The muse part 3
Nick entered the house smiling. He felt cheerful, more the he has been for a few months. He bumped into Rachel on the way upstairs. "Hey Rach," he said.
"Hey Nick," she replied. "You look great, relieved in some way. What brought that cheerful mode on?"
"Oh, nothing much," he answered, and continued up.
She smiled at him and continued down. She walked into Derek's office and saw him already at work on some papers and files. "Morning Derek," she greeted. "I just ran into Nick. He seemed to be really happy about something. Do you have any idea what's going on with him?"
Derek looked up surprised. He had a pretty good idea for Nick's reason to be happy. He thought the young thing has decided to never show up again after the past few weeks. Apparently he was wrong. But at the moment he had no intention sharing this information with Rachel. At least not until he talks to Nick about it. "No. Can't say that I do," he finally answered Rachel, going back to his paperwork.
Alex heard the voices from Derek's office and came in. she also seemed to be in a surprised mood. I just passed Nick's bedroom. I could have sworn I heard him singing in the shower," she said. "Is that possible? What is going on with him anyway? He's been moody and angry for the past 4-5 weeks and now he's singing in the bathroom? That is strange. Derek, Rachel," she said looking at them, "Do you guys have anything?"
"Not at all," said Rachel.
"No," was all Derek said.
An hour later
Nick came down and joined the rest of the gang in the kitchen. They were almost done with breakfast when he came in, and they all stared at him when he came in.
"What?" he asked them.
"We are just wondering what came over you," said Rachel, "Not that we mind you being happy. But it's just strange how yesterday you wanted to bite my head off when ever I asked you something and now you look…."
"I'm sorry Rachel," he said. I didn't mean to take it all out on you guys. I'll be ok now," he said. "I promise."
Alex looked at him and said, "You met a girl, didn't you? She must be really special, if she got you smiling like that."
"Like what?" he asked.
"From ear to ear, wildly and strongly," she said. "I haven't seen you this happy for a very long time."
"Well, yes, she is special, and that is all I'm saying." He responded to Alex's comment.
"Ok. But we want to meet her eventually," said Rachel.
"Maybe some day, but not now," he said, took his breakfast and left the kitchen. He didn't want to face their questions.
Derek followed him out. "Nick, may I talk to you in my office for a minute?" he asked.
"If it's about her, I'd rather not," said the young man.
"It is, and it is important," he said he's voice commanding.
"Yes boss," said Nick following Derek into his office.
"Nick, You met her again, didn't you?" asked Derek
"Yes I did. So?"
"I worry Nick. You are like a son to me. She is not exactly real. Looks to me like you are not taking this into consideration. I don't want you to fall head over hills for a non human girl." Said Derek, concern in his voice.
"I know Derek. I'm not falling in love. She has a strange influence on me. And I think I have the same on her. I want to find out what it means. I feel inspired by her mere presence. I can't ignore that."
"No I guess not. Just…, please be careful son. Don't let her go to your head and heart. Think of the pain you went through after Julia's death. I don't want to see you go through so much pain again over love that clearly was not meant to be."
"Don't worry so much man. I'm ok. I'm in control. I won't lose my head like that ever again. No one will ever be able to get to my heart the way Julia did. No one. Not even a gorgeous muse."
"Ok," said Derek.
Nick left Derek's office, thinking about the things that Derek told him. Although he did not admit it to Derek he felt the boss had some very important issues he'll need to think about. Could it be I am falling in love, 'head over hills' so to speak and not realizing that? he wondered to himself.
To be continued
