*Narrator’s POV**
He’s 25, and she’s 17; their differences are evident, yet they share similarities.
Their most significant difference? Their age.
Alex and Nina were legally separated by 8 years difference. Observers might jump to conclusions about Alex’s intentions, thinking it a case of pedophilia.
However, that’s not the truth. Alex didn’t have a preference for younger girls; he was drawn to her-this petite, 5’3″ girl with brown hair, brown eyes, smooth, fair skin, and a slim physique.
She was ordinary, with typical Normal physique and no extraordinary wealth or talents.
“What about her attracts you, Alex?” asked a lifelong friend.
“Everything,” Alex replied, gently running his hands over the armrest in his office.
“But what is this really about?” his frustrated friend questioned.
Alex saw beyond the surface; he recognized that Nina was just a girl.
“She doesn’t look at me like everyone else does,” he explained.
“What do you mean by that?” his friend pressed. Alex sighed, rising to his feet.
“With lust, or an interest in my money,” he confessed, taking a seat behind his desk. “She doesn’t want me for my wealth or looks.”
“And how do you know that?” his friend challenged. Alex rolled his eyes.
“Why are you so inquisitive today?” Alex snapped, irritated that his friend’s judgment of his choice in women was wavering. This was a first; Niall had always been supportive.
But from the start, Niall had opposed Nina.
“Forget it. Let’s just go out like we used to before you met her,” Niall suggested, raising Alex’s eyebrows.
“Is that your issue? Me not going out with you like before because I’m with her?” Alex retorted.
“Alex, I don’t rely on you. I’m inviting you out to mend our differences; it’s up to you whether you join or not,” Niall responded, and Alex scrutinized his expression. “Come on, to our favorite bar with the best girls in London,” Niall urged. Alex smirked before agreeing.
“Fine. But don’t even think of hiring a prostitute to lure me; that’s off the table now,” Alex warned.
“Every guy has his weakness,” Niall teased, and Alex smiled softly before whispering, “And mine is Nina…”
**Alex’s POV**
*Phone Call*
“But you promised we’d see each other tonight!” she exclaimed, making Alex sigh.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” he murmured. “But Niall’s been insistent about us going out since business has been good.” She sighed in response.
“Well, I’m going to a party then,” she simply stated, and I grimaced. “And I don’t want James or any of your guards there, okay?” she added, her irritation evident.
“Baby…”
“It’s only fair!” she shouted. “If you go to a bar with strippers, I should get to attend a party with my friends without any chaperones!” she declared, exhaling heavily.
“There are no strippers,” he lied, but she laughed.
“My stepbrother works at that bar, Alex!” she retorted. He rubbed the back of his neck as she sighed. “You know what? I don’t even know why I’m angry. We’re not anything; you can be with whoever you want.”
“Don’t say that, baby.”
“I’m serious, Alex. Just enjoy yourself,” she urged, trying to be casual. He sighed deeply.
“I love you, you know that, right?”
“Have fun tonight, Alex,” she said and hung up, leaving him frustrated as he tossed his phone to the chair in front of him.
*End Phone Call*
“Is she mad?” James asked, laughing in his chair, to which Alex responded with a raised middle finger. “And what will you do? If she’s angry, you won’t be able to get close to her.”
“That’s not my concern,” Alex shot back, making his way to his designated seat. “My real problem is if I don’t go with Niall, I’m pretty sure he’ll want to quit, and that would be worse for everyone.
That guy was overly sensitive about his ridiculous parties. Alex knew he would try to bring escorts to entice him, rolling his eyes at the thought.
“Well, uncle Alex, if you end up sleeping with one of those girls, forget Nina forever,” James said, raising his hands in mock surrender.
“I’m well aware!” Alex responded, and he raised his eyes. “Thanks for the warning. Don’t worry; I’ll keep an eye on her at the party. Ian Smith is hosting again,” James hummed, frowning.
“Is it that the guy who took Nina to his room last time?” Alex interrogated, to which James nodded. “Shit,” Alex muttered, recalling Nina’s previous words. “You can’t let her see you at the party,” he insisted, and James looked confused.
“Why not?”
“Nina explicitly asked for no security or supervision,” he murmured, fidgeting with his pen. James laughed incredulously.
“Are you worried she’ll cheat on you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You do realize you guys aren’t together, right?” he reminded, rolling his eyes. “But I don’t think she’s with anyone; I just believe she’ll be indulging heavily in alcohol.”
Thanks to alcohol, the outcome could vary widely, and the thought worried Alex. He looked at his nephew seriously.
“Thanks for your support nephew,” he replied sarcastically, watching James shrug.
“Sometimes a painful truth is more valuable than a pleasing lie,” he said, fiddling with his car keys. Alex ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
The door swing open, revealing Niall, grinning widely.
“I’m heading out,” James declared before exiting, nodding at Niall, who sat down without a word.
“Tonight’s going to be epic,” he claimed, and his smile quickly returned. Alex forced a slight grin. “What’s a night without a bit of fun?” he added, and I shook my head.
“You’re not missing anything by not having had sex this month,” Niall remarked sarcastically, and I simply shook my head. “It’ll be just like old times, when we’d take two girls home, drink, get high, and party until dawn,” he reminisced enthusiastically.
But instead of excitement, I felt nothing upon hearing his words. The idea of getting drunk, or picking up random girls just didn’t appeal to me anymore. My mind kept drifting to images of Nina, intoxicated, surrounded by guys touching and kissing her. My jaw tightened, and I clenched my fists.
I couldn’t go with Niall-I needed to be with Nina.
“I can’t wait,” I deceptively said, observing Niall’s beaming delight. I pressed my lips together tightly and sighed.
This would be one of the longest nights of my life.