C24 Bygones be bygones

Days after the episode between Grace and Nickolas in the Library. Grace kept to herself. she avoided him at all costs. she slept in the mornings and went into Neils's room early to kiss him goodnight before Nickolas came home.

She knew at some point she will have to talk to him but she didn't feel up to it, and how would she explain to him why she felt offended by his suggestion? why did his choice of words hurt her?"

Meanwhile, at the office, the secretary peeked into Nickolas's door and cleared her throat as she stepped inside.

"Sorry to disturb you, Sir. I know you said you didn't want to be disturbed, but Miss Oxton is here to see you." she blushed in embarrassment.

He immediately straightened in his chair and looked up at his secretary. not believing her words. then quickly composed himself.

"It's Okay Joyce, please bring her in."

he was surprised at the secretaries announcement. her of all people. at his office.

when the door opened, it put a stop to his thoughts.

Amelia waltzed into the office looking like she just stepped out of a fashion catalog.

she was wearing an off-shoulder dress that hugged her every curve. she had a small purse under her arm and carried a gift bag with the other. He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat when he saw her gorgeous legs where her dress stopped above her knees. the gift bag made him wonder if it was his birthday and he forgot.

"I come in peace and to prove it, here's my peace offering." she put the gift bag on the desk, her gaze matching his.

Nickolas didn't know what to make of the situation. since their breakup, Amelia had vanished. she never confronted him about his breakup note. and now here she was.

looking desirable in front of him. her unique scent filled his massive office, enveloping him in its warm embrace.

"What brings you here Amelia?" he asked relaxing in his chair, as he braced himself for the worst, the confrontation he expected to follow.

"I just arrived in town, and thought I should pop in. wanna grab some lunch?" she was smiling at him. her eyes filled with hope. "For old time sake," she added when she saw him lift his brow.

Nickolas's demeanor changed at her words. he allowed himself to relax.

"Where did you have in mind?" he asked casually getting from his chair and walking around his desk to where she was seated. he had made his decision.

Once they were seated at the restaurant Nickolas ordered their drinks before passing the menu to Amelia to order their mains.

there was something familiar about the setup. when they were in a relationship, they ordered meals for each other.

On his second glass of wine, ideas of returning to the office came in drips and drops.

On his third glass of wine, Nickolas could feel the week's tension melting away and realized he had missed Amelia. Halfway through their meal, they were chatting about old times as if nothing happened.

On his fourth glass, he did not object when she suggested that they go upstairs to her room for coffee.

He paid their bill and they left hand in hand like old friends.

Her apartment was spacious and smartly furnished. he couldn't help but notice that although the place was beautiful, it lacked her signature decor style, he wondered if she had fallen on hard times.

Amelia brought out two glasses and a bottle of wine.

"I got this from the south of France, And kept it for a special occasion." she voiced before he could object. Nickolas only chuckled at her words and raised a glass for her to fill.

She sat on an armchair facing him. there was an alluring elegant look about her, that short, glossy blonde hair, and the sparkling eyes. she added more to the look that day by adding diamond stubs to her ears and showed off some skin in a one-shoulder dress. Nickolas's mouth watered just looking at her, her long legs close enough to his knees where he was sprawling on the couch.

"I should apologize about the way things ended between us," Nickolas said softly, having a hard time focusing on her face.

"Today, let's let bygones be bygones." her eyelashes flickered seductively.

"Today we celebrate a new friendship."

It was barely past three in the afternoon and they were already on their second bottle, any talks of going back to the office long forgotten.

he took off his jacket and put it on the armrest.

He felt her smooth leg brush against his calf but tried to push the thought out of his mind.

Nickolas knew it was a mistake, but how was he to resist Amelia when she was hell-bent on a mission? the fact that they were both drunk and she was oozing sexual charm didn't help either.

Nickolas pulled her towards him on the couch and she came flying and fell on top of him. he pressed his lips against hers, and enjoyed an intense kiss. his hands worked under her dress.

her breasts spilled over the tight c-cups that supported them and filled his palms, her nipples were as hard as marbles.

"Amelia." his breathing was short. "I think we shouldn't..."

"Shhh" she moved his hands from her nipples and replaced them with his mouth. she moaned as his mouth worked his magic on her sensitive nipples.

The phone rang and jolted him back to reality. He fished it out of his pants pocket and James' name flashed on the screen.

"Sorry, I have to take this," he said as he got up from his comprising position on the couch.

Amelia rolled off him with annoyance at the disturbance. he cleared his throat as he swiped right on his phone sitting on the armchair.

Leaving a naked and disappointed Amelia on the couch trying to pull her dress around her spilling breasts.

His face had on a frown as he listened to James on the other end of the phone, he wondered if something had happened to Grace. but what James had to say on the phone was far worse than Grace relapsing. it tore his world in two.

When he got off the phone, his was as white as a sheet. he tried to swallow but his throat felt as dry as a dessert. When Amelia saw the change in his demeanor, she knew without asking that their happy time had come to an end.

Amelia went into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water and gave it to Nickolas, who looked worse. but, after taking a sip. it seemed to bring him back to reality. and notably over-sober.

He called his driver to come and pick him up while he got himself presentable again.

"Is everything okay?" Amelia ran after him like a child afraid of being left alone.

He stopped for a minute and looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"I need to get home, thank you for lunch." he kissed her on her forehead. He took his wallet and phone and walked to the door and left.

When the door closed behind him. Amelia threw a pillow in rage at the closed door.

"Damn that stupid girl! Damn her!" she couldn't control the dam tears that broke out.