Rafael sat in his car watching her work, how could she choose a space like that to work? She looked so beautiful while concentrating on her work, he had been here for over thirty minutes and he still couldn't gather the courage to get out of the car and go talk to her, she stood up and went to the enclosed part of the studio, he had gone to her gallery which he knew was already running from the photo he saw of her with that dude, he still wasn't over it and still felt like strangling the guy even though he didn't do anything to him, apart from the fact that he was the first person to use the gallery and she was boldly showing him off, she was also here at his studio, her gallery was way bigger and has a bigger studio where she could work, but when he had gone to see her there, she hadn't been there, he got her location from her receptionist who didn't have a hard time telling him because she knew he was her ex-husband, well at least he got the information he needed but then he found out it was this same studio, the last time he had accidentally saw her here she had been almost kissing the dude, he still didn't know if that happened, and was hoping that it didn't, he couldn't picture it without feeling like hell.
She came back and sat down and went back to work while he sat in his car watching, he didn't let his driver take him today and had opted to drive himself to avoid being embarrassed when the driver see him watching her.
"Get out of the car and go talk to her moron, you won't achieve anything by just sitting here and staring at her, you look like a stalker right now,"
The voice in his head muttered.
"Don't tell me what to do, I will go when I am ready to,"
He responded and went back to watching her, she look so peaceful doing what she loves to do the most, would she still look this peaceful when she sees him or would she be pissed, he couldn't pinpoint what her reaction would be to his sudden appearance and hoped it won't be worst.
He watched as the dude he wanted to send to Alaska, showed up and stood beside her, he felt his jealousy trait rising when she smiled with him, he let out a breath willing himself not to read so much into it, they were just friends, nothing more, Nicole won't forget him so easily.
"Keep telling yourself that,"
The annoying voice in his head whispered, he shook it off and got ready to open his car when the dude went back into the studio, he let out a soft breath and watched her for a little longer.
After sitting in his car for about an hour plus, he decided to man up and just go talk to her, not like she was going to kill him, worst come to worst, she would ignore him or chase him out and he won't stay away he will still come back until she accepts him, he got out of the car and walked the lane to where the studio was, she didn't notice his presence even when he stood close to the entrance
"Nicole,"
He called.
She looked up and rose up from where she sat when she saw him, her expression went from shocked to a deep frown in seconds, she wasn't happy to see him he was sure of that, she walked out of the studio and met him where he stood at the entrance.
"What are you doing here?"
She asked, looking around, was she doing what he thought she was? Was she really looking around to make sure people were around her, did she think he will harm her? He didn't like it, didn't like the thought of her thinking of calling for help.
"Hi, Nicole, it's been a while"
He said in answer.
"Are you in this area to do something? Or you came to see someone here?"
"I came to see someone,"
"Oh, okay then, I am just going to go back to what I am doing, it was nice seeing you,"
She said and made to leave but he stopped her with his hand.
"Wait, I am here to see you,"
She turned back and sort of eyed him, he didn't mind, his eyes landed to where he held her soft hands which were covered in paints, she must have removed her gloves before she came out to see him, he hadn't noticed when she did, he had been more focused on her expression, she removed her hand from his and he stared at his empty hand missing her hand on his.
"Why would you come to see me what do you want?"
She asked in a bored voice, he shouldn't expect less, he didn't expect her to welcome him with open hands, he should be happy that she was even talking to him.
"Can we go talk somewhere else?"
He asked.
"No, as you can see I am busy and would like to be down before it gets dark so that I can drive home,"
She replied, drive? She drives now?
"You drive now? I thought you don't have a driver's license, so how can you drive?"
"Excuse you? That was months ago, you don't expect me to be the same right? Anyway, I am sure you are not here to talk about my driving skills, and whatever you are here to talk about please talk as I won't want to waste time having idol talks with you while my works are pending,"
She said.
"What? Idol talks? Nicole, what happened to you?"
He asked, he didn't like how she was talking, how she was acting and everything.
"I can see you don't have anything to s***"
"Nicole? Who is that?"
The dude asked working out of the studio, he looked from him to her and back to him.
"Are you okay Nicole?"
He asked while watching him, Rafael held his gaze sending a warning to him through them to get the fuck out of here so that he can talk to his woman but the stupid guy turned to face Nicole.
"I am fine Aron,"
Oh, Aron, that was his name, he hated the name as much as he hated the one who bore the name.