I finished this chapter quite quickly because I had to keep my mind busy while waiting for Animus [was that TESLEN or what?]:D The story goes on [don't ask me where to cuz I have no idea atm XD when the story takes over I'm no longer in control :P].
Also, I would like to dedicate this chapter to my evil little sister Cristina [blackkitty479, who is actually not that little XD] along with a huge 'thank you' :) Thank you for just being there. And don't you dare to think you'll get rid of me that easy! [oh and what do you know! this is the sixth chapter of the story :P talking about addictive numbers xD]
okay I'll let you now enjoy the story :D
He paced graciously through the airport holding, as usual, his left hand on the hip. One, two, three. One, two, three. The tempo of his steps followed an accurate pattern. To everyone else he was just another person in the crowd. Not that he could ever pass as an ordinary man. His presence was unique and just with one glance one could tell he was much more than an ordinary person. But the people, the always busy and hurried people, never seemed to notice the greatness of the man passing by. People seldom noticed more than they wanted to. While for him the world had always been a never ending equation. He saw numbers and figures everywhere. And what a symphony they were creating all around the ignorant people. Heartbeats, breaths, steps, ticking clocks… Sometimes he wished he'd stop counting but it just wasn't his nature.
Helen was walking in his right, sometimes looking behind just to make sure there was nobody following them. How could that man be so relaxed when she was so tense?
When they approached the ticket agent he recognized Nikola and exclaimed,
"Good afternoon signore Whitman. It's always a pleasure to see you." He bowed his head.
"Hello Gilberto." Nikola said.
"Giovanni." He corrected him.
"Right." Nikola said and rolled his eyes.
"I suppose this is signora Whitman." Giovanni said looking at Helen.
"It's a pleasure to meet you madam." He bowed and took of his hat. "Signor Whitman often spoke about you."
"He did?" Helen asked surprised. "What did he say?"
"Listen Gi…ovanni." Nikola interrupted them. "We're in a hurry and we need your help."
"I'm at your service!" Giovanni hurried to respond.
"Good. We need two tickets for the next flight to New York."
"I'll see what I can do." Giovanni replied and started typing on the computer in front of him.
"I'm afraid there are no more places at the 1st class." He spoke.
"What about the 2nd class?" Helen asked.
"Three places."
Before Helen could say anything, the telephone on Giovanni's desk started ringing. Nikola took advantage of the situation to discuss with Helen.
"We are not flying with 2nd class!"
"You said it yourself, we're in a hurry. This isn't the time or the place for your eccentricity Nikola!"
"Helen, I've got standards. Travelling with 2nd class? Way below them."
"Excuse me." Giovanni interrupted them. "A couple just cancelled their flight today so now we have two available places at the 1st class."
With a victorious grin Nikola went to pay the tickets.
"When is the flight?" Helen asked.
"In ten minutes." Giovanni replied looking at the watch.
"I guess we'd better hurry my dear Ms Whitman." Nikola said cupping her chin with his palm for a moment.
"Goodbye signore." Giovanni added while watching them heading to the embarkation area. He noticed then they didn't have any luggage. But he didn't pay too much attention to this meaningless detail. They were in a hurry after all.
Nikola smiled when he saw the number of his seat. 39. Some way or another he could find the numbers everywhere. Helen sat on the seat next to him. She couldn't help thinking that there's going to be a long flight and spending so much time so close to Nikola could prove dangerous, especially after what had happened in the helicopter. But she didn't really have a choice. So she made herself comfortable and tried not to think that Nikola was only a few inches from her.
"Have you reconsidered about the kissing session?" He asked with an impossible sexy smile on his lips.
Helen bit her lip hoping that Nikola wouldn't notice and replied,
"You are incorrigible!"
"Come on Helen! I brought us here safe. I think I deserve at least some gratitude. Though three kisses would do it too. For now."
"Three?" Helen asked sarcastically.
He slowly leaned toward her, close enough to tickle her face with his breath.
"You know what they say, good things come in threes."
"Helen Magnus!" A voice called her name.
Muttering underneath his breath, Nikola turned around to meet the man who had interrupted them.
"Olaf!" Helen exclaimed and gave him a short hug.
"My, my, you look more gorgeous every day." Olaf said while his gaze was measuring her.
Helen smiled politely and allowed him to kiss her hand.
"Ahem." Nikola cleared his voice obviously disturbed by the presence of the stranger.
"Nikola, this is my friend Olaf Van Ausberg. Olaf, meet a very good friend of mine, Nikola Te – Whitman."
The two men shook hands neither of them pleased with the idea of the physical contact between them.
"Whitman? As the poet?" Olaf asked.
"Yes." Nikola replied proudly. "You have a problem with that?"
"No. Not at all." Olaf hurried to answer. "Personally I prefer the classics. In poetry, as well as in life, one should not bite more than he can chew."
"Edison thought the same until I –"
Nikola felt Helen's heel on his shoe.
"Until Tesla found a better way of working with electricity. That jerk really didn't know to accept a defeat."
"Tesla?" I have never heard of him. Was he one of those thieves that claimed Edison's work?" Olaf asked.
Without allowing Nikola to reply, Helen hurried to speak.
"So Olaf, what brought you in Italy?"
"Business I'm afraid. You and I both know what it's like to have three free days a year."
She smiled and caught a glimpse of Nikola rolling his eyes in disgust.
"Mr. Whitman." Olaf said. "Would you mind if I kidnap Helen for a while? There has been a long time since we last spoke."
With a grimace on his face Nikola replied,
"It's all yours. Just be sure she's back before dinner time or else the beautiful princess might turn into Cinderella."
Olaf left a little confused with Helen by his side. She however understood the meaning of Nikola's words.
Three hours later Helen sneaked back to her seat hoping Nikola won't wake up.
"Well, well, well. Cinderella's back." Nikola said opening his eyes and gazing her.
"You and Owlaf caught up for the long time you haven't been in touch?" He asked with a sarcastic tone.
"As a matter a fact, we did." Helen answered annoyed by the tone of his voice. "But I don't see how that is any of your problem."
Nikola muttered and spoke,
"I don't like the guy."
"Ha!" Helen exclaimed. "I think I am capable of deciding on my own whom to trust."
"I never said you weren't. But there's something going on with Mr. I-prefer-the-classics. I saw him talking on the phone earlier."
"And that's suspicious?" She asked.
"Helen, we're on a plane. Any cell phone use during the flight is forbidden."
"Maybe he had to take care of an urgent matter." Helen replied even though she knew Nikola was right.
"Why are you hurried to defend that ignorant?" Nikola asked.
"Why do you have something against him?" Helen replied with a question.
"Jealous much, Mr. Whitman?"
Nikola leaned forward and whispered to her ear,
"Maybe I am."
She chuckled and pulled back to put some distance between them.
None of them said anything for the rest of the flight. Whether they were actually sleeping or just pretending, they both waited in silence for the plane to reach its destination.