Episode 44: Easy

"You're really making a mountain out of a hill."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore. I thought this conversation had ended inside the car."

Emily rolled her eyes at the helplessly peeved man who slipped off the jacket he wore over his broad shoulders. Even within the moment of her being annoyed, her fingers twitched to feel those muscles of his.

"Nicho-"

He threw the same jacket across the room within a second and she found herself taking a sharp inhale.

It was becoming really hard for her to not surrender to the temptation of starting the fight he was working towards.

This attitude of his was getting on her last nerves.

Usually he was a level-headed individual but it appeared that wasn't the case whenever another male was involved.

She had seen a preview of his jealousy before.

During that morning when both she and Taylor had ended up on the front cover of a newspaper company, however this was another level of ridiculous.

"Why is it that every time another male is involved, this...this barbaric side of you comes out?"

Already half-way across the room and headed down the hall, his figure suddenly spun around.

With long and purposeful strides, a heavy-breathed Nicholas stood before her.

Obviously affected by the words thrown at him, his eyes were aflame and hands clenched.

"You really don't know me then, do you? Do you really think I'd be pleased by the idea of another man having thoughts about pursuing you? Especially someone who's so close to you on a daily basis? If that makes me barbaric, then yes, that's exactly what I am. I'm an animal for liking you, wanting you to myself and hoping that you won't be swayed by another."

"Love doesn't claim possession but gives freedom."

"That's rich coming from you."

Emily could almost slap him because of his low blow at her.

It wasn't like she didn't have good reasons to react to her cousin or Molly like she had before. Unlike Taylor, they had made their thirst for Nicholas very clear. If he was going to make her out to be hypocritical for acting out because of that then maybe she should act according to his expectations.

"I've always thought you were sensible when it came to relationships based on your past and how well you've treated me so far but I guess I was wrong. Unfortunately, it seems you're just as bad as any other guy when it comes to jealousy. Stupid and irrational."

Nicholas bristled.

"By other males, to whom are you referring? Please do call names, Emily. Don't bother to beat around the bush for my sake. Just say that you're comparing me to that cowardly scum Jake. Do you honestly think that I'm at the same level as him when it comes to something like this? You've got to be fucking kidding me." He looked at her with angrily narrowed eyes and stiff shoulders.

"If the shoe fits, wear it." She shrugged casually.

"Very amusing. It's not like I'm trying to be serious right here."

"So was I before you decided to add your own sarcastic comments. You inadvertently called me a hypocrite for saying you're being unnecessarily jealous, while I, on the other hand, had good reasons to be. If that's how you see it, I can be just as illogical as you think I am while discussing this issue."

He ran a hand over his face as he always did when he was frustarted which was granted right now.

Nicholas looked down at the little lady before him for a pensive moment.

Maybe he was being too much.

Of course, she wouldn't understand the extent of his insecurity in this department as a man. Nobody would appreciate someone who publicly offended him and right in front of his wife at that. Not to mention that he was being given the benefit of the doubt about his intentions of ruining their relationship. It wasn't even sensible to be this kind after everything she's been through but at this point, he really shouldn't be surprised by the extent of Emily's compassion.

It was going to be her downfall in the future, he swore it to the heavens.

"I'm sorry for being sarcastic when you were making a valid point."

Her eyebrow raised as she indicated for him to continue and try apologizing to her for his behaviour but too bad.

That was as far as he'd go.

"But I'm not going to apologize for not wanting him around you anymore. He insulted our relationship and based on what I've seen, he has feelings for you. Yes, you can say that you don't have any for him but that doesn't change the fact on his part. I know you can't truly be apart until you've finished filming but I'm going to kindly ask you to stop being particularly nice to him. It might send the wrong message."

She saw it crystal clear in that gaze of his.

Nicholas' mind would never be changed about this situation.

He wasn't going to give up on this one.

Not this time.

Even if that meant fighting with her as well which went to say a lot because he always made it his duty to satisfy her wants and needs.

When she thought about it, his paranoia probably stemmed from what happened to him in the past. Of course, not everybody could be comfortable with knowing the opposite gender liked their partner and was around them all the time. Despite the fact that Emily had a strict business relationship with Taylor, she realized the possibility of more would always be a hidden fear of Nicholas so she decided to wave the white flag.

"Okay then. I won't try to be friends with him. Not even chat after filming. Just strictly business. Are you happy?"

He took a step forward and held both of her arms with a shake of his head.

"You know I'm not happy about saying who you should and shouldn't befriend."

"Then don't."

"Emily," he took a deep breath, "Trust me. This is for your own good. I've seen guys like him before. They pretend that they can't hurt a fly but turn out to enjoy birdshooting for their leisure activities. Don't even try and deny that even you were shocked by his behaviour today."

That wasn't up for debate.

Emily had been gobsmacked by Taylor's personality change at the zoo.

He was like a stranger to her with that hostile face.

"I'm not going to continue because I don't want to fight with you anymore over this silly issue."

"I'd rather fight with you over silly issues than have a peaceful night with someone else."

Her lips twitched.

"Don't try to become all romantic Nick on me now, I've already decided that you're on a time-out for the rest of the day."

Dodging his mouth that drew closer to hers with an intent, she gave him a sharp look.

He pouted.

"Don't make me change a day to the whole week."

His jaw dropped completely.

"You can't be serious."

She tapped her cherry lips with her fingers. "Try me."

The laugh that reverberated throughout the room out of his mouth surprised the both of them.

Just like that, the tense mood around them evaporated as he tried to gain back his straightened expression.

He was failing miserably as a smile crept up onto his face and his eyes shone brilliantly with a stunning hue.

"I always thought falling in love with someone again was going to be hard but you make it so easy for me."

At his sudden confession, her cheeks burnt bright red and the rate of her heart sped beyond what was considered healthy.

Did he just say...that he loves me? Her mind was having some kind of malfunction as it got out the thought in a stutter.

It wouldn't be the first time, she acknowledged as she recalled when they visited her parents.

"I can wait until you're ready to say it. I can wait forever when it comes to you, because I adore you that much."

He had promised her that much patience but it was going to look bad if he continued to confess his feelings like this and she couldn't return them.

Don't get her wrong.

She liked Nicholas.

A lot.

Despite the fact that she wanted to yell at him in moments like before, it still didn't erase what she felt for him.

It was just that she didn't want to confess her love not knowing that it was the completely and utterly profound feeling. Not a fleeting moment of adoration nor lust. But the emotion which makes you want to give all of yourself to a person for the rest of your life.

Emily was certain it wouldn't take long to get there now.

She was just a little slower with expressing her feelings that's all.

And that was okay for Nicholas.

He knew her.

The old and the future her.

All of the mazes and madness in her mind.

He loved each and every intricate piece to fit the puzzle of her entirety.

Those strange yet beautiful "oddities" were all apart of the package which was Emily Pinault and he'd take it all because he didn't want to be left with nothing.

It would be the end of all things for him if that were to ever happen.

So for now, he was going to take it easy and appreciate what he had.

Because it's been seen many times in history where some didn't cherish their love and it all turnt to dust. Gone with the sands of time.

Irretrievable.

Irreplaceable.

And the regrets linger within the holes of their hearts; unable to be filled.

He didn't want that for them.

Nicholas wanted what they had now to last forever.

The excitement, the laughs, the trust, the ring, the Mr. and Mrs. King.

He desired for them all to withstand the hands of time.

For Emily to be his endgame.

That was why he was willing to sacrifice everything to be with her- everything for her. After all, a love like theirs didn't come easily. It was once in a lifetime.

He had been fortunate enough to find somebody who appreciated him for being simply him. Without his status, money or anything related to it.

He was simply Nicholas to Emily.

Her Nicholas.

As it should be.

***

A/N: It hasn't even been that long but I've missed you guys so much!

Before you come at your girl for not updating last week, I've been so busy I could hardly breathe. Not to mention that my family is moving soon so all those preparations have been hectic as well.

This is like a mini-resolution chapter to Nick and Emily's problem so you all can sleep in peace until next week.

You're welcome :)