Nikolai

4

Kiara POV

I sit with Xahria and Aubree looking at Elora aunty. She has been continuously cooking and baking things in the kitchen.

She is excited and happy that her son is returning home and is going to stay for a week or so.

I hand the sugar powder to Elora aunty as she is making a sweet.

"Ma, Chillax you are over exaggerating!" Xahria said and Elora aunty frowned.

"Exaggerating? I'm just making your brother's favourite food. He said he missed my food," Elora aunty replied.

My gaze goes to Aubree who is tasting the other sweets. Xahria rolled her eyes.

"But he didn't tell you to prepare thirty food items. You are just stressing yourself ma. Take a break, I'm sure he will be happy with these many varieties," Xahria said wandering over to where Elora aunty stood.

What Xahria said is also true, Elora aunty has been making and baking for two days.

"I will stop after this one dish."

"Okay, one dish and you are going to your room."

Xahria and I finish making the sweets and cut them into small cubes.

"Store them in this box, I'm going to my door. Please clean it up and go to your rooms," Elora aunty said looking at Xahria.

"Noted mum, see you in the evening," Xahria said.

"Thank you for the help, girls."

"Any time aunty," I say.

"Anytime." Elora aunty smiled before leaving the room.

"Let's finish this up and do something," Aubree said.

"Yes."

"Yup."

Even if they are multi-billionaires they do their work in the home. I was quite surprised seeing how they divide the work and do it.

The dishes are washed in turns, one is responsible for the daily laundry and the other has to check up on the plants in the garden.

The cleaning of the mansion, floors, walls and rooms are taken care of by the cleaning department. I don't think one can clean the whole mansion.

"When is Nico coming?" Aubree asked.

"Tomorrow probably," Xahria said.

"Did you two check the messages in the group?" Aubree asked.

"Nah," I reply.

"Nope, what's the message?" Xahria asked.

"Tomorrow we are going out for lunch, Kreo planned it," Aubree said.

They added me in their w******p group chat after going through a voting system. They never added someone to their group and I was the first one to be added to the groups.

Nikolai, Ryder, Rowen, Camryn and Kai didn't vote for me but others did. The majority won so I was added to the group.

The five didn't vote for me because they didn't meet me. If they didn't meet I don't expect them to vote for me.

Now I'm officially a member of Sniper's group. They even gave me a welcoming party and I felt so happy.

"Aubree and I will take care of this, you go and take a nap," Xahria said placing her hand on mine.

"You sure?" I question.

"Yup."

"Period cramps?" Aubree asked.

"Slightly..."

"Take rest babe."

I nod my head before wandering out of the kitchen to upstairs. I got my periods yesterday, it wasn't that bad yesterday but today the cramps are bad. My abdomen started paining.

My classes are going good. Kreo and Greg are my project and assignment partners. I made other friends but they aren't that close as Greg and Kreo.

My dad and mum are enormously happy that I'm stepping out of my shell and meeting new people and going out. I open my room door and close it.

I wander towards my bed, I changed my bedsheets to black. I fell flat on my stomach, picked the pillow and placed it under my stomach.

I need a good nap and rest for my body. It took me some time before sleep took over my senses.

*

"Kia..." someone shook my shoulders. I slowly opened my eyes to see Xahria.

"Aren't you coming down to eat dinner?" She asked looking worried.

"No, my stomach is paining. I will sleep." my voice is hoarse because of sleep.

"You don't look good, should I call a doctor or get you the painkillers?" I look sick whenever I have my menses.

"No, it's just the sleep and my period face."

"I will bring your food and chocolates," she said.

"No Xahria, I'm fine. If I need a tea I will go and make it." I said.

"But you have to eat, Kia. You can't skip your meals," she spoke.

"I cannot digest my food and it's fine," I reply.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I said nuzzling my head into the pillow.

"Take care, I will tell mum."

I hummed and felt her pull the blanket higher before she left.

I don't know how long I slept, I woke up when I felt the need to pee. I quickly got up from the bed and dashed towards the bathroom.

I did my business, threw the used pad in the dustbin, washed my hands before stepping out of the bathroom.

I looked at the digital clock on the nightstand. '2:00 am'

My abdomen isn't paining but my head started paining. I need tea to calm my nerves and to relax.

I wandered towards the door, opened it and wandered downstairs to make tea. My stomach grumbled. I scrubbed my eyes, a yawn left my mouth.

The normal night lights in all the hallways and halls are always on. But the whole mansion is calm and silent as everyone is sleeping.

I stepped into the kitchen, turned on the lights before making my way towards the cupboards where the utensils are.

I silently half-asleep placed the tea utensil on the stove and started making tea. I leaned my hands on the counter with closed eyes waiting for the tea to boil.

I didn't see or felt someone entering the kitchen. They took silent steps towards me and placed their hands on my shoulders.

"Boo..." My eyes flew open, my heart started beating fast as I felt panic and fear.

Startled I let out a loud yell, "ah!"

"Geez!" I turned around to see who the culprit was.

"Who are you?!" I asked looking at the man when I got my voice back. My heart is still beating fast against my ribcage.

"Who are you?!" he questioned back in confusion.

His eyes blinked as he kept looking at me. He took a step back or two allowing me to study him.

He is tall, well built and confused marrying his face.

"I asked first."

His frowned brows relaxed, his eyes twinkled in amusement.

"Who do you think I'm?" He asked while his eyes glanced at me from up and down.

I glared at him at the same time Xavier and Elora rushed into the kitchen.

"What's happening here?" Xavier asked looking at me and the stranger.

"I don't know dad. I wanted a coffee and this lady let out a scream looking at me," the stranger spoke with an innocent look as if he didn't scare me.

"Oh, she must have thought you are an intruder. Kiara honey, this is my son Nikolai," Elora said.

"He surprised us by coming today. You were sleeping so you didn't meet him at the dinner," Elora aunty added.

"I'm sorry to disturb you," I apologise to Xavier uncle and Elora aunty.

"No darling, you must've been scared. You don't have to apologize to us," Xavier uncle said.

I smile at them, they smile back. "Nikolai meet Kiara, I have told you about her," Elora aunty said.

"Yes mum," Nikolai said looking at me. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he smiled at me.

"Why did you scare her? You should've made a sound. Don't do that ever again," Elora aunty said.

"Noted mum." Xavier and Elora laughed before going back to their room but not before telling us not to scream again.

I turn my head to see Nikolai looking down at me. The teasing smile on his face is back. I doubt that he intentionally scared me.

"So Kiara did I scare you?" he asked innocently.

I glared at him before whirling around to look at my boiling tea. I turned off the stove, took out a cup from the cupboard and poured tea in it.

I know his eyes are on me watching my every move. I turned around to leave the kitchen with my teacup.

I was about to open my mouth to tell him that he can use the stove when he took a step forward towards me.

I tried to keep my face blank even though I was nervous about the closeness. My brows frowned when he stepped into my bubble.

He is a handsome man like Kreo and others. He got thick black hair and his eyes are on the side of hazel. Hazel is rare to see.

"There is drool on your face." His voice is low. My eyes widen, one hand went to rub the drool off my face while another was holding my cup.

He swiftly took the cup from my hand. I thought he was holding it so that the hot liquid doesn't spill. I was so wrong he sipped before slowly walking away with a dangerous smile playing on his face.

"Good to see you, Kiara... See you in the morning," he said turning around and leaving the kitchen.

I blinked my eyes before it hit me. He stole my tea

I closed my eyes in annoyance, my hands turned into fists. I walked out to see him going upstairs, he turned around saying "Thanks for the tea, it's very good."

I couldn't yell at him even though if I want to. I roll my lips into my mouth before turning around and entering the kitchen. I freshly made a cup of tea once again.

•

"Why are you grumpy today?" Greg asked me. He placed the books on my lap.

"That's because someone stole her tea last night," Kreo said. While Greg looked confused. I glared at Kreo when he chuckled and started explaining the scene to Greg.

I shook my head and concentrated on what the professor is saying. Xahria asked me why I was grumpy then I explained to her what her brother did.

She laughed and told the same thing to Kreo when he asked me why I'm in a bad mood. And the story carried down to Greg now.

I can't wait for the class to end, I want to go home and take a nap. The good thing is tomorrow is Friday. I didn't see Nico in the morning which was a good thing. My phone vibrated and I saw a notification from w******p.

I opened the chat room to see Xahria and Aubree messages.

Xahria: Aubree and I don't have any classes, what about Kenric, Elwen, Kiara and Kreo?

Aubree: where are you?@Kenric

Me: we will be done with our last class in ten minutes.

Kenric: I have a free hour, I will be out and waiting in the parking area.

Xahria: I'm in the parking lot. Let us go out for lunch now. I want to go to the new restaurant.

Kreo: Okay! Kiara and I will be coming when our class ends.

We wait, I silently pack my bag and Kreo does the same.

"You two are going out for lunch?" Greg asked.

"Yes, we are having a group lunch date," Kreo said.

"Cool."

"What about you?" I ask Greg.

"I'm meeting a friend in the cafeteria," he replied.

The class ended, Kreo stood up from his seat. "Let's go."

I stood up from my seat with my books. I walked out with Kreo beside me, I'm habituated with the people gawking at us.

I saw everyone standing with their phones. I wandered to where Xahria stood as she is my drive.

"Where is Elwen?" I asked.

"Yeah, where is he?" Kreo asked.

"He is having a class for another hour. He will join us later," she said pushing her phone inside.

"Let's go. I'm hungry," Aubree said. Kreo laughed when Kenric muttered something.

I nodded my head getting into the car. We headed to a Chinese restaurant which recently opened. Xavier uncle brought us food last time. The food was delicious.

The drive to the restaurant was short. I left my bag and books in the car but took my wallet and phone.

"Let's wait for them."

"Yup."

We waited for others to arrive. The place is beautiful and cosy. We took the outside table. It is a round table, we settled down. Xahria sat in between me and Aubree. To my left the chair is empty, Elwen will be sitting there.

"Pass the menu," Xahria told Kreo.

"Yeah." He passed the menu to Xahria.

"Good afternoon, have you all decided to order?" a waiter asked.

I and Aubree chose chicken chow mein, Kenric and Kreo chose Chinese noodle soup. Xahria chose the orange chicken rice bowl. She is obsessed with that. We also ordered the sesame chicken.

"Are you girls coming for Kai's Catalan GP track?" Kreo asked.

"Yeah, we all are coming. How can we miss that, even Kiara is joining us," Xahria said excitedly?

"What about Ryder? Is he coming?" Kenric asked.

"I don't know if he is coming or not," Kreo said.

"He became so workaholic, even dad tries to get him back but you see it's of no use," Aubree replied looking sad.

"I don't think Rowen is attending. He said he has to attend a meeting with Ryder," Elwen spoke.

"Yeah..." Aubree replied.

We started eating, Elwen sat beside Kreo. Aubree asked Elwen about something while I listened to their conversation silently.

I turned my head, my gaze went to the parking lot and I saw the person who stole my tea.

"Xahria did you call your brother here?" I asked her.

She looked at me with a perplexed face "No."

"Then what he is doing here?" I said looking at the person who is searching for something. Xahria turned to where my gaze is at the same time her brother's eyes found our table.

He started walking towards us. Our eyes met, he has a roguish smirk on his face and the same mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Does he always have that smirk?" I asked Aubree.

"Yeah, among all of us Nico and Camryn are the kind ones. He is the calmest and kind one. He got it from his mother but you shouldn't tick him off, he will turn into a hostile human."

"Hey everyone!" he said but his gaze is on me.

"What are you doing here?" Xahria asked.

"To join you guys," he said in a duh tone making Kreo laugh.

The only seat available for him to sit is beside me. I internally groaned when he walked towards me and sat down.

"Hi, little Kiara," he said placing his phone on the table. While doing it his arm touched mine.

"Hi"

"Hi, Nico," Aubree said. The boys already met him in the night. He ordered a noodle soup for himself.

"Your Prince Charming sent you the gift you asked for," Nico said to Aubree.

"He did?"

"Yeah, I have it with me collect it later."

"Why didn't sent it with Kreo last night?"

"Haha... He told me to hand it to you."

"Okay."

I ate my food listening to their conversation. Xahria asked me something I turned to her and Nico stole my chicken from my plate.

"Why do you steal my food?" I asked him while he smiled at me.

"Because I want to and the waiter is taking too long," he said. I shook my head not caring.

Xahria and Aubree looked at us with teasing smiles. While kreo and Kenric laughed.

"I wanna order again, anyone wants to order?" Elwen asked when he finished his food.

"Order those chicken wings," Xahria said.

"Dry or wet?"

"Dry."

"By the way, are you coming to Spain?" Kreo asked Nikolai.

"Yeah, I'm coming with you guys. Maybe Rowen will join too," Nikolai said picking Kreo's plate.

"He is coming?" Aubree asked.

"Maybe... Maybe not..."

"Ugh, why do you always do that?" Aubree asked. Nikolai smiled eating the food.