Chapter 55
Chapter 55
Amy straightened after tapping the window. Nick noticed that Stacey became all tensed up.
"Honey are you okay?" he asked her and she just nodded.
He knows she is not okay and he can sense that something is definitely not right but he cant put his
finger on it. The frown on the older woman disappeared and she became poker-face. Heather's scowl
on the other hand, is still very much visible.
"We have to get off." Stacey murmured in a sad voice.
She feels that she something is about to happen after tonight. She didn't wait for Nick to open her
door.She got off by herself but Nick still went around the car to go to her and take her hand.She wanted
to protest but she saw something in his eyes so she just let him hold her hand.
She can sense the tension even before they got nearer to Heather and their mom. Her sister's pretty
face looks really hostile.She has her arms crossed on her chest. Her mother's face became more
relaxed and she even smiled a little but she is sure that whatever happens tonight, she will always take
Heather's side.She just hopes that Nick will not witness anything unusual tonight. The last thing she
wants is him discovering her real situation at home. She doesn't want his pity.
"Good evening Mrs. Williams." He greeted and their mother greeted him back.
"I'm Nick Alcantara ." He extended his right arm for a hand shake while his left hand is on her back.
Their mother nodded and shook hands with him. She still has a small smile.
Nick nodded at Heather as a greeting but the latter didn't even react. She is just looking at him with her
eyes narrowed.
"Let's have coffee inside." her mother offered.
Nick nodded again and then looked at Stacey. He took her hand again as if reassuring her that all will
be well. He can't read her eyes.Somehow she is trying to hide how she feels about all this. One thing is
definite though. She's nervous because her hand is cold. He squeezed it then he smiled at her. She
looked away from him.
Now they are in the veranda. The rectangular table is for six people. Three chairs are across from each
other. Nick wanted Stacey to sit next to her so without releasing her hand, he pulled a chair for her. He
made sure that she sat down first before he settled next to her.
Heather rolled her eyes before sitting next to their mother.
"Why are you driving Stacey's car? Heather told me that you are her sister's new boss. Stacey didn't
tell me about her new job and you." Mrs Williams said with a sad tone.
But before Nick can answer , Heather said while looking at Stacey, " She hasn't even told you mom
about the details of her part-time job before working for Nick. Mom and I knows that she always come
home during the wee hours. My mom should really be stricter with her. She's too lenient and always
lets Stacey get away with things. I am just worried mom that if she gets in trouble, you will be really
distressed.." She turned to their mother for a second or two.
It's the usual thing . Heather is making her look bad. But Stacey stopped herself from saying anything.
If she will react, she is positive that it will do no good. She doesn't want Nick to witness an ugly
scenario between her, Heather and their mother.
"Stacey, I really think that we should talk one of these days." Mrs. Williams said.
She just nodded to end the topic about her.
"Mrs. Williams, " came Nick's voice." To answer your question, Stacey's car had a minor problem this
morning so I decided to bring her home.."
Stacey understands why he said a white lie. This is the first time that someone is on her side especially
in this kind of situation with her mom and half-sister. She feels safe and secure now that Nick is with
her.
"Maybe she did something to her car deliberately so you will take her home. She is very good in
manipulating things and people. Just like what happened this morning." Heather said.
Stacey's eyes widened.She knows her sister is bitchy but she is really surprised that she brought up
that issue.
"Heather!" Mrs. Williams looked at her younger daughter with a frown.
Stacey wanted to leave because she knows that her half-sister is provoking her. She didn't want to look
at Nick who is sitting quietly next to her.
"Thank you Nick for taking Stacey home." Her mother said to Nick to divert the topic.
" You don't have to say thank you Mrs. Williams. I want Stacey to be always safe." He replied before
turning to look at her.
Stacey glanced at him for a few seconds before dropping her eyes to her lap. She could sense that
what he is going to say next will have a very big impact to either her mom or her sister or to both.
Then all of a sudden they heard Amy's voice.
"Hello everybody! Here's the coffee." the help came in.
She put down the tray with four cups of coffee.
After serving them the coffee, she asked while looking giddy. " Miss Pretty, is Mr. Handsome asking
your mom for you hand already?"
"Amy! Go back to the kitchen now!!!" an angry Heather said before Stacey could react and reply.
Amy rolled her eyes before walking away and Heather just snorted.
There was silence for a few moments after Amy left. It was Nick who broke it.
"I am glad that finally I met you Mrs. Williams."
"You can call me Sofia, Nick."
"Thank you Sofia. I know it is our first time to meet but I want to say something to you. I am hoping that
you won't get mad. "
"What is it?" Her mother's voice sounds really curious although Stacey thinks that she probably has a
hint of what Nick is about to say.
"Your daughter is very special to me and I want to woo her."
Her mother didn't comment. She just nodded slightly. It was Heather of course who reacted a bit too
much as usual.
"WHAT?!!"
Her half-sister stood up angrily which didn't surprise her nor Nick.
"Sit down Heather!" their mother ordered in a firm voice.
But as expected, Heather just ignored her. Instead she glared at her then at Nick.
"Is this some kind of a stupid joke??!"
Nick is watching Heather's reaction like a hawk but said nothing.
"Heather please sit down." This time their mother's voice is a bit coaxing.
This is what Stacey has been dreading to happen. She didn't want Nick to meet her mother because of
Heather. Surely the latter will not take what Nick said sitting down. Heather wants him for herself.
"May I ask why you think that this is all a joke?" Nick asked with his eyes narrowed. He has his arms
crossed on his chest as he sits.
"Because you can't want someone like her!" Heather grated as she transferred her angry eyes to
Stacey.
Stacey had no choice but to look at her while their mother stood up. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.
"Heather, sweetie, please do stop. We have a guest so please...." she pleaded.
"And why wouldn't I want someone like your sister? What is it about her that I wouldn't like? As far as I
am concerned, she has everything I want in a woman...and more." Nick said seriously which fueled up
Heather's anger.
Stacey looked at him with her eyes wide. What he said blew her away. Her heart started thumping.
"Then you are a fool Nick! She is not what you think she is! Looks can be deceiving! She is really an
expert in manipulating people especially men!"
Angrily, Stacey also stood up and faced her sister. She feels that she must do something to stop her if
their mother can't.
"Shut up Heather! You really will stoop this low just to get what you want?" she asked her tone cold but
she is trying very hard not to cry.
She wanted the ground to swallow her because she is so ashamed. What must Nick be thinking now
about her and her family?
"Stacey, stop now. I will talk to your sister privately." Mrs. Williams begged.
"Why do you want me to shut up? Because you don't want Nick to discover your true color?You can't
hide what you really are forever! Look at what happened this morning! Nick had beaten up his friend
because of you!" she yelled.
"You make it sound as if I wanted that pervert to do such a filthy thing to me! You don't even know what
really happened!" she almost yelled back.
"Stacey! I said stop it! Don't make the situation worse!" their mother reprimanded her.
Stacey felt Nick touched her back as if to show that he is on her side. He is now standing close to her.
"Well you probably deserved what he said or did to you!" Heather raged.
"That's enough Heather! I saw what happened and I won't let anyone disrespect Stacey not even a
friend of mine! " Nick said in a steely voice.
"Well she got what she deserved! Do you really want someone like her to be your girlfriend?What will
your family say if they learned that you are going out with a woman like her? Do you know that she
posed for a men's magazine almost naked?!" Heather asked Nick. Triumph in her eyes when she saw
Stacey's face lost color.