"That's life — whichever way you turn, fate sticks out its foot to trip you." -Martin Goldsmith & Martin Mooney

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ALEX POV

Smith Law Firm, Barcelona, Spain

As soon as I walk in, I held the urge to look at her. I wanted to look casual. I can see from my peripheral vision that shocked in her face, looking damn flabbergasted.

She rose from her seat with her Attorney, still looking stunned.

"Alex this is Ms. Nicole Rivas and her Attorney, Mr. Augusto Marquez," My Attorney introduced. After we said our pleasantries, her emerald green eyes were staring at me coldly as I meet her eyes matching her cold gaze.

"Ms. Rivas, Mr. Marquez, this is Alexander Morrison, the new CEO of the Rivas Hotel Chains." I shook Mr. Marquez hands first.

"It nice to meet you, Mr. Morrison," her Attorney greeted anxiously. He looks like he's in his mid 50's, short and stout. I shook his hands still wearing my cold exterior.

Deep within me, I could feel my heart beating loudly. It felt like it will burst out any moment. God how I missed her. She looks so stunning in her majestic green mini dress top with a three-fourth sleeve blazer and paired it with black open toe pumps. No signs of the girl I used to know before. In front of me was the refined Nicki.

"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Morrison." She said softly, contradicting her tone and facial expression as she stretched her hand, her eyes were blazing this time.

I stood my ground. Meeting her blazing emerald green eyes, I took her hand for a handshake. "A pleasure is all mine," Ms. Rivas I replied nonchalantly, with a non-committal cold tone, with my face giving nothing away.

I felt her squirmed when our hands touch, but she hastily gained her composure before the two notice it.

"Please seat down." Mr. Smith motioned his hand to the armchairs and he took the seat across Mr. Marquez. I took the one across Nicki. She was avoiding my gaze. I was watching her closely. She looks tougher now than I thought. Her emerald green eyes look so beautiful, it matches her dress.

*****

NIKKI POV

"When Alex walked in the room, the feelings I felt for him rushed like a lightning throughout my system. The place shrunk and I felt suffocated. Just him inside made my breathing beats twice than its normal.

I was stunned, shocked. He looks devilish than before. He matured a lot and he grew more inches. He was really tall, about 6'6 or more. I am 5'9" but I look shorter beside him. His built was more pronounced now, bulging muscle in all the right place. Even in his well-tailored suit, you could tell how hard those muscles hidden in his suit. His perfect face that I always dreamed was more irresistible. I wanted to run my fingers on his tiny stumbles around his chin.

I pulled myself together and tried to shake off my wayward thoughts as I looked at him coldly.

Never in a lifetime, I would think he's the new CEO, but the thought of him getting a revenge on my father made my blood boil.

Is this another part of his revenge? He already got it! What else would he want?

I could feel the anger rose in my chest. I wanted to strangle him. He was looking at me coldly matching mine. If only look can freeze, the whole goddamn place had been freezing including the two attornies.

It's really unnerving that I can't read his eyes. Did he miss me as much as I missed him? Did he even think about me?

I didn't realize I was staring at him furiously, my eyes are blazing, unconsciously setting him on fire, if only I could.

When Mr. Smith asked them to sit he took the chair across me. That bastard. He still have the face to show me after what he did to me and now to my father.

"Why do you still need me here if you already had the company?" I fire straight away without any ceremony.. To get this over with and get the hell out of the room. Away from him.

"Do you want to reclaim back your company and your house?" Alex asked nonchalantly, sizing me up intently. I squirmed inwardly with those piercing stare that he spared me. It was piercing through my soul and I felt naked within.

"Of course, who wouldn't want it?" I chortled sarcastically giving him a very cold look. "Is there any other way, anyway?" I continued not changing my cold sarcastic tone.

"Work with me for a year," he blurted out as he smirked evilly. That smug in his face that I so wanted to wipe it out with my knees. God, it's been years since I last visited a boxing gym. It would be nice if his face could be my punching bag.

I abruptly stood up on my feet in exasperation. I knew this is all his scheme. "This is ridiculous!" I spat glaring at him venomously. As much as I wanted to sound cool and professional, but hell, I can't seem to control my temper. Just his mere presence, it sets my temper on fire, and what's frustrating most, is that my body affected too easily by just a mere stare.

"Sit down Nicki." Mr. Marquez apologetic voice reaches my ears as he pulled my hand to motioned me to sit, which I obliged but not breaking my furious gaze at him. He didn't flinch, still wearing that detach cold aura. I don't know what he was thinking and it really frustrates me to no end.

"It is ridiculous to let you work for him for just a year and after then you can reclaim all your properties, Ms. Rivas!" Mr. Smith piped in acidly. He wasn't into the idea. I know Mr. Smith doesn't like me and I don't care.

"Is this part of your revenge?" I blurted out as I clenched my hand, ignoring the snob attorney.

His eyes twitched and his lips thinned in anger. Without breaking his gaze on me, he stood up. "I would like to talk to Ms. Rivas in private, gentlemen," he announced coldly which made the two scrambled on their feet out of the room. I wanted to pull Mr. Marquez's hand and stay with me. I don't want to be with him alone in a confined place.

I stood up abruptly thinking to follow them, but before I could make one step he talked bitterly. "You have changed a lot Nicki," his first word as soon as the door close. "You're totally different from the Nicki I know," he remarked as he put his hands deep down his pocket and pace back and forth.

I ignored his assertion. "Is this was another part of your revenge, Alex?" I asked acidly. In an instant, he was beside me. He grabs my shoulders in a tight grip and I wince, then he shook his head lightly. "No!" he growled. "That was my plan at first because I loathed your father. I despised him with every fiber of my body!" he declared bitterly. I winced at his words, hatred laced in every single word. "But, I found myself falling in love with you each day Nicki, and then I forget all about the revenge. All I wanted is you," he admitted with his voice softening at the end of his words, and he heaved a long hard and hurtful sighed. He dropped his hands on his side, then he steps back.

"Until that day you heard me and Annabel. She was too tenacious to know what's the truth, I told her it was my first plan but it all changed one day and she can't accept it. So to shut her up, I just said yes, but I didn't mean it," he stared at me his eyes shows so many emotions, but I knew he is controlling his anger.

I shook my head in disbelief. I can't believe he already knew me and my father but he never told me. I can't believe I was living with a lie.

"Why do I need to work with you?" I asked changing the topic. It's pointless to open it up. It's done and it won't change the situation now, crossing my hands on my chest.

"I can't find a reliable secretary plus I know your father will be happy to get the company back. I wanted to give it back to you to make it up to you," he answered thoughtfully.

Is it enough to trust him, again?

"After a year what happened next?" I asked watching him intently.

"Then you'll get back the company and your house. I will give the papers back to you with my signature of transfer. You have my word," he reassured.

"When do you want me to start?" I asked sourly. I know I will be putting myself, rather my heart in danger. I don't know how long can I hold back my feelings for him.

"Until you're settled here. I want you to live next to my place because I will be needing you 7 days a week. I already asked someone to find you a place no farther than a mile to my penthouse," he explained casually as if he's just talking to some kind of a small thing.

For Pete's sake, my dad is ill and he'll be needing my attention seven days a week? What happened now to taking my own father? Is he also planning to take my attention away of him? "My dad is ill Mr. Morrison. And, I wanted to take care of him. How could I do that if I work seven days a week? Be reasonable enough!" I scowled.

He just stared at me with the same impassive stare, with his hands resting deep down his pockets. "I will hire another private nurse to look after him so you don't have to worry about him," he stressed out nonchalantly which made me more furious. How could he say that like it's just a simple thing?

"I am his child, and I am responsible for him. I wanted to nurse him until he recuperates back to his normal health. I graduate nursing so I know what to do!" I insist incredulously, the crease line on my forehead getting too prominent.

"I'm not hiring just a nurse Nicki. I'm hiring the best nurse in town. You're maybe a nursing graduate but you never work as a nurse, didn't you?" he grumbled giving me that warning stares that even the tiger would cower in fear. "So who's unreasonable here?" He scoffs. His cold demeanor is making me cringed inside all the more.

"Then, let me, at least, stay in our house!" I bargained in determination, as I dropped my hands on my side.

"On the weekend or not at all," he negotiated dismissively.

I walked back to the leathered chair and plopped down. I could feel my legs starting to shake. I will collapse anytime if I don't sit. I mentally count as I exhale and inhaled. My whole body is shaking in anger. I close my eyes and leaned back as I think of good things to relax my muscles. I don't know but I felt suddenly weak and shaky.

I felt him occupied the next chair beside me, but I didn't bother to open my eyes. I continued counting in my head as I did my usual routine when I feel discomfort. "Are you ok Nicki?" I heard his worried voice as he held my hands? That familiar sensations that I completely wanted to bury rushes like waves and that strong desires that only him could trigger were set on fire. Then, I felt his palm touch my cheeks. The overwhelming feelings courses throughout my body again making me feel vulnerable. "Please tell me you're okay, Nicki?" his voice were beyond worried. I opened my eyes and met his. He was hovering over me. His eyes were full of worries and longing, or maybe I was just seeing things differently, or because it's what my hearts were screaming for, longing for him.

I want him to hold me and tell me that everything is okay. I want to feel his lips on mine again. My eyes involuntarily traveled down to his luscious natural red lips. "Look at my eyes, Nikki. Otherwise, we will both regret it," he hissed gutturally.

My eyes automatically whipped back upward to his. He was staring at me intently. I could smell his breath. I felt like I am drowning with his scent.

He bent his head and I squirmed. How in the hell he was already so close to me? I didn't realize how close are we until I smelt his sexy breath. I was alarmed. I don't want him to know that I could easily surrender to his charm. I broke the spell. I quickly pushed him gently as I stood up. "I'm Fine Mr. Morrison!" I said reassuringly. He groaned in displeasure.

"I will ask my driver to pick you up from your house in three days, Ms. Rivas and move to your new place, across my penthouse," he announced icily. His coldness is back.

"Do I have a choice?" I scoffed as I smirked at him. He just looked at me coldly. He seems like he wanted to add something but he dismissed it.

"I'll see you in three days!" he stated dismissively and walk to the door but before he closes ... "I don't want that ring in your finger either!" then he closes the door before I could respond. I huffed in frustrations.

I saw him talk to Mr. Smith and Mr. Marquez for a bit then he left. I grab my purse and walk out of the door.

"Thank you for coming, Ms. Rivas!" Mr. Smith smiled as he stretched his hands for a final handshake which I gladly took it and left the building.

I walked briskly to my car waiting at the parking lot. Mr. Marquez was left to talk to him. Before I reach my car, I saw Alex on the phone standing beside an Audi R8 coupe. Decisively, I walked closer to him. "Do you have a minute, Mr. Morrison?" I grit out, rather huffing, not caring if I'm being rude. I rested my two hands in my hips.

He turned around to face me with his phone still on his right ear, as he watched me coldly.

"I'll call you back, Alana. I'm being cornered here with a lioness," he chuckled in amusement as he ended the call, which made me more furious.

He leaned his back against his car and crossed his hands against his chest. He looks like one of those models you could see on Calvin Klein or Armani suit model. My heart leaps at the sight of him. He was watching me with amusement. I almost forgot why I approached him.

"You already took me away from my father, and now you want me to take this ring out of my finger. The only thing that reminds me of my mom, you wanted to take it away too? Is that how heartless you are?" I cried out. I can't contain my emotions anymore. He was alarmed. He quickly straightened himself and walk closer to me.

He was so close to me, and my breathed hitch. The tears still streaming down my face. He pulled me into his chest and hugs me tight. He nuzzled his nose in my head. I felt more vulnerable and I hated it. The thoughts of mom really bring me to the edge. Makes my emotions like a whirlpool. It changes rapidly, from zero degrees to 360 degrees.

And again, I hate how my body would respond positively with him. I felt secured in his arms. And it's not surprising that I just wanted to stay, caged in his strong arms, feeling at home. God, I love him so much. It hurts that we can't control the situation. It hurts that our family dirty secrets had to intervene. "I'm sorry Baby!" his last word made me more emotional. It felt like it was just yesterday. It felt so good.

He pulled me away from his chest but his hands rested around my waist. He looks at me with his eyes full of longing. He wipes my tears with his fingers and then he kissed my damp eyes and just the simple gesture made my heart flipped, doing summersaults, cartwheeling crazily inside my ribcage or how the books describe this crazy beating of my heart.

I completely forgot where we were. We were both oblivious with our surroundings. All we could hear was our heartbeats racing. "You can still wear that ring if that makes you happy," he smiled. For the first time, I saw him smile.

"Thank you," I replied softly. He was just watching me. Embarrassment suddenly hits me. "I have to go, I'll see you in three days, Mr. Morrison," I said casually trying to remind myself that the guy I was facing right now wasn't the guy I used to love. And I knew he doesn't love me. I still doubted his intention. I reluctantly pulled myself from his hold and I walked back to my car without looking back.

As soon as I'm inside my car, I let out a loud relieved sigh. That was the most exhausting meeting I have ever done. Dealing with Alexander Morrison is pretty tiresome. I pat my shoulder for keeping my feelings aside and for holding on while dealing with the devil whom my heart was longing to see and hold for a long time. Although, just a moment ago, I almost lost it. I sighed again.

I started the engine and left the place. Not long I'm pulling inside the driveway. I went straight to my dad's room. It's already 11:30. I didn't realize we had talked that long.

I saw dad sitting in his chair while watching his favorite show. He looks ten years older than his age. He lost weight. According to the doctor, my dad is suffering from depression. He loses interest in activities that were once pleasurable to him. He loses his appetite that's why he lost so much weight. He had problems in concentrating or remembering details or making decisions which made me feel so remorseful. I blamed myself for all of this. I knew he was hurt and blamed himself for mom's death but I never thought he'll end up like this.

Gone is the tough, confidence guy I know. He looks vulnerable. My heart clenched at the sight of him. "Mi prinsesa, come in!" he beckons with his wide smile but it didn't reach his eyes. His sorrowful eyes were staring at me.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" I asked cheerfully trying to sound excited.

"Sure," he agreed happily. I saw his eyes lit in happiness. I saw hope. I thank God it's not too late.

I hold his hand while we headed downstairs to the dining room.

"Will you stay with me for good, mi prinsesa?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes, papa. And, I will work and recover all our properties back," I promised as I look at him smiling sweetly.

"You don't have to do that, mi prinsesa. Just work and save for you and get married. Give me grandkids so that this old man will be happy and have something to fret," he laughed heartily which made my heart clenched for the thought that it would never happen.

"You have to get back to your old self, papa and be there when I marched down to the altar," I grinned playfully. I didn't know where those thoughts come from but I had to motivate him.

"Of course, I will! I will be the one to walked you down to the altar," he proclaimed proudly with his booming laughter.

I smiled. We reached the dining room. The food was already served. Selina came out from the other door leading to the kitchen, with a big bowl of soup. She served it close to where my dad seated. I thanked her and I put some wonton soup in dad's bowl. Dad's love Asian food.

"Eat more papa, so you gained more weight. You need it if you want to play with your grandkids. You need more energy," I smiled sweetly.

We ate happily as we exchange silly stories. Dad ate a lot which I'm grateful. The afternoon went by smoothly.

I helped dad went to bed before I retire the evening to my own room. I called Mara. She's married to Nicolas, I was so surprised the two ended up together. Frederick and Lilian broke up when they both entered University. Frederick went to New York to finish his degree while Lilian got a scholarship for Fashion in London where she pursued her longtime dream to be a Fashion designer and a model.

Carla is working with Sean in New york. Sean helped his dad running their Telecommunication company and Carla as his PA. They are still dating until now.

I was about to dial Mara's number when my phone rang...

"Nicki's speaking," I started...

*****

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