SEVEN
"Merlin is different. I feel more relaxed with her," James explained in her defense.
"You said that about Lisa too. She made you feel relaxed too but things ended up bad. Real bad," Nick complained.
"Merlin is just different. Dancing with her was enough to know that. She drives me crazy. As for Lisa, I don't think I can ever forgive her," he replied with a scornful look, relaxing his back on the sofa.
Nick understood. Who would have thought Lisa would hurt James that bad?
They were high school love birds and James dated her for more than six years. A relationship spiced with Love and Sex, a bond the both were willing to put everything in the line for. Just 5 years ago, he had planned to propose and ended up being affected by the scandal. She was a prostitute and was caught in bed with a famous celebrity. It spread over the news. James was disappointed, she cheated...just like that, a six years relationship went down, for good.
He cut her off from his life and affairs to save himself from the scandal. Crystal's company made lots of bad headings including James' name too. He was deeply hurt by her actions and it took him until now to heal.
He had loved him but all she did was soil his name in dirt. That's why he thinks girls are deceitful....but strangely, he has begun to find another attractive. Merlin?
"I did give her everything. I wonder why she cheated." He soliloquizes.
"You weren't just enough. But I bet she lost, not you. No wonder Suzanne never liked her," Nick reasoned as he collected a glass of juice from joy.
"It's nothing special, Suzanne doesn't like girls I date. It's normal." James heaved a heavy sigh scratching his palm.
"She won't like Merlin either. She can be bitchy if she wishes too but she's friendly. Consider dating her instead of this mysterious Merlin." Nick advised , "The devil you know is better than the angle you don't know. At least we've known her since childhood."
James walked away ignoring him. He wasn't going to talk to Nick over and over again about never dating Suzanne.
"Hey, come and take me home!" Nick called after him.
"Just call your damn driver!" James shouted back, throwing him a fearful glare.
"I want that, you - James should take me home. This minute!" Nick yelled back.
::::::::
James never saw Merlin at the club again. He'd been there countless times but she was nowhere. He felt heart broken but the urge to find her was still there, very strong.
It had been two weeks already, two sad weeks for him, actually.
He wasn't focusing at work either. Merlin occupied his thoughts.
His phone beeped.
"James you have to get here, joy is at the hospital. Her condition is serious," Nick panicked from the other end.
"What??? How come?" James's eyes bulged out.
This can't be happening, he was sure she was perfectly alright when he left home, so how come?
"I just don't know, I went over and she was on the floor. Just come." Nick's shaky voice panicked.
"Okay. Calm down, I'm on my way right now. Just text me the address and-"
" I have to go man, they need my attention." Nick ended the conversation.
Taking his car keys, James hurried down. He left the employees wondering what made their boss run. James had never run before, at least not in the office premises. He always walked majestically, even when he had an urgent meeting to attend. But then again, the boss had principles. Don't be late for any reason.
"Claire I have somewhere important to be. Call me if something comes up." He informed her and hurried off.
Nick didn't sound fine on the phone, that worried him. The least he could do was stand strong beside his friend, who seemed for the first time ever, truly interested in a woman.
On his way to his personal garage in the company where he alone parked his car, he bumped into someone.
That spark emitted again, like magic and he knew who exactly gave him those feelings. A sensation he couldn't define.
He was shocked, surprised and glad but at the same time speechless. All his courage disappeared, he felt weak but at the same time longed for her. He could feel his knees tremble at the sight of her beauty. For a moment he could see her. Only her.
He even forgot Nick and joy at the hospital.
"Hi" she beamed with smiles.
That voice!
"Merlin?" how he longed to call her name. She smiled again, offering a hand shake.
James didn't hesitate. She had soft hands, just what he needed.
"I'm sorry for almost knocking you down," she apologized, still smiling.
Damn it! Her smile was charming. He felt butterflies in his stomach. Is this love?
"It's fine. Are you alright?" He asked out of concern, his eyes locked to hers.
"Yeah," she nodded, "Looks like you are in a hurry?" She asked even when it was obvious.
"Yes. My friend is..."
"At the hospital?" She cut in sharply.
James was taken aback. He definitely hasn't told her anything.
"Yeah.....How did you know?" He queried.
"It's all over your face. I had that look when I received news of my mom's death. So I know it." She explained feeling sorry for him. If only she actually was.....
"Sorry about that," he replied feeling sorry. If only he knew.....
"It's okay, it's been years already, I've gotten over it. Let's rush there before things get complicated." Merlin advised moving over to his car.
James was too happy to notice. There were lots of cars present, how did she know the one he'd use? Weird. But he didn't care and gave her a ride. Smiling all the way not knowing he was slowly becoming a puppet.