<Nico's pov>

I looked at myself in the mirror. My cheeks are still flushed from that little kiss Maki gave me earlier. I still can't believe Maki had the courage to do that. I took my toothbrush and squeezed some toothpaste on it. I brushed my teeth before I took off my clothes and got into the shower.
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~Meanwhile
<Maki's pov>

After consuming the delicious breakfast Nico had made, I placed the empty plate onto the dresser next to the bed and scanned around the room. My eyes stopped at a bunch of clothes that was placed at the other end of the bed.

'What on earth are these?" I thought to myself as I picked up one of the frilly clothes. 'Did she expect me to wear this? It's almost half my size!'

I dug through the pile of clothes to find the largest sized there is. No luck. All of them are about middle schoolers' sized. Guess I had to make do with my wrinkled blouse then.
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A few minutes of practically not doing anything, I finally got up from the bed and took the empty plate. Since I had slept on her bed and made her go through all the trouble of making me the breakfast, I might as well help her out a little. I was about to grab the doorknob when it suddenly flew open, missing my face by an inch.

"Oh. Sorry, Maki-chan. Did it hit you?" Nico asked.

"No. It's okay." I said as I glanced down at her outfit. An oversized T-shirt and a pair of loose jeans. An idea popped into my head as I thought over the situation. The clothes she provided are in her size and she's now wearing an oversized T-shirt that might fit me. It's perfect!

"Hey, Nico-chan. Do you mind lending me that shirt?"

"Why?"

"Why?" I repeated. "Have you even seen your clothes sizes. They won't fit me."

"O-oh... yeah..."

Nico started to take off the T-shirt, revealing her puny self underneath. Upon closer look, she seemed to have grow slightly over the years. Slightly.

"Wh-why are you looking at me?" Nico suddenly asked, snapping me from my little world.

"I-I wasn't looking at you." I denied, facing away from her. "Wasn't it you who was staring at me?"

"I wasn't!" She let out a low sigh as she handed me the T-shirt. "Here."

"Uhh... Thanks."

The T-shirt is more or less in my size. It is slightly tight but not as tight as the previous clothes.

"So, shall we head out?" Nico asked after popping her head through a small white blouse.

"Where?"

"Your place, of course." Nico stated. "Why? Do you want to stay here longer?"

"N-No." I replied, making myself busy by packing up all my belongings.
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~Later

Nico was really focused on her driving. Her eyes are locked onto the road and both her hands are firmly gripped onto the steering wheel. I was seated next to her, staring blankly out the window when my phone suddenly rang in my pocket. I quickly fished out my phone and checked the caller's profile. 'Papa'

"Sorry Nico-chan. Do you mind if I take this?" I asked.

"Do whatever you want." Nico replied, not taking her eyes off the road.

I pressed 'answer' before I placed my phone next to my ear.

"Papa, what do you want?" I asked as soon as I answered the call.

"You better come back home, young lady. There's three clients waiting for you to pick. And don't you dare try and escape this time!"

"What if I don't?" I challenged.

"I'll send my men and make sure that they'll find y-"

I quickly hung up my phone and let out a long sigh. I look out the window and stared at couples spending their time freely without any care in the world. Having my life taken over and decided by my own father is not what I planned for. Working in the family hospital isn't my decision either. I just hope that he'll stop living his daughter's life.

"Hey, who was that?" Nico suddenly asked, breaking the silence.

"Papa..."

"So, what did he want?" She asked as she stopped the car at the side of the road.

"It's family's business. There's no need for you to worry about me."

"Really? But.... You look troubled. Are you sure you're okay?" She looked at me straight in the eyes.

"Yeah... It's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Oh. Who am I kidding. I'm far from being okay. My father had been trying to engage me with his clients. All this time, I had successfully escaped them. But now... he hired some men to hunt me down. I don't think I could escape him this time." I sobbed into my sleeves. It is the first time I had told anyone about this. Not even to my roommate, Hori Eriko-san. (Note, she isn't an OC. She's Maki's VA... Cuz I ran out of ideas XD)

"Then... What about your job?"

"He forced me."

Nico just stared down at the steering wheel. She had this serious look displayed on her face. Her usual cheery self had disappeared. She quickly fished out her phone and typed in something.

"Nico-chan, what are you doing?" I asked.

"What does it look like? I'm getting a day off from work." She switched off her phone and switched gears.

"What? Why?"

"I'm helping you to hide from your father."

"But... There's no way I could hide from him forever."

"Do you really want to be a slave for your father? Do you want to give up your life just to satisfy him?" Nico asked as a drop of tear could be seen rolling down her cheek.

"Wh-wha-"

"Tell me, Maki-chan." She turned and faced me, staring me right in the eyes. "What do you want to do"
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A/N

Hai. Sorry for the late update. I was working on a new cover for this book. And I really apologize for the short update. I felt that it's a good way to end a chapter.

Those who will bash me saying that Maki's VA is Pile, just stop. It's the same person. Pile's real name is Hori Eriko. Yep. I did my research.

Have a nice week ahead and stay safe. Bye.