The Bet

Chapter 5

Nicole's POV

The drive to my condominuim was fortunately quiet. It seemed like Emilia does not want to talk about it in front of her sister whom fell asleep at the back seat. "We are here." I said as I parked the truck. When she didn't move, it was then that I noticed that she fell asleep too. The ride from her apartment to my condominium took roughly more than an hour. It'll probably be shorter if it the road wasn't jam. My place was only less than thirty minutes away from school, lesser when I used my bike. If took buses everyday, then her journey should be longer.

I can't help but felt pity but that was something I shouldn't give. For a little time that I knew her, one thing I have found out was she had a lot of pride in a sense that she'll handle everything in her power and avoid getting help as much as possible. I believe it was also the reason why she kept on turning John down. If there's one thing I'm good at, it was reading people and I think it was because I had entered in so many relationships that I gained experience.

There were two of them plus the luggage. It was impossible carry them both. Going to the back, I took down their small suitcase and gym bag. I wonder how may clothes she was able to fit on those tiny luggage. Then I carefully carried the little girl whom I failed to get the name. With the little girl on my right arm, the gym bag slung on my left shoulder while my hand pulled the luggage, I gently opened the passenger seat to wake up sleeping beauty. From outside the window, she looked to vulnerable but still beautiful. I felt my crush on her returned as I stared at he sleeping form.

"Emilia, wake up... we are here." I slowly nudge her after slowly opening the door.

"Oh... sorry..."

"Let's go so you two can both rest." Fortunately, she complied without a single argument.

"Let me help you with her." She offered. But as she was about to get the child, I refused and told her it was okay. I saw that she was about to argue so I just gave her the luggage. At least it had wheels so she won't need to carry anything.

Upon entering the elevator, I pushed the ground floor which was the only option aside for the other parking levels. "We need to get to the lobby first and register you both. You will be given a pass that can only access the common areas and my unit floor. The rest should be restricted." I explained and she nodded. It was part of the condominium's policy to have every tenants and visitor registered. The access pass can only access the common areas like the gym, swimming pool, viewing deck and the ammeneties. Then, it was restricted to your unit's floor. If you stay at the eleventh floor, then your access card can only go to eleventh floor. The other residential floors are restricted. You need to tap the access card in the elevator. Every visitors must also be registered, the duration of stay or if they will be spending the night. It was part of the security and everyone must comply. Prevention was better than cure as the management said.

"This way." I guided her to the management office since they will be staying with me. Visitors can just directly approach the register. The other side of the building was where the elevator for the residential floors can be accessible. This way, every entry and exit were controlled. "Good evening Lisa! Working hard as ever?"

"Hey Nick... it was such a long time." She blushed a little when she saw me. Let's just say, we had a past. Good thing we still ended up as a friend. "What can I do for you?"

"My friends will be staying at my place for a while, I need you to give Emilia her pass."

"Okay, she just needed to fill up this forms." She then handed us some papers. "We will need to take their photos too, but seeing that the child was asleep, maybe we could do her tomorrow, Ms. Emilia, if you may just seat tight and look at the camera." Lisa pointed at the already set-up mini cam in her desk. "Okay, done. I'll just make you an access card." She then left us to go to the back to get the needed card. "Same access as yours?" I nodded and she disappeared on the back.