Chapter 22 - A Great Offer

I poked my head in the tree.
I bucked up.
I blew air out of my mouth.
I was very overwrought. And because he was bent over me, the wind hit his face.
"Oh my, I am sorry!" I covered my mouth.
What does my mouth smell like? I just finished eating.
This is so embarrassing!
"Do not worry! Your breath smells good, anyway!" He giggled.
"Nikolai, thank you! You saved me, again!" I was finally able to be grateful to him.
He clasped my hand. Shocks!
What am I feeling? I feel like I am electrified again.
This current like filled my whole physique and it is transpiring regularly when I am next or near him.
He looked around. He put his cap on my head and we walked.
Later he put me in his car.
"Do not go alone anymore. You are famous! They are all dying to take a picture with you. You should accept it, you are not an ordinary employee anymore." When we were inside the car.
"I am with Ella. We started eating here without havoc and I never thought this would happen." I stared at his handsome face.
He was facing forward so I could stare at him.
"And at least, Ella is with you!" He said suddenly.
"Yes, we are together. We just ate and then we will go home." I imitated him looking in front.
This is the first time I ride in such an expensive car.
I could smell Nikolai's scent inside his car. My heart still does not cease beating abnormally.
Especially since Nikolai and I are all alone here.
Why does he always save me? Whenever I need help, he comes.
I would not be safe without him near me! I feel he is my deliverance.
When I am with him, no one can ever mistreat me.
Is he Kisses' knight in shining armor too?
For sure he is playing like this to his other women. I scowled with my succeeding thought.
I called Ella on the phone to meet me here at the parking lot.
"Let me bring you home," Nikolai told abruptly.
"Oh! Not anymore. Luigi will pick us up." I suddenly refused.
"Fetch?" Ella implored.
"Yes, Ella, he texted me that he is on the way!" I let out.
I got out of Nikolai's car.
"All right, Sir Nikolai, thank you!" Ella saluted Nikolai.
"Thank you!" I smiled and waved.
Then I pulled Ella away.
"You are silly, Eve. Luigi is still at work," she mumbled.
"Oh no! Nikolai's cap, I forgot to return it to him!" When I touched my head I was still wearing his cap.
"You, you are apparent too! You are avoiding Sir Nikolai." Ella's attention.
"Fine, Ella, I will admit to you, every time he is with me I cannot explain how I feel.
My heart will blow up with so much joy. Only now have I felt this way about a man.
You know that! This is also how I felt before when I first met him." I admitted to Ella.
"No doubt, you are in love with him. He is your first love. You loved him from the beginning.
And you cannot just stop your heart from loving him." she clarified.
"But I should not feel this way, right?" I begged.
"Why not? You are not in a relationship with anyone. You do not have a boyfriend since birth.
Sir Nikolai looks single too. What is wrong with loving him?" Ella's litany.
"I have a child! How can I make him understand my situation?
Do you think that he will believe if he finds out the truth?
Or maybe he will just laugh at me. This is vague!
He went to Budapest and then came home devastated because of a woman.
I know for sure, he still loves the woman." I told her.
"Devastated? Is that how he can be devastated?
When he shaves and gets a haircut, alas, Hulk might even like him.
Then Eve, if the guy loves you, he will also love Nicks." Ella's suggestion.
"I just want to prevent him. I do not want to fall for him forever.
I do not deserve a man like Sir Nikolai." I felt pain likewise.
"You met him before and you unexpectedly met each other again now. Can't we call it serendipity?
Then he has almost the same name as Nikolette, Nikolai. Is it a coincidence? Or more of a destiny?
If ever you will end up together, it looks like you got Nikolette's name from his dad whose name is Nikolai!" Ella chuckled.
"It is only a coincidence! I know his initial is N but I have no idea that his name is Nikolai.
We will not end up together. Please, Ella, do not let me believe in it." I removed the cap.
I smelled it. The scent is seductive.
Why does his aroma even fascinate me?
Their Point-of-Views
"What can we do to give Eve a car?" Nikolai begged Nathan.
"What do you mean?" he clarified.
"She can no longer commute. People were harassing her last night.
Fortunately, I was there. I restrained her away from them. And I just hate the idea that Luigi is following her." He explained with shrug.
"You want to give her a car but you do not want her to realize that I came from you. Is that your issue?" Nathan's assurance.
"If I say that, she will not accept it, right? She is distinct! She is not dazzled by things.
I just want her convenience. Anyway, she is an employee of TvN8 Station." he shook his head.
"Just because she is an employee of your company?" Nathan gave a grin.
"Yes, that's all! She is giving a lot of her potentials and hard work here in TvN8 Station.
I guess, she deserves a reward." Nikolai retorted.
"I think, I have a better idea" Nathan smiled.
The elevator opened.
"Why are we being summoned to the CEO's office?" Ella implored.
"I do not know! The more I want to avoid him, the closer I get to him." I puff out.
Eventually, we arrived at Nikolai's office. I am glad that Sir Nathan is also here.
"So, Eve, a car brand wish to give you a car. It is a Grand Starex model!" And Sir Nathan handed over the brochure.
I checked at it.
"Why would they give me a car?" I unawares inquired.
I caught a glimpse of Nikolai who was just watching our conversation.
"Possibly, they want you to endorse their brand?" Sir Nathan almost asked a question.
"They can talk to my Manager. I do not think I could just accept the car without conversing with my manager." I shrugged.
"Well, maybe because..." Sir Nathan stopped.
"They want to meet you before they talk to you about the contract," Nikolai enunciate.
"How much is the begged beggd.
"One point four something," Sir Nathan answered.
"A million pesos. What could be in exchange if Eve would accept their offer?" Ella mumbled.
"No! No! They will not ask you to do anything in the exchange for the car.
Trust me! I know them. The owner is a good friend of mine." Nikolai rationalized.
"It is for your convenience. You can put all your stuff in there. You can sleep while on your way to your shoot." Sir Nathan also clarified.
"My Manager and I will talk first regarding this offer. I cannot seem to accept if there is no alternative.
We have to know first the replacement for accepting their offer!
I do not perform nasty transactions." I spoke up.
And Ella and I bid goodbye.
Their Point-of-Views
"Wrong move?" Nikolai pleaded.
"She will think about it. There is still hope for her to accept your offer.
Eve is indeed distinct from any other woman." Nathan said with a smile.
"I told you! We are not good actors. We need to think of a new gimmick if ever the first will not work." Nikolai's suggestion.
"I will take care of it! I will try convincing her again." Nathan's assurance.
"I do not want to accept that!" I told Ella.
"Why? You need a car. Luigi cannot pick us up anymore because he is occupied right now." Ella reminded me.
"There seems to be something wrong. I am thinking that Sir Nikolai will pay for the car." I grabbed my head.
"I am not certain about that. Why would he give you a car worth 1.4 million?" she inquired.
"I was shaken by the lightness I thought. I am just assuming.
For sure, if he gives a car he will ask for something in return.
Perhaps, I am just overthinking." I rested deeply.
"Hey! What is going on?" I asked Sittie when I saw them clustered at the same table.
"Because my friend is selling this car." At the same time, King pointed to the photo of a car on his cellphone.
"It is economical, Eve. You know, we think, you need a car." Sittie suggested.
"It was rumored that you were in trouble last night. It is hazardous for you!
It is an advantage if your fans come to you. What if haters will harm you? You might even get injured." Lara advised.
"Lara is right. What if you are unexpectedly stabbed, slapped, or punched. So should buy that car. For your safety and convenience." King added.
"That is horrible! How much is that?" I inquired.
"Seven hundred thousand pesos." He replied.
"What? Oh no! I do not have that much money." I shook.
If only I still have the allowance coming from the couple. I am saving for Nicks' future.
But if something terrible happens to me how can I sustain Nicks' future? I also thought about what they said.
They are right. What if something worse occurred last night?
What if someone dislikes me take my life?
What will happen to Nicks?
I do not want her to experience what I went through.
Her parents abandoned her.
Then will I also disappear?
No! She will not suffer the struggles and difficulties I have encountered.
Nicks will be complete even if I am the only one with her.
I will fill her emptiness. So I have to be thorough!
I must live and be safe for my child.