It could have been the gasp that left Nova's lips, or it could simply have something to do with the way Nova stood there, looking at Derek, her eyes wide, that gave the impression that she was as oblivious about another humane presence present in her house as Alesso and Gilliam were. Which obviously wasn't true but Nova didn't even get to say anything before Gilliam was standing himself in front of her, trying to sort of shield her from the man standing in the living room, looking as nonchalant as anybody else.
That made Nova snap and finding a way around both their bodies - Alesso and Gilliam's - she manged to reach Derek and stand beside him all the while all three of them were giving her confused looks. Alesso looked at her as if she was scared for her life and confused because she knew Nova was smart enough to not do something as stupid as this - standing beside a alleged bad guy. Gilliam looked at her as if he was questioning himself if she was finally unhinged after studying about all sorts of mental. And Derek... Derek looked a confused of his own. Nova couldn't make as to what kind of confused he was: Alesso's kind or Gilliam's. Which was why she tore her gaze away from him and stood facing the two people she could call more than just acquaintances, friends.
"Darling, what are you doing?" It was Alesso who asked her that, her eyes showing the fear she probably felt. It was justifiable, seeing what everybody else here believed to be true, that Derek was a murderer who killed a man in cold blood, though she wasn't sure if they even knew his name or anything at all.
If Nova had to guess about how these people even recognised him to be the bad guy in the whole neighborhood, she would, without a doubt, say that it had everything to do with the little thing that lay on Derek's face, right below his cheekbone, on his right. The scar, though now almost gone, worked almost as an identity confirmation for all these people. But for her, for Nova, it wasn't the scar with which she could distinguish him in a crowd. No, it was his eyes.
Yes, she had been fascinated with his scar, she still was if she had to be honest, but the blues of his eyes were something entirely different. She hadn't seen anyone with those eyes and that was saying something for Nova knew a lot of people.
"He's," Nova decided to say something, anything, to make situation lighter. "We're -"
"- Engaged."
But of course he beat her to it. His hand, the one in which he had the wedding ring in lifted hers and the diamond shone as a proof.
There was a gasp from Alesso and absolute nothingness from Gilliam. He seemed to be still processing and Nova didn't really blame him.
"What about Victor, then?" Asked Gilliam in his gruff voice and a tone that said he did not believe what anyone said.
"And what about him?" Questioned back Derek and Nova never thought she would want him to just shut his mouth. The irony.
"He knows!" She spoke up before anyone else could interrupt her and make matters worse.
"He knows?" It was Alesso this time, looking to be more and more confused and taken aback as the conversation kept going on.
"Yeah! It's all good, nothing's wrong you guys - you guys just need to listen to me," Nova had no idea as to why she was talking in such a desperate tone. It could be because she needed the situation to get in control and not out of it, becuase that was exactly how it was going seeing how Derek was leading them on to believe what they believed - which Nova was sure was nothing good.
All eyes then turned to her. Again in the same expressions as they had been looking at her previously.
"What have you done to her?" It was Alesso who asked Derek that. Her eyes almost watering, her tone pleading as if she was really scared for her. Then it was Gilliam who repeated after her when Derek didn't answer.
"Didn't you hear what she asked? What did you do to her!" Nova had never heard Gilliam talk like that - no, roar like that. She was sure if it was anyone else in Derek's place, they would really be thinking of going right back from where they came.
But not Derek, not him.
He stood his ground, his eyes shooting to Gilliam's before just shrugging casually. As if he asked something far more mundane and not in a manner that promised killing. It wasn't just his tone either, Gilliam's beard was pretty scary as well. His whole form was, to be honest. He stood at least two feet taller than Nova herself, and she considered herself to be tall enough. It was also his size, he was simply big - in a very scary way. Although Derek was shorter than him, the way he just dismissed him looked like he was the one superior to the giant, intimidating guy standing there in the very front of her.
Nova hadn't, in her wildest dreams, ever thought that a single dream coming true experience would be leading her to such dramatic life incidents. Had she known, she would have prepared herself better - of course she still wasn't going to let it go. She had grown up wanting all of this, after all.
"Guys, if you would just listen to me for once," and Nova said that in such a way that it was enough to get Gilliam's eyes on hers instead of still glaring at the man beside her. Then, for the next hour or so, Nova spent explaining bits and pieces of the story to them. It wasn't easy, that she would admit, but she still managed it. She always did.
"So ye'r tellin' me Mr. Newton knows abou' him?" Asked Gilliam and Nova nodded.
"He does, yes."
"And he has no problem?" It was Alesso who asked this time, in her meeky voice and Nova shook her head this time.
"He doesn't, no."
"But -"
"He's not what you people think he is," Nova found herself saying, her voice bordering pleading but she still somehow tried to make them understand without having a sudden meltdown which she suddenly felt looming on her.
"But -"
"He isn't."
Perhaps the way she said it, how pressing and leaving no space for Gilliam to argue further was what made him shut up instantly because Nova felt guilty and relieved both at the same time.
Yeah, maybe she needed to delve straight into books for a day or two.
"Alright, kiddo," Alesso said then, making Nova lift her head from where she'd previously been staring at her hands on her lap. They had all settled to sit on the couches in the living room to have this particular discussing and more times than not had all of them almost stood up and toppled the sofa chairs over. It was all thanks to Alesso and her soothing voice if Nova had say.
"We do trust you."
"Thanks, Alesso," Nova just muttered to herself.
"In fact," Gilliam said as he stood up from where he'd been seated, managing not knock off a thing or two, for which Nova was secretly thankful. "He does look like a decent fella," and when Gilliam said begrudgingly. It made Nova smile so big that she almost flung herself onto him. But she held back, of course, and settled for a hug.
"Yea, yea. No need to climb me up now, I know all yo' tactics, li'l miss," said Gilliam, making a chuckle tumble out of her.
"Now, if that's all and we have nothing to do we better get going, no, Gill?" Alesso asked, already slipping away and out of the living room and Nova's eyes immediately narrowed in on her. Nova knew why her tone suddenly changed to a rather chirped and urgent one - she was trying to get out of this situation so that Nova wouldn't confront her about working on weekends.
"Now, now, let's not be so quick to do that, don't you think?"
*
The next hour and a half was spent lecturing Alesso and Gilliam and getting to know that they'd been coming on weekends only to clean the house since they thought it won't be in a good shape for whenever Nova would come back. Of course that made Alesso almost get off the hook but then she realised that Nova wasn't to be affected by Alesso's famous emotional ace and actually stand her point until it gets across. Which was why the whole ordeal took that much time.
By the time they were done, both Nova and Alesso were drying their eyes of the unshed tears they'd both refused to let out. Gilliam, just like always, preached his way out of the moment and then dragged Alesso out of the house after giving a bear hug to her.
All this time Nova hadn't really took notice of Derek's presence because it seemed like he didn't really want to be acknowledged but now that they were alone again she couldn't help but let her eyes go over to his figure.
He just sat there, his eyes already on her - with that calculating look in them as he kept on looking at her and it made her feel self-conscious. Which was why she suddenly uttered the next thing that had been eating on her head.
"I should talk to my dad," as she said the words out, her gaze had lifted from Derek and now it was travelling across the house. The house that her parents had helped her find.
When she looked at Derek again, he was no longer sitting the way he had been before - with his one hand curled and resting on his face, covering his mouth well, only the intensity of his eyes travelling. He was now standing up, making his way towards her, all the while his eyes still holding the calculating look that he had been seeing her with all this time. She wouldn't lie, the look made her feel unnerved and she didn't like it.
"You should talk to your parents," and that's what he said when he came nearer and stood right in front of her. The calculating look now gone, only a guarded face now which had her thinking which was worse. Of course she wouldn't voice it out.
"Can I tell them the truth? The whole truth?" She asked then, just to be sure and because she could think of nothing else to say.
"And take down the whole ruse?" That's what he replied with, making her eyes narrow the slightest bit at his witty remark. She had no idea what triggered this side of him this time, but one thing she was sure of, she wouldn't give in to him.
"Alright then, I'll stick to the plan," saying that she began making her way to her room but was stopped by Derek's hand as it enclosed her wrist, making her halt in her tracks.
The next thing she felt right after the counter force of Derek's pull to her previously walking figure was his presence; right behind her. Her breathing stopped. Her head hazing.
"D-Derek?"
"Yes, love?" Came his voice from right beside her ear. He was close.
A hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer and flat against his front. Very close.
"Wh-What are you doing?" It was as if the stutter could not be helped. It came with such close proximity to Derek. Like her system was designed that way.
"What do you think?"
Ah, Nova had no answer to that. Except if she voiced the absolute truth, it was bound to make the situation... awkward.
A moment of silence later, Derek took it upon himself to answer her question instead of waiting for an answer to one of his own questions.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'll let you go if you want me to," he said, the last part uttered out softly, even though they were the only ones in the whole, entire house.
A shiver went down her spine because he was so close. And his voice was so low. And it was so near.
What was she even supposed to say to that?
It was uncharted territory for Nova, she'd never been through something like this, never with someone like him.
"I-I, I don't know what to say," she decided just be honest.
Derek chuckled. He chuckled. He laughed. He had a smile on his face. And Nova couldn't even see it.
With his chuckles came the tingles starting from the base of her neck from where her shoulder started as Derek's breath fell there. She was frozen, the tingles was now all over her. This had to have a name. It had to have a cause. It had to -
"I know," in the softest tone he said and Nova froze.
A kiss. On the joint where her neck and shoulder met. From where the tingles had started.
It was the softest kiss that could ever exist. A fleeting second, an airy touch, just a brush of his lips and her throat was dry. It forgot it's function - her whole body did, for that matter.
And just like that, he was gone. She'd felt it, him drawing away from her; as if happening in slow motion - as if she was rewinding it in her memory. Maybe she was, because he was no longer there, no longer behind her - no longer close to her. She wasn't sure why she felt so cold suddenly and she had no time to delve on it because her phone rang again.
It was Abby. Nova had saved her number when she'd first called her, out of the blue, to ask her about her test object. But now seeing as neither of them had to make that report and worry about finding a person or submitting it or worrying about the marks and/or how perfectly to make it, Nova wasn't sure what she was supposed to expect from her call. So she just decided to answer it and know for herself.
"Oh, thank god you picked up. I never thought you would, you know."
Yes, it was definitely Abby on the other side.
"Hey, Abby," Nova began with the greeting, her brows knitting together.
"Hey! So what you been up to, girl!" Abby asked and Nova was forced to look at her phone bringing it away from her ear. Bringing it back, she answered, "Nothing much. Just going by."
Apart from being known about her modelling career, Abby was also known to be updated about each and everything that went on in the tabloids. Which was why Nova felt like confirming if it was actually Abby and not someone else because Abby was the first person Nova expected to blow her phone asking questions. But it sounded like she wasn't even aware.
"What you mean nothing? You've been all over the news!"
Ah, perhaps she'd thought too soon. Of course Abby would try to be subtle approaching the subject. Of course.
"Yeah... About that..." Nova let out a nervous chuckle. Should she explain? But that would be sort of wierd to be talked about on phone...
"Oh leave it, we can talk about all that in the party - "
- What party? -
" - You'll have to come this time, it's not an option. In fact I'm sure you're coming. Oh, I know you're coming - "
-well that was being too sure of oneself-
" - Mark said Adam will be attending and that you will be coming along and well, you'll have to, it's kind of a couple thing - "
- Mark? Mark who? And who's Adam? What's she going on about? Has the new job along with modelling gigs taken a toll on her? What even in the -
" - It's a social gathering and Watson & Co. has been investing in our social firm since quite a while now and we've decided to make a sort of an auction party - if you know what I mean - where we're going to put the paintings and drawings made by the people of our firm. There's going to be other things too, of course but this is the only detail I can give you as of a last minute invite, really, sorry."
The moment that she began making sense to Nova, she just kept going on and going without a break and after the little moment that she'd had with Derek, her mind needed to clear up or else it was going to keep processing things at a very slow rate. For example, she'd just now remembered that Adam was, in fact, Derek himself and that Mark was her to-be-father-in-law.
"Oh and Mark will be there too. You remember Mark? You remember him, right? The punk guy who was also the biggest nerd and actually landed a place in a kick-ass Law firm? That Mark? Nova?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here. And yes, I do remember him. He's working in London, right?" Nova asked back, just to let her know that she caught up with her.
"Well, yeah he's working in London. I'm working in London too, you know? My firm is right here in London and I know for a fact that you're currently in London as well which was why I thought of calling you and not only just send an invitation to Mark Watson. Of course I've already done that, that's how I got to know you guys were coming. You know, by Mark Watson's reply to the invitation. And girl, he's such a sweet guy! Nothing like those creepy-ass father-in-laws I'm terrified of. How did you even land Adam Watson, though? Oh wait, nevermind, we'll chat all about it tomorrow night. So you're coming right?"
She would've told her to hang on there a little because she would be going and having a talk about this party with Derek but the guy showed himself in front of her, saving her the walk. Also making her breath hitch a bit, but she was trying to overlook that particular fact.
When he nodded, she was confused as to what the guy was nodding about because she was sure no matter how good his hearing was, there was no chance he could hear her when her speaker wasn't... Oh wait, he phone was on speaker. Well, then...
"Nova?"
"Yeah! Yeah, yeah, we'll be coming. Tomorrow - "
Before Nova could make a fool of herself in front of Abby by stumbling on the timing of the event, Derek saved her by mouthing the number 'eight'.
" - at eight. Sure, we'll be there. Looking forward to it!" Saying that and hearing a shrill 'Yeah, no? Me too!' followed by her sudden lowered tone and something about her having to get on work again, she cut the call.
Now that was close.
"That was close, huh?" Who else could it be but Derek to voice out her exact thoughts? She honestly wasn't even surprised anymore.
"Yeah, well, if you and your father would just care a little bit to keep me posted on the events I need to attend, maybe situations like these could be handled in a better way," Nova said, completely unfiltered.
But before she could hyperventilate and apologise for her little out-of-line behaviour, Derek smirked. And this time, he was right in front of her to ogle at. And when she realised that ogling was exactly what she was doing, she felt herself blush.
He turned around then, with his hands in his pocket and a kind of carefree walk that he walked along the hallway which Nova had never seen and had her eyebrows up and mouth wide agape. And when he called out for her while still walking along the hallway, Nova's mouth broke out in a wide smile and gittery feelings.
"Get ready, Ms. Newton, we're going shopping."
--------
A.N:
Haha people. I'm still very much alive and breathing and safe. Truly hoping that you are too! So yeah! Here it is! The next chapter! A bit late, I know, and I'm really sorry about it but the only excuse that I have is that I was binging on shows and reading other books (hot & steamy books - apart from Wattpad, mind you).
I know! I'm horrible! But you love me, don't you? ;)
Well let's talk about the chapter in the comments (I just realised there are two Marks in the story!!! *Cringe*) and on a serious note, be safe guys, follow the guidelines and think about others too!
Read, comment, vote, add, share, enjoy and WASH YO DAMN HANDS Y'ALL
-Z.