17 The secret she didn't know 2

''Whoa, you look beautiful'' looking at Nicole, Candy couldn't help but squirm.

''The dress has brought out your curves so well. You look so edible'' Lara added and Nicole sighed

''You all are going to regret this. This is a disaster waiting to happen''

''Leo's disaster waiting to happen'' Lizzy said and clapped her hands, ''your dressing today is totally Leo's style. You are perfect''

''Now, let's pick the perfect flowers to make her complete''

Candy went forth to pick a bundle of purple rose flowers, ''pure love'' she said and Nicole shook her head.

''I will only take this'' she picked a single black rose flower and started walking out of the shop. The ghosts gave up and followed her outside but when they did, they saw a man in a black outfit standing at a distance as if waiting for them.

Nicole stopped and turned to look at Lara. It seemed she was going to leave much earlier than she had anticipated.

''He is here for me, right?'' Lara asked and Nicole nodded her head.

''I will miss you, Lara'' Candy hugged Lara.

''I will miss you all too. Especially you, Nicole. Lizzy, I hope that you get to find those who killed you and go to the afterlife safely''

''It seems going to Leo won't be possible today. Nicole, let's see Lara off first'' Lizzy came to a decision. Lara was returning that moment; she couldn't let them go to do her wishes while Lara walked to the gates of the afterlife alone.

''We will walk you to the gates'' Candy held Lara's hand and they walked towards the man in black outfit. The man nodded at Nicole who also nodded back before turning to Lara.

''Lara, I can't go with you to the gates because it's off limits to the living, but I want you to know that I was happy to meet you. I will take care of the flower shop on your behind but I will hand it over to your husband when he comes out of the hospital''

''Thank you for everything you did for me, Nicole. I wish you happiness in your journey''

Nicole nodded her head and pulled Lara into a tight hug before letting go. Candy and Lizzy held Lara's hand, walking with her as the man in black took the lead.

.....

Nicole pulled out a chair and sat down before putting the black rose flower on the table.

''Who is this beautiful lady? She looks like my sister but I am not too sure'' Nick said, entering the counter.

''Bloody Mary'' Nicole said to him and he frowned.

''I've been wanting to ask you. Who taught you how to drink? The drinks you ask for keep changing''

''Bloody Mary, I don't feel like talking much today. I just watched someone I became close to go to the afterlife''

''I won't ask who that friend is but, what's the occasion? I didn't know you had a dress like this''

''It's not mine. I borrowed it from a ghost''

''Bloody Mary, coming up'' Nick said and moved away.

Nicole chuckled and suddenly heard a noise coming from the top floor. ''What's going on up there, Nick?''

''Birthday party. A group of friends planned a surprise birthday party for their friend''

''People still have the time to plan surprise birthday parties?'' she shook her head and turned to Nick who pushed the drink to her side.

''Are you sleeping here today?''

''En, don't worry, I can go to the room with my own two feet''

''Have you eaten?''

''No''

''I knew it'' Nick picked a plate of cookies on the top shelf and pushed it to her side, ''eat something. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for your health''

''Nick, don't you find me strange?'' Nicole suddenly asked and heard Nick chuckle.

''You have always been strange, Nikki but I still love you because you are my other half''

''Someone would think I am your wife?''

''That person must be blind of they can't see the resemblance. If I were a girl, a lot of people wouldn't be able to tell us apart''

''That's why the girls go crazy for you. A beautiful man. I heard a bunch of high school students have been coming here to watch you''

''That is the bad side of having a face like mine''

''Tsk, show-off''

''It's she going to confess? What's with the flowers?'' Nick pointed at the top floor and Nicole looked up and her body stiffened.

What were the chances of running into someone you do not want to? Talk about ill-fated meetings. What was Leo doing in Nick's bar.

''That woman…''

''Is she someone you know?'' Nick asked looking at Priscy who was holding the flowers in front of Leo who was seated on the couch. Because of the distance and the height, his face couldn't be seen, but Nicole knew very well without doubt that he was the one.

''Nick, I have to go'' Nicole gulped down the cocktail in the glass and stood up from the chair. She was in a haste and didn't see the waiter walking towards the counter with a tray of glasses. She bumped into him and the tray of glasses, a few containing left over drinks came falling on her.

''Nicole'' Nick rushed forward as the people turned to look at them. Priscy turned and the rest of the people at the top floor also stood up.

''I'm sorry, Miss Nicole'' the waiter said to Nicole as Nick pulled her aside.

''Be careful, the glasses are broken'' he said to her.

''Oh''

''Are you okay, Nicole?'' Nick asked worriedly inspecting her. ''Where were you looking? She almost got hurt'' he screamed at the waiter.

''Nick, I'm fine. Calm down'' Nicole touched his hand and he nodded and came back to his senses. Since her accident, Nick has been wary of her getting hurt again, even getting pricked by a pin could make his protective instincts kick to play.

''Your dress is ruined'' he said and pulled her over to the counter.

''It's alright, Nick, it was just drink'' Nicole assured him, ''I will go and clean up in the washroom before going to your room''

''The clothes you left behind the other day are in the closet, change into those and come out. I will send you home''

''En'' Nicole nodded her head and went towards the washroom.

After she left, Leo stood up and looked at the chaos downstairs and turned to Ray, ''what happened?'' because of the crowd, he wasn't able to see clearly what was going on.

''A waiter bumped into a lady. I don't know whether she is his girlfriend? He was very protective of her''

''Really? I am going to the washroom first'' Leo said and turned to go.

''Leo, I still have something to say to you'' Priscy said anxiously and Ray touched her hand subtly giving her a signal to stop. ''It's alright, go to the washroom first''

''I will be back soon''

###

Nicole walked out of the ladies' washroom and saw Leo walking towards her. Her body tensed up as she stared at him wide eyed. He got closer to her and momentarily locked eyes with her before turning into the male washroom.

''He did not recognise me' Nicole murmured to herself.

Even after he was long gone, Nicole couldn't move an inch, she stood there for a while staring at the male washroom until she heard voices coming her way and came back to her senses and walked away.

Leo was washing his hands in the sink when the bracelet in his hand came to sight. He furrowed his brows and a thought to his mind.

''Wait, that woman. Her lips, her nose, her heart shaped face. She is the one who came to Lizzy's funeral'' he ran out of the washroom as if possessed. He ran to the hallway and didn't see anyone and cursed.

''I can't believe I lost her again'' he said and turned to go and saw Priscy.

''Leo, why did you keep so long?''

''Priscy, did you see a lady here. Full lips. Tiny nose, heart-shaped face? She wore a light pink dress with puffy hands'' he started describing Nicole.

''No, I didn't see anyone like that. Who is she?''

''I think she is Lizzy's friend''

The moment Leo mentioned Lizzy's name, her face fell and he clutched her hands tightly against the purse in her hands.

'It was Lizzy again. Even after death, she was still in his heart'

''Lizzy's friend?''

''Yes, I'm sure she was the one I saw at the funeral''

''Maybe you are mistaken''

''I can't be. I saw her just a moment ago before entering the washroom. I should have stopped her then'' Leo regretted not making her up earlier.

''Leo, why are you suddenly looking for Lizzy's friend?''

''I think I know her from somewhere. She seemed to be someone who was closed to Lizzy. I have to find her. Maybe, she might know something about Lizzy's death''

Priscy suddenly felt uncomfortable listening to Leo. She faked a smile saying, ''why don't you check the CCTV cameras, you might be able to find her''

''Why didn't I think of that? I know the owner of this place, I will ask him for it'' Leo said, feeling grateful as he walked away with a new found hope.