Chapter 34: Highschool

Seven stood at Nicolas' desk, picking up files and organizing them. The temporary CEO had already left the office once the clock hit 7, and Serene was stuck organizing the office. The whole day was boring for the assistant, not having much work to do. The temporary CEO sent him out to do some personal errands, like grabbing lunch and picking out a present for his wife. Being back at the office, he felt a sense of relief. He examined the documents, adjusting them as he heard the door open from behind him, "Nick's not here yet?" Marcel asked, walking in.

Of course. The whole day, Serene dazed out, and he forgot Nicolas returned today.

"No, he hasn't," the assistant responded, "I'm going to head home in a little bit. I'm only fixing the office for when he does come back."

"No need," the voice called, along with the door closing from behind them. The two males turned around, seeing Nicolas standing at the door. His grey sweater wrinkled as he crossed his arms, giving the two a soft smile.

Seven felt his heart drop as if he were jump-scared. His eyes met with Nicks, the corner of his lips curving into a grin. Though, at the same time, his stomach grew ill. Remembering the conversation of yesterday, mentioning the donation party to Marcel, guilt crawled on his skin. His smile disappeared, turning away from the CEO.

Nicolas saw this, mirroring the same expression. He shoved his hands into his jean pockets, walking towards his desk where the assistant stood, ignoring Marcel, whose eyes followed.

Nicolas nudged the assistant, getting his attention, "Hey," he whispered, tilting his head slightly, "Something happened?" he asked, his voice soft.

Seven furrowed his eyebrows, not turning to face the CEO. His throat grew stiff as he opened his mouth, "Nothing happened," he stated, turning to him, "I'm going to go home." He turned away from Nick, not sharing a glance at him. The assistant's stomach turned, not making eye contact with neither of the older men in the room. The voice in his head kept saying that if he stays longer, the conversation from yesterday would eventually bring up.

It was a lost cause, really. Usually, Seven would stay behind to get involved, but anxiety kicked in. Seven was aware that Nicolas wanted to keep the topic hidden from Marcel, and the assistant feared that this was something he could get fired for.

Nicolas and Marcel both saw the assistant walk out the door. Nicolas's legs trembled underneath him, wanting to follow his assistant and talk to him.

"Nick," his friend called. Nicolas turned to him, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "Marcel!" he mocked, turning around to his desk and reviewing the documents.

"How was the vacation?"

At the mention, Nick's heart dropped.

*The Vacation.*

His eyes fell to his shoes, recalling what he had told Victoria last night, "Marcel," he started. Nick turned to his friend, with sorrow in his eyes, "Victoria uh... our parents decided to move the wedding to next Tuesday."

Marcel's arms dropped, his smile fading at the news, "Wonderful," he sadly commented, "And... did you think about it as I told you to?"

Nicolas narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth, but nothing came out. He didn't know what to tell Marcel - mostly because he wasn't aware of the stuff that his friend already knew.

The lawyer sighed, keeping his eyes on him, "Can I tell you something?"

Nicolas didn't respond, but he nodded slightly.

"While you were away, I dropped off your assistant at his apartment. He invited me for coffee, and we had... a conversation."

Nicolas tilted his head, "A conversation?"

Marcel's lips curved into a smile, "Nick, when were you going to tell me that you skipped on an important meeting with WebBaze because you wanted to get in bed with your assistant?" Marcel crossed his arms, chuckling, "That's kind of gay." he taunted.

Nicolas's eyes widen at the mention, "He told you then?" he tsked, "I told him not to say anything. If he told anyone else in this building, I'm in deep shit. How's my father going to react? I can't have anything else-"

"Nick." Marcel interrupted him.

Nick's face was red - either from anger or embarrassment or frustration; he felt sick to his stomach. Marcel stepped towards him, staring at his ocean eyes that appeared dark, "Nick," he repeated, "From this building, he only told me," he reassured, "Why are you mad?"

"Because it was supposed to be a secret, Marcel! You weren't supposed to know!" Nicolas's hands formed a fist, stepping to his friend as well.

"Why wasn't I supposed to know? You could've told me, man! What the hell was I going to do? Make your life more of a hell than it is already?" Marcel shouted back.

Nicolas scoffed, "My life... is fine," he responded, his voice rasped.

"You're fine with going through the marriage?"

Nicolas banged the desk, groaning harshly, "Marcel, back off, alright? You and Seven are up my ass about this shit! I shouldn't have ever mentioned it in the first place."

"Have you gone insane?" Marcel chuckled, seeing his friend grow frustrated. He sighed and stepped back, "Can we talk normally? From friend to friend, listen to me." The lawyer inhaled deeply, keeping his eyes on the CEO, "Do you remember 'Nessa from the junior year?"

Nicolas sat on his desk, rubbing the frustration from his face, hearing Marcel speak, "Yes." he responded softly.

"You two liked each other for months but couldn't date. Do you remember why?"

"Her parents didn't like me."

Marcel nodded, "And I remember the night you snuck out your own house to rant to me about how sick you felt having to see her do stuff she didn't agree with." Marcel bit the inside of his cheek, seeing Nick stare sorrowfully at the ground, "You're putting him through the same thing, man."

"This is different-"

"Well, damn if it is!" Marcel chuckled, frustration in his voice, "You told me this exactly that if you ever chose your dad over anyone that you liked... that I'd slap some sense into you."

"Then slap some sense to me, Marcel, because right now, I'm fucking lost on what to do!" Nicolas shot back.

"Even if I told you what to do, would you listen to me?" Marcel asked, his voice going calm.

The CEO didn't answer.

He sat there, staring at his friend with tiredness built into his eyes.

"Nicolas, if I'm going to say anything right now... it's going to be this," The lawyer stepped forward, glaring at his friend. He gripped onto Nick's collar, forcing him to make eye contact. The two shared a glare as Marcel spoke again, "You pin him, get in bed with him, take him out to eat, and kiss him after giving him a panic attack?" he scoffed, "You've got a huge ego if you think you're going to keep him around after your marriage."

And that's when his breathing stopped for a second. Nicolas felt his shoulders loosen, hearing the same thing he was too scared to imagine: Seven leaving.

Though, he didn't want to imagine it... Nick didn't want to think about anyone else taking his place as his assistant. Nick couldn't go one day without him, the idea of never being with Seven frightened him.

"Realize this now that this isn't high school anymore," Marcel let go of his friend's collar, letting out a sigh, "You can't keep repeating the same mistakes that happen in highschool... And you can't keep telling yourself that once you get with another person, you'll still talk to the one you love." Marcel shoved his hands into his pockets, turning around, facing the door. He didn't expect a response from his friend, but he sure did hope that he at least got him thinking. He walked towards the door but stopped in front of it.

"Did you ever talk to 'Nessa again after she told you her parents didn't want her dating? After you got three more girlfriends after her?"

Of course, Marcel knew the answer.

Nick didn't. Nick never talked to his exes or crushes that he left behind. Though, it was because he didn't treasure them as much as he showcased.

That's what's different from the relationship between 'Nessa and Serene.

Nicolas never treasured any of his girlfriends in the past.

He never took them out to eat or kept them alongside him after sex.

And they sure as hell didn't make Nick second guess himself when it came to agreeing with his father.

"If you want to keep Seven at your side, don't pretend that his relationship with you is the same as everyone else from high school," Marcel turned around slightly, hoping to see a reaction from Nick, "If you want to keep him longer, then act on it."