them, because they'll use the 'but you did it were you were this age' excuse" you teased him.
"It was a serious phase ok?" he defended himself.
"Also, you looked kind of evil looking in that picture. I suggest you not show that side of yourself to me, or you'll end up like Shedia remember?" you commented. He chuckled looking down and nodding his head.
"Yeah, he still never came back for that meeting. I think you really scared him" he added.
"I tend to that to guys I knock unconscious" you spoke returning to your work.
After awhile, there came a knock at the door.
"Come on in" you cheerfully spoke up. Just as you expected, Mokuba had walked in.
"What's going on Mokie" you asked getting up.
"Well I was going to ask if I could go hang out at the arcade for awhile?" he asked.
"I don't know Mokuba" Seto began.
"Wait Seto. I think it's a good idea. To tell you the truth, I could use some fresh air, so I'll take him and stay with him, you stay here and work on the project. We'll be back in awhile." you suggested.
"Well alright, just keep your cell with you, so I can call." he answered.
"Yes daddy," you teased walking out of the library with Mokuba. The two of you took your car.
"Oh I am so happy they had not shipped this yet." You sighed getting into your vehicle. You drove over to the mall and went into the arcade. As you were walking around you were suddenly grabbed by someone.
"Nicole what a surprise" the person spoke........
