Chapter Twenty-Three
Miley
"This isn't fair."
"Stop complaining."
"But I just want to sleep all day with you-"
Nick scoffed pulling on his pants glaring at me, "Don't even try for a pity party Mi, you're going shopping while I'm going to work. If anyone has the right to whine about their day it should be me." He proclaimed as I sulked looking in the mirror.
"But I have to do my hair nice, and my make up- not to mention my outfit!" I groaned running my hands through my messy hair
"Why?" Nick asked blankly grabbing his toothbrush.
I scoffed shaking my head, "Because I'm going out with your mom shopping."
"So?"
"So?" I hissed at him as my boyfriend looked at me with a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth, "Nick she's your mom, I need to keep up my presentable image so she thinks I'm still good enough for you. Plus it isn't just shopping…it's dress shopping for her wedding. That means I need to look flawless so your mom can use me as a doll and dress me in whatever she likes until finally I'm prefect."
Nick just looked at me confused, "Miley," He spluttered toothpaste dripping down his chin, "It's just shopping, there is no underlying meaning. You're thinking about this too much. Plus mom isn't deciding what you wear, you are."
"I know that but I just want to make her happy."
"Why?" Nick asked confused.
I frowned picking up my foundation, "Because I want her to like me."
"She already likes you Miley." Nick stated spitting into the sink.
"She likes that I'm Billy and Tish's child. She doesn't know me."
Nick sighed leaning forward kissing my cheek, "She'll love you. Be yourself." He whispered his minty breath wafting over me, "And remember she's up to something with Jason, we still need to work out what's going on."
"Good point." I nodded in agreement as he kissed my other cheek.
"I have to go but I'll see you tonight for-"
"Night shift." I groaned with Nick.
"Yeah at least we'll be together doing it. Double shift will kill me."
"It's going to be boring as hell, maybe we could go to the locker room?" I suggested with raised eyebrows as Nick looked at me intrigued, "And get reacquainted with one another, I mean I'm not going to see you until five and that is a very long time away."
"It's almost nine hours."
"Exactly," I nodded and he laughed kissing my lips.
"I love you, be good okay? Don't spend too much. I'll see you tonight."
"Don't leave…" I pleaded holding onto him.
"Stop being dramatic," Nick responded putting his hand on my waist, "I'm not leaving you, life is just temporarily getting in the way right now. Try and not hang onto the negatives, look at us, we just spent our first night living in the same place together. Achievement?" He questioned as I shrugged,
"Well you didn't snore, steal the sheets or move too much. I suppose it's an achievement."
"Steal the sheets? That's hard considering you took them all to-"
"Stop complaining this is my house." I proclaimed as he laughed shaking his head.
"Goodbye Miley, I'll see you tonight, bring me a coffee or five."
"I will,"
Nick kissed my lips one more time and I reluctantly released my hold on his arm allowing my boyfriend to leave. I waited until the apartment door slammed before I turned back to the mirror grinning like an idiot. I was so happy I didn't know what to do, I felt on top of the world. Last night had been perfect, and Nick had made me laugh in the apartment something I hadn't done since I was a kid. He made me forget the bad and indulge in the good.
I applied my make up slowly, did my hair the way I liked it and picked out a respectable outfit that involved heels and a dress not my favored attire but this was a new Miley. By the time the intercom buzzed I was physically prepared, but mentally I was worried. I mean she'd been so nice to me already and I didn't know why I was feeling like this…
I sucked in and opened the door smiling only to be brought into a hug.
"Miley, honey how are you?" Denise sing songed happily as I relaxed a little,
"Good, I'm excited about today."
"Good me too!"
She grinned releasing me as I took in her outfit, the dress on my part had definitely been the right decision. Denise smiled her eyes looking around behind me, "Wow this place hasn't changed a bit. How long have you been living in it again?" Denise strutted past gently placing her designer bag on the couch as I stood at the door awkwardly.
"Oh so you've been here before?"
Denise scoffed nodding her eyes not looking at me, "Oh multiple times, I remember having a late night margarita over there with Tish when our husbands were at work. You were only a baby then, fast asleep up the hall, I was always so jealous of Tish how she got the perfect child with you while me…" She trailed off rolling her eyes, "I got three smelly dirty boys."
"They aren't all that bad." I responded
Denise laughed, "By the time Nicholas came around I got it right, the other two…maybe not." She stated as I just looked at her and she laughed, "Hun I'm joking, well kind of Joseph is still well Joseph."
"Yeah he acts like a kid at work." I responded as Denise nodded.
"Doesn't surprise me, but I can't believe you haven't changed anything."
Denise looked at me as I shrugged, "Haven't got around to it I suppose."
"Haven't? Or don't you want too?"
She'd said it not in an insulting manner, but a curious one but like always the first emotion I felt to someone threatening this space was anger. I opened my mouth and closed it thinking for a moment before I spoke, "I like it." I stated simply looking at her confidently, "I have a lot of good memories here, and it would feel wrong to change anything."
"Of course, but this is your home now. You should make it your own and fill it with new happy memories to tell your kids." Denise suggested as I took on her advice and nodded, "Plus it's not like changing a few things will mean those memories will be gone. If you got rid of that sofa for instance, I would still remember the times I sat on it with your mom."
I looked down the hallway towards my parent's room. Was she right? If I did change something would I still feel the same?
"Okay then, are you ready to go?" She asked.
I turned back nodding, "Yes, let's find me a dress."
Denise smiled at me and walked over picking up her bag. "Did I tell you Robert and I have planned a trip to Europe for three months, France, England, Spain, Monaco, Norway, Finland and another hundred places it seems." She announced grinning as I closed the door looking at her,
"I'm so jealous. I've never been to Europe, actually I've never left the country."
"Well you were meant to of course," Denise, announce, "Your parents had a trip planned for the Thanksgiving holiday in 2001."
I nodded smiling remembering, "Yeah I know, they took me to the Empire State building every year for my birthday, but in 2001 I found out about the Eiffel tower at school and I remember going home and telling my parents that that's where I wanted to go for my birthday. I wanted to stand at the top of it." Denise laughed as I shook my head, "Looking back I was very spoiled, I can't believe that they even considered allowing that, it was only my 9th birthday."
"They would have done anything for you." Denise smiled pressing the elevator button as I nodded,
"Yeah," I murmured distantly, "They would have."
Nick.
"So it's black and yellow-"
"Black and Yellow? Are you sure you can pull that off without looking like a bee."
Miley laughed at Demi mockingly, "It's more of a yellow gold, not sun yellow if you get my drift."
"What brand?"
"Versace."
"Lucky bitch, wish I could afford shit like that! And Mrs. Jonas liked it?"
"Yeah Denise loved it, actually she basically loved everything I tried on." Miley proclaimed. I'd heard a quick summary of Miley's day with mom and it seemed she'd had fun, however I was overhearing a lot more detail of the proceedings between the two whispering girls.
"I however chose this one because it definitely shows off my cleavage." Miley murmured as I took a sip of my coffee staring at the computer attempting to pretend like I wasn't listening to the conversation between them.
"Why? Worried Nick's attention is drifting?" Demi questioned as I felt them watching me and I struggled to keep my eyes from looking over.
"No, of course not, that's why I bought the dress."
Demi giggled, "So you want him to notice you?"
"No I want him to be turned on by it."
I bit down on my tongue as Demi laughed, "So you want the D basically?"
Miley giggle, "Well…I mean, I don't know. I suppose I do, but I'm nervous which is stupid…"
"It's not stupid Miley, you love him and he clearly feels the same."
"How do you know?"
"Because this is the longest Nick's gone without sex and I'm sure he's not getting it elsewhere for a change. He's waiting for the right moment, for the time when he thinks you're ready I reckon." Demi announced as I restrained from nodding in agreement, she was completely right. Miley sighed in response shuffling around.
"But I am ready. We've talked about it, teased each other but-"
"Well stop teasing, strip and see what happens."
"My stripping days are over Demi,"
"Well that's good to hear." A new male voice announced.
I looked over to see The Commissioner walking towards Demi's desk, briefcase in hand, glancing at his embarrassed niece. I was quite sure Jason hadn't heard the context of Miley's statement thankfully but her blush was still there,
"Sir we were just, I was just-"
"Leaving Lovato? Good! Your shift is over, as is mine, and Miley yours is beginning so I advice you start doing something or I will dock your pay." Jason snapped at Miley as Demi was instantly on her feet collecting her belongings
"It's so hard to stay alert all night when all you're doing is filling out paperwork. I know at least six qualified armed police need to be here at all times with the office staff, but why do I always get stuck here? I want to do a night patrol." Miley asked her uncle quietly.
"Because you are good at paperwork. Almost better then the officers whose only job is paper pushing."
"So if I was bad at paperwork I could do night patrols?" Miley questioned.
"No I'd fire you." Jason responded seriously.
I smirked keeping my eyes staring down, "Something funny Nick?" Jason snapped as Demi quickly rushed past giving me a wave.
I looked up to see him glaring at me, Miley's eyes still focused on her Uncle. "No Sir, of course not."
He just scolded me and then turned back to Miley, "Why are you still sitting here? Go and start work or I will make you do another shift." Jason yelled at Miley who muttered a few curses and stood up heading away to her desk on the other side of the basically empty office.
The Commissioner sighed and turned back to me as I instantly went back to filling out statistics reports. A second later his shadow cast over me and I reluctantly looked up giving a weak smile at Jason who was just staring at me completely emotionless.
"Please make sure she actually does some work tonight, even if it's a few hours."
"Of course Sir that's what we were planning on doing-"
He scoffed, "Uhuh I'm sure you were. Remember I have eyes everywhere...and cameras. Goodnight Nick."
I opened my mouth then closed it as he walked off. "Goodnight Sir?"
The door slammed and I went back to my statistics for what only seemed like a minute before suddenly a face pushed it's way in between the computer and my nose. I stared at Miley who looked at me with a devious smile.
"I'm bored and tired. Can we go to the gym?"
I just stared at her and sighed, "If you do an hour of work, yes."
Miley instantly frowned, "Why not now?"
"Because I'm busy." I stated seriously.
"Too busy for me?"
Miley looked at me with angry eyes and I instantly recognized the signs. She was tired and most likely ready to blow if I gave her the wrong answer. Therefore I needed to redirect her frustration onto someone else. "No I'm not but your uncle kind of reminded me that there are cameras everywhere and I really need my pay and job Miley." I tried hopeful as she rolled her eyes.
"Forget him, please?" Miley whispered.
I smiled at my girlfriend and reached out tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, "In an hour we can, I promise I'll make it up to you." I responded winking as Miley bit her lip nodding,
"Okay then, in an hour, meet me there?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world…" She turned to walk off as I grabbed her hand. Miley spun back looking at me confused. "And I really can't wait to see the bumble bee dress Mi."
Miley took a moment to click but when she did her smile dropped,
"Wait you heard Demi and me- How much did you hear?"
I smirked dropping her hand, "Enough, now go back to work."
Miley looked at me awkwardly blushed profusely before rushing off as I smiled successful. I set my eyes back on my computer wanting to be with her right now, but sadly work was still getting in the way. We both just had to accept having a relationship in the workplace made temptations a very easy sin, with the addition of her Uncle that made the whole thing even more complicated. I was sure we'd make it succeed though, I was confident, and I knew Miley was too.
Number after number I filled into the spreadsheet my eyes aching for sleep but I continued to suck down the caffeine in attempt to survive the night. The more I got done now the more time I could spend with Miley. She was my incentive now. For everything.
"Nick man," A voice announced, "Another coffee?"
I looked up to see Justin at the end of the hall with a smiling Selena by his side. I didn't even know they both had the night shift, although I wasn't surprised, Justin had a way with his roster and getting Selena on the same shift. Apparently she'd obviously relocated to his desk too, because I hadn't seen her all night.
"Ummm…" I looked at my watch noting it was ten minutes until the hour was up, "No I'm good. I'm about to go see Miley but thanks for the offer."
"Oh that might be hard…" Selena responded apologetic.
I frowned confused, "Why?"
"Well we just walked past her desk…" Justin stated giving a small laugh, "And she was kind of asleep on it so unless you are willing to face Miley's wrath when you wake her-"
I groaned rolling my eyes, "Great, how out of it was she?"
"Well I saw her briefly when I arrived on my shift, about fifty minutes ago. She'd just started work." Selena explained, "Then I walked past about twenty minutes ago and I didn't even get a murmur when I poked her face."
"Great I hope the Commissioner doesn't decide to look over the security tapes."
Justin smiled, "It's his niece he wouldn't fire her-"
"He would." Selena and me both responded at the same time.
"So do you want a coffee?" Justin suggested again,
I tossed the idea up in my head for a moment before sighing and nodding, "Yeah thanks I will, I don't think I'll wake Miley she'll just be angry." I responded as Selena nodded in agreement.
"Yeah we thought that too, we don't need another Commissioner."
"Agreed"
"So black?" Selena asked as I nodded desperate for a hit.
"And strong, really, really strong." I begged.
"Will do."
The couple walked off as I turned back to the screen feeling somewhat changed. When I first heard about Selena and Justin I couldn't stand seeing them as a couple, it made me pissed that she'd found someone that made her smile. Yet now I didn't have even the slightest inclination of those emotions. I wasn't in love with her at all anymore, if anything if felt like I'd got the friend back I lost when we decided to try dating. When I saw her with Justin now I felt happy for her, even thought I still kind of thought he was a dick, coffee or not.
I turned back to the screen wearily waiting for the torture to be over yet I still had another six painful hours to go. A sudden commotion caught my attention as I turned towards the break room hearing loud voices. Selena and Justin yelling? A few more heads popped up around me as we all edged over our cubicles attempting to get a better view and insight into what was going on.
That's when I heard a sound I didn't expect. A single gunshot.
It took me a moment to process the sound. I'd heard it numerous times, yet not here in the office. My tired brain responded slowly to it's unnatural placement in the environment. Way too slowly
The next thing I knew three more ear splitting shots went off, followed by a fragile scream that sent shivers up my spine. Selena. By the time I grabbed my weapon and turned around I realized like those around me the peril we faced.
"If you move I'll blow her fucking brains out!" He screamed.
I looked at the man before me, someone I now hardly recognized, disheveled clothing, unshaven and dirty. Yet it was his eyes that stole my attention and made me realize his identity. They flicked around the room with an unmistakable determination and planned intention.
David wanted revenge.
And as I followed the gun in his hand pointed across the room I located the person he'd chosen as his unwilling participant in the game.
My unarmed girlfriend
A/N: Sorry for the delay! Exams/my obsession with le tour de france getting in the way! But I'm going to update more because I'm on holidays (well that's the plan) :D