Nikki's POV
Yes, we are in my rented unit.
This guy beside me has many excuses not to book a hotel room.
Why here out of all places?
It became more awkward for me.
"Don't be picky. This room is just small. I need to cut my cost, so I rent a small unit. I am just here to sleep, that is why."
"Calm down. I didn't say anything. So where's our bed?" Ezrah asked.
Is he dreaming?
"My bed is there, and you'll be sleeping on the couch. Stop with your illusions." I put a pillow on the couch. "What time are you going home, so I can set my alarm."
"You said you are free tomorrow, right? I'll ask Earl to pick me up in the night."
"You mean you'll stay here for hours?"
"Exactly, baby. I need to wash up now." What a pain in the ass?!
I was fixing my bed when he came out of the restroom without a shirt and pants on.
"I washed my clothes. Help me buy something tomorrow."
"You mean, later? It's around 3 AM already. Sleep for now." Don't look at the flirty guy, Nikki. That would be so wrong.
"Alright. Sleep too." He positioned himself on the couch and browsed his phone.
"Uhm, Ezrah..."
"Yes?"
"Reese..."
"What about phi?"
"You know him? Are you younger than him?"
"Why? Are you jealous? Didn't you witness his wedding earlier?" He chuckled.
"Jealous your ass. I am just asking."
"Let's say Reese is the only friend I have way back. He is kind, but we were never involved in a romantic relationship with each other. You don't have to worry."
"I am not worried. Are you crazy?"
I can't have a normal conversation with Ezrah without him being cocky.
I just lay down on my bed. I am worried about Nigel. We need to be separated because of work. I need to earn faster and have my own restaurant. I will sure shower my brother with anything he wants.
"Baby, who are you texting? What did I tell you? Never to chat with anyone. Who is that?" I woke up with this dream again. Shit! Why is he mad in my dreams, but it still sounded sweet to me?
I grabbed water from the fridge.
"Baby..." Is Ezrah dreaming too?
Baby? Who could be his baby? I don't care.
"Don't you fucking leave me," Ezrah spoke again.
That voice! The way he talked in his dreams sounded so familiar. What is this?
I walked closer to him. He is sweating a lot. I grabbed a towel and wiped him.
"I'll find you no matter where you are." Ezrah is panting hardly.
I shook his shoulder. "Ezrah! Wake up! Wake up!"
He opened his eyes and hugged me tightly. "He left." He was catching his breath.
"Are you okay?"
"He fucking left. What should I do?" He is close to crying.
I don't know how to comfort other people. I just let him rest on his shoulder while I rubbed his back.
"It's okay. It's just a dream." I wiped his face again.
"It feels real. In my dream, I was so in love with a guy, but he left me. We were in the resort, and he was suddenly gone. My heart hurts so much. I can't understand."
"Do you always have this kind of dream?" I asked him. Maybe, like me he was also tied to someone.
"My dreams used to be always happy, but I don't know why I am having this kind of dream tonight. Maybe because I was too tired. I am sorry. Did I scare you? I am weird, right?" Ezrah is still teary.
I can understand him. I have weird dreams too.
"No, you are not weird. I'll get you water. Wait here."
I gave him a glass of water.
"Go back to sleep."
"Can I sleep with you?" He asked with no trace of joking on his face.
"Shut up! Don't start." I yelled.
"I won't touch you. I promise. I am just not comfortable sleeping alone right now." He added. The way he asked me was full of sincerity.
"I'll kill you if you dare touch me."
He raised both of his hands. I took his pillow and put it on my bed.
"Watch out your hands. I swear it will be your last day if you lay a finger on me."
I positioned on the corner, farthest possible from this guy. I am sleepy, and I have no work later, so I plan to sleep longer.
I woke up feeling warm. Ezrah's hace is too close to mine. I looked down and saw his arm wrapped around me. Fuck!
I kicked him hard.
"I told you not to touch me," I yelled.
"I just hugged you like because you were asking that earlier. You keep calling me babe and saying that you are cold. What the hell?" He grunted in pain. "How can you be so cruel to the guy who just helped you to feel warm?"
"I didn't ask you." I looked at my phone, and it was freaking 2 PM already.
I had a long sleep. I must admit that it was so comfortable. I never sleep for that long.
How could this be?
"You wouldn't at least say sorry? Injured here." Ezrah asked.
It's his fault.
My phone rang loudly.
"Who is that?" Ezrah asked. He was glaring at me. What is wrong with him?
"You don't have to know." I raised a brow.
He grabbed my phone.
"What the fuck is that?" I yelled.
"Just answer when I am asking." He checked my phone. "Your brother."
He handed it back to me.
"What is wrong with you?" I bumped into him and went to my mini living room.
He was left there, grabbing his hair with annoyance.
"Yes, baby?"
"I miss you, mom. I am done with assignments. Uncle Earth is sleeping. He let me watch cartoons for now."
Nigel told me.
"Have you eaten? I'll go home on Saturday morning. I miss you so much. I love you."
"I love you, mom. I am done eating. Are you okay there? No one is bullying you?" My little brother asked me.
I looked at my bully, who was still sitting on the corner of my bed.
"No one is bullying Nikki. You don't have to worry about me. I can scare them."
"Bye2, work hard. See you on Saturday."
Shit! I miss Nigel so much.
"Hey, let's talk," I asked Ezrah.
He sat in front of me.
"Why are you acting that way? What is wrong with you?" I think I know already, but we have to talk about this.
"I said I like you." He looked straight into my eyes.
"I don't like you, Ezrah. Please don't waste your time on me. Go home and don't go back here. Please?" He is ruining my plans in life. I can't like anyone.
I don't deserve to like anyone.
"I am in love already. It's not you, Ezrah."
He grabbed my chin. "Look at me, Nikki. I said I like you. I don't give a fuck if there is someone you love. You have to like me. I am not giving you an option. Don't tell me to stop seeing you. Same as you, don't tell me what to do." He moved his face closer and whispered to my ear. "If I see you with someone else, I swear you are going to regret it." He stood up and patted my head.
"You are crazy, Ezrah."
"I am aware of that. What's our lunch?"