Chapter 76 - Melting

Nicklaus wasn't a fan of horror movies, so while the movie 'The Exorcist' played, he concentrated on watching her facial expression; it was a more interesting movie.

Her eyes were wide as they stared at the screen. Sometimes she would narrow them and her face would scrunch up in disgust. Nicklaus raised his hand to her face and removed the tiny popcorn crumbs on her lips sweetly;

Tiana turned to him and smiled before looking back to the movie while he played with her hand, oblivious of every other person in the room.

Surprisingly, he wasn't only the one not interested in the movie. Richard sat by the side, his gaze fixated on Tiana. He saw the way Nicklaus watched her, and then he began to doubt his initial assumption. At first he had thought Nicklaus didn't like her, but now, he wasn't confident of that thought anymore. From the beginning of the movie, Nicklaus had not looked at any other thing, his eyes had been on Tiana as though he was cast a spell or something, and the shocking aspect of it was that he was smiling! He had never seen Nicklaus smile before.

His eyes were radiant and filled with emotions as he gazed at her; as though she was a fine painting. Richard felt an ugly tug in his heart. He did not like this at all. If Nicklaus was really interested in Tiana, it would be difficult for him to take her away from him.

Although he thought about it, surprisingly, he didn't feel like giving up; as though he felt that he had the right to pursue her, and the ball was in her court to choose whom she wanted. He didn't know why he felt he could win against Nicklaus.

He had never felt that way before with other women; this woman, she seemed different, more like special. He didn't know why, but he didn't want to give up a fight right before he started.

''Do you not like the movie? ''

Nicklaus asked tenderly. He noticed that her brows were creased a little as she stared at the television. Tiana shifted her gaze to him, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled cutely;

''I wouldn't say I hate the movie, but it's more gross than scary. ''

She laughed and Nicklaus glanced at the screen briefly and turned back to her;

''Do you want to go upstairs? ''

He asked, lifting an eyebrow slightly; 

Tiana's heart skipped a bit as she heard his words;

Was he saying they should go upstairs so he would…

Her eyes searched his, and she saw the tender gaze in his eyes and she gulped hard, shaking her head vigorously;

''No, I don't want to sleep now, it's still early. Let's watch something else, or play games or something. ''

She spoke quickly; she wasn't ready yet, she didn't know how she would react if he tried to touch her, she didn't want him to realize that she had been pretending all along.

''Hmm, I don't know, what do you want to do? ''

Nicklaus asked, wondering; he had never had fun or played games like she suggested, his life had just been a straight boring life.

''Maybe we could play video games. What do you think? ''

She asked a little loud, so Richard who had been paying attention to them heard her and he watched them attentively;

Nicklaus squeezed her hands slightly and smiled;

''Beautiful, I haven't played one before, maybe you could teach me some other time, but can we go to sleep now? ''

''You can play video games? I didn't know women liked those?''

Richard interrupted, making Tiana and Nicklaus' gaze to turn to him.

Nicklaus brows creased as his eyes glared coldly at Richard.

Tiana's lips slanted when she heard him and she quickly turned to him;

''Yeah, I love them, it makes me unique, ha-ha. ''

''What's your favorite video game? '' Richard continued, ignoring Nicklaus frosted expression.

''Hmm, I like a lot, but I think Alien: Isolation is my favorite. I'm a fan of anything horror and mysterious''

''Oh wow, that's my favorite too, I really liked layers of fear but I can't compare it to Alien.''

''Wait, you know that too? ''

Tiana's eyes brightened in glee. She had finally seen someone with the same tastes as hers.

Unknowing to them, the movie they were watching had been paused, and every one was watching them.

''I think I know all the amazing Horror video games you can ever think about. ''

Richard completed with a sweet smirk; Tiana laughed;

''You can't be serious I'm a pro at horror games, don't even compete with me. ''

She replied confidently,

''Hmm, interesting, let's see who can name ten horror video games without thinking, you start first. ''

Richard said and Tiana's eyes widened;

''is that a dare? Alright… Lone Survivor, F.E.A.R, Condemned: Criminal Origins, Fatal Frame: Crimson Butterfly, Little Nightmares, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Until Dawn, Bloodborne, Dead Space, SOMA…''

Tiana narrowed her eyes as she rapped the names as though she was just reciting the letters, everyone in the room gaped at her;

How could she know so many horror games, was she a game developer or something?

''Ten and done, your turn, and don't say anyone I've said already, ''

She smirked excitedly as she waited for Richard, whose face looked surprised;

It seemed he didn't expect her to know so much.

''Ha-ha, you've said it all already, I give up. You win.''

He concluded with a chuckle;

''We could play a game if you want. '' …

''Beautiful, let's go rest, you shouldn't stay up too late, and you have to go to work tomorrow, I don't want you waking up late. ''

Nicklaus interrupted before Tiana could reply. He was not even finding their discussion funny at all. He didn't like the way Richard stared at her, or the fact that she was laughing so much because of him. He tried to act as though it was fine, but when he mentioned them playing together, he couldn't take it anymore, and he interrupted immediately.

His voice resounded in the room, making everyone turn to him;

Tiana shifted her gaze to Nicklaus, and she saw his deathly gaze as he stared straight at Richard, as though he wanted to pry out his soul with his eyes,

''Yeah, am so tired, sorry Richard, we'll play another time. Baby, let's go to sleep now. ''

She replied quickly; standing up, she tugged at his cotton shirt.

Nicklaus who was almost bursting from anger melted when her words filtered into his ears;

Did… she just call him Baby.