Just like when we were in school, he always liked to follow me.
Back then, as a way to repay him, I always did Niko's cleaning duties and carried his bag for him.
After school, Niko would sit and study at his desk, and I would clean up. It wasn't until everything was tidied up that Mr. Bowen would slowly rise.
He would give me a proud glance, place his bag in my hands, and then slowly follow behind me.
I would tease him, calling him "Bowen" or "Young master."
Niko would get annoyed and chase after me to hit me, but he never managed to catch me.
Later, when we went to university, he chose law, and I chose computer science. I helped him move into his dorm, set up his bed, and brought him meals.
Until I started dating Jaeden.
Niko and I weren't as close after that. I only heard that he was getting close to Jaeden's sister.
I teased Niko, asking him, "Are you going to start dating?"
That was the first time Niko got flustered. He spoke with a heightened tone, saying, "University is for studying. I wouldn't do that, unlike some people who are materialistic and date rich people."
As soon as Niko said that, he realized his mistake and fell silent.
But I understood that Niko thought I was with Jaeden for his money. Jaeden was older than both of us. After graduating, he took over his family business and would pick me up from school in his flashy car.
While I was with Jaeden, I never spent his money. When Jaeden first gave me a perfume that cost 1000 dollars, I worked to earn the same amount to buy him a gift in return.
When we went out to eat, I always insisted on splitting the bill. If he insisted on paying, I would make sure to treat him next time.
I didn't have money, but I guarded my self-respect very sensitively.
Jaeden understood me. Gradually, he stopped taking me to fancy restaurants and instead took me to more affordable places. He also stopped giving me gifts that I couldn't afford.
This is why I loved him.
Jaeden didn't get along with Niko at first. In our first year, because Niko and I were in the same class for night study, Jaeden was jealous and insisted on accompanying me for night study.
Halfway through night study, the power went out. In the pitch-black classroom, just as the students' phone lights had yet to turn on,
I felt moist lips brush past my ear.
The flashlight lights slowly illuminated the room, and in the interplay of darkness and blinding light, Jaeden stood up and punched Niko.
They fought in the classroom that day, making a big scene.
I rushed to break up the fight, and in the end, both of them were bruised.
Niko never sought me out again. Then I heard that he had grown close to Jaeden's sister.
I asked Jaeden why he had hit Niko, but he didn't say anything. He cupped my face and kissed me passionately.
We had truly loved each other for three years.
But that day, when I was kicked to the ground in a sorry state, clutching my abdomen and curled up, and when he was guarding Skyla and looking at me warily, I suddenly remembered how carefully he had protected me as we moved through crowded streets.
I no longer loved him.
Niko followed behind me, watching as I entered shop after shop looking for work, only to slowly emerge empty-handed.
He had no expression on his face, but it was more painful than if he had killed me.
I wished so much that after my release, I would become a business tycoon or find a high-paying, respectable job. I wanted to be glamorous and shine brightly, standing in front of Niko and Jaeden, mocking them freely, and taking revenge on Skyla.
But I realized I couldn't do it. There was no success or glory, just a dream of mine.
I have a criminal record, and no one wants to hire me.
My smile faded, and as I looked up, the moon had climbed above the streetlights. Bathed in the moonlight and lamplight, I sat down somewhere at random.
Niko silently sat down beside me.
It was really cold, and I tucked my hands into my sleeves. I didn't speak, but Niko started talking on his own.
"Desi, I know you hate me, you hate that I sentenced you to five years, but I had no choice. The Abbott Family was watching me, and I couldn't defy them. And you did make a mistake. After you went inside, I always wanted to visit you, but you never saw me.
Now that you're out, it's hard for you to find a job. I just want to make amends."
He cautiously probed me, his voice gentle and soothing, as if afraid to hurt me.
I remained silent, and Niko continued: "I opened my own law firm and have a branch office elsewhere. Now I'm not restricted by the Abbott Family anymore. You can work there as an administrative assistant, and I'll protect you. Jaeden, he's still looking for you..." Niko's voice was heavy with emotion on the last sentence.
"Do you want to support me?" I sneered, lifting my head to look at him.
Niko lifted his head, his gaze determined.
"I want to protect you, Desi. I won't let you get hurt again."
Niko stood up and took off his down jacket to cover me.
He said, "Desi, come home with me."
At that moment, I actually wanted to stand up and hit him.
Because I had been beaten, I knew where it hurt the most to hit someone.
But I held back. I remembered that Niko said he would send me away and that Jaeden was looking for me.
What right did he have to destroy me and then offer to make amends?
His jacket didn't bring me any warmth; it just made me feel disgusted.
But I still gripped the jacket tightly with my fingers and put on a smile, saying, "Okay, I'll go home with you."
Niko let out a sigh of relief, and a glimmer of pity and tenderness flickered in his eyes.
Then he walked in front of me for the first time.
When he turned around, the smile vanished from my face.
When we got back to Niko's place, there were new pajamas and clothes for women in his house. Niko explained that he had prepared for a long time, waiting for me to be released. He had also already arranged the room where I would stay.
While Niko was showing me the clothes, he received a call.
I noticed that he left the room where I was without changing his expression, turning his back to me as he answered the call.
Exercising in prison, my hearing was excellent. I had to listen for the footsteps of the guards at all times and hide in the corner of the prison, pretending to rest quietly. If the guards found out about my unusual behavior, I would be beaten even more severely.
I heard him impatiently call the person on the other end of the line.
"Skyla."
