Sorry for the wait, but I had a minor case of writer's block.Just be happy that it hasn't hit as often as it usually does! I'm not too sure about this chapter, but I'll leave you to decide on how it compares to the other ones. Also, I'm going to Wales for a few days, and then I have to work, and then I have to get my GCSE results! trembles So, it could be a while before another update. I'll try and get one ready for you.
Disclaimer: Is anyone else bored of these yet? Not mine - except Gemma and Annabell. Yay, something belongs to me!
Everything I Never Knew
"She is everything I need that I never knew I wanted
She is everything I want that I never knew I needed" – She Is
I'd done it. Finally, I'd produced the courage that usually evaporated around Nadia, but which was needed to ask her out. And she'd said yes.
We were walking together into a Thai restaurant I'd been to several times before, which I knew served excellent food. Nadia looked beautiful in a stunning black dress.
As the waiter left with our orders, I smiled nervously at Nadia. I wasn't so good at the whole small-talk thing. She smiled back without hesitation.
"So, um… how are things at CTU?" I began.
"Better now we have more people working there again. Do you have any ideas on what to do next?"
I shook my head miserably. "I've only ever wanted to be in field ops, apart from when I was about five and I wanted to be a Thunderbird, or something like that. I'd prefer to come back to CTU-LA, but it sounds as though you've filled all the positions."
"Not exactly."
I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, our Recruiting Officer is transferring to Phoenix in a few weeks and… well… I wondered if you'd like the job. It wouldn't be the same as field ops," she rushed on, "but you'd be in charge of training the new recruits, and it'd be in CTU-LA."
I was surprised, to say the least.
"Wow, Nadia. Are you sure? I mean, I've never done teaching before."
"You'll do fine. You've got the experience needed."
I grinned happily. "Thanks, that'd be great."
"Alright, we'll get the paperwork sorted in a few days."
As the conversation continued, I found my mind drifting back to what Annabell had said at Milo's memorial service.
"Who's that woman you're with?" she demanded to know."Nice to see you too, Anna."
"Don't play games with me, Michael. Answer the question."
I sighed. There was no point in prolonging the inevitable. "Nadia Yassir. Head of CTU-LA."
"Well, I hope you treat her better than that Gemma girl."
I scowled furiously.
"What was I supposed to do? Let her off because she was my girlfriend?" I whispered angrily.
"You could have trusted her. She loved you."
"She betrayed me."
"Well, good luck to Nadia. She's going to need it where you're concerned.
And now I was determined to prove Annabell wrong. I had a feeling that her words were actually what had prompted me to take action and ask out Nadia.
But there would always be Gemma in the back of my mind. She'd completely destroyed my faith in relationships, and it was only now that I was recovering. Distancing myself from people so that I didn't get hurt was half the reason for my usual, grumpy and sarcastic attitude, and it was all because of her. Even though Nadia was nothing like Gemma, there was always that subconscious worry.
I'd thought Gemma was the perfect woman for me. Around her I was completely self-assured. On the other hand, around Nadia I was constantly worried, even if I didn't show it. Everything Gemma and I did had been carefully planned and assessed. I got the feeling that anything Nadia and I did would be impetuous and risky. Gemma hadn't had anything to do with CTU (or so I thought) – she'd been a consultant at a private ICT firm. Nadia was, more or less, my new boss.
Nadia seemed to be the opposite of everything I ever thought that I wanted or needed in a partner. And yet, I'd never felt this strongly for anyone, even Gemma. It made no sense, but I didn't care.
As I pulled up outside Nadia's bungalow, my nervousness increased tenfold. While we had both had a great time, we hadn't really done any more than act as friends, apart from a few choice moments. Now I wanted to kiss her, but I wasn't sure if this would be seen as too presumptuous, and I didn't want to ruin what we already had.
I helped her out of the car, my mind still running amok, and she smiled at me.
"Thanks."
When we reached the doorway and she looked up at me, the moon- and starlight caught in her eyes. She looked so beautiful as she thanked me for a wonderful evening.
I switched off my brain and kissed her. She replied almost instantly. It seemed that she agreed with my decision.
Next time: Doyle is having trouble with his new job.
By the way, can anyone think of a better summary, because I'm having a complete mental block where that's concerned. Also, what do people think of the title?
Well, does anyone else think other chapters are better, or am I just being over-critical? Please let me know IN A REVIEW!!! Gracias :-)
