Nina felt restless while watching Emma play happily, her mind wandered over to Selena.

Did they really break up? Or were they able to reach a compromise between themselves? Or had what she feared the most happened?

She couldn't make up her mind in whether to call to ask or not. Because unless they were able to reach a compromise, Selena's mood must surely be in the dumps and she may need some alone time.

But reason also tells her that maybe she needs comfort as well which led to the he dilemma she was facing right now.

She decided to wait a little bit more but as time went by, she felt increasingly worried with a hint of curiosity and finally made up her mind to call. Fishing our her phone from her bag, she dialled her number and waited for her to pick up while keeping an eye on Emma at the same time.

After a few rings, Selena picked up.

"What's up, Nina," Her bright and cheery voice came from the other side of the phone.

But Nina felt even more suspicious when she heard the bright voice which seemed to imply that everything was fine when obviously nothing was! 

As her best friend, she knew that the more she acted this way, the more it says that there was a problem.

"What the hell is wrong with you! You sound wrong, totally wrong!"

"I am fine, Nina. Totally fine, Nothing is wrong with me. Really!", Selena replied in what seemed in her ears an overly cheerful voice.

"Cut it off, Selena and tell me what the h*ll happened! Do you think you can fool me by acting this way? If you don't wanna talk about it, then fine. It's not like I am going to force you but please, don't act like nothing is wrong when obviously something is, It hurts me because it kinda means you don't trust me."

Like a deflated balloon, there was no longer a voice from her. Nina heard her sigh before saying in a helpless tone.

"Sometimes I can't help but hate the fact that you know me so well 'cause it makes it hard to pretend in front of you."

"Then don't bother to pretend", Nina told her with a soft voice. "So can you tell me what happened between you two now?"

Selena fell silent again before saying in a bland tone like she was talking about the weather instead of something that evidently tears her heart apart.

"We broke up."

It was Nina's turn to be silent after she asked with a rise in her tone which was laced with total disbelief.

"Seriously broke up? He agreed? !!!"

"He really did agree. So yeah, I am now officially single! Ain't that something to celebrate about!", She commented in a sarcastic tone laced with pain.

Nina still found it hard to believe that Ryan, THE Ryan, THAT Ryan actually agreed to break up with Selena. Even though she couldn't claim to know him as well as Selena, Justin and Dan do but because two of the most important persons in her life were that familiar with him and they were also college mates, she could be said to be very familiar with his personality.

And now it was this same Ryan that Selena just said had let her go, peacefully for that matter?
'Does this mean that Selena wasn't that important to him in the first place or is there something else about this that she and Selena does not know about?'

For some reason, what Justin had said earlier in the morning came to her mind, that Ryan said 'It wasn't time yet'. Connecting it now with his sudden decision to break up with Selena, she couldn't help but think deeper into this matter.

Would someone who planned to break up with his girlfriend tell his best friend that he does plan to marry her but it just wasn't time yet? Obviously the answer was NO, he didn't need to lie Justin. So there was really something more than meets the eyes to this matter.

'Could it be that Ryan was in danger and was worried that it might affect her so decides to break up temporarily?'

She somehow felt that this might be closer to the truth than she thought. It wasn't like she didn't know that Ryan had a mafia background but most of the times, she will subconsciously ignore it mainly because he really doesn't look or behave like one. He looks more like the son of an aristocratic family.

Wait... Aristocratic family? She remembered that Justin had once let it slipped that he and Ryan was childhood friends, she would have completely forgot about it if not for today's matter as she had never seen Ryan close to any of the aristocratic families in the compound except the Walters. But Justin wouldn't lie to her so it must be true.....

So could it be that Ryan was....

Arrghhh! Why does this matter seem more complicated the more she thought about it?

"Nina, Nina!", Selena's anxious cries from the phone brought her back to reality.

"I am here... I am here.", she hurriedly answered.

"What happened? You just went silent all of a sudden. That scared me you know, I couldn't help but think if it was another Tyson Simmons' Incident."

Her words made Nina chuckle but knowing that she was just being worried about her, she assured her.

"There wouldn't be another Tyson's Incident. He has been locked up and won't ever have the opportunity to do anything to me again."

"I know but your silence earlier made me think of the worst outcomes especially when I called you repeatedly but you didn't answer... Just being curious, what were you doing earlier, huh?"

"Nothing really, I was just lost in thoughts."

"Lost in thought? What were you thinking that deeply that had you so... Lost in thought
."
Nina almost blurted out her hypothesis but decided against it the next second as she had no evidence to back it up but most importantly she didn't want to give her false hope because what if what she was thinking turns out not be true.

Since she didn't plan on staying anything, she knew she had to change the topic and distract Selena from asking further.

"So what is your next plan now?"

Selena perceived who also perceived that she didn't want to say anything about it also graciously accepted the subject change, besides she had an inkling that it was related to her.

"I plan to travel around the world and take a breather. I haven't had the time to do this since it became CEO."

"..Vacation? Sounds like a good idea. When are you leaving?"

"What time better than the present?"

"You mean you are leaving today?!!! You really don't plan to waste time, do you?"

"I am happy you support me, Mrs Chairman. I was worried you would think this employee of yours was being lazy!", She said jokingly.

Nina rolled her eyes elegantly at her words though she knew she couldn't see it and said in amusement.

"Would I dare not to grant leave to the great CEO Selena? So how long do you plan to stay on vacation?"

"Not long. About 3-6 months."

Nina laughed in anger as she asked incredulously, "And that isn't long? Then in your book, what exactly would be long."

Although she said this, she knew that she really needed it.

"Alright. Have a nice time vacationing and remember to come back soon."

"I will be sure to come back soon, ma'am lest you decide not to pay my salary." Selena said happily, paused and continued in a serious tone.

"And you don't have to worry much about the company while I am gone as I already gave instructions to the vice president. But do help keep an eye on it as some people might get restless while am gone".

"Okay, got it. Then.... goodbye?"

Puchi!

"Goodbye, Nina. Say hello to Emma for me. Will miss you guys", Selena said before hanging up.
"I'll miss you too", Nina whispered suddenly feeling sad for some reason.

She composed herself and headed over to Emma who was still having fun and announced that playtime was over and it was time to go home.

Emma who wanted to whine and plead with her mother saw her stern eyes and knew that there was no chance she would be allowed to play anymore.

Her shoulders slumped as she replied with a low voice, "Okay, mommy."

Looking at her daughter who was obviously in a bad mood, she could only say something to make her happy.

"If you are a good girl, mommy will bring you here again, okay?", she promised while rubbing her head.

"Yes mommy! you are the best!"
The mother and daughter who had come to a compromise finally headed home happily together.