Monica’s POV
“What’s going on? Why are there sirens all over the house?” I asked, worry and fear etched on my face “Is something wrong? Did something happen?” I asked as I walked further into the living room.
Nicholas just stood still, staring at me like he had just seen a ghost. Shifting my gaze to Austin and Oscar, I could see them sighing and shutting their eyes in relief and I wondered what was going on.
“Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick about you. We’ve been looking everywhere for you” Anthony said, weary and relief evident in his voice.
“Me?” I asked, shocked by Anthony’s statement
Nicholas walked to me slowly, his eyes not leaving mine as he maintained eye contact. he stretched his hands to grab my arm the instant he got very close to me “It’s you”
“Yes, it’s me. What is happening? Why do you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?” I asked, my voice sharp as curiosity and fear engulfed me.
“Thank goodness you’re all right,” Nicholas said, pulling me to himself and wrapping his hands tightly around me “I was so scared. I searched everywhere for you” he whispered in my ears and I felt a pang of guilt in my heart.
“I’m sorry” I whispered back, realizing how I had him worked up for the little hours I was nowhere to be found.
“Where did you go to?” He asked, his eyes teary and dull
“I went to see Dad” I responded sadly.
“Dad?” He asked in confusion
“Yes, my late father. Today was his remembrance and I wanted to visit his grave” I said.
“You should have just let Austin and Oscar follow you,” Nicholas said, a deep frown on his face as he broke the hug.
“I didn’t want them to come along. I wanted to be alone. I just wanted to be with him alone today with no one with me” I said and Nicholas’s brows knitted more deeply on his forehead.
“You wanted to be alone? Honey being alone isn’t safe for you right now. You have to go everywhere with Austin and Oscar. No one is safe as long as Ethan, Mia, and Greg are still alive. I will lose my mind if anything ever happens to you” Nicholas yelled, his sharp voice laced with anger, sadness, and worry.
“I’m sorry,” I said, clearly understanding how he felt when he realized he couldn’t find me.
“I tried calling you but you weren’t picking up. I went as far as checking the camera footage of the spa you went to but they confined from their footage that you had long left. I called the police and instructed that they find you no matter what. I screamed at Austin and Oscar and told them not to return until they found you. I was going nuts” Nicholas breathed hard as he finished speaking, staring at me with hurt in his eyes “At least you would have called to tell me you were going to Dad’s grave. I deserve to know where you’re going, don’t I?” He asked, his voice now low and calm.
I walked closer to him and held his arms, pouting my lips like a baby “I’m trembling sorry for putting you through this stress. I didn’t know you would be back home this soon and I didn’t plan for things to happen this way. Please forgive me” I uttered z staring at him and pouting my lips.
Nicholas’s gaze softened, his calm blue eyes staring at me affectionately. He placed his right hand at the back of my head and drew my head closer to his lips then plastered a long gentle kiss on my forehead.
“Don’t ever do this again. I almost had a heart attack. I was going crazy thinking something might have happened to you”
“I’m sorry” I apologized again for the third time since I arrived.
“That’s enough sorries for today. I’m just relieved that you’re okay” he said, engulfing me in another warm hug.
“What about me? Don’t I deserve a hug? Nicholas almost pulled down this roof on my head” Anthony said.
“I’m sorry for the stress Anthony. come let me give you a hug” I said, breaking the hug with Nicholas and taking steady steps to Anthony who excitedly walked towards me.
Just before I could raise my hand midair and hug Anthony, a huge body stood in front, blocking my eyesight.
“You want to hug my wife? In my house? Under my roof? Are you crazy?” Nicholas’s sharp voice thundered in the living room at Anthony who quickly retracted his steps.
“Chill bro. It’s just a harmless hug. Nothing there to get furious about” Anthony said, raising his both hands in the air in surrender.
“Come on honey. He still deserves a_” I fell mutr and swallowed hard nervously when Nicholas shot me a glare.
“Why do you want to hug my wife huh?” Nicholas asked Anthony who rolled his eyes at Nicholas’s childish attitude.
“I just want to hug her. She praised you and said sorry to only you but she didn’t even acknowledge my effort in joining you to find her. The hug is her way of saying thank you” Anthony said, explaining his intentions.
“Or maybe you want to use your chest to feel how big her boobs are” My eyes widened at Nicholas’s statement as I gasped in shock.
Did he just say that? I asked myself, wishing for the ground to swallow me.
“If someone had told me there years ago that you were going to be so in love that you would be this possessive and protective, I would have bet a million that it wasn’t possible. Love has changed you my friend” Anthony said, slightly hurt that Nicholas didn’t trust his intentions.
“I’m sorry if what I said was too much” Nicholas apologized but Anthony shifted his gaze from him to me
“Have a good day ahead Monica and I’m happy you’re safe” Anthony said, ignoring Nicholas’s apology and walking out of the living room.
I felt weird about what Nicholas said. He shouldn’t have said such about Anthony. He should at least trust his best friend’s intentions.
Anthony was disappointed by Nicholas’s use of words and I felt embarrassed on Nicholas’s behalf.