Chapter 29: Testing sincerity
2362words
Nervously, he grabbed the book that was used to open the shelf again. Once the book is touched, the shelves automatically shift back, closing the secret room seamlessly. Ramona felt relieved, but the relief was short-lived.
"What are you doing here?" Nick's deep and calm voice suddenly sounded behind him, making Ramona almost jump in shock. He turned around slowly, finding Nick standing in the doorway of the walk-in closet, his eyes fixed but full of curiosity.
Ramona tried to calm down even though her heart was beating fast. "Do you like to read?" he asked in a relaxed tone, though his hands trembled slightly as he put the book back on the shelf.
Nick nodded slowly without saying anything, then stepped closer until he stood beside Ramona. His gaze was fixed on the rows of books on the shelves, observing each title attentively.
Ramona felt her whole body heat up. The proximity made him even more nervous. His heart was beating very fast, as if Nick could hear it. He tries hard to calm down, but Nick's every move when he sees his book collection makes his panic even worse.
Could it be that Nick realized his nervousness? Ramona didn't know, but she hoped Nick didn't pay too much attention to her. "I like your book collection," he said finally, trying to distract himself from the rumble of his feelings.
However, Nick didn't answer. He only glanced at Ramona with an expression that was hard to guess, before returning to focus on his bookcase. In an awkward silence, Ramona wondered inwardly if Nick knew that he was hiding something.
Until Ramona was forced to do a crazy thing, namely taking off the straps of her bathrobe and saying, "I didn't bring my clothes here. Can I borrow your shirt for a while? Tomorrow I will replace it with a new one." Nick swallowed his saliva with a gentle nod.
"Can you choose the clothes?" Nick nodded again and immediately opened the storefront to pick up one of the shirts from his collection for Ramona.
Without hesitation, Ramona took off her bathrobe in front of Nick, making Nick spontaneously turn his gaze in another direction.
Ramona takes Nick's shirt with a devil's smile, where she wears only underwear as her body protector without leaving anything.
"Why? Have you never slept with a woman?" asked Ramona casually as she buttoned up her shirt.
Nick took a breath and looked at his book to neutralize his heartbeat, "You're the first." Ramona could only smile faintly as if she believed the trite.
Ramona approached and turned Nick's body to face him, holding Nick's chest and looking at him tightly as he said, "We're going to sleep together tonight, right?" Nick observed very closely Ramona's eyes as he searched for the truth there.
Ramona deliberately brought her face closer to Nick and asked, "Why? You seem to be suspicious of me. You suspect I'm cheating you?" Nick was silent, swallowed his saliva several times when Ramona's breath hit his nose, it was so fragrant that the smell of Ramona's body and mouth made it difficult for Nick to refuse.
Until Nick asked, "You used to marry Hunter didn't you?" Ramona smiled, there was no shock or panic in Ramona at this time when her identity was revealed and known by Nick.
"You finally found me, didn't you? Yes, I'm the woman who ran away from Hunter's marriage five years ago, you don't want to ask why I came back here?" asked Ramona while stroking Nick's neck.
Nick swallowed his saliva back and asked, "Why?" Ramona smiles when Nick is interested in her life.
Ramona looked at Nick with a face full of emotion. His breathing felt heavy, but he decided to continue the story he had been hiding. "He wants to kill my fetus," he said in a tone full of wounds. "Many times I insisted that I would raise my own son, but he still insisted. She was afraid that I would make trouble with my pregnancy, as if it was something embarrassing for her."
Nick was speechless, not wanting to cut off his explanation. His eyes observed every change in Ramona's expression, from anger, sadness, to resignation.
"I complained to Mrs. Belinda, asking her to kick me out of their lives, but it ended up being a wedding plan. I don't want to marry a demon like Hunter. Therefore, I fled to Los Angeles. For a few years I lived in fear, trying to build a new life with my son."
Ramona let out a long sigh, her eyes starting to tear up. "But that damn devil found me. He brought me back here, not only by force, but also by holding my son hostage. He threatened to hurt her if I didn't obey all of his orders."
Ramona lowered her head for a moment, biting her lower lip as if trying to hold back her tears. "That's why I did everything he asked. Including..." He stopped, raised his face, and looked into Nick's eyes with full intensity. '… worked in Bainchi as a spy for him."
Nick was silent, his body stiffening. Ramona's words swirled in her head, every detail sounding like a gapless acknowledgment. He thought to himself, "He said everything honestly, without exception. Is this his rebellion against Hunter? If so, I can use this to destroy Hunter."
However, Nick still hides his thoughts behind his flat face. He looked at Ramona deeper, trying to figure out why he revealed such a big secret to him. "Why are you telling me everything?" asked Nick finally, in a tone full of curiosity.
Ramona sighed softly, her eyes showing a mixture of fear and hope. "Because I have no one else. And for the first time... I feel like I can trust you."
The answer made Nick silent for longer. There was something in Ramona's words that touched the deepest part of her, even though she knew it was a very dangerous game.
Ramona looked at Nick with a look of hope in her eyes despite being overshadowed by deep fear. With a trembling but resolute voice, he said, "Therefore, I am willing to marry you. I believe, you are more powerful than the Hunter. I'll do anything for you, as long as you can help me get away from him."
His hands trembled as he grasped Nick's hand, and his tears began to flow endlessly. "I just want my son..." He said quietly before his tears broke out.
Nick, who usually seemed calm and in control, immediately felt a deep empathy. He without hesitation tightly hugged Ramona's body which was trembling with tears. Gently, her hand rubbed Ramona's back, providing a sense of comfort amid the panic that swept through her. In that hug, Ramona felt as if for the first time there was someone who really wanted to protect her.
After a while, Ramona slowly let go of her embrace. He looked at Nick with eyes that were still blurred by tears in his eyes, but there was a clear determination emanating from his face. "Therefore," he continued in a slightly stronger voice though still hoarse, "please speed up this marriage. I want to marry you soon."
The request made Nick look at Ramona deeply. He felt a sincere confidence in his every word. There wasn't the slightest doubt in Nick's heart right now. He believed in Ramona completely, especially after hearing everything he revealed.
Nick nodded slowly, his gaze full of seriousness and warmth. In his heart, he promises to protect Ramona and ensure that Hunter is no longer a threat to the woman who is now the center of his attention.
Ramona immediately sucked Nick's sexy lips, making Nick hold the slender waist and occasionally press on her to deepen their bangs.
The kiss between the two was so passionate that Nick immediately lifted Ramona's body and took her to bed.
Slowly Nick dropped Ramona's body on the bed and laid it on top of her without letting go of the second kiss.
Ramona pulled her kiss and Nick opened his eyes and asked, "Why?" Nick asked softly while stroking Ramona's cheek.
"You really trust me? Didn't you ask me for something to prove to you that I sincerely wanted to be with you? I'm willing to do anything for you including destroying the Hunter," Nick smiled and kissed Ramona's lips gently.
"I'll think about it tomorrow," Ramona nodded and immediately grabbed the nape of Nick's neck and sucked back the sexy lips gently and with such a passionate feeling.
Nick immediately dropped himself to Ramona's side and hugged the body tightly with warmth without taking off their buns.
Ramona smiled when Nick gave a short kiss at the end of their kiss.
Ramona hugged Nick tightly and slept in his arms. Nick just smiled and stared at Ramona while tidying up her hair.
'I didn't expect to fall in love with him so soon,' Nick thought to himself.
There is fun in Nick at the moment, where he finally wins from Hunter. Without much effort, Nick was finally able to get Ramona from Hunter's hands. Nick wants to know how devastated Hunter is when he finds out that he was betrayed by Ramona.
The next morning, Ramona squirmed for a long time feeling the warmth that surrounded her body.
He blinks, opens his eyelids and looks at Nick who is still asleep while hugging him.
Ramona briefly kisses Nick making Nick slowly open both eyes.
"You're awake?" Ramona just nodded with a smile.
"Today I have to go back to the apartment for a while, Hunter will definitely ask me a few things," Nick immediately opened his eyes and looked at Ramona.
"What do you want me to do? Maybe there's something you want to know about Hunter, who knows I can help you," Ramona offered, making Nick gently crush the sweet lips with a glance.
"There is indeed something I want to know from Hunter," Ramona nodded that made Nick immediately think, wanting to give a challenge to test Ramona's sincerity.
"I want to know something about where Hunter keeps his weapons reserves, the main warehouse I know but the warehouse for making his weapons I have never known, maybe you can help me find that information," Ramona nodded without hesitation making Nick feel that he should test Ramona to see if Ramona was sincere or not.
Now Nick is driving Ramona to his apartment. As soon as they arrived in front of the apartment, Ramona immediately said a short farewell.
"Thank you for taking me, I'll come to you at the office later in the afternoon," Nick nodded and kissed a glimpse of Ramona's lips.
Ramona immediately got out of Nick's car and went into the apartment. While Nick went straight to Sevano's office, he wanted to tell her about this.
Meanwhile, Ramona enters her apartment, she is surprised by Hunter inside, sitting in the living room while brewing her coffee.
Ramona closed the door and walked up to her, "You've been a long time?" asked Ramona quietly and carefully.
"We were here last night, but it looks like you've been so busy preparing for your wedding that you're staying at Nick's mansion," Hunter stared at Ramona.
"To forget about your son who didn't want to sleep all night before seeing you come home," Hunter continued, emphasizing every word.
Ramona swallowed her saliva, rushing to the room to check. It was seen that Esther was asleep under the roll of a blanket in her room.
Ramona's heart immediately escaped, as if she had been hit by a stone, slowly Ramona approached Esther who was so deep asleep, sat on the edge of the bed and gently stroked the top of her head with a silent sob.
Now guilt immediately eats away at Ramona's whole body, she feels guilty for her son.
Hunter just stood still and watched from the doorway, looking at Ramona who was staring at his sleeping son for a long time.
Tanp said whatever Hunter immediately went back to the living room waiting for Ramona.
After some time, Ramona came out with slightly puffy eyes.
"I'm sorry to trouble you," Ramona said as soon as she sat down on the sofa and immediately responded to Hunter's cup of coffee without caring about anything.
Hunter just stood still and watched Ramona casually drinking her used coffee.
"Didn't Nick let you sleep until you drank my coffee?" Hunter angrily made Ramona sigh of relief.
"I found a basement in Nick's mansion," Hunter was immediately interested in the conversation this time.
Ramona quickly told everything in detail about what was in the basement, including the history book of Nick's murder activities.
Hunter was silent for a moment as if he was surprised by the news that Ramona told him just now.
Now Hunter's anxiety and fear are getting bigger for Ramona, it seems that Ramona has to resign from the task he asked.
"From now on, stop having contact with Nick and cancel your marriage. I'll return Esther with you," Hunter said, immediately forbidding Ramona from being with Nick.
Ramona looked at Hunter intently and said, "I'm leaving Nick but on one condition." Hunter's gaze was so sharp and fixed on Ramona.
"What?" he asked, which showed his interest in agreeing.
Ramona curled her sweet smile and replied, "I want to make a gun in your arsenal before I go back to Los Angeles."
