Trouble in Paradise (Arianna and Nicholas)

At 4:00 p.m., Wendy and I sat in the car, waiting for Tabitha to finish school.

I had taken Tabitha to the daycare for a visit that morning. She was far more composed than I was. When the teacher asked her to stay for observation, she didn't cry or make a fuss.

I called the teacher almost every hour. Each time, they assured me that Tabitha was adjusting well. Still, I couldn't help but feel anxious.

As Wendy and I stared through the car windows, a shade suddenly dropped over us. It was blocking our view completely and dimming the light inside the car.

Wendy was startled. She patted her chest and muttered something under her breath. I wasn't much better. My heart skipped a beat in surprise.

Nicholas stood in front of the car, gently tapping the car window glass three times. His gaze was fixed intently on me, making it clear he had come to find me.

He had his ways. When he couldn't reach me by phone, he tracked me down and showed up out of nowhere.

I couldn't help but find it amusing. What was so enticing about something he couldn't have? Did Claudia fail to satisfy him last night?

It wasn't the hottest time of the day, but for some reason, I found the sunlight dazzling, making my vision blurry.

Recovering from her shock, Wendy lit up when she saw Nicholas. She was about to get out to greet her former employer.

I noticed her movement and quickly locked the car doors. "Wendy, there's no need to bother him."

I shot Nicholas a glare, but he showed no sign of annoyance. With one hand in his pocket, he calmly waited for me to get out. He seemed confident I would comply. Wendy grew anxious. She kept trying to open the door.

"Ari, you don't understand. During the three years you were away, Mr. Hawk took me in. He is a good man. Back when he was sick and couldn't eat for days, he still insisted on paying my salary.

"And when you called me to come back, he didn't hesitate for a second to let me teave, knowing how much you liked my cooking. He kept me around so you wouldn't have trouble finding me when you returned."

QUMS

Wendy shook my arm anxiously. "Ari, I have to go greet him."

"Wendy, that's just your assumption. Nicholas wouldn't do something like that. You took care of us for four years, and he ate your cooking for those four years. He kept you around because of your bond, not

because of me."

I felt agitated and didn't want to argue with Wendy about this anymore. Before she could speak again, I unlocked the door for her to get out.

Everyone said I was unaware of certain things. They all thought Nicholas had it rough and felt sorry for him. But who knew how I had endured these past three years?

Who knew about my premature

childbirth and how I nearly lost both

myself and Tabitha? Who

understood the countless times

Ket

had crumbled, feeling powerless for Tabitha? Who knew the pressure I faced while taking on Pete's case, réceiving threats from the competitor?

Why should I empathize with other's hardships?

I started the car, intending to drive into the daycare and pick Tabitha up early. If Nicholas and Wendy wanted to reminisce, they could do so without me.

But just as I picked up speed, Nicholas, who had been chatting with Wendy, suddenly lunged into the path of my car!

The screech of brakes pierced the air. Nicholas had lost his mind. He blocked my car with his arms spread wide!