After doing the morning duties, she headed towards Nich's room. He wasn't there and so she got worried.

"Where could he have gone so early in the morning?" She looked around the room and noticed even his windows were locked.

She opened the windows and curtains to allow ventilation. After which she dusted his room too.

Since he didn't have any house help, she assumed he did his chores alone. But now she would help him out, a way of showing her gratitude for his kind gestures.

She headed down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. She knew it was Saturday and Nich couldn't have gone to work. So where was he?

It took an hour to prepare breakfast but he wasn't yet home. She feared the food might get cold...

"Maybe I should take a bath while I wait...he should come home soon" she headed towards the guest room - which is now her room.

Opening her wardrobe, she selected clothes to wear. Since she left most of her clothes at James's place, Nich offered some of his clothes which she reluctantly accepted. She hadn't gotten time for shopping and promised to return them once she replaces her wardrobe.

Nich didn't mind though but she found it weird putting on his clothes. Only couples do that....

After taking a hot shower, she put on a pair of joggers with an inscription 'No worries' on it. The cloth was oversized and made her look small.

She decided to microwave the food a little and headed towards the kitchen when she sighted Nich on the bar counter.

He was seated on a high stool with  bottle of whiskey on the counter in front of him.

She walked up to him and was shocked to see him injured. His lips were stained with blood due to a small cut.

He raised his eyes at her and she could feel the pain he felt. He looked angry and frustrated but at the same time seemed okay. He was trying to accept the fact that James treated their friendship like trash. Didn't he say I was a trash?

He closed his eyes as he gulped down another glass. Joy held his hand trying to stop him.

"You shouldn't be drinking so early..."

He kept the glass and sighed looking at her. She held his head and touched his lips. "What happened? How did you get injured?" She asked looking at him.

"I got fired. That's all you need to know..."  He replied looking away from her.

"I'm sorry.."

"Why?" He asked surprised. It's not like it's her fault so why is she saying sorry?

"All these is my fault. James must have been mad at me, that's why he vented his anger on you" she explained taking out a stool too.

She sat beside him and poured herself a drink.

He looked at her and chuckled. "None of these is your fault. He's just too blind to see what's going on... so don't blame yourself".

She feigned a smile and drank another glass. Frowning her face due to the bitter sweet taste.

"You look cute when you drink." He said and grabbed the bottle to pour himself another glass.

She blushed and quickly stopped herself from smiling.

Nich shook his head.

"So what now?" She asked drinking.

"Probably start up my own business... would get a loan form the bank since my savings won't be enough" he replied interlocking his fingers.

He was about facing the hard part of life...he always had James's support but now, he knew he was alone...

"It's fine. You would have done that anyway, James just gave you an opportunity to do it earlier...I can add my savings too. And I'm sure Suzanne wouldn't mind helping us" she rubbed his palms.

He tried smiling again but his lips hurt. "Let's not trouble Suz, I'm sure she's going through a lot already. Thanks for your support.."

"How's Mr Clinton? Any progress?"

"Nothing yet...but I'm sure he is fine, his heart beat is regular and Suz said she would be back in a month or two." He took another sip.

Joy nodded looking at him. He seemed fine but she knew he had a lot on his mind. He should get more responsible too.

She patted his head. "Don't worry too much. Let me get the first aid kit" she stood up and was about leaving.

Nich grabbed her and pulled her for a hug. She was shocked but smiled afterwards.

They stayed like that for a while until she heard him sob quietly. Raising his head with her hands, she looked at his eyes. He was going through emotional Pain.

"James broke our friendship today... it's all my fault... maybe I shouldn't have gone there..." He cried.

"Shsss... it's not your fault. I'm always here for you, don't act like this..." She wiped his tears with her hands.

"Still he had supported me since childhood...I find it hard accepting..."

She gave him a kiss to shut him up.

"Let me treat your injury..." She shyly ran off.

He stood shocked for a while and touched his lips, a smile on his face.

::::::::::::

Merlin cancelled the exercise since James was upset.

"Don't be like this hon... it's good you fired him" she ironically consoled him.

He stood abruptly. "Off course. I hate him...I just can't stand him anymore"

Merlin smiled. "That's my boy" she patted his head gently.

James rested on her arms while she applied bandage on his nose.

"What do you want to eat?" She asked keeping the first aid box on the bed.

"You"

"Come on... you need something to eat." She laughed pushing him away.

James chuckled. "Just order anything. For now, warm my bed.."

After joy left, Merl did no Cooking. They just ordered food from his restaurant.

She smiled at him. "Would be right back"
She left the room in a hurry.

Should I teach Nich a lesson too? But then, James did a wonderful job by breaking their friendship...that alone is a punishment to Nich....now I have him all to myself... slowly I would teach him a lesson....

She thought as she held onto Lilac's magical necklace. Opening it, she touched the photo inside it. "Don't worry Lil, he must pay"

On entering the room, she met James on the bed waiting for her.

She soon joined him....

_______

This chapter is over. If you liked it,  vote and comment...

Love y'all ❤️ and happy new year!!!!.