Chapter 6

Nica felt like her whole body froze in her seat when she heard the name of Janice's cousin. He was very persistent that she bluntly told him she did not like him. She was nearly raped by him the time that she went to a night party and she had no idea he was watching and following her. She could not believe she thought he was different from her stepmother and half-sister. "He's my cousin," Janice explained to Chris even though he did not ask. "And Nica's ex." Chris noticed Nica grit her teeth and glare at Janice. "Don't just tell other people about my life, will you?" Nica put on a fake smile. If only they were not in a public place, she could have pulled her hair even if they are in front of her 'boyfriend'. "Oh, sorry. I just mentioned him because he asked me where I am because he had an important business with me. When I told him I am having a lunch with you, he suddenly wanted to join us." She spoke in an apologetic tone, but her eyes seemed happy as she looks at Nica. "No doubt, he is your cousin. Both of you are assumers and are dreaming high." Nica said sarcastically. She was trying to make it clear that Philip and she were never in a relationship, but they did not believe her. Don Alfonso even got mad at her for putting Philip in shame. "Is it okay to invite my cousin to join us?" Janice asked Chris, instead of talking back to her sharp-tongued sister. "I just don't want Nica to feel out of place." She added, to prevent him from thinking bad about it. "I have no problem with that," said Chris while gazing at Nica. "But we have to move to a different table." He added before calling a waiter. Chrismith knew Janice's cousin because he had interacted with him once. He was a womanizer and he obviously thinks highly of himself. They have not stood up yet when the one they are waiting for arrived. "Hey, Bro." Philip greeted Chris. Chris simply gave him a nod and accepted his offer for a handshake. His instinct took over when he looked at Nica. He quickly moved to her side and put his coat on her. "Let's go?" Chris said to Janice and Philip as he properly laid his coat on Nica's shoulder. Nica was surprised by Chrismith's act. However, she wants to thank him: the cold she was feeling seemed to double because of Philip's presence. She did not complain when he led him to the table. "Dude, let me do it," Philip snatched the chair Chris pulled for Nica. "I will take care of her, so escort my cousin instead." Chris did not like Philip's behavior. "I do not want to be next to you, so move there!" Nica complained and hit his hand that was on her chair. "Nica, stop acting like a child!" Janice rebuked her sister in a concern manner. She feels ashamed to Chris. "Yes, I am no longer a child. You have no right to decide for me and do things without my consent!" Her voice was a little loud because she had enough controlling her anger. "Calm down," Chris whispered to Nica. He motioned for Philip to move away so that there would be no trouble. She detests Philip, but she dislikes the attention Chrismith was giving her more. Nica sat up in the chair and glared at Philip as he glanced at her chest. "Pervert!" Nica muttered, but Chris heard it. She quickly buttoned up the coat she is wearing to hide her chest. "You don't like the food?" Chris asked to Nica, she has not eaten anything yet. Her hands remained on the button of her coat, as if afraid someone might unbutton it. Nica immediately put her hands down and grasp the knife and fork. She quietly eats, even though it was tasteless for her for some reason. She feels nervous because of Philip's gaze. It was warning her about what will happen if they become alone. She may look strong outside, but deep inside, she is weak and frail. She is afraid what happened before might happen again. "I'm done here, excuse me." Nica did not wait to see their reactions. She quickly stands up and exited the restaurant. Some people there threw her a glance because she looked like a lady who walked out during a blind date. "I apologize for how my half-sister behaved." Janice shyly said to Chrismith and her cousin. "You're still not used to your sister's attitude?" Philip chuckled. It seems like he did not mind Nica's bad mannerism. "I could say that you did something unacceptable to her in the past." Chris could not help himself and he uttered his suspicion. He strongly feels that Nica is afraid of him. "Me?" Philip pointed to himself, his face was saying he could not believe it. "Don't be blinded by that woman's outward beauty, Dude." "What do you mean?" he let him say whatever he wanted, even though he felt insulted. "What my cousin says about her is the truth, it's that girl's true personality. She's not good in everything even in bed." Chris made a fist and control himself so that he would not punch him in the face. Even though Nica and him are not that close and friendly with each other, she is still a lady. What he hates more than anything is when a lady is being humiliated. "That's unethical and dishonorable, dude." "C'mon, I'm just telling the truth so you won't fall victim to her." Philip shrugged his shoulders. "Cous', that's enough. She is still a lady and my sister, so be mindful." Janice rebuked Philip when she noticed that Chrismith did not like the sharpness of his tongue. The irritation Chris was feeling decreased as Janice defended her sister from her cousin. "All right, let's stop talking about her. But, I hope you will also stop being too generous toward her, Janice. Can you tell how many times had she stolen your boyfriend?" Philip asked Janice with a smirk, but his eyes were looking at Chrismith. Janice simply smiled at Chris when she read the question in his eyes asking if what her cousin said is true. "She used even me just to compete with you." Philip sniggered while slicing a meat on his plate. Christmith did not say a word, he did not expect that Nica's attitude is that bad. Even though they are only supposed to be partners in business, there was still a part of his mind saying that he wants to get to know her more. "So, dude," the smirk is still on Philip's lips. "Be careful, it looks like she'll be targeting you because you are dating my cousin." "Thank you for the warning, but don't worry because I know how to correctly judge a person's nature." Chris replied calmly before picking up a tissue and wiping his lips. He did not bother correcting his wrong idea about him and Janice because he did not want her to feel ashamed. "Are you done?" Janice asked Chris. "Yes. Sorry, but I have to go back to my office," he smiled at her before getting his wallet and leaving money. "Take care of your cousin, bro." He said to Philip before turning his back. Janice frowned when the young man is out of sight. She glared at her cousin because he acted kind of inappropriate. She could tell that Chris did not like his presence.
Nica did not pay attention to her secretary when she came back to her office. She stayed there and busied herself with work. She could feel her stomach growl, but she still has no appetite. The feeling of losing the will to live returned to her.
Chrismith did not know why he was now in front of the building owned by the Rodriguez family. He supposed he had been inside his car for an hour. Watching people come inside and outside the building. "Go and get your coat," a part of his mind commanded. His mind has been debating on what his reason was for being there. "Why did I think of it just now?" Chris replied to himself. He was about to open the door of his car when he saw a figure of a lady. Chrismith knew her in the first try because of the coat she wears. His lips formed a smile and he felt proud seeing her still wearing his coat. His smile disappeared when the young lady looked up in the sky. Even in their distance, he could see the sadness that shrouds her. It was peculiar because it was the first time he felt that feeling and for a girl he has not fully known yet. Nica looked around when she felt as if someone was watching her. "I think I'm just thinking irrationally." She said to herself because no one else was actually around. It was too early for her usual time to go home. She needed to entertain herself and eat so she decided to go to her favorite place.