No sooner had Nick left thew firm than he made a beeline for the woman who had driven the
Mercedesst time.
In the cozy corner of a quaint café, Nick had a stark transformation. The arrogance that clung to him in
the firm dissipated into a subdued gloom, his face etched with the weight of the world.
Across from him, the woman reached out and sped his hand. “Nick, what’s wrong?”
He looked at her, a picture of helplessness. “The court session was yesterday. My wife. didn’t have a
leg to stand on, no evidence to speak of. They couldn’t take their frustration out on me directly, so they
went and smashed my car.”
As he spoke, there was no trace of anger in his eyes, only deep sorrow.
The woman patted his hand in aforting gesture, and Nick continued, “I just don’t get it. Why are
Lexi’s family so hell-bent on making me the scapegoat? Why take it all out on
me?”
“We’ve been married for over two years, and Lexi’s health issues meant we couldn’t have kids. Not
once did my parents or Iin. We didn’t want to pressure her, so we never even mentioned
children around her.
“I think Lexi must have acted out of guilt, and I’m heartbroken about it. I’ve spent my days working or at
the hospital taking care of her, shouldering the medical bills alone. I can’t fathom why her parents won’t
let up on me.
“I can sympathize with them, to an extent, but I’m my own person, raised by loving parents. Why are
they trying to drag me down, even going as far as to smash my car?”
Nick’s face was the very image of grief as he spoke.
Seeing his spirits low, she held his hand tightly. “Nick, some people are just selfish. Don’t take it to
heart. As long as your conscience is clear, that’s what matters. Besides, if they want to frame you,
they’ll need evidence. They can’t just use you without proof.”
Nick nodded morosely. “I know. I just wonder when this whole farce will end. I hope Lexi wakes up soon
so they’ll have nothing left to say.”
The woman remained silent. Then, reaching into her bag, she pulled out her Mercedes SUV keys and
ced them in his palm. “Look, Nick, with your car smashed, getting around must be a hassle. Take
mine and use it for now.”
Nick tried to hand back the keys immediately. “I can’t do that, Piper,” he protested.
Piper was a 34-year-old divorced woman, an entrepreneur with her own start-up and six years Nick’s
senior. They had met at a gym. She pushed the keys back into his hand and insisted, “Nick, no
formalities between us, okay? Besides, I have more cars than I can
09.15
drive. Just take it and use it for now.”
She followed up, “By the way, is your wife’s medical bill covered?” She then took out an envelope filled
with cash and handed it to him. “I happen to have two thousand here. Take this for now, and if it’s not
enough, you have to tell me.”
“Piper,” Nick looked at her, moved.
She pushed the money and the keys toward him and said sternly, “If you think of me as your friend, cut
the courtesy.”
Nick held the car keys and the cash tightly, expressing his sincerity, “Piper, I’ll pay you back.”
“We’ll talk about thatter,” she replied.
Not long after pocketing the money and keys, they left the café and headed to a nearby hotel.
It was past six in the evening, the sky darkening, when they emerged from the hotel. Nick looked visibly
drained, a clear sign that the afternoon had taken its toll in exchange for the cash and the luxury of the
Mercedes.
“Wow, over seven hours. That’s quite a marathon,” Keegan muttered to himself as he captured their
exit with his camera before heading back.
Meanwhile, Estre had arrived home from work to find an early surprise – Jason was already there,
donning an apron and bustling about the kitchen. Leaningnguidly against the doorway, arms folded,
she watched him as if amused by an intriguing spectacle.
Jason turned to find Estre standing there. He greeted her with a start, “You’re back.”
“Sure am,” she replied with a smile, eyeing him up and down before gesturing to the kitchen. “What’s
all this?”
“Just felt like it.”
There had been a promise long ago, one where Jason had vowed to cook for Estre. But after a
fallout, that promise had remained unfulfilled.
Lately, things had been good between them. Just the previous night, Estre had taken the initiative,
which had left Jason in high spirits all day. So, he hade home early to cook for her.
Estre smiled. Then, trying to mimic Jason’s usual stance, she attempted to rest her chin on his
shoulder but found him too tall. She poked his back with her chin, “Crouch down a bit. I can’t reach.”
Obliging her request, Jason spread his legs and squatted slightly, bringing his height down
09:45
to her level. With his adjustment, Estre easily rested her chin on his shoulder, arms still folded. It felt
good.
ncing at the stir-fry in the pan, she looked up at Jason. “Did you have Nick’s car smashed?”
N?velDrama.Org content.
Jason kept his focus on the cooking, casually responding, “You’re awyer; you should know your
words carry weight.”
Unfazed by his non-admission, Estre nted a quick kiss on his cheek. Such were the dynamics of
their rtionship – when things were good, she’d recall all his kindness, willing to give him her all. But
when things turned sour, grievances piled up, and a thousand divorces seemed possible in a single
day.
Estre’s peck was met with a look from Jason. “That’s it?”
Just as he added water to the simmering ribs, Estre chuckled and then pressed her lips. to his,
engaging in a passionate kiss. Her lips were soft, and for Jason, it was like indulging in a never-ending
jelly treat from his childhood.
As he stood there, momentarily dazed by her affection, Estre teased with a smile, mimicking his
usual approach by prying open his lips to let her tender tongue inside.
Jason’s throat tightened as he reached out and pulled her into his embrace.
What followed was a passionate storm. They kissed so intensely that the world seemed to blur around
them. Jason nearly had Estre’s clothes off her in the heat of the
moment.
Estre’s palm struck the back of his hand. “Marie and the rest are just outside,” she reminded him with
a mix of annoyance and urgency in her voice.
Her resistance only fueled Jason’s desire as he pulled her closer for another fervent kiss. The insistent
buzz of his phone in his pocket finally forced him to let her go.
Estre touched her swollen lips, then nced down. She caught sight of the name shing on his
phone screen. Looking up, her eyes met Jason’s with an unspoken
question.