Chemistry and Quantum Physics – Chapter 14
Nick's POV
Friday night. I don't have to come early to work tomorrow.
I turned on the television and flicked the channel to the news. I almost couldn't comprehend the phrases in my mind as it was spontaneously coming up with different words, telling me that I should go. I silenced my brain and used my ears to listen to the rest of the news report.
'Local police point that this man was probably standing a little too close – as his footprints relay, thus triggering the attack of a swarm of bees nearby. The body is currently unidentified due to the severe damage caused by the stings. This is Reed Jenks, live from New Mexico. Back to you, Arnold.'
Severe damage caused by the stings. I've seen worse. I've seen Serena Dunbrook and Camilla Gotlieb's lifeless bodies. That's damaged. If I don't hurry, Adalind just might have the same appearance.
The house she was staying in looked huge. Far too big for one person. A jobless young woman obviously cannot afford to pay that amount of rent. She gets help from somebody. I'm finding out tonight.
I took a quick look at my watch, indicating the time was eight o'clock in the evening. But then again, do Grimms have specific killing time?
I hardly had a plan. I was plainly acting on the spot. The front door opened a short while after I rang the doorbell.
This was one of the Mellifers from the mall. The young man with dirty blond hair answered to me with a questioning look. I put on a seemingly friendly look so I don't seem like someone who plots on killing him later on.
"Hi there. Is Adalind in?" I asked.
"Sorry, why are you asking for her? Can I please know your name first, sir?" he retorted, cautiously shifting to a defensive stance. Tangibly he was assigned to guard.
"Of course. I'm being rude. I'm N-" I cut myself off, an important thought in my head appearing right on time. Adalind said the Mellifers know the Grimm's name. I almost blew my cover there. "Nathan Henderson."
"So that's your name. Adalind never told us no matter how much we strained. For her to be so secretive about you… you must be quite an animal," he said with one raised eyebrow and a smug smirk, palpably trying to intimidate me, as aggressive Wesen would when they want to know what they're up against. Sorry to say for him, I can turn the situation around. I can be the intimidator and give away my position, and then I'd probably kill this kid and then – the list goes on. But right there, I had to continue talking. Carrying on as if I didn't know what he was talking about.
"What?" I asked, effortlessly putting on a confused look, my acting skills not failing me. "What does she tell you about me?" and then the smile of an idiot crosses my face. As if I'm hoping she tells them something positive.
"Uhh, can you wait here?" he answered as he let me in and shut the door behind me. I think he fell for my 'human act'.
He escalated the stairs, which was only a few steps away and then I heard their muffled conversation. I heard the boy say the bogus name I gave him. Adalind answered him. I thought I sighed a little after hearing her voice. At least she's not dead yet.
"Nate! Hi!" Adalind greeted from the top of the staircase. Her tone was welcoming but her expression was fierce, the young Mellifer oblivious.
I unfolded and stretched out my arms for a big, pretentious embrace. She was so warm, her breath brushing against my neck.
"Leon, this is Nathan. We used to be highschool sweethearts," her introduction appearing so natural. She's such a better actor than I am, "He's staying in Portland to see the Oregon Shakespeare Festival."
I apprehended that she was hoping it was enough to make him leave after she added more lies.
"Nathan, Leon's my cousin. He and his siblings are staying with me for a while." She checked his expression again, this time the kid smiled and grasped that she was making him flee the scene, he still didn't, though. Even after Adalind led me to the couch to 'talk'.
"Leon, honey. We're good here. You can go back to texting your friend," she added, now desperate to make him leave, and curious why I was in her house.
The kid turned around, very slowly walking towards the kitchen, still eavesdropping.
"Your eyes scream hypocrite," she whispered in my ear.
I glanced at the kitchen, sensing movement. It was time for him to give his 'cousin' time with a 'friend'.
Adalind's POV
Everything happened so fast. One second he was checking for Leon in the kitchen, and the next he was raising his hand up to my face and brushed his thumb against my jaw. It was awkward but I guess it had to be done in order for Leon to get the big picture.
My breath got hitched in my throat and I felt the butterflies in my stomach as Nick leaned in painfully slow, his lips meeting mine.