SWNOVELS Chapter 35: Nina
"I love you Michael Thompson" I heard Deborah say to Michael immediately, I and Austin entered the dance floor. They were oblivious to us, I brace myself as I waited for Michael's response. "What are you on edge for? Surely, Michael loves you" My subconscious said rolling her eyes at me being nervous
"Wow! girl. I thought you've abandoned me too, it's been ages since I last saw you. Oh! How I've missed you" I said sarcastically while rolling my eyes at her too, she glares at me but I ignored her in time to hear Michael's faint whisper "I love you too, Deborah Melton" My heart bled at that simple word that held much emotions. I tightens my grip on Austin shoulder as I hide my face on his neck, the tear were falling down my face
"Are you alright, Nina," Austin's concerned voice cut out through me as I nodded my head at him.
"I'm okay Austin properly tired from all the partying and we didn't rest when we landed" I said looking up at him.
"That's true, come let me show you to your room" Austin said as he put his arms around my back and walked me out of the party.
Going up the stairs to the elevator I saw Michael and Deborah entering into an elevator Michael was whispering into Deborah's ear while she was giggling
I force myself out from the scene in front of me. They look like they were made for each other. I can't believe he was inside me a while back, Men!!!.I turn to look at Austin. He was also looking at them. I couldn't read his face as he was passive. "Are you alright?" I ask him concern for him. I remember that he might have a thing for Deborah" Why did you ask?"Austin said, looking at me, his face still remaining passive.
"Nothing"I shrug as I turn to walk into the elevator that will take us to our floor.
"I'm sorry" Austin said as he ran up to me as he apologized. He probably thought he had offended me.
I ignored him as I stepped out of the elevator and walked into the room, closing the door on his face annoyed. I don't know why I'm very angry right now.
I drop my clothes on the floor and step out of my dress as I walk into the bathroom I put on the shower and step inside. The water cascaded down my back, blending in with the tears on my face. I screamed my eyes out as I cried in the shower.
I pick up the sponge and scrub my body hurriedly. I wanted to remove every sign of Michael on me. I scrub harder that I fear I might bruise the following morning.
"No matter, how much you scrub you know you can never undo what you've done" my subconscious was back to taunt me but surprisingly she was not taunting me but rather sad.
"Do you think I don't know that?" I scream loudly at her" I know that you asshole. I hate you, I hate everyone,"
"Girl calm your nerves. I think you are mistaken here, I'm not Michael so you shouldn't be screaming at me" She reiterated back at me getting pissed off and retreated to the back of my mind.
Getting out of the shower, I was surprised to hear a knock on my door. I walked out of the bedroom into the parlour to open the door for whosoever that was knocking praying that it wasn't Austin nor Michael. I don't have any strength to deal with their problem tonight. Lilian and Danny were looking at me as soon as I opened the door "I'm sorry to bother you but I couldn't sleep so I ask Danny to bring me here" Lilian said as she offered me an apologetic smile.
"No problem, come in" I said smiling back at her as I opened the door wider to let them in.
As soon as they were seated, Danny turn to look at me" Are you sure you are okay Nina,"
"Of course yes, why?" I ask him as I turn to smile at Lilian who was getting worried again
"We've been ringing the doorbell a while now and there was no sign of you"
"Oh!, that. I was in the shower" I said as I took a handful of my hair to drenched the water driving in my point.
"So where did you and Michael run off to, we've been searching for you at the party" Lilian said as she turned all her attention on me.
If it was any other day I would have blush nervously but today I was so annoyed of being reminded of being naive by letting him to fool me over and over again.
"Nothing"I said a little loud as I stood up preparing to go to my room.
"I'll retire early, there's a spare bedroom on your right you could use that for tonight" I said as I walked out of the sitting room.
"What's wrong with her Danny," Lilian's panicked voice got to me as I was about to open my bedroom door. I paused to listen to Danny's answer.
"Don't worry yourself too much. Nina is a big girl she can take care of herself" Danny whispers back as he guides her to the spare room.
Yes, Danny I'm a big girl, it's high time I start behaving like one not some naive stupid girl I once was.
I sigh heavily as I open the door to my bedroom and walk inside. I was thinking that I will probably make use of the sleeping pills which were lying idle inside my bag but immediately, my head touches the pillow I was carried into the dreamland dreaming of Michael and I so happily in love with each other.
I woke up the following morning to the light pouring down the window blinds. I stood up sluggishly to bath and dressed as I got ready to go to leave for the airport.
My phone beeps as I walk into the room, water streaming down my body from the shower. I pick up my phone and check the message. It was from Austin
"Hi beauty! Hope your night was as wonderful as mine. I won't be going back with you today, so please don't wait for me. Have a safe trip"
I dropped the phone after reading Austin's message and rushed to dress as I went to check on Lilian and Danny.
Lilian and Danny were not in their room either but rather a piece of paper was waiting for me on the bed in their place.
The message was short and brief, probably written by Danny Nina, thanks for yesterday. We've gone to the airport earlier, have a safe trip see you in new york"
I smile as I walk out of their room closing the door gently behind me. I went to pick up my bags and went out of the hotel. I boarded a taxi that will take me to the airport.
On getting to the airport, I was told that the flight had been delayed for an hour due to an emergency maintenance of the plane. I stepped away from the customer care desk and went to sit down in the waiting area, close to me where two couples who obviously were adored by the man.
The woman's head was in between the man's shoulder while she slept soundly, the man was very protective of her as he kept checking her from time to time.
I swallow back my tears as I force my eyes away from the loving couple, I turn to gaze outside of the window, looking at the tarmac and landing beyond.
From my peripheral vision, I could see a man and a woman walking inside the airport, a porter boy was pushing their bags with trolleys, the couples shouldn't have fascinated me since they look like any regular travellers but they look like Michael and Deborah. I gasped immediately they were closer to me, surely it was Michael and Deborah. Michael stops suddenly as he scans the airport to the waiting room, his eyes searching for someone.
His eyes rested on me as they both charged at me, he was frowning and trying to hide a smile on his face.
What was making him excited, they soon got close to me as Deborah sank into her chair barely acknowledging me while Michael went away to book their flight. I was left in shock, why didn't he use his private jet?.
***
Michael
I scramble down "Ina" my chopper with Deborah behind me after receiving a phone call from John_
"Michael, what's wrong?" Deborah asks, panicking. I have almost forgotten about her, I turn to look at her but not really seeing her as I thought of an excuse to give her.
"I'm sorry, there is a problem with the chopper so we'll have to take a commercial plane" I told her just as Charles got down in time to hear the last part.
"Yes ma'am. I'm very sorry for not informing you on time" Charles said, coming to my rescue I mouthed him a quick "thank you" as I guide Deborah into the waiting car that will take us to the airport.
On the way, I couldn't help but be on edge. John's phone call was very brief and frank, telling me that they bump into a man with a mask and his belongings fell on the floor. They bent down to pick it up only to discover that it was Nina's pictures in an envelope. Apparently someone sent an assassin to assassinate my woman but who?
"Please step on the gas, I'm running late" I snapped at the man on the wheel. He picks up speed as Deborah watch me curiously
"Michael what's wrong? Are you sure you are alright?"
"Of course baby, I'm fine. Aurora called me that there's an important client I need to meet that's why I'm in a hurry to board the plane " I said as I flicked her a forced smile, lying.
I always distaste lies but never knew I would soon be one. I will lie all over again if it's to protect the woman I love.
The car pulled over at the airport as I scrambled out of the car, I almost ran off if not for Deborah beside me, but that still didn't stop me from walking fast into the airport.
I relaxed slowly and immediately I saw that Nina's flight was yet to take off as I scanned the airport and the waiting room searching for her, my eyes found her as I breathed in excitedly my legs carried me to her as I put Deborah to sit down close to her and went to book a flight.
I still couldn't help but watch her closely. While I imagine who could hate me so much to want Nina's death.
"Attention flight 101 is ready to take off, all passengers to the plane now" I stood up and grabbed Deborah's hand while Nina followed us into the plane. I was very happy to know that she booked first class.
Deborah was fast asleep as soon as she sat down in the plane. Nina sat down in front of me where I could watch her. I took out my phone to call John since I had asked them to follow the assassin.
"Yes sir, have you been able to get in touch with Miss Miller?"John asked immediately as he answered the call, though he didn't show it but I know that he loves Nina like a sister.
"Yes, she's alright" I reply while staring at her in my front. She will probably think that I'm speaking about Deborah right now.
"Thank God,"John said as he sighs heavily.
"Have you been able to secure the package?"
"Yes, sir, we are in close contact with it but no move it made now"
"That's good. I want to know who he meets" I reply as I hang up the call glad that everything is safe for now.
I put the phone into flight mood just as the plane took off, I was scared as I waited for something to happen.
"Will it blow off? Or is the assassin's assistant sitting in the plane right now?" I whisper as I scan the face of people in the plane but none look like someone who could kill for money. Michael relax, stop being paranoid. No matter what happens I have to protect Nina.