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Summary : Nicola Baxter, a beautiful best selling author, thought her new neighbor, Jack Stevens, was unbelievably irritating. What would she do when she found out that she had to work together with that particular neighbor who apparently was the President of the biggest publishing company of the nation and also an attractive single father of adorable four year old twins? What would she do when she finally realized that Jack was not as bad as she initially thought and started to look far more appealing by days?
Author's Note : This is my first story. Please be kind and leave a review after you read this. I really want to know what do you think about it.
Disclaimer : There's some brand name in this chapter but I don't own any of them.
Chapter 1
Nicola Baxter was listening half-heartedly to Susanne’s rant about the upcoming launching of her new book. She talked animatedly about all the details; the arrangement of the event, the people who would be there, the eager press, the unquestionable success she would get with this publication, even down to the flower arrangement to decorate the conference room; all the while maneuvering her Jaguar through the atrocious Friday traffic. Suddenly the shrill of Nicola’s ring tone filled the car.
“Oh, for goodness sake! Why’d you have to choose that banshee-like sound for your cell phone?” Susanne remarked after she was out from her initial state of shock.
She just shrugged. Reaching for her cell phone in her purse, Nicola replied, “Because it’s ear catching. I can recognize it from quite a distance.”
“Yeah, yeah… And it terrorizes people from quite a distance too,” Susanne rolled her eyes. “Who’s calling by the way?” She added after seeing Nicola’s frown.
“My sister. Charlotte.” Nicola read the caller ID of the phone in her hand. “Wonder what she wants this time.” She pressed the green button and brought the phone to her ears. Probably her sister just wanted to give an update of her modeling career, as usual.
“Hi Nicola! Guess where I am?! I’m in Thailand!” Charlotte’s cheerful voice could be heard even before Nicola could say hello.
“That must be very interesting.”
“Yes! I’m in Phuket now. We’re doing this bikini photo shoot for Victoria’s Secret today. The bikinis are soooo pretty, Nicola! My favorite is the one with the leopard prints on it. Oh, you should have been here. The beaches are fantastic! You know, golden sand, nice warm weather, great waves. You really should be here! And- ”
“Breathe, Charlotte.” Nicola said, noticing that her sister said all those things without taking a breath. Trying to sound interested, she added, “Maybe next time I’ll be there.”
“Okay.” Charlotte sounded somewhat disappointed. “But guess whom I met here?!” Her mood perked up instantly. “I met this wonderful Italian guy! Oh Nicola, he’s sooo sexy. You should see that wonderful abs of his. And he has this manliest looking pecs I’ve ever seen! Looks really yummy. All I want to do is lick him senseless!” Charlotte said with a dreamy tone of voice.
So she has found another guy already, Nicola sighed. Very typical of her sister. “Just make sure he uses protection, okay?”
Charlotte’s giggling voice permeated through the receiver. “Oh, you’re naughty, Nicola!” More giggles. “So, tell me about your new book!” She suddenly changed the topic.
Nicola rolled her eyes. Her sister has the attention span of a three year old. “Well, tomorrow I will release my new book at The Bookshelf. You know that Susanne works as the advisor for the company, right? She arranged to have my book launched along with the opening of The Bookshelf new branch in the city.”
“Wow! Is it the same store the paper claimed to be the biggest book store in the nation?” Charlotte asked in awe.
“Yep. The one and only.” Nicola can’t help the self-satisfied smile on her face. “And I’m also appointed to be the new envoy of The Bookshelf Inc.”
“Really? You? The envoy of the biggest publishing company and widest chains of bookstores? I can’t believe it! Nicola, it’s awesome!”
“I know, I know.” She grinned. Some of her sister’s excitement started to rub on her.
“Oh Nicola, I wish I could be there for your big day tomorrow.” Charlotte sounded depressed suddenly.
“It’s okay Charlotte.” Nicola rolled her eyes once again. It seemed to her that she had been doing a lot of eye rolling when she talked to Charlotte. Yeah, her sister had that kind of effect on people. “You must do your photo shoot and have an Italian hunk to look after right?”
Another giggle came from the overexcited model. “You’re right. Oh, wait a minute Nicola!” A stifled sound could be heard from the other side of the receiver. “Ooops! Sorry, Nicola! I gotta go. The photographer just called me. Bye, Honey!” The phone went dead before Nicola had the chance to say good bye.
“Still a hyperactive bundle of energy, isn’t she?” Susanne commented with a knowing smile.
“Yeah.” Nicola replied with a shake of her head. “It’s not that I don’t love her. But I just hope that she’s being serious once in a while. All she has ever done is having fun. She’s 22 this year. She should start to think about her future.”
“And you should start enjoying your life. Really, you’re 25, attractive, and successful. What else do you want?” After let out a long suffering sigh, Susanne added. “Yet, here you are. A virgin complaining about her sister’s not-so-virginal conduct. I really can’t get it why you haven’t involved with any guy for a very long time.”
“Because I don’t need them, Suze. Look, I’m a happy independent woman.”
“Please, you think you’re happy.”
“I know I’m happy.” Besides there’s no guy interested in dating me, she thought.
Susanne glanced at her sideways. “Don’t you dare thinking there’s no guy interested in you.” She added.
Nicola gaped at her in disbelief. “What?! Who are you, really? A mind reader?”
“Nope. I’m your best friend.” Susanne answered with a grin.
“Riiight. That reminds me why sometimes I hate having you as my best friend.” She replied sarcastically.
“Seriously, Nic. You’re attractive.” Susanne gave her an exasperated look. “Look, your dark hair has those alluring curls–”
“But doesn’t have the silky appearance like Charlotte’s straight one–”
“And you have those slightly tanned skin that gives you this healthy exotic kind of look –”
“Which is unappealing compared to Charlotte’s milky-white skin –”
“And those thin but sexy lips of yours –”
“Charlotte’s red pouty lips are preferred, you know.”
“And you have the loveliest heart-shaped face –”
“But-”
“Will you stop it?!” Susanne suddenly snapped, shutting Nicola up effectively. “My point is; you’re beautiful. Stop comparing yourself to your sister.”
“It’s hard not to.” When people always do that, Nicola added in her mind. “She’s the social butterfly, Suze. Everybody loves her. Guys are only talking to me because I’m smart and easy to talk with. They never see me in the way they see Charlotte. They never think I’m beautiful.”
“You’re delusional.” Susanne replied with a tired sigh. “And you make it sounds like your intelligence is a bad thing.” She added with a frown.
“No. I’m not complaining that I’m smart. I’m merely stating the fact that people are always attracted to Charlotte’s beauty and charm. Not mine.” She explained. “But there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m perfectly happy being a smart person. I prefer men value my intelligence and engaged in a smart discussion with me to having them ogling my assets,” Nicola added with a smirk.
Susanne laughed at that. “Right. Girl power.” She stopped the car in front of a luxurious building. Nicola’s condo.
“Thank you for the ride.” Standing on the sidewalk, Nicola said through the rolled down window of the driver seat.
“No problem. Just let me borrow your Porsche once he’s repaired.”
“Sure.” Nicola waved to Susanne as she watched her best friend sped up and disappeared in the corner. Exhaled audibly, she turned and walked to the lobby.
It was not that she wasn’t interested in dating. She just hadn’t found the right guy. Sure, she dated several times back in college, but the ending was always the same. Some guys would take her for dinner, movies, and other things that couple did. They would be all sweet to her, at least until they met Charlotte. Predictably, they were all charmed by Charlotte’s bubbly personality. Compared to her, Nicola felt like a jaded, old woman. Why would they choose her; a woman who was more interested in talking about literature and politics, an over independent woman who wasn’t afraid to assert her opinion and never backed down in an argument; when they could have an adoring girl who easily amused with the simplest form of gallantry, who had the vulnerable air men loved so much from their women, a girl like Charlotte? And the worst part was she couldn’t even blame Charlotte. It was her nature and she just oblivious too all of it.
Nicola sighed. They’re just too different. Charlotte and her. Even in their childhood years, people always labeled Charlotte as the Beauty of the sisters while she got the Brain. When she was old enough to know that people’s opinion wouldn’t change, she livened up to the label. She became the best in her class, the head of student body and won several academic trophies. She read tons of books; literature, philosophy, and politics. She broadened her knowledge, absorbed people’s ideas. Later, she found her passion in literary and with full scholarship, she took Creative Writing in college. She planned all her future and would only settle for the best. No place for mistake, no place for failure. The polar opposite of the living-in-the-present Charlotte.
A concierge opened the lobby door and greeted her as she stepped through it. The lobby was exquisite in both size and design. But for an exclusive building like this, Nicola expected no less than perfect. The floor was tiled with a combination maroon and crème marble, put together in a sophisticated pattern. The wall was decorated with several contemporary paintings. Facing the door was the reception table, wedged between two capsule elevators. In one corner of the lobby area was leather couches in which the color matched the tone of the tiling. Next to the couches was a sleek coffee table, ornamented by a single white lily in a thin glass container. Concierges, receptionists, and several other people who worked there dressed in the same impeccable dark green uniform, moving around in an effective and coordinated motion. It gave the overall impression of modern and stylish atmosphere, insinuating the everyday life of its high class tenants.
After checking the mailbox, Nicola went to the elevator. The door was almost closed when suddenly a child’s voice shouted.
“Wait!”
Startled, she instinctively punched the open button. About sixteen feet from the lift, Nicola saw the most adorable pair of children she had ever seen. The boy, seemed about four or five years old, was wearing a jeans overall with a red car design embroidered on the pocket. His thick curly dark brown hair kept falling to his hazel eyes. He was dragging a duffel bag almost the same size as his body. Behind him was another child. She was at the same age as the boy. Unlike the boy, this girl had blonde hair which being pulled into a pigtail. She had the bluest eyes Nicola had ever seen.
“Michael, help me!” said the girl, trying to drag her own duffel bag with a great effort.
“Okay. Give me your bag!” The boy extended his arms, making a gesture for the girl to hand him her bag.
He’ll be a perfect gentleman when he grows up, Nicola thought with a smile.
The girl gave her bag to him. With a determined look upon his face, the boy started to drag the bags along.
“Are you sure you can do this?” the girl asked, her tone was uncertain as she watched the boy’s fruitless effort to move the bags.
“Of course! I’m a big boy! I can do this.” The boy answered vigorously though the bags hadn’t even moved an inch.
As adorable as the scene was, Nicola couldn’t help but found herself stepped out from the lift and approached the kids. “Hey. Do you need help?” She crouched in front of them.
“Who are you?” The boy eyed her suspiciously.
Guess their parents do their homework in telling them about strangers, Nicola thought. Extending her hand, Nicola replied in friendly tone. “I’m Nicola. I live here. Do you live here too?”
The children glanced at each other. Finally, the girl nodded and shook Nicola’s extended hand. “We’re moving here today. Daddy’s upstairs carrying other things.”
So, that explains the bags. “What’s your name?” asked Nicola.
“I’m Michael Stevens. She’s my twin sister, Michelle Stevens.”
Twins! How adorable! They must be paternal, though, Nicola thought. “Here, let me help you.” Nicola offered her hands, asking for the duffel bags. They boy immediately handed the bags over. “What floor are you on?” She asked them.
“Twenty three.” The boy answered while rubbing his hands together. His hands are all red from dragging these monstrosities. These poor kids have heartless parents, Nicola thought noticing the boy’s hand.
Putting on a wide smile, she winked and said, “Come with me. We’re on the same floor.”
Shit, this thing is heavy, he thought. Pulling a key from his pocket, he started to unlock the door when he suddenly heard his kids’ voice from the lift.
“Daddy! Daddy! Nicola helps us with our bags!”
The twins shot through the open lift at top speed of their four year old legs. Behind them was a woman who carried a duffel bag in each arms, printed with SpongeBob Squarepants and Dora The Explorer respectively. The twins already attached themselves on his legs when he finally opened the door. Sighing, he peeled himself from his kids’ Velcro grip. He bent over and stared at the twins straight in the eyes.
“Michael, Michelle, what have I told you about talking to stranger?” He asked them seconds later.
Smiling widely, they answered simultaneously “We’re not allowed to talk to strangers because they may kidnap us, take us far far away from you, and feed us to a nasty giant dragon!”
“Good. Then why did you talk her?” He jerked his chin to the woman.
“Because she’ so nice, Daddy! The bags are too heavy. She helps us and asks where we live,” the boy answered.
“And she doesn’t look like a witch that takes children to make potions,” added his sister.
Staring at his children solemnly, Jack nodded, “Yes. But kidnappers always seem nice and a witch can change their look and- ”
“And you better shut up and thank me,” snapped the irritated woman. Jack glanced over and couldn’t help but appreciate what he saw. She’s the kind of woman who looked sexy when she’s angry, he thought absentmindedly. The woman before him wore some kind of flared black skirt and a red halter top. Apparently she knows how to dress, he added as an afterthought.
“I can’t believe you fed your children this nonsense about witches and dragons and kidnappers.” The woman, Nicola if he had heard correctly, continued her tirade.
“There’s no guarantee you’re not a kidnapper. Call it a precaution if you like,” He eyed her critically, up and down the length of her body. “Ones can’t be too cautious about their children, can they?” Jack talked back smoothly, meeting her eyes. It’s brown, he noticed.
Shaking her head, she said, “You’re paranoid. Really, what do you expect me to do when I saw them standing in the lobby like some lost kids, trying to drag a bag in the size of their body to the lift? Leave them alone?”
“Well, yes!” Jack felt his temper started to rise at this sexy-but-nosy woman. If this woman thought she could preach him on what to do with his children, then she would have other things coming. “Ever it occurred to you that maybe their parent asked them to wait there while he was upstairs carrying the furniture for their new apartment?”
“Are you trying to say that you’re afraid that a woman helping your children is a kidnapper yet you leave them in a lobby full of people who one of them may be a real kidnapper? How smart of you!” she said in a mocking tone.
“That’s not the point!” He raised his voice. “And Woman, don’t try to lecture me on how to raise my kids.” Jack turned his back and ushered his children who watched the exchange in interest, inside the apartment. “If you’re done talking, you better go away now.”
He regretted that the moment the words left his mouth. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone that far, he thought when he felt the murder gaze she sent him behind his back.
“Don’t call me ‘Woman’! And I’m sorry for your children to have such an insufferable dad like you!” She hissed at him before elegantly turned away, graceful even in her anger.
Insufferable? Well, that’s not too bad, thought Jack. Crossing his arms, he turned back and watched her as she walked away and stopped in front of the door across the hall, the one exactly facing his condo. Watching her rummaged her purse for something, his curiosity won. “What are you doing there?”
Snatched a key from her purse, she glared at him, “I’m living here, you dolt!”
He stared at her in disbelief, and before slamming the door, she added, “By the way, welcome, neighbor.”
Well, so much for living in peace, he thought wryly before lifting the coffee table into his own condo.
Pulling the hairpins which held her dark locks in a bun, she headed to the bathroom inside her bedroom. After an all-day-meeting with her editor and The Bookshelf’s representation regarding tomorrow’s event, Nicola found herself exhausted. Not to mention the encounter with her new neighbor. All I need is a nice warm bath, she thought. Yes, a nice warm bath always did the tricks for her.
Setting the temperature, she opened the tap of her tub, filled it with warm water. Nicola stripped and took a bottle of perfume oil and bubble bath from the cabinet under the dusky rose marble sink. She added a few drops of oils to the water along with the bubble bath. A soft scent filled the mosaic tiled bathroom. Apple cinnamons with a hint of vanilla, just the way she loved it. She grabbed the remote control of the stereo set she had installed in her bathroom. After a few moments, a gentle voice of Renee Olstead’s Sunday Kind Of Love permeated the air. With a sigh, Nicola dropped herself in the tub.
It’s pure heaven, she thought with satisfaction.
Absentmindedly, her mind drifted back to the confrontation with the twins’ father. To be honest, despite his manner, he’s quite a sight for sore eyes. He looked a lot like his son. He had the same thick brown hair, but unlike his son’s curly one, it was cut short and spiky. With stubble on his strong jaw, he looked ruggedly attractive. He was tall, with hard and sturdy physique. Very masculine, indeed. A lot of women must have been fallen into his charm before, Nicola thought. Yes, it was easy to loose oneself under his piercing eyes.
Closing her eyes, Nicola let the warm water caressed her body. It didn’t take long before she fell into oblivion.
His condo, in fact, was a nice one. Perched on the top of the best maintained building located in the heart of the city, the loft had cost him quite a fortune. Not that I couldn’t afford it, he thought. His business after all, was in a good condition. His publishing company and book stores chain was said to be the biggest in the nation. The Time magazine had also nominated him as one of the 50 Most Successful Bachelor of the Year. And tomorrow, he was about to open his new branch of book store in the city.
The sound of his kids’ laughter and little feet running around brought him from his reverie. He smiled at the thought of his beloved twins. I won’t trade them for anything, he thought with sentimentality. With another smile, he called his children. “Kids, how ‘bout playing some games?”
The twins squealed in delight as they scrambled to him. “What games, Daddy?” asked Michelle, the older of the twins.
“Umm, what do you think about hide-and-seek?” Jack grinned at his kids.
With another squeal and “You’re ‘It’, Daddy!” the twins dashed to their hiding place.
Jack closed his eyes. “I’m counting! One. Two. Three. Four. Five. You better hurry! Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.” He kept on counting while prying his eyes open and grinned to himself. “Thirty! Ready or not, here I come!”
He started from the kitchen. “Let me see in the cabinet! Are there kids in here?” Said Jack in a loud voice, making sure that the twins could hear him from whatever place they were hiding in. He opened the cabinet under the sink. “Nope. No kids here.”
He went back to the living room. “Are they under the table?” He peeked under the coffee table. “Nope. Not here.”
“How ‘bout the closet?” He said as he opened the closet beside the kitchen. “Whoops! Nothing!”
He headed to his children’s bedroom. “Where are my babies? Daddy will find you!” Suddenly, he heard a muffled giggle from under the bed. Smiling to himself, he bent down to look at it. “Ah! There you are!”
Michael and Michelle hurried from under the bed to their father’s opening arms. “You found us! You found us, Daddy!” They giggled excitedly.
“Of course I found you! I’m the Mighty Daddy!” He laughed along with the children, gathering them in his arms. I’m such a lucky guy to have them, thought Jack.
“I’m coming!” Nicola grabbed her purse. She glanced to her reflection on the mirror for one last time to check her appearance. She wore a dark grey pencil skirt that accentuated her narrow waist and gentle flare of her hips, topped with pale green satin blouse. Her curly hair was hung loosely past her shoulders. Her make up was light and made her eyes more noticeable.
After spraying some Apple, Cinnamons, and Vanilla perfume – her favorite scent –, Nicola followed her best friend to her car. After 25 minutes drive, Susanne parked her car in front of The Bookshelf. The bookstore was huge. The building was five stories high and extended on three thousand square meters. It was stocked with a vast range of books which could satisfy even the most extensive reader. The main entrance was already swarmed with enthusiastic reporters from television and papers. Some of Nicola’s fans were also there.
“Are you ready?” Susanne asked Nicola. Nicola only nodded, started to feel a little bit nervous. “We’re going to see my boss first. Mr. Stevens.” Susanne added.
Stevens? Sounds familiar, thought Nicola. She recalled her conversation with the twins on the day before. Surely they couldn’t be only Stevens around here.
Taking a deep breath, Nicola and Susanne got out from the car and walked confidently to the main entrance. They found themselves surrounded by crowds instantly. They kept going, trying to break through without giving any comments.
“Miss Baxter, can’t you give us your opinion about The Bookshelf?”
“What do you think about Mr. Stevens?”
“Do you mind giving me your autograph, Miss Baxter?”
“Nicola, is it true that you agree to work with Mr. Stevens because of his good looks?”
“Can you tell us about your new book, Miss Baxter?”
“Are you involved romantically with Jack Stevens, Nicola?”
“Do you mind –”
“Please –”
When they finally reached the building, Nicola was out of breath.
“Whew! Suze, that was…” Nicola couldn’t finish her sentence in her amazement.
“Yeah. I know. Believe it or not, the public loves you. As I said, you’re young, attractive, successful… So when you announced that you will be the new envoy of The Bookshelf, the media went wild.”
“Huh?” Nicola still didn’t get it. “Why?”
“Duh! Of course because you will work with Jack Stevens! He’s one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, Nic! So it’s normal that people assumes there will be more than just professional relationship between the two of you.” Susanne rolled her eyes.
Nicola snorted in disbelief. “That’s absurd!”
“Actually Nic, I personally think that he will be your perfect match. Like you, he’s also smart and a very successful businessman. Well, I know he had a divorce years ago. But it doesn’t matter.” Susanne smirked evilly. “More importantly, he’s sinfully hot.”
“No, no, no…” Nicola groaned. “Don’t tell me you offer me this position only to play matchmaker.”
Susanne grinned. “Well, part of it. The other part is you are a very talented author that meet our working ethos. You’ll give us a good image.”
Giving a dejected sigh, Nicola followed her friend to the office area on the top floor. Stopping in front of a door, Susanne turned to face Nicola. “So this is Jack’s office. Are you ready?”
“Yes.” Automatically, Nicola raised her chin and squared her shoulder.
Opening the door, the girls stepped in. Susanne approached the guy sat behind the mahogany desk. “Mr. Stevens, may I present you our new envoy for The Bookshelf, Miss Nicola Baxter.” Susanne introduced them. “Nicola, this is Mr. Jack Stevens, the President of The Bookshelf Inc.”
The first thing she noticed about him was his tall and lean figure. Then those dark hair and hazel eyes. Those hazel eyes that mirrored her own surprise.
Oh, shit, she thought. It’s him.
