Here's chapter 19. For those interested, I've started writing the prequel for this story, called May, Gym Leader.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my work, it does mean a lot to me :)
Chapter 19Pacing the floor anxiously, the man known as Drew, Top Coordinator, and brother of Lisia, cousin of Wally and nephew to Wallace, walked in deep thought. Glancing around the almost deserted entryway, he seemed somewhat disappointed before turning his attention to a two seater leather couch.
With an impatient sigh, he took a seat on the couch before pulling a small notebook out of his teal jacket's pocket. He didn't spare a moment for the white walls, nor the pristine marble floor as he began flicking through the many faces of people in the book.
Adjusting his seat on the couch, he pulled his gaze from his notebook, appearing disinterested in its contents. Irritably, his gaze flicking to a clock on the nearby wall, grimacing as he registered the time.
'She's late,' the man frowned to himself, his green eyes flickering to the large glass doors before the reception. He was currently awaiting the arrival of his good friend and mentor in the foyer of his hotel, and was becoming increasingly worried.
To his relief, the door opened to reveal the pink haired woman, who sent him an apologetic smile.
'I'm so sorry, I was a little delayed by Harley,' Solidad called, briskly walking to him as he stood up, pocketing his book professionally.
'That's fine, these things happen,' Drew responded as they briefly kissed each other on the cheek. Solidad was one of the only women in his life who could relax him enough for him to let his guard down with her.
'Shall we go to a restaurant for lunch?' The woman with light blue eyes smiled, gesturing to the world outside.
'Won't she be there?' Drew grimaced, hesitating slightly. He'd gone to such extreme measures for her to not see him, he didn't want to blow it now, not with everything at stake. He couldn't help it, with her having disappeared for so long. After all the time that had passed, he needed to ensure that everything went smoothly, especially after his tirade of their first meeting.
'Nonsense, Harley knows where we'll be and will cooperate with us,' Solidad grinned, noticing her companion's anxiety.
'I still don't trust him, but if you insist,' Drew muttered, shaking his head slightly.
'Trust me, even if Harley wasn't so heavily invested with his own emotions in your relationship, I can assure you that I won't let him survive if our plans are ruined,' Solidad winked, taking Drew's arm in hers and not so subtly pulling him out of the room.
'If you insist, but I'll have you note that you always make me socialise in public, Solidad, and against my wishes, too,' the chartreuse haired man couldn't help but groan as his mentor chuckled.
'Stop complaining, a bit of oxygen never hurt you. Besides, we both know why you're really here, even if you're feigning being engrossed in some project for work,' Solidad chided as she pulled Drew towards a nearby café.
'And what would that be? Please, enlighten me,' Drew questioned, arching a cool eyebrow at the woman as he struggled to suppress the subtle flush which filled his cheeks.
In response, Solidad gave him a flat look, not in the least convinced by his blatant attempt at being nonchalant. She'd known him since he was a young child, he should have known better than to try and fool her. Especially when the news of the Contests needing a liaison between couples after the third ribbon.
Deciding to throw out any attempt at subtlety and innocence, he frowned, 'how is she?'
'She's just heard that your appeal was dedicated to some unknown woman. I'm not too sure how to answer your question. Then there's also some secret that her and Dawn have been hiding, one which involves someone making May cry. It was why I was late—Harley was chewing my ear off about it. I'm not too sure how many people in Almia could possibly make such a lovely and strong young woman cry, and I must admit that there aren't even many people here who know her. So why don't you tell me how you think she is?' Solidad growled, an uncharacteristic scowl filling her usually neutral expression.
'But she slept through the appeal, how could she have heard? I even spoke to her about it!' Drew frowned, finding himself unable to meet Solidad's gaze. He'd felt terrible after reducing May to such tears, but having something nearly behead her brought back all of his fears for her safety. With it came all of the confusion and frustration about her silence, and it just went south from there. He'd planned for the appeal to be for her as an apology for their disastrous reunion, though he hadn't been certain she would have known it was directed to her. After venting to his Pokémon, he knew he had to let his emotions out somehow. However, if she hadn't seen it, Drew wasn't sure how she'd found out. More importantly, he hadn't been there to gage her reaction, and that meant he wasn't too sure how to react to her the next time they encountered each other.
'Dawn told her. Did you think we'd all be in on this? She's got friends outside of the three of us, and she's hurting, Drew. You left her for years without even trying to contact her. You know how she is, she has absolutely no self-confidence and she needed support more than ever, I told you as much even if I didn't tell you the reasons why. Then you had a go at me when she tried to move on because you weren't in the picture anymore. Don't mess with her head anymore unless you're certain you'll stay,' Solidad lectured as a black haired waitress came to their table, her purple eyes widening at Solidad's flushed, angered face.
'Hi, may I take your order please?' The woman questioned in a slightly anxious tone.
'I'll have the sausage and egg breakfast with a vanilla Vientown coffee please,' Drew smiled, trying to appear unaffected by Solidad's scolding.
'I'll have the pinap pancake and a flat white please,' Solidad requested politely before turning her dark glower back onto her companion.
'Ok, you're right, as always. I was the one who made her cry, and I know I messed up, big time. I'll be lucky if she forgives me, and I want to make my apology mean something. First something nearly takes her head off, then I forgot everything I planned to say to her. It's just, hearing about how she was with another guy, one as powerful as Steven Stone, it just gets to me. Come on, the guy's the Champion of Hoenn, how am I meant to compete with that?' Drew muttered, unable to meet the pink haired woman's gaze.
'Drew, I cannot believe the words that are coming out of your mouth. She chose you, from the word go. Anyone who knows either of you would know of your clear affection for each other. Lugia, Drew, her ex is best friends with your uncle. If you'd just been there for her when she needed you, things might have turned out different. You've gotten yourself into a mess I am not going to help you out of,' Solidad sighed, her gaze softening upon noticing Drew's guilty expression.
'Don't you think I know that? I heard from Wallace himself where May was, though he wouldn't tell me why. I was trying to sum up the courage to talk to her, then I hear from him that Steven Stone, the Champion and his best friend, might be interested in her too. The next thing I hear from him, he tells me she's with Steven. That really hurt. Before you continue with your false excuses, if she chose me, then why didn't she trust me? Solidad, I've waited for her this whole time and she Swannas off with Steven Stone, the heir to the Devon Corporation and Champion of Hoenn! Next to him, I look like a kid,' Drew muttered, placing his head on the cool steel table, enjoying the refreshing feel on his warm face. This was one of the things he hated about Solidad—she made him explore his feelings, his memories. Whether that be relating to Contests, his family or May, whenever he spoke to Solidad, he found himself learning so much more about himself and others.
'If I were you, I wouldn't get too focused on her one attempt at moving on. From all accounts, including Dawn's, she's finally coming to terms with her affections for you. Besides, you're acting as though Steven ever stood a chance. I'm sure you've heard Harley's suspicions, and I'll tell you now, they're as true for her as they are for you,' Solidad assured the younger Coordinator, whose expression was much paler than usual.
'But has she actually said as much? I mean, I'm planning on putting my neck on the line here, in public. I'd do it anyway, but I need to know if there's a chance,' Drew muttered, raising his green eyes to meet the older woman's, who was shocked by the misery they portrayed.
'Relax, I'm certain. And, before you bruise your ego further, from what I've heard, Steven might not be the real Champion,' Solidad chuckled, making Drew raise his head hopefully.
'You mean he's really not that great?' Drew whispered as the waitress returned with their food.
'Yes, Drew, he's human, like you and me,' Solidad chuckled as the green haired man sent her one of his rare grins before digging into his food.
Shaking her head slightly in amusement, Solidad tucked in at a much milder pace.