Chapter 39: conflict
2571words
"Nick..." Ramona tried to say something, but before she could continue, Nick's lips were already touching hers, soft but full of desire. Ramona tried to push Nick's chest away, but instead of pulling away, she just felt a pulse of guilt sneaking into her heart. Hunter's face reappeared in his mind, along with the man's soft voice saying, "I'll fight for you, no matter what."
Nick finally let go of his kiss, looking at Ramona with sparkling eyes. "Am I bothering you?" asked Ramona in a soft voice, trying to distract the mixed feelings within her.
Nick shook his head, his eyes never taking their eyes off Ramona's face. "You never bothered me. I miss you so much." He lowered his head, watching Ramona's face carefully. "Why didn't you go back to my mansion last night? I waited for you all night, even until I didn't get enough sleep," he continued in a tone that sounded like a spoiled complaint.
Ramona smiled faintly, trying to cover up her lie. His hands slowly wrapped around Nick's neck, trying to look relaxed. "Esther has a fever," he said in a tone made up to sound reassuring. "I can't leave him. I'm afraid Hunter doesn't take good care of her."
Nick frowned for a moment, but he didn't ask any further. Instead, with a quick movement, he lifted Ramona's body and sat her down on her desk. His hands rested on the sides of Ramona's body, leaving her with no room to move. Nick's sharp eyes stared deeply into his eyes.
"As punishment," he whispered hoarsely, "what should I do to you?"
Ramona tried to smile even though her heart felt heavy. She knew Nick was completely blinded by his feelings. The man was already so deeply trapped in a web of charm that even Ramona herself wasn't sure she had deliberately spread it. "What do you want to do?" replied Ramona, her tone teasing, trying to keep up with the intensity of Nick's gaze.
A smile appeared on Nick's lips. He lowered his head, his lips starting to run down Ramona's neck. Ramona's hair shifted, giving Nick full access to explore her skin. Unconsciously, Ramona raised her head, as if giving permission. But, in his heart, he continued to speak words that had never been spoken on his lips. I'm sorry, Hunter. Forgive me...
Guilt began to creep in, but right now, she didn't have the courage to stop Nick—or herself.
Nick looked so passionate and wanted Ramona right now, he slowly unbuttoned Ramona's shirt with a kiss that left many marks due to the small bite he gave.
Ramona tried to speak up to make Nick believe that she loved him too. Nick climbed up again to nibble on Ramona's thin lips gently but passionately.
"We're married now, how?" asked Nick making Ramona look at Nick's face with a keen eye.
"I can't yet, not now," Nick started to walk away with his faint smile.
Ramona looked at Nick with a look of surprised eyes. His words stomped his heart, but he tried to remain calm even though his heart was pounding like a war drum. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice calm but wary. "I'm on your side," he continued, trying to calm the mood.
Nick just grinned, a smile that was meaningful but unreadable. Before Ramona could continue, the door to the room opened, revealing two familiar figures to her. Sevano and Jeseline entered, both with expressions as if they were enjoying a show they had been waiting for.
Jeseline clapped her hands slowly, her voice sounding cold as she said, "You're indeed great, Ramona. You really delved into this play. Switching between flirting with Hunter and Nick? What an incredible talent."
Ramona got off the table with a quick movement, her eyes staring at Jeseline with great alertness. "What do you mean?" he asked in a tone that tried to sound firm.
Jeseline just smiled obliviously, didn't answer. Instead, Sevano stepped forward, moving closer to Ramona, while Nick remained seated on the couch, smoking his cigarette quietly, as if the drama unfolding in front of him was mere entertainment.
"I want to test your loyalty to Nick," Sevano said in a cold tone, his eyes staring at Ramona with an intensity that made her feel cornered.
Ramona narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting for a moment to Nick who still didn't care about her. At that moment, Sevano took out his phone, pressed the screen to make a video call. Sevano's cold voice sounded so piercing as he said, "Look at this."
Ramona's face paled when she looked at the phone screen. There it is seen that his mother, who is lying weak in the hospital, is now surrounded by Nick's bodyguards. "How, this is really your mother, right?" asked Sevano with a cynical smile that made Ramona's blood boil.
Ramona was stunned. No one knew of his mother's whereabouts other than Rafle. The murmur echoed in his mind, making him aware that something was playing behind his back. With quick steps, he approached Nick who was still sitting relaxed.
"So this is your reply?" his voice trembled, full of anger that he tried to hold.
Nick exhaled his cigarette smoke slowly, then looked at Ramona coldly. "Then what about you?" he replied, his tone low but sharp. "You betrayed me with Hunter, didn't you?"
Ramona's gaze hardened, she stared at Nick sharply, not believing the accusation. "Oh, so you suspect me? Just because they both said something?"
Nick stood up suddenly, his movements making the air in the room feel even more suffocating. In an instant, he grabbed Ramona's neck with his hands, shaking her with burning emotions. "I wouldn't be affected by their words alone if your attitude didn't make me suspicious!" his voice was low, almost whispering, but carrying a clear threat.
Ramona was not afraid. His eyes stared at Nick sharply, full of determination that shook the man's confidence. "Just because I rejected your marriage?" he asked, his tone full of anger and mockery. "Alright," he continued in a firm tone, "Let's do the wedding now."
His words thundered through the room, making Sevano and Jeseline exchange glances. Nick seemed silent for a moment, swallowing his spit, his grip on Ramona's neck slowly fading. He looked hesitant, his gaze shifting from Ramona to the floor, then in the other direction, as if looking for an answer that didn't exist.
He blushed, adjusted his breathing, tried to regain control of himself. But clearly, Ramona's statement just now had shaken something inside her that she hadn't expected. In that room, tension hung in the air, making everything feel heavier than ever.
Jeseline, who didn't want Nick to be affected by Ramona's words, immediately got off the couch. The heels of her shoes collide with the floor, creating a firm sound that fills the room. He stepped closer to Ramona, his sharp knife-like eyes piercing directly at the woman.
"You're so sure to be with Nick," Jeseline quipped in a sharp, sarcastic tone. "With an alibi to take revenge on Hunter. What makes you so confident, Ramona?"
Ramona looked at Jeseline with a faint grin, her lips curled as if holding a big secret. There was an invisible fire behind her eyes, burning every look Jeseline gave her.
"Then you're alone?" replied Ramona in a low but piercing voice. "Didn't you use Hunter's ally to capture me? Why are you joining Nick now? Is it because Hunter kicked you?"
The remark made Jeseline's face turn tense. His eyes were squinting sharply, his anger clearly visible. However, before Jeseline's emotions exploded, Sevano who was standing nearby immediately stepped forward, grabbing her shoulder gently but firmly.
"Finish your debate, Jeseline," Sevano said in a warning tone, glancing at Nick who was still observing the situation with a sharp but silent look. She knew Nick could have exploded at any time if Jeseline had gone any further.
Sevano turned towards Ramona, his eyes narrowed like a wolf lurking at his prey. "And you," he continued, his voice full of provocation, "think of your mother. You know we won't touch it... If you can convince us that you are really on our side."
The words floated in the air, hanging like an invisible threat. Ramona looked at Sevano and Jeseline alternately with fiery sharp gazes, as if the fire inside her could not be extinguished. However, behind his steadfastness, there was a concern that he hid tightly. He knew that his mother was his biggest weakness, and they were playing him like a chess piece.
Ramona nodded gracefully, ignoring Sevano and Jeseline who stood like two thorns in the path of her life. He immediately turned his gaze to Nick, looking at the man with a look of disappointment and anger burning behind him.
"Are you just going to shut up?" asked Ramona sharply, her voice thunderous but still restrained. "They cornered me and detained my mother just because they suspected me? And you didn't do anything?"
Nick, who had been standing with a cold gaze earlier, turned to speak. But before the words could come out of her mouth, Ramona spoke again, cutting her off with emotion.
"How can I trust you to be my life partner if you don't believe in me yourself?" continued Ramona, her voice trembling slightly, holding back the emotions that were bubbling up in her chest. "You'd rather listen to what your friends have to say than me. You know, it seems like you never took my words seriously back then."
Nick didn't answer, just stared at him with a hardened jaw. Ramona took a deep breath, calming herself down as much as she could. "I'm disappointed in you," he added in a flatter, yet meaningful tone.
Without waiting for a reply, Ramona turned around and stepped out of the room, leaving Nick who could only carve in his place.
Nick growled softly, then threw the cigarette butt that was still lit on the floor before kicking the table in front of him hard. The sound of the banging of the table stomped the room, making Sevano and Jeseline who had been watching for a while feeling satisfied with the drama that had just happened.
"What did I say?" said Jeseline in a mocking tone as she folded her hands in front of her chest. "He's just taking advantage of you, Nick. See how he reacted after seeing his mother with us? Such a woman is unbelievable."
Nick squinted, his anger boiling over, and without a word, he threw a hard slap on Sevano's face. "Who ordered you to hold his mother?!" yelled Nick in a thunderous voice, full of anger.
Sevano rubbed the corners of his lips that were starting to redden, then looked at Nick with a cold look mixed with anger. "You hit me?" he asked in a cold, as if defiant tone. "Just for the sake of defending that woman?"
However, Nick didn't care. He immediately pulled Sevano's collar roughly, bringing it closer until their faces almost met. "Didn't I tell you, Sevano?" shouted Nick, his tone echoing through the room. "Don't interfere in my affairs with Ramona! Let me take care of it. Then who ordered you to detain his mother, huh?!"
Jeseline, who felt the situation was getting hotter, immediately came forward, pushing Nick violently to distance himself from Sevano. "What's wrong with you, Nick? Have you lost your mind? Are you really in love with that?" jeseline quipped angrily.
Without saying much, Nick immediately slapped Jeseline hard in the face. The sound of the slap made the room feel silent for a moment. Sevano, who saw Jeseline being hit, immediately hit Nick back hard. "Don't touch him!" shouted Sevano, his voice echoing with anger.
Nick was shocked by Sevano's actions. He touched his reddened jaw, then chuckled, cynical and cold. "You're defending him?" he asked in a low tone filled with ridicule. "Sevano, you're defending him?"
Nick brought his face closer to Sevano, looking at him with curiosity as well as rage at the peak. "Aren't we the same, Sevano?" he continued in a louder tone. "We both have a taste for women. Then why are you like this? You don't seem to allow me to get Ramona. What's your problem, huh?!" shouted Nick, throwing his question that sounded more like an accusation.
Sevano did not answer. The gazes of the two met, full of anger, ego, and unspoken jealousy. The room is now an emotional battlefield, where every word thrown is a bullet that can be destroyed. Jeseline stood in the middle, trying to calm Sevano, but the situation was already heated, and no one knew who would attack first.
Sevano stood tall before Nick, his eyes staring sharply, full of worry mixed with pent-up emotions. He stepped closer, trying to suppress his voice to stay calm, though it was clear that his tone was full of tension.
"I just want to help you not fall into Ramona's trap," Sevano said, his voice firm but feeling like a final warning. "Can't you see clearly? He's trapping you, Nick. Don't fall into the trap. You'll be destroyed later."
Nick raised his face, looking at Sevano sharply. The look in his eyes hinted that he wasn't going to back down, even though he knew there was a great risk ahead. "I know," Nick replied, his voice low but full of confidence. "I know all that, Sevano."
He took a deep breath, as if trying to calm the turmoil of his own emotions before continuing, "But I can't deny... if I had fallen in love with him."
His words hung in the air, making the atmosphere even heavier. Sevano fell silent, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to read the truth behind Nick's words.
Nick smiled obliquely, in a sharper tone, he added, "The same goes for you."
Sevano was surprised to hear that. He blushed with a stubborn expression, trying to cover up the anxiety that slowly appeared on his face. However, Nick didn't give him time to retaliate.
"Get your men out of Ramona's mother's vicinity," Nick ordered in a cold, authoritative tone. "Don't touch it. I'll take care of all this."
Sevano opened his mouth, as if he wanted to argue, but Nick didn't give him a chance. "Don't interfere in my affairs with Ramona," he continued firmly, his voice like a hammer knocking the end of their conversation. "It's the latter."
Without waiting for a response, Nick stepped away, leaving Sevano and the silence that enveloped the room. The steps sound steady, full of decisions that have been unanimous. Sevano could only look at Nick's back that was moving further and further away, with an expression full of a mixture of anger, guilt, and confusion.
Sevano cursed and kicked the chair beside him.
"Well, if you don't want to do it, I'll get him out of the vicinity myself," Sevano muttered vengefully.
