CHAPTER 1

CC slammed the Sheffield's door behind her, leaving Maxwell and Fran in astonishment. And Niles...he had ran upstairs in a huff after finally insulting CC enough to get through her thick skull and make an impact. The other banters between the two had been fun and games, but not this one. This argument was life changing. Her decision was made- to resign her spot as Maxwell's business partner.

The pointy red pumps clicked as she ran across the street in the snow to her car. The chill of the air hadn't made an effect on CC, although the thought of the argument that had just went down sent chills down her spine. Her breath visibly escaped her slightly parted red lips as she tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down, red coat fluttering behind her. The street was deserted except for a bright streetlight in the distance. CC spotted her car near the light and ran slightly faster.

I can't believe this but Niles was right. All these years I had spent pining over Maxwell were a blatant waste of my good time. The best years of my life are gone. What am I to do now?

CC slammed her car door shut and threw her head against the steering wheel in frustration.

Am I making a huge mistake? Why did I say I would resign? How do I fix this?

Tears started to drip down CC's porcelain white skin and onto the steering wheel and into her lap. Her knuckles resembled the snow with every tightening grip on the wheel. The unclear thoughts and feelings rushing through her body was too much for CC to handle. Why hadn't she said yes to Niles' 4 previous proposals? Why had she made fun of him for asking her to marry him? WHY was Niles so upset by this? Hadn't they had their fun and games in making each other crazy? Why was this so different…

CC sat up and hugged her knees into her chest, hoping for some warmth as she was suddenly freezing. Shakily, CC reached for the car heat and turned it on full blast. More tears made their way down CC's face and dripped off the end of her chin as she thought about not working in this house anymore. Her makeup was beyond messed, streaming down her face along with her tears. She hugged her knees closer and rocked herself back and forth, closing her eyes and slowly falling asleep.

CC's eyes shot open to the sound of her cellphone ringing. I fell asleep? She slowly pulled her face from off of her knees and checked her face in the mirror. To her dismay, she found a huge red mark on her forehead from sleeping on her knees. Must have been a few hours…

The phone kept ringing, irritating the now-cranky CC. She was still parked outside of the Sheffield's house. CC frantically searched for her phone in the car, finally finding it in her pocket. She flipped the tiny phone open.

"…Hello." The question came as a statement regarding her grogginess. She was still half asleep, resting her head back onto her knees, slowly closing her eyes again.

"Miss Babcock…" The deep baritone voice was recognizable to CC, making her immediately shoot up from her position and wake up instantly. The voice was hoarse and tired, and sounded almost pleading.

"Ni..Niles?! Wha- What are you… Why…" CC stuttered. She finally gained enough sense of the situation to form a coherent thought and raised one eyebrow. "WHY are you calling me on my cellphone Niles?!" CC couldn't wait for his smart remark as to his what CC could only assume is a late night call. To CC, they were still angry at each other.

The brutish, manly voice spoke again. "Miss Babcock do come inside. You have been sitting in your car all night. I don't… I mean… Just come inside." Niles' pleading tone wore off, unrecognizably soothing and urgent.

Is he worried about me? CC sat up and looked around for any sign of Niles watching her. She had no idea where he was or how long he had been watching her, but something seemed different in his tone. It seemed as if he needed her. And God knew she needed him, she just didn't know it yet.

"Niles what is going on, why are you calling me? You are starting to freak me out…" CC didn't know what was going on. It was strange for Niles to give any hint of compassion towards her, the two only knew how to banter. It was also strange for Niles to call her on her phone, something he had never done in the past. Her eyes darted back and forth trying to find an answer, and still trying to figure out where Niles was hiding, but couldn't find a clue.

Niles was peeking through his blinds of the Sheffield's residence, watching CC in her car for 3 hours now. The love that Niles held for CC was unconditional, and whether they were fighting or not he wanted her to be safe. "Good maybe you'll finally go to a mental hospital if I make you crazy enough."

CC smiled. There is the Niles I know. Her insides warmed up and suddenly realized how hot the car was from the heat being left on. CC lunged to turn the full-on blasting heat off.

Her groggy voice made its way through the phone, "Niles what time is it?"

A smile crept across Niles' face. "2:26 in the morning, which is why you better come inside because you certainly are not driving home at this hour." Niles prayed she would accept so the two could talk out their rash decisions made just hours ago in the entryway of the home.

An angry sigh was let into the phone by CC. She was mostly angry at herself for falling asleep for so long, but also at Niles for his insistent tone for her to return to the house. "Only because I need coffee."