Chapter 161 - We can't be friends anymore

Her hands clutched his coat tightly as she buried her face in his chest, at that moment, she felt safe in his arms, her pain, and anger, all gone. She couldn't even remember all the hate she had for him, all she could feel for him was longing and yearning. She missed him so much!

They held each other for the longest time before Tiana's eyes suddenly flashed open and she quickly pulled herself away from his hold; her whole body trembling;

What had she done?

Nicklaus walked closer to her but she backed away; '' don't come any closer… '' Her voice was shaky, and her eyes looked scared.

''Tiana, let's just talk; I'm willing to look past everything, let's start afresh, please… ''

Tiana's eyes rose to him and her face paled;

What was he saying? Who should be the one saying that? He hurt her, lied, chose another woman without even a second thought, and yet he was standing there in front of her saying he was willing to look past everything? Was she some kind of joke? Was she still a tool in his eyes?

What kind of a human being was he?!

Tiana's face paled and she shook her head, suddenly she started laughing,

''Oh god… '' she laughed so much that her eyes became teary, ''Stupid… I'm still stupid. ''

She murmured, laughing at herself; Nicklaus watched her puzzlingly.

What was she saying? Was she still angry at him because he hurt her? Or was it… was it because of his secret...?

Nicklaus moved closer to her again;

''Tiana, I wanted to tell you about it, I wanted to explain everything but the issue at the company happened, and I couldn't… ''

What about choosing Claire!! He didn't even care how she would feel! What about that!! Why wasn't he talking about it!

Her eyes lifted to him with a glare. She couldn't believe how he could still pretend not to know what he had done; he was just overlooking the main fact.

Tiana fisted her hands on her sides as her eyes stared daggers at him. Suddenly she closed her eyes and calmed herself; why where they still talking about this? He was already with another woman, there was no need digging up the past. Nothing would change, they had their time together and although she still had deep feelings for him, it was time she let go. He wasn't someone she should be with, he had hurt her more than anyone on earth, she deserved better.

''It is okay, I forgive you. ''

Nicklaus's eyes widened with surprise;

Tiana took in a deep breath and calmed herself, she turned to look at her reflection in the wall mirror and when she saw she looked good, she turned to Nicklaus again;

''I forgive you, Nicklaus. For everything, for hurting me, breaking me, and tossing me away when you deemed fit. Now I think about it, I don't think I am in the position to blame you, I was clearly your mistress, you didn't owe me an explanation, everything was just in my head, and that was my undoing. And besides, I would have done the same in your position, it would be very stupid to choose a mistress over a multi-billion dollar company, so I forgive you, but we can't be friends anymore if that is what you are looking for. And, I really needed to get this off my chest, so I can be happy for my friend. I hope you treat her well and let's never meet again. Goodbye Nicklaus Howells. ''

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and started walking towards the hall. Nicklaus was dumbstruck. 

What… what did she just say? His eyes widened so much that he felt it would pop any minute.

She was the one who had clearly chosen money over him, why was she turning the tables around, he turned around immediately to stop her, but she had far gone.

He panted heavily as his eyes wandered, trying to fix the dots.

Something was wrong…

His eyes widened instantly and he ran to stop Tiana, but he was not fast enough, for she had sat down by the time he reached the hall. He swallowed hard and he pulled himself together before going back to his chair.

''Oh, I was about going to look for you. '' Claire smiled as Nicklaus sat down beside her. ''Sorry, something came up. ''

He apologized making sure not to look at Tiana to avoid suspicion. ''Okay, the event is almost over, you missed a lot. '' Claire smiled as she briefed him on what happened in his absence. Nicklaus was looking at her like he was really paying attention but in reality, he was thinking about what could have gone wrong somewhere; that morning she was very happy and urging him to come back soon, but suddenly she didn't want him anymore, and she hated him. In between these two events was… was grandfather…

Nicklaus gulped as his hands fisted;

What did his grandfather tell her?!

''… and I think it's time for the auctions. '' Claire concluded, as she turned to the stage. Actually, she hated these types of events. To her, they were boring, but since she was going with Nicklaus, she didn't mind. In fact, she would go to a thousand of them as long as they were with Nicklaus.

Nicklaus suddenly stood up from his seat; the three of them turned to him, with creased brows;

''Claire, we have to go now, something urgent came up. '' His voice sounded tensed and Claire's brows creased, she wondered what must have happened so suddenly, but seeing his expression, she didn't ask.

''Okay… see you guys later. We have to go. '' Claire stood up and smiled at Tiana and Liam, before walking out with Nicklaus.

Tiana's palms fisted as her eyes watched them leave. Why was he leaving so soon? Was he now bored of seeing her face?

She pulled her eyes away from them and turned to the stage, trying to stop thinking about him.

''Did you meet with him? '' Liam asked after a long while and Tiana turned to him with creased brows.

He was looking at the stage and his face expressionless as though he had not said a thing, but she had heard him clearly. She peered at him for a while before she shifted her gaze to the stage.

''No, why do you ask? ''

There was no need recounting everything that happened earlier, she had ended things with him properly, it was best to leave it at that.

''Nothing, I just wanted to ask. I'm glad you didn't. '' He turned to her with a smile and Tiana gulped, smiling faintly.

''And they looked good together; '' Liam continued; ''I think they'll make a good couple, don't you think so? ''

...

Tiana nodded with a strained smile, she didn't want to think about it earlier, but those two, they really looked good together.

Throughout the trip to Claire's house, Nicklaus did not say a word. Claire peeked at him severally but she could not bring herself to ask him what was wrong. She knew if he wanted to tell her, he would have done so.