One month, however, was not enough, and Nova would have known it had she thought of the amount of learning and reading and studying she had to do to clear her finals. She had asked to have her finals taken earlier than everybody else after all. And Cambridge agreed to take her finals before than normal because MI6, of course, was a big deal. And although not many people new about it but the officials and main executors did have the perfect idea of what was going on.
But Nova Newton was a perfectionist and because of the character-slip she had experienced precisely one month ago while going to the headquarters, she made sure she was going to be as ready as ever for whatever whoever had to throw at her.
And that was why, after one month of exams and research and studying and investigating and learning and going back and forth to the Uni, she was finally at peace. Though she didn't really feel any different because being a perfectionist also meant being a perfect time manager, and Nova had tried all her best to ace that particular ability.
So now she sat, thinking ways to pass her time because she had done her research, made notes on it, written down her doubts and suspicions; her exams were over; they ended just today so she didn't really have any more studying to do - which bored her to no end.
She then thought she could use a bit of her time by reading something as she was bored. And what could be better than doing a Harry Potter marathon? But then she should also be studying something useful like going through an encyclopaedia.
Going downstairs after assigning the scattered things onto their places and resetting the bedsheets, Nova went into the small library that her parents made sure to make especially for her in the house.
They knew Nova loved reading.
And thinking of them made her realise that they may be arriving to pay her another visit soon and she would have to lie to them; she couldn't tell them about her internship.
But they would be arriving, they made sure of it. Especially on weekends, because they think Nova is the biggest introvert on this planet and that she never went outside of her house and that she gets bored easily so they should be here to give her company.
Not all of that is true, but they're parents, they just worry.
She loved them; to her, they were the best. But if she had to be honest, they were also a bit confusing because in the name of company they'd hired three people to work for her which she didn't even need!
What more, was confusing, was that she couldn't decide which book to read. She had Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in one hand, and an Encyclopedia in the other.
She was only deciding what book to read when a loud bang startled her, making her jump out of her seat, heartbeat picking up pace.
What was that sound? her brain immediately questioned.
Putting the books down she stood up hastily. Her brown eyes looked for the clock hanging on the wall right in front of her. Half past eight. Who could be coming home now? her mind hadn't stopped, it seemed.
It couldn't be her parents, they said they'd be there at seven or so. She checked her phone to see if they had sent any message informing their early arrival.
Picking up her phone, she saw that it was seven minutes past eight and also, there was a message from her Dad.
Opening the message made it clear that the person - now full on banging on her front door - was definitely not her Dad; or her Mum for that matter. Because they said that they'd be there by tomorrow, and that they were sorry not to be there especially that day.
Tomorrow was Nova's Twentieth birthday, nothing very special, she was an adult now, she couldn't be excited for her birthday.
That was also why they wanted to come earlier to prepare for it and give her all the love, because they knew she wouldn't do much. But now that wasn't happening and Nova wasn't sure how to feel about it.
It would be the first birthday ever where Nova wouldn't be waking up to the sounds of her mother's voice and the perfect coffee she would have made for her for when she woke up and her Dad's face the first thing to come in front of her eyes.
Nova though, could only sigh.
Her method of distracting her brain from thinking any bad things that could possibly be the case with her right now had almost worked. Almost, because she was back to working her brains regarding her current situation.
She didn't know who it was across that door, and she was not expecting anybody today.
But now that her brain had gone there with her trying to distract it, she couldn't help but think whatever came to her mind. Most of which wasn't much helping to say the least.
Her neighbour wasn't here the last time she checked. Neighbour who was now boss, her subconscious added.
Alesso, her maid wasn't coming either. Gilliam was long gone. So who could it be.
Deciding it best to finally just go there and find the answers herself, she stood up. Taking a deep breath, she started walking, brushing her long, wavy brown locks behind her ears with her long fingers.Deciding it best to finally just go there and find the answers herself, she stood up. Taking a deep breath, she started walking, brushing her long, wavy brown locks behind her ears with her long fingers.
Another loud knock on the door had her halting in her tracks.
Should she just go and swing the door open? Just like that? A small disapproving sound seemed to echo inside her head.
Her eyes frantically looked for an object then, any object, that could come of use in her situation. Spotting a metal vase that was just beside the door she began moving again.
With one of her hands on the neck of the vase and the other on the door knob she hesitated before opening it and peaked through the peephole instead. All she saw was the back of a head, and as if on instinct, her hand simultaneously twisted the door knob. The hand that had been holding the vase freed its grip as she pulled the door open.
She was exposed to the cool air of November, her hands folding in front of her chest as if they had a mind of their own which said to protect her body from the cold - all she had on was a loose night dress.
Taking a step outside she called out to the retreating figure she recognised to be of - "Derek?"
She realised what she'd called him and began to correct her slip-up.
"I- I'm sorry, Mr. Adams, but, what are you doing here?" she asked him when he still hadn't faced her. No sound emitted him either.
She stood there, brows furrowed in confusion, her mind working reasons for which he could've come to her house at this hour.
Then before she knew it, her legs were moving towards him and he seemed to know that because his whole self tensed. Even more than it already was.
It was like her body was playing games with her, just like that time when she'd unwillingly gone to his porch only to be introduced with the absolute nothingness that seemed to surround him.
She didn't know why she wasn't stopping herself because this was obviously causing Mr. Adams a hard time. And he probably was still contemplating whether or not he should be running for the hills.
But just when she was about two or three feet behind him, he made the slightest of movements, which was enough to make Nova freeze on her spot.
And that was when she wondered what she was thinking coming to him like that.
A chilly wind was what it took to bring her senses back. The night was dark, it obviously will be as it was the fall time and she was not a very big fan of winters. That, her body was sure to prove in the form of goosebumps.
But still, her limbs won't move.
And suddenly, any and all thoughts vanished from her brain, again, in a kind of daze as Mr. Adams turned towards her. Not completely, but enough to see his side profile which was very handsome.
He was handsome.
Even with the scar, especially with that scar - he was beautiful.
But when he spoke, finally, she was forced to concentrate on his words rather than his very appreciable features.
She had been thinking of asking once again but stopped when he mumbled something to himself.
"Pardon?" she asked when she couldn't make anything of what he'd said.
"He's gone!" He suddenly said, voice raised and Nova almost took a step back. "He won't be back, he lied..." his voice became softer at the end as he trailed off.
She was still as confused as she was when she had first seen him standing at her door. Because she needed answers, she walked ahead, closer towards him to turn him around and face her but she stopped in her movements when he stiffened - as if sensing her presence closing in behind him.
"Mr. Adams?" Nova tried once more but this time it had an effect.
"He's gone," he said then, softly, still not facing her. "He won't be coming back. I said I'd come. I did. I'd told him I would. But he wasn't there. He wasn't. He left. I was there. He wasn't."
Now Nova was pulled back from the daze of his beauty and pushed, rather harshly, towards his confusing words. Who? Who was he talking about?
"What are you saying, Mr. Adams? Who are you talking about?" Nova asked him.
Perhaps he wanted to talk? That has to be the reason behind him banging on the door, She thought.
"He left. Just like everyone. He said he wouldn't. But he did. He did, too," was all that she got in response.
He was still talking in riddles, and Nova did not know what to do to relieve him from his pain. Because somehow, it pained her to see him like this. But before she could touch him so as to turn him to face her and comfort him, he walked away. He stormed off to his house, as if he were just brought out of a trance. With a lightening speed, he was gone and she just stood there, watching him leave.
She might have called after him a couple of times, maybe just two times, but he wasn't himself tonight.
Or maybe he was himself tonight. His true, raw self.
The real him.
But what was all of that? Nova couldn't help but wonder.
*
At midnight Nova was still twisting and turning in her queen sized bed which, according to her, was completely unnecessary but incredibly comfortable.
Joining the dots, this much was clear that Mr. Adams just relived someone leaving him. That he wasn't in his right state of mind, probably a flashback of some time when he'd lost someone. Someone close to him. Someone who promised him something but broke it afterwards.
And somehow, knowing all of it, Nova felt Mr. Adams' pain, his grief. Nova somehow felt the teeny-tiny bit connected to him, although she, for herself, had never lost someone, anyone.
But that was the thing about her, although she was the youngest in her class, Nova felt like she knew more than people around her age did.
She was understanding; this was the one trait that she knew about herself. Nova tried to always consider both sides of the story, the could've beens and would've beens included, which was why she chose this line of studying, she knew she was an analyser.
That was why, although Nova had never lost someone, she could still feel, understand the pain of the man who not a long time ago was standing on her door.
There was one more trait that Nova knew of: she wanted to fix things, she wanted to cure anything by the roots, which was why the thoughts she was thinking off were nagging at her heart as well as brain right now.
Nova wanted to help Mr. Adams. And for that, she wanted to go to the roots of him, the start of him.
A start which included his behaviour, continued on with his scar and ended on his loss, his insecurity. She knew by now that Mr. Adams would be the toughest nut to crack, but she believed in trying.
And try, she will. Even if it included to write that report which was no longer wanted by the college as well as investigate with the man himself without letting him know that she was paying attention to him, simultaneously.
She would write that report for herself. And she would work as his assistant, too. Both at the same time. Assistant by day, psycho analyst by night.
___________
A.N:
Ooh, Nova and her curiosity getting the best of herself.
(Edit: Just in case it wasn't clear this the chapter that was put up in Prologue meaning this is the lengthier and descriptive version of the Prologue. I didn't put the entire thing as it was because putting this version there would have exposed too much and putting that version here would have been repetitive. I hope I'm making sense and you get it, so thanks y'all.)
Now we see who Derek was talking about, yeah? Excited? So am I!
What do you guys think tho? Do you think She'll be able to investigate both her boss and the case at the same time? Will Derek know of the things his assistant is up to?
Only one way to find out.
(Wow, I wanted to use that line so bad lol)
Also, do tell me what you think of this new writing style of yo girl, yeah? Do you enjoy it? Did you like the old one better? Do want to smash my head for changing POVs? Do tell;)
Until next time.
-Z.