Chapter 2 Clara's POV

"Are you done now? We need to head home to glam you up for your fancy date" Nick asked, towering over my desk.

"Thought you don't like Ted" I mumbled.

"I still don't like him. I'm just giving you my support"

"Well thank you" he gave a 'Are you done?' look towards my laptop.

I took the cue and responded "Yeah, trying to round up the remaining invoice for KK's investments" I sighed

"Mehn, that company is the most stressful. They could break a person's bone all in the name of work" I chuckled lightly.

"Perfection" I responded, dreamily singing "Isn't that their motto?"

He hissed "Oh please!" He rolled his eyes. I laughed.

"Alright I'm done" I rose from my desk picking up my bag. "You ready?" I said, shooting my million-dollar smile.

"Never less than ready" he took a poise and sent back a smile. I laughed and entwined my hand in his.

"We look so good together don't we?"

"Silly" I giggled.

The drive home was long, but the music eased a little bit of the stress we had at work.

We finally got to my apartment, Nick always made a stop at my place before going to his.

"Whew! Home sweet home" he breathed and plopped on my sofa. My homey house was always welcoming, giving me the vibe I needed.

The sofa was a cream color complementing a pastel pink wall. The kitchen on the other side of the house, was a shade of grey and pastel green because I loved pastel colors.

"What do you want for lunch? I asked him and walked over to drop my bag inside my room.

"Nah girl I'm pumped.

I want to prove to your baby boy through your dressing that your best friend is doing a better job than him"

"What is your problem?" I laughed. "Ted hasn't done anything wrong"

"You think so?" he spat acting like a drag queen. "Why would he come to date you after all he did to you in high school? He has a secret agenda"

"You're just being paranoid boy. Or maybe hungry" I reasoned.

"I know what I'm talking about. It is I, Nick speaking, not the hunger"

"Mhmmm" I looked at him suspiciously.

"No, really C. I'm being serious, there's this hunch I'm getting and it's not good"

"Alright enough, sugar boy. You need to eat" I pulled him from the sofa.

"She doesn't believe me" he pouted. I threw him a deathly glare.

"Ted is a good guy" I argued and without giving any chance to speak further, I continued "Enough of Ted, how do we make up for our lost hangout?" I walked to the kitchen, pulling out two plates of macaroons and cheese to the microwave.

"Now you're talking" a smile spread across his face, his eyes twinkling with delight.

Nick was an outdoor person while I was the Netflix and chill person, always indoors. It was him and my job that took me outside my house most of the time.

"Currently I don't have a figured-out location yet. So your date today would determine where we would go tomorrow. Maybe a bar, club, fancy restaurant, the park, you know"

"How can the party Nick become clueless in his specialty?" I asked amused.

"One of my specialties. Besides we can be clueless if we have attended all places in town"

"We?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Duh, the party people" he rolled his eyes.

"Oh," I turned to the microwave and took out the food. I turned it into a plate and served it with a glass of orange juice, Nick's favorite.

"Here you go," I said and took mine already in the process of digging and munching the food.

Nick threw me a disgusted look.

"What?!" I fired at him.

"You eat like a pig Clara" he snorted.

"Thank you for the compliment Nick" I rolled my eyes.

"You need to stop eating so wildly, how many times would I tell you this? You are a lady, eat like one" he tried to brush food off my body. 'No wonder you attract people like Ted' he mumbled a little above a murmur.

"Whatever" I rolled my eyes again. "you need to help me out with my outfit, I hope you know that. So hurry up"

I could never get angry at Nick's venomous words, they were as silly as he was. Besides he also made me feel good about myself most times.

"No excuses young lady" he spoke and started eating.

We ate in silence, only taking a few glances, making silly faces, and chuckling. Finally, lunchtime was over.

"Time for glam up!" he yelled melodiously and clapped twice.

"You would make me go deaf and crazy Nick" I spoke, a little bit annoyed.

"Girl, enjoy my company while it lasts. You would miss me"

"You are so unbelievable, Nick"

After a long time picking out outfits, we finally settled on a short flay black net layered gown with bowed straps.

I complemented the gown with silver stiletto heels and a clutch bag, the jewelry was little, just a thin necklace, short dangling earrings, and a bracelet. I did my makeup and Nick did my hair, yeah, one of his specialties as well. He packed my hair into a ponytail with two strands hanging in front.

I did a twirl and Nick cheered, we were ready to go. The date was six and it was already five-fifty.

"Shall we?" he asked giving me his arm.

"Sure" I responded with a smile.

In the car, Nick kept giving me different advice rambling and rambling. I had to shut him out a few times to settle my mind on the love of my life, Ted.

Ted and I were high school classmates, then he barely knew me because he had tons and tons of girls frolicking around him. I, on the other hand, was a nerd who stuck only with Nick.

Most times, I felt lonely because Nick was another school cutie and he was with one girl or another. But I stuck to him since he was the only friend I had who still gave me attention.

Ted, constantly made fun of me with his gang whenever I was noticed. He caused me so much embarrassment and pain until we graduated.

We bumped into each other after college when I was still an intern at M and M and from there our relationship started. Nick never approved of him since he abused me way back, but I have forgiven him and we love each other. That's all that matters.

An abrupt stop jolted me back to the present.

"What the fuck Nick!" I yelled and turned to look at him. He had an extremely shocked face like he had just seen a ghost, I peered closer and turned towards the direction he was staring at. He had bumped into someone's car and the car looked so expensive.

"Damn!" he said finally and jumped out of the car, I followed him.

"C please stay in the car" he pleaded.

"I have to help Nick, let's beg him together," I said to him with fierce determination. Our faces paled when we saw the damage and a handsome stranger leaning on the car. He was screaming luxury, not Nick's kind of luxury.

A billionaire's kind of luxury.