Chapter 6 THE VISITOR

Nella's POV

“What the actual heck?” I whisper before I could stop myself. For what seemed like ages, neither of us moved. He stood there, his tall and muscular frame resting against the doorframe like he hadn’t expected this any more than I had. His eyes were fixed on me, like he was trying to confirm something. 

“You? What are you doing here?” The words left us at the same time. I blinked, trying to make sure I wasn’t in some sort of weird dream.

“I should be asking you that,” I said, folding my arms across my shirt. I should have backed off from the look on his face, but no. Instead, he’d be the one to run just like he did at the café. Arrogant man.

His eyes didn’t leave mine. If anything, his look was sharp and more so unreadable, like he was trying to place something he didn’t like. “I’m here to see Nick,” he said. His voice was low and controlled and I could hear the accent that got me that day at the café. “Is he home?”

Nick. Of course. How could I forget whose house I was in? At that moment, everything clicked into place instantly.

“Oh.” I let out a sigh, shaking my head slightly. “So, it’s you.” 

His expression didn’t change.

“I knew you looked familiar,” I said.

There was no response. Typical André.

I studied him a little longer. He looked different. More mature, muscular and his body looked like he’d been sculpted and… Shit! I shouldn’t be thinking about him like this.

“The only thing that hasn’t changed,” I muttered under my breath, “is your attitude.”

“What did you say?” His tone was calm, but there was this sharpness I couldn’t miss.

I lifted my chin slightly. “What did you hear?”

He didn’t seem fazed by my attitude. “Are you going to keep me standing outside while you act out whatever script you have in your head?”

I hadn’t realized we’d still been standing outside and my face flushed slightly as I stepped aside, giving him room to enter into the house. I shut the door, turning to watch him as he settled into the couch comfortably.

This man is so annoying. The fact that he stayed silent around me infuriated me even more. Today, I felt more irritated than normal. I don’t know if it was the whole move or just this moment.

“I asked if Nick was home,” he said.

“He stepped out,” I replied. “He said he has a few things to take care of at the office.”

“I’ll wait,” he said simply.

I nodded and moved to sit across from him. Josh was sleeping upstairs. He really loved the room he’d been given. Nick said he could design it to his taste and that made Josh happier. Seeing my brother happy was my priority and I didn’t mind going on with this lie. The silence in the room was not the peaceful kind. It was uncomfortable and you could hear a pin if you dropped it. It was the kind of silence that made you aware of everything happening around you. The ticking clock on the wall, the faint sound of the air conditioning, my own breathing and him. 

I shifted slightly in my seat, adjusting my hands in my lap. I didn’t want to look at him again. But somehow, I could feel his presence too strongly. He was taking up so much space and all I could think about was him. I pressed my lips together, forcing my gaze away from him. Then, I caught the smell of his cologne. It smelt subtle, and warm. I frowned immediately. Why am I even noticing that? I straightened slightly, annoyed with myself and my thoughts. This was ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous. I wish there was an off button for my thoughts right now. Well, I’m glad thoughts can’t be heard.

He hadn’t said a word since he sat down. He had his eyes glued to his phone and he hadn’t even looked away from whatever. He didn’t even act like I was in the room with him. Good thing, anyways. Let it stay that way. Still, I glanced up and immediately regretted it. His eyes were already on me like he was observing something. I looked away first. “What?” I asked, sharper than I intended.

“Nothing,” he said coldly.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, leaving back in my seat. “You’ve always been like this,” I said. “Cold. For no reason.”

There was silence again and I wondered if he heard me, but I’m sure he did. I turned to look at him again. “Do you ever talk?” I asked.

“Yes.” That was it. Just a one word response. I stared at him for a while before speaking. “Wow,” I muttered. “That must have taken a lot out of you.”

He still didn’t say anything and at this point, the silence was infuriating, but why did I care? If I stayed in this man’s presence any longer, I’d get more irritated. I was about to leave for the room when the sound of the door opening broke through the tension.

“Hey,” Nick said as he stepped in. His voice easy as always. Back in school I always wondered how he’d become friends with André. They were so different from each other, but maybe that was the beauty of their friendship. They were more like brothers and it was beautiful to see. It doesn’t cancel the fact that André is a total asshole anyways.

“André,” he said, surprised. “You didn’t say you were coming over. I’d have been back sooner or I’d have waited.”

“It’s fine,” André responded.

Nick’s gaze moved between the both of us, a slow smile forming on his face. “I see you too have reunited already.”

I let out a small snort before I could stop myself. Nick chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re both still at loggerheads.”

“He hasn’t changed,”I said immediately. As usual, André didn’t say a word. 

Nick shook his head, amused and turned to face André. “Well, Andrè, you’re going to have to get used to Nella’s presence from now.” André raised his brows slightly and Nick glanced at me and back at André. Then he said it. “We’re engaged now.”

The air in the room felt stiff and André moved his gaze from Nick to me and back to Nick. His eyes lingered in mine for a second too long.

“What?”