Chapter 119 - Story Of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 119: A PROMISE

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The Peninsula Hotel, Mainland City

Theo, browsing his laptop, reading the data Matt emailed him. He looked through the evidence and images included in the files. On his left hand, holding his phone near his left ear.

"Brandon Hale and Kevin Hale…" he mumbled while looking at the picture.

"Theo, Kevin Hale is arriving in the hotel around 2:00 in the afternoon," Jeremy speaks up from the other line.

"I got it. I will wait for him in the lobby."

"Are you exposing yourself?"

"No. But I am curious whether he knew about Nikki. I want to see his reaction seeing her in this hotel."

"Or possibly, he already knows that Nikki is working in the hotel," Jeremy's conclusion.

"Once we heard his and Uncle Garry's conversation, and it showed some hints, we need to move to the next plan."

"Right. Daichi is coming to you for the plans."

"I'll handle it." he cannot wait to unveil Garry Shang's scheme.

Theo continues talking with Jeremy when Daichi knocked on the door.

"Director Isagawa is here. I will hang up now," he told Jeremy, then end the call.

"Yo! Just call me Daichi. I was only two years older than you."

"All right. I would be comfortable in this way." Theo pushed a smile. Honestly, he is nervous being alone with Daichi Isagawa. He is one of the closest friends of Nikki. How could he explain to this man about him and Nikki? His worries.

"So, Matt and Shun mentioned to me that one person they were investigating is coming to the hotel?"

And he wishes Matt mentioned nothing yet to this guy. He is not prepared for being beaten up by him when more things have to work out from now on.

"Ahem! Yes, and I was grateful to the chairman for allowing us to do this," Theo replied.

"He will benefit, as Shun is eager to apprehend this organization. They gave us such a headache for years already."

"And they were a pain to many people for many years."

"Like you and your brother. Even our poor Nikki. Anyway! Speaking of, I heard it was you who tried to save Nikki back then."

Theo was in a panic when Daichi sat up and strode toward him. 'Is he going to beat me up now?' Theo's crazy thoughts. However, Daichi did only hug him.

"Thank you for saving our Nikki." Daichi patted Theo's back before he let him go.

But Theo could only laugh awkwardly. Can this guy thank him after he learns what he did to Nikki? He shook his head. "Don't mention it, brother Daichi," said Theo, sweat cold rushing his forehead.

"I like that!" Daichi went back to his seat. "Also, Matt mentioned…"

"What— what did he say?"

"That you notice Brandon Hale is bothering Nikki lately. You made a quick decision to investigate this guy."

Once more, Theo laughs awkwardly. Can he tell the truth it was out of jealousy that another man calling Nikki? It sounds childish, but he already places Nikki's safety as a priority.

"Now, tell me, Theo… Do you like our Nikki?" with a serious tone, Daichi questions the guy.

Tension has increased; it caught him off guard. Is this the right time to confess? He needs Daichi for his plan of kidnapping Nikki soon. But how to explain to him without a punch, then talk? Matt is calmer, the reason he could easily share everything with him. But Daichi is one of the hotheaded in their circle.

"Brother Daichi, would you permit me if I pursue her?"

Daichi sharpens his gaze after hearing Theo asking for permission. "What did you say? Don't you have a fiancé, Theo?"

"I— Min Xi and I, the elders who arrange our marriage. I will rather be to have nothing than marry the person I don't love." Bravely, he meets Daichi's burning stare. He had to convince him further. "I have been turning her down. She just wanted to marry me to save her family from bankruptcy and money slandering inside my family's company with my other uncle's scheme. I could feel that I never loved her, I'm sure of that. It was Nikki only filled my head all these years."

Listening to Theo's confession, Daichi's forehead frown and asked. "Wait… isn't that you lost your memory?"

"I do. But my heart did not forget Nikki."

"Hey, is this really a real confession?" Still, Daichi displayed a serious expression. As a brother, it was his responsibility to make sure that Nikki won't cry. But then, he remembers something. "Wait, a minute. Before the event and during the night of the show. I saw Nikki cried. Don't tell me it was you the reason?"

Theo takes silence. What chances did he make Nikki cry? "I don't remember. Besides, making her cry is the last thing I would do."

He wanted to share the truth. But at this moment, there are other things they have to take care of. "If you please, can you spare me your time tomorrow morning, brother Daichi?" Theo bent his back, bowing from his seat.

"Hmm… what is this? Are you going to court me as well?"

"I do. I respected you as Nikki's closest family."

"Damn! I wonder what the old man would say." Daichi grinned.

"Nikki's father?" asked Theo. Now he feels relieved seeing Daichi change his mood. "Would he haunt me?" It's silly to talk. But it seems he needs to offer respect for Nikki's father. He should do that soon.

"I thought, it's only talking between drunk men." Daichi reaches his chin and scratches it while recalling something.

"What are you talking about, brother Daichi?"

"Well… it was when you visited Mainland City with your brother for his further check-ups. But you are going to the US for College. To celebrate your departure the next day, we all met at the store for a drinking party."

"Wow. Really?" Theo thrilled to hear the further story.

"Yeah. I will never forget everything." Daichi smiled upon remembering the days when Nikki's father still alive. "Everyone having fun and doing stupid games that night. I was already having a high tolerance for alcohol. As the night getting old, we had hangover talks."

"Did I say stupid things at that time?" Theo asked curiously. Now he realizes. The memory he lost contains such fun times.

"I think that's not stupid at all."

Theo is dying to hear what it was, but Daichi is taking it long.

"You and Uncle Seth are having a talk, which I don't know the entire conversation, but Uncle Seth called out a cheer suddenly and announced that you would marry his daughter after you graduate college."

"Huh?" Theo dropped his jaw. Isn't Nikki just turning 14 years old when he graduated from college?

"Aunt Lucy heard this, and she hits her husband in the head. I was laughing hard at that time, but Aunt Lucy is right. Nikki is ten at the moment. So then, she will turn fourteen after four years. Everyone is already drunk, so no one paying attention to that crazy idea when you and Uncle Seth made a promise. Ben and Kier passed out." Daichi peered at Theo. "It was more like a joke to look back, but who would have thought? You and Nikki cross paths after you graduated from college. However, it became a tragedy to both of your lives."

"I agreed. It seems our fate playing us and giving us a hard time. But is this all true? Do the drunken men talk? Did I really promise to Nikki's father to marry his daughter?"

"I am certain, yes."

"Then, when and where did I first meet her?" He was too curious to know. He cannot wait for his memory to come back.

Daichi shrugs a shoulder. "Hm, I don't know either. Oh, I have to answer this Theo. It was Rudolf." Daichi swipes the green button and speaks to the caller.

While Daichi occupied talking to his phone, he pondered over things of where he and Nikki first met. Base on his sketchpad, he saw her on the train, on the bus, and they went to the same town. Maybe Jeremy could tell him more about that day.

Not too long, Daichi hangs up the call and share the great news.

"Everything is ready. Rudolf sends his cousin, Mark Lao, to place the spy cameras in the entire room booked by your uncle. Rudolf will link the monitoring into our gadgets. Let's test it after Mark places them. He will join us shortly."

Theo nodded.. They were getting close.