(Nik's POV)

My morning started off fairly well, despite the fact that I spent most of my evening secretly creeping around Jenna's room, sticking to the corners of the ceiling...hidden in the shadows.

She had turned in rather early with a headache, so I just wanted to be sure that she was alright.

However, most of her evening was spent just sitting on the wingback chair by the fire, seemingly deep in thought, followed by a night of tossing and turning.

How I longed to wrap her in my arms and make whatever troubles her go away...

I arrive downstairs early as always, and begin pacing back and forth anxiously as I wait for Jenna to arrive.

I begin thinking about the first time I ever laid eyes on her and how I watched her all that night, from lovingly unpacking her few worldly possessions to singing a beautiful song.

I fell in love with her an infinite amount of times during those brief, but precious moments.

As that thought crosses my mind, I cannot help but hum the tune aloud...

"Hm, hm, hmmmm...la, la, la, dah, dee, dee, dah..."

Ursula walks in with a tray of goodies for breakfast and interrupts my reverie.

She eyes me for a moment in surprise before speaking. "Milord...I did not know you were a fan of The Lionel Richie."

"The Lionel Richie?" I ask in confusion as well as mild embarrassment at being caught humming a love song.

"You were humming Endless Love, yes?" she asks as she sets the table.

"I'm...not sure," I answer cluelessly, though I do think that the title is rather perfect.

"I am almost certain you were," she smiles before heading back into the kitchen.

Hmm...The Lionel Richie...

I shall have Anton get me every record he's ever made while we're in town today.

Finally, Jenna arrives with her mobile phone in hand, telling me she was taking pictures on her way down.

However, after that brief exchange, I am once again given the silent treatment.

I don't know what I possibly could've done to bring this on, nor do I understand the many intricacies of women...especially human women, so I am trying to be patient.

I just have to hope that she'll come around soon as she always seems to do.

Maybe she is experiencing the human female condition of menstruation...

I learned that it is a monthly, difficult time for them, though it seems rather exhausting and pointless, if I must say so.

Yes, I realize that it is essential for their reproduction, but still...

Even the reward of excess chocolate and salt does not make it sound appealing.

I began reading up on humans...especially human females, since discovering that I have a human mate.

However, often times, I feel none the wiser.

Just another clueless yokel...

We arrive at work and after a brief introduction and tour, I take her to my...our office where I show her what to do.

Two and a half hours pass and I sigh as I surreptitiously watch Jenna while I type.

She seems restless and agitated about something.

How I wish I knew what is troubling her.

A few more minutes pass and Jenna shoots up from her chair, declaring that she needs to use the privy before practically dashing off and slamming the door.

I do hope everything is alright...

I always try to respect her space and privacy; however...I hear her talking.

Why on Earth would she be speaking in the privy?

Is she having some sort of breakdown?

Concern and curiosity gets the better of me and before I can decide against it, I run up onto the balcony above and disappear behind one of the bookshelves that leads to a secret passage.

I quickly disrobe and then morph into a small version of myself, so that I may crawl up and into the vent that leads to the privy.

Damn dust...I'll have to get someone to clean this out.

In no time at all though, I arrive at the grate and take a quick peek to make sure that she's decent.

I certainly have no wish to invade her privacy in that way...

"Do you...have time to talk?" Jenna asks someone on her mobile phone.

I recognize the voice on the receiver as the female friend that she had spoken to on her first night here.

Jenna then proceeds to tell her that she's in over her head here.

Why? Have I made her time here seem that impossible?

She then mentions me...the cause of it all and I frown.

No wonder she's been ignoring me...

Her friend then alludes to coming here to whip my ass in a strange manner.

Humans are rather funny, no?

A few moments of small talk pass before she says something that makes me leap...

"He's...perfect, if there is such a thing," she admits shyly.

Me...perfect???

Yes, yes, yes!!! I think as I spin around in circles, further clogging the dusty vent involuntarily with webs.

She thinks I'm perfect!

But then...she says that I'm...hot...

WOO-HOO!!! Me...hot and perfect! Who would've ever thought? I question as I silently jump up and down with excitement filled joy.

What a winning combination!

She goes on to confess everything to her friend...things I would've given all of my money and castle to know.

Good God, I love this vent!

I shall have it lined with gold!

After it's thoroughly cleaned, of course...

However, she's not sure if I return her feelings.

God...I really failed at that, didn't I?

If she only knew...

I must show her then...from this moment on.

No more dillydallying...

Thankfully, her friend tells her that it's obvious that I like her as well, although she uses some rather odd terms.

Sprung?

Hell, I'll take it, I think as I spring around in my sprung state, trying to be quiet...

But then she tells her friend that she saw the picture I had drawn of her in my room, ceasing my springing...

I knew it! I knew I had smelled her in there!

It was not just my lonely and wanting mind playing cruel tricks on me...

She then tells her friend that I am quite an artist.

I am so glad she liked it.

I would absolutely love to sketch a nude of her someday soon...I think as my venom begins to flow...

Then she calls me Nik, pulling me from my perverse thoughts.

Ahh...I smile. That has a nice ring to it...

Then her friend tells her she's found her future husband.

YES!!!!!! Yes she most certainly has!

If she wasn't human, I'd swear that this friend was a seer...

Then Jenna's look of happiness falls.

"I don't know..." she says sadly, and then goes on to explain our encounter with those smelly, horrid beasts the other day.

Has this been her source of discontent? Thinking that I like tall women?

For the love of all that is holy...

I'm just glad that she didn't understand what those careless fools really meant...

When the friend tells her that she must go, I quickly head back down the vent so that I can morph and redress.

I have just enough time to act as if I was looking for a book as Jenna exits the privy.

I turn, so happy that I can barely contain myself, and ask if she's ready for lunch.

I mean...that's better than me snaring her with my web and pulling her to me...for now, anyway.

"Yes," she smiles, and the way she says it makes me think that she means so much more.

Oh, Jenna...I'm going to give you so much more...you have no idea...

I just hope that Anton found some romantic The Lionel Richie records earlier as I plan to serenade her and finally get my kiss...and maybe more...tonight.

A/N: There you have it...Nik DID spy! His spidery ass could not help himself. Lol Can you just imagine his adorable little self in that dusty vent, all happy and excited? 😂🕷

How do you think his seduction of Jenna will go? Will "The" Lionel Richie help his cause? 😂 Let's all hope...🤞🏻

PLEASE VOTE & COMMENT!!!