“You reminded us of Nicholas, my ex-boyfriend.”

“What?” Andrew says looking shocked.

“You look like him, except… your hair colour is different and he has some tattoos as well,” as Ann says these words Andrew takes a minute to takes in what’s he just hears. He buries his face in his palm and following a few moments of silence he asks.

“Is that why you helped me?”

“We would have helped anyone in that situation,” Ann replies. “I admit at first, I assumed you were my ex and that did motivate me a little to help you. But I wanted you to hear this from me and know that I will be doing my best to help you no matter what.”

“Now I understand why Ben wanted to name me Nicholas,” Andrew says giving a small smile. “I don’t know about my past but I know you both helped me; the reason doesn’t matter.”

“You’re not upset?”

“Not really, I mean it does make sense why the both of you care about me so much. The way you two take care of me by not letting me do too much work or the fact that you guys keep an eye on me to make sure I’m alright. I couldn’t have asked for anything better for anyone in my situation,” Andrew says innocently putting Ann and Ben on a pedestal.

‘Does he not realise how much of a danger he is to himself?’ Ann thinks completely dumbfounded by Andrew’s words.

“Well, that’s what I wanted to say. Sorry, we didn’t tell you sooner,” Ann says relieved that everything is out in the open.

“How was he?” Andrew asks abruptly as Ann looks at him. “Nicholas. He must have been an amazing guy.”

“He was,” Ann says recalling tender memories. “He was really smart and amazing in so many ways.”

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“He must have gotten along well with you and Ben.”

“Why would you think that?” Ann asks curiously.

“Ben was the one who wanted to name me Nicholas,” Andrew said smiling. Ann smiles uncomfortably unable to determine her boyfriend’s intentions with this naïve man. Yet she was sure of one thing, Ben would not have let Nicholas into his house without his own agenda. She now wonders if Ben has decided to stop pursuing Andrew or does he still have his doubts. “Well…?”

“What?” Ann says as she remembers what she’s in the middle of a conversation. “Nicholas was amazing, he was always there for me and just…” Ann says unable to control the memories slowly rushing back. She stops speaking and just gets lost in thought, for a long time all questions about Nicholas were related to his crimes. For the first time, she had the chance to talk about their fond memories together. She becomes overwhelmed she smiles as a tear begins to roll down her cheek.

“Is everything alright?” Andrew says coming close to Ann.

“Yes…,” Ann says wiping the tear from her eyes trying to avoid Andrew’s gaze.

‘He looks so much like him,’ Ann thinks not wanting to lose hope. She knows the man in front of her is not Nicholas but someone like him. She secretly worries Nicholas would never come back to her and though she knew it was for the best, it still hurt.

“Hey,” Andrew says taking her hand and, in a moment, she was transported back in time. She remembers the tender times Nicholas was by her side and the way he held her. Andrews eye’s sparkled, filled with compassion as she now couldn’t look away.

‘His hands, they are the same,’ Ann thinks as she comes closer to lean on his shoulder. When her head finally reached his shoulder, she had felt something. The solace she always felt in Nicholas arms as the walls came down, like nothing separated them. She moves back and looks at Andrew whose smile is both comforting her and clearly hurting him. In her eyes Andrew is shattered to see her cry and this reminds her of Nicholas all the more. As Andrew holds her hand once again Ann is now delighted as she is sure of one thing.

‘This man is Nicholas,’ Ann thinks as she lets out a painful smile as tears still fill her eyes. ‘I have no doubt about it, I have to protect him.”

“I’m sorry,” Ann says not wanting to move away. “I just haven’t talked about this in so long I just.”

“I understand,” Andrew says in a smooth voice. “Everything is going to be fine.” Ann smiles even more with these words as Andrew puts his hand on her cheek wiping her tears away as she gently lets her face rest in on his palm. Just then the door swings open and in walks Ben.

“Ann…”