Destined by Chance

Chapter 20

Neil couldn't help himself from wondering as to what had gotten into Miss Mouse. She was full of nervous energy.

She had bumped into him outside the suite around lunchtime and had been very animated about getting something from the shop. Before he could even stop her she was running off at a speed that had left him amused. He had showered and changed by the time she had returned. He had of course noticed a couple of new bags on the bed and guessed she had gone shopping in the hours she had been missing. Wasn't that what most women did when they were upset? Somehow shopping always improved their moods. He was glad though. Then she had returned and ordered lunch. He had asked her if she wanted to go to the restaurant but she had declined telling him they could in the evening.

An awkward silence had descended as they had eaten their lunch. He had wanted to apologize to her but seeing her in a good mood he hadn't wanted to spoil it. There was something different about her. Though he couldn't really point it out. Her hair was still tied in a ponytail and she was wearing a cap on her head telling him it was too cold despite the heating. Was it her skin? Somehow it had looked clearer. Softer. He wasn't sure. So he had kept his thoughts to himself. She had later told him about the ball. He had been reluctant. He hated formal spaces. He had enough of those at his workplace. And balls were a bit too much to handle anyway. Besides his worry was more for her than anybody else. He wasn't sure if she would be able to handle the glitter and the frills considering she was a simple girl herself and the ballroom would be filled up with women who would turn out to be their best tonight. It might not be a big affair, it was not the Oscar's but...he wasn't sure.

But when he had seen her face fall he had given in. He had hurt her this morning, it was the least he could do to make up for it. So he had agreed. And he had been surprised to see her face change. It became radiant. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. And for once he did not find her face dull. It seemed beautiful. Almost as if she had changed. She had thanked him with a bright smile and then settled herself on the couch with reading a book. He had tried to work but he had found his thoughts returning to her time and time again. The afternoon was a slow torturous affair. He couldn't get her happy face out of his head. And he couldn't wait for the clock to strike six so they could attend the bloody event, have dinner and return so he could maybe sleep a little. Maybe that was the reason. Since he hadn't had a good night's sleep he was feeling this way. But he knew the truth. It was her.

Around five he had entered the bathroom and taken a shower. He had to change into the only formal wear he had brought with him. A black two piece suit with a red tie, a crisp white shirt and black shoes. He had emerged from the bathroom with his towel wrapped around his torso so he could don his clothes when Simi had entered the room. The look on her face was something he wasn't going to forget anytime soon. Her eyes went big in her face. Her mouth opened but no words came out. And she turned a bright red. He had no idea as to what he could do. He wasn't embarrassed that she had seen him in just a towel, apparently she was. She had blurted out a 'sorry', '...I had no idea', 'oh God', 'sorry' again, turned and walked right out of the room closing the doors behind her. All he had done was stand there for the next couple of seconds with his hands on his hips and stare at the space where she had stood. Shaking his head he had smiled and the changed his clothes.

As he had dressed he had heard her mutterings. She did do that a lot. Mutter to herself. A bit loudly so everyone could hear what she was saying. When he was ready he had walked out into the living room and Simi had walked right in. She had refused to even meet his gaze. He had almost laughed at that.

And since then she had gone in and come out of her room at least a dozen times if not more. He sat on the high back winged chair as he watched her. She was so nervous it wasn't funny. It was as if she hadn't seen a bare chested man in towel before. And it amused him. She was funny.

Though what he would say when he saw her dressed up was another matter.And something both destiny and Miss Christmas wanted to know.

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