Charlotte's POV

"Do you really think I will believe you after all these things?" Nicole mocked, shaking her head. "I confessed to you how much I loved Lucca while you two..." She shook her head in disappointment and ruffled her hair angrily. "Why did you help me then if it wasn't for covering your affair? Because you got back with my brother?! So you tried to clean your mess and use me to get rid of Lucca?!" She shouted as tears shimmered in her eyes.

"Nicole, please. Don't talk nonsense! I never tried to mock or fool you. I didn't play matchmaker. You asked my help and insisted despite the fact I told you I didn't want to intervene. I helped you to look sexier, nothing more. And when Lucca found out it was me who helped you to get ready, he got angry and accused me of playing a matchmaker. However, I explained it to him, telling him the same things which I have told you. You know very well I refused to help you a few times, but you insisted." I breathed deeply.

She gave me a fake smile. "Let's see what my brother will say about your affair with his best friend."

"Nicole, no." I grabbed her arm, stopping her when she wanted to leave. "Please don't tell Nathan. It will affect their friendship badly and create unnecessary tension." I gave her a begging look.

"Your lover should have thought about it before sleeping with you." She stated sarcastically and gave me a disgusted look.

I breathed deeply, trying to calm down, and stated firmly. "Nicole, I know you are angry at me, but I didn't do anything wrong. And when Lucca and  I...did it, I didn't even know you liked him. Moreover, when it happened Nathan and I weren't dating. Lucca and I were single."

"Then let Nathan decide it. He should know that his best friend and girlfriend had a lot of fun in Italy." She gave me a devilish smirk and stormed out.

Fuck!

I heaved a loud sigh and sat down on the couch. I closed my eyes and held my head in my hands.

I should inform Lucca. Then talk to Nathan and tell him about it myself. 

I grabbed my phone and checked the time. Nathan's jet was going to land in an hour. They were planning to build a new hotel in Dubai. So his father, Ethan, sent him there. I had to talk to him before Nicole.

I sent a message to Lucca, informing him about Nicole's plan. Then I poured a glass of red wine for myself and sipped it while thinking how I would tell Nathan about it. Even if I knew I didn't do anything bad, I still felt nervous.

I nibbled my lower lip while waiting for Nathan to pick up the phone, but he declined it again. His jet must have landed two hours ago.

I felt nervous; could Nicole talk to him as soon as he arrived? I breathed deeply and ruffled my hair.

After finishing my wine, I called Nathan one more time, but he didn't pick up again. I gritted my teeth in annoyance and threw my phone onto the couch. I had been trying to reach him for the last few hours. I stood up barely as I decided to go to see Nathan. He was probably at Stardust.

As soon as I arrived at the nightclub, I looked for Nathan, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then I walked towards the bar counter as I saw Rick.

After greeting him, I asked if he saw Nathan; he told me he hadn't seen him the last two days because he was abroad and mentioned that he heard from the other employees that he was planning to come to the nightclub tonight.

I decided to wait for Nathan here and ordered a glass of vodka.

I rubbed my eyes, leaning against the counter, and tried to keep my eyes open. It had been two hours since I arrived. Nathan hadn't still come.

"Another one." I mumbled, ruffling my hair as I pushed my glass towards Rick.

"I think it would be better if you stop drinking. You have been drinking since you came. Do you want a cup of coffee?" Rick said, concerned.

"No. Give me another glass of vodka." I pouted.

"Lottie!"

I turned around as soon as I heard Nathan's voice. I gave him a faint smile without knowing what to say. From his expression, I could guess he knew about Lucca and me.

"Why did you drink this much?" He frowned, shaking his head.

"Nicole talked to you, didn't she?" I asked, ignoring his question.

He sighed and stated firmly. "It isn't the right time or place to talk about it. Come on. I will take you home."

I exhaled loudly, ruffling my hair, and stood up barely. When I was about to fall down, Nathan caught me by wrapping his arm around my waist.

"Thank you, Rick for informing me and not leaving her alone." Nathan told Rick gratefully before helping me walk towards the exit.

***

I grimaced in pain and closed my eyes back as I wanted to open my eyes. My head was pounding. I rubbed my temple and tried to open my eyes slowly.

When I opened my eyes, I was in my bed alone. I ruffled my hair as I sat up on the bed. Then I noticed I was in my nightie. Probably, Nathan changed my clothes.

Last night was blurry; I didn't remember everything, but I knew it was Nathan who took me home.

I stood up and put on my silk robe before going to the living room.

"Nathan?"

When I arrived in the living room, Nathan wasn't here, but there was a blanket on the couch. I exhaled sadly as I understood he slept here, instead of in the bed with me.

Suddenly, I heard noises coming from the kitchen. So Nathan hadn't left. I felt relieved that he didn't leave without waiting for me to wake up.

After taking a deep breath, I went to the kitchen.

"Good morning." I greeted him while he was pouring coffee into a cup.

His hair was slightly disheveled while the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up. He looked smoking hot.

"Morning." He sipped his coffee and extended another cup of coffee towards me.

"Thank you." I gave him a warm smile as I grabbed the cup and sipped my coffee. I cleared my throat and said uneasily. "I am sorry."

He raised his eyebrow and placed his cup on the counter, sighing. Nathan placed his hand into his pocket and asked nonchalantly. "For what?"

I bit my lower lip and mumbled uncomfortably. "For yesterday and..." I heaved a loud sigh, ruffling my hair, and placed my cup on the counter. "Nicole talked to you, didn't she? Because of it you didn't pick up my calls yesterday." I commented seriously.

"I had to talk to Lucca." He informed, running his hand through his hair.

"Nathan, we..."

"I am not angry at you, Lottie. We weren't together when... you two..." He sighed without finishing his sentence. "However, I prefered if you told me about it. He isn't some random guy. Lucca is my friend. Of course, it would be better if I knew about it. At least, I wouldn't have talked to him about our relationship." He added honestly.

"You talked to him about our relationship?!" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, I confessed to him I was glad to get back together with you again. And you made me happy. If I knew about it, I wouldn't have talked to him about us. It must hurt him badly even if he told me he was glad to see me happy." He confessed.

I gave him a sympathetic smile and approached him. "I love you, Nathan. I was drunk and upset because I found out you were dating Stella. It... just happened. I never had romantic feelings towards Lucca; he is just my friend, nothing more." I explained, stroking his cheek.

"But he loves you more than a friend. Yesterday, he confessed when I went to talk to him."

I breathed deeply and ruffled my hair. "I know. He told me the next morning of that...." I confessed and bit my lower lip uneasily.

He heaved a deep sigh and leaned against the counter. "And you? Are you sure you don't have any romantic feelings for him?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

"No, Nathan." I replied, approaching him, and cupped his cheeks. "It is you who I love." I stated honestly, looking into his eyes, and kissed his lips.

He nodded and hugged me, placing a soft kiss on my temple.

"Umm... I hope what happened that day didn't affect your friendship with Lucca." I commented in guilt as I pulled back slightly, still in his arms.

"We talked and solved our problem. Time will show if we can be like in old times or not." Nathan admitted honestly.