I struggle to rise on my unsteady feet, trembling with fear. Nicholas unleashes a powerful punch, striking the man square in the face. The force of the blow sends the man staggering backward, blood trickling down his nose. Undeterred, Nicholas continues to rain down blows upon him, relentless and fierce. Desperate, the man tries to retaliate with a swing, but he misses his mark. In an instant, Nicholas seizes him by the neck, forcefully slamming him against the wall, his hands constricting around his throat, choking him into submission.

"How dare you touch her?" Nicholas growls, his voice laced with fury. I have never witnessed such raw anger before. Indignation blazes in his eyes, a tempestuous storm raging within them. The man gasps for breath, his strength waning with each passing second.

"Don't! Let him go... He will die," I plead, my voice trembling but resolute. Finally finding my voice, I implore Nicholas to release his grip. Yet, he remains unfazed, his focus unwavering, disregarding my plea as he continues to assert his dominance over the man.

"Nicholas, please," I plead, desperation lacing my voice. Something in my tone catches his attention, and he slowly releases his grip on the man, his intense gaze fixed upon me.

He walks towards me, his eyes filled with a tumultuous mix of emotions. Fear, panic, and dread intertwine within them, reflecting the intensity of the situation we have just endured. In that moment, Nicholas Lorde, the seemingly invincible man, appears vulnerable. It is a realization that strikes me deep within my being. Then and there I knew that this man was going to be my downfall. 

He drapes his coat around me, a protective gesture as he notices my trembling form. The warmth of the fabric envelops me, offering solace in the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concern evident in his voice. I simply nod, unable to find the words

"Are you okay?" I emphasize, searching his eyes for any trace of lingering distress. He gives me a reassuring nod.

"Please, take me home," I whisper, my voice barely audible amidst the chaotic surroundings. The weight of the night hangs heavily upon me, and all I desire is the safety and familiarity of my own sanctuary. 

"There will be paparazzi at the front entrance. Let's make our way out through the back exit," he remarks. I nod, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

He swiftly takes out his phone and calls his driver, instructing him to have the car ready at the back exit. With a protective arm around my shoulders, he guides me through the maze of corridors, heading towards our escape route. Finally, we reach the back exit, where a sleek black Maserati awaits us.

Opening the car door, he gestures for me to get in. "Please, get in," he says, his voice filled with a mix of concern and urgency.

As I'm about to step inside the car, a sudden realization hits me. "Wait, what about my car?" I inquire, remembering the vehicle I arrived in earlier.

I will have someone drop it at your place," he assures me, his voice calm and reassuring. I nod, understanding that he has taken care of the situation. With a sense of relief, I slide into the plush interior of the car.

The driver, awaiting instructions, asks, "Where to, sir?"

Nicholas glances at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and determination. "59 West, 46th Street," I provide my address, feeling a sense of trust in his presence.

As the car glides smoothly through the streets, a comfortable silence settles between us. It's a silence that speaks volumes, a newfound sense of safety and ease that I never expected to feel in Nicholas's presence. If someone had told me, when I first met him, that I would find solace next to him, I would have laughed at them. But in this moment, the truth of it is undeniable.

I shudder, unable to shake off the haunting thoughts of what almost transpired tonight. The mere realization of how close I came to danger sends tremors through my body, leaving me shaken.

Nicholas seemingly attuned to my anxiety, notices my distress. With genuine concern in his eyes, he asks in his soothing voice, "Are you okay?" His voice alone offers a semblance of comfort. Taking my hands in his, he begins to rub them gently, an act of reassurance aimed at calming my frayed nerves. The warmth of his touch starts to ease my tension

II nod, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Resting my head against the cool window pane, I close my eyes, allowing the soothing rhythm of the car's movement to lull me into a state of calm.

After what feels like half an hour, we finally arrive at my apartment. Nicholas promptly gets out of the car and walks around to open my door. I step out, slightly dazed and disoriented from the events of the evening. As he takes hold of my hands, a mixture of confusion and curiosity flickers across my face, prompting me to look towards him for an explanation.

"I just want to make sure you get home safely, especially after what happened tonight," he clarifies, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"You don't have to," I insist, touched by his thoughtfulness.

"I want to," he replies firmly, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of protectiveness. Together, we walk in silence, the weight of the evening's events still hanging in the air, until we reach the door to my apartment.

"Goodnight," I say softly, preparing to unlock the door and bid him farewell. But as I turn to carry out the action, he catches my wrist, bringing me to a sudden halt. His grip is gentle yet firm, his eyes searching mine.

"Look, I am sorry. It's my fault that this happened to you tonight. I had promised to stay next to you, to protect you, and I failed," he says, frustration evident in his voice. He tugs at his hair, his distress palpable.

I can see that he's blaming himself for the events of the evening. Moved by his self-criticism, I walk towards him, gently taking his hands in mine.

"It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself," I assure him, holding his hands firmly.

"I..." I can see that he's about to argue, but I interrupt him, not wanting him to carry the burden of guilt. "If anything, you saved me," I say, emphasizing my gratitude and redirecting his focus.

"How did you even find me?" I ask, wanting to shift the conversation and distract him from his self-loathing thoughts. I'm genuinely curious about how he managed to locate me in such a chaotic situation.

"After finishing talking to an investor, I came looking for you," Nicholas explains, his gaze fixed in the distance as if recalling a haunting memory. "I went to the buffet counter where you said you would be, but I couldn't find you. I asked your employee at the counter if they had seen you."

His expression turns grim as he continues, "They said that you hadn't been there since you left to meet me. A wave of dread washed over me, and I instinctively knew something was wrong. I frantically searched for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere." His eyes meet mine, filled with a mixture of relief and lingering worry.

"Shhh, I am okay," I reassured him, gently cupping his cheeks in my hands, hoping to offer some solace.

"Someone then informed me that a lady matching your description had gone towards the restroom. On my way to the restroom, I heard your scream. That's when the real fear set in. I ran towards the voice and saw that filthy man on top of you. It was like I had lost all the sense of right and wrong. I just wanted to kill that man for putting his hands on you." He continues, removing my hands from his cheeks and holding them. He touches the corner of my lips with his thumb. I could see all his emotions in his eyes, only one that I could not recognize. It is very different from before where he masks his emotions with a blank, cold look.   

He releases his grasp on my hands and exhales deeply. "It's late, and you must be tired. Go inside," he says with genuine concern lacing his words. I offer a nod of acknowledgment, grateful for his consideration.

Stepping into my apartment, I can't help but steal a final glance at him before closing the door. His unwavering presence, his watchful gaze, fills me with a comforting warmth, assuring me that I'm not alone.

With a soft click, the door closes behind me, sealing off the outside world. Fatigue washes over me like a tidal wave, the weight of the day's events bearing down on my weary body and mind. I know that I need rest, a respite from the chaos, to gather my thoughts and find solace in the tranquility of my own space.

 I walk towards my bedroom, feeling drained and emotionally spent. Entering the bathroom, I catch a glimpse of my disheveled reflection in the mirror. My heart sinks as I take in the mess that is my face – smudged makeup, mascara streaks, and bruised lips. Letting out a sigh, I decide to cleanse away the remnants of the chaotic night.

Leaving the bathroom, I make my way to the closet, seeking comfort in familiar attire. I quickly change into my cozy pajamas, relishing in the softness against my skin. Slipping under the covers, I pull the duvet over me, creating a sanctuary of warmth and tranquility.

Lying in bed, I find my thoughts drawn back to the encounter with Nicholas, the man who revealed a side I never expected to see. The media's portrayal of him as a heartless individual no longer aligns with the reality I witnessed. There's an undeniable connection between us, an attraction that I can't deny. I felt safe in his arms, a feeling that I haven't felt in a long time. With that thought, I fall into a deep slumber. 

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SGnGigi