The Final Touch | Trent Alexander-Arnold

8

It was one of those rare nights when Nia actually allowed herself to unwind. With the Sky Sports project on the horizon and the chaos of juggling work at the studio, a night out with friends was exactly what she needed. Harry, her loyal cameraman and close friend from her early days at Northshire News, had insisted they celebrate her latest success. Kendra, always up for a night out, had jumped on the idea as soon as she heard about it.

They chose a cozy but lively bar in central London, a place with dim lighting, good music, and just the right amount of buzz. It wasn't overly packed, but there was a nice crowd, and the energy was high.

Nia leaned back in her chair, sipping a cocktail, letting the conversations around her blur into the background for a moment. She felt relaxed, and for the first time in a while, she wasn't thinking about work or the pressure of proving herself. She glanced at Harry, who was enthusiastically recounting some old work story, making Kendra laugh so hard she nearly spilled her drink.

"This is exactly what you needed," Kendra said, raising her glass toward Nia. "A proper celebration for the star of the night."

"Hardly a star yet," Nia laughed, but she appreciated the sentiment. "Still got a long way to go."

"You're getting there," Harry added, raising his own glass. "Sky Sports, Nia. That's no small feat. You've earned this."

Nia smiled, warmth spreading through her. She was grateful to have friends like Harry and Kendra who had been with her through the ups and downs. The night was exactly what she needed—a break from everything, a moment to just enjoy where she was and how far she had come.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone familiar walking into the bar. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized him immediately. Trent Alexander-Arnold.

He was with a small group of friends, laughing and talking as they made their way to a table not far from where Nia and her group were sitting. She hadn't expected to see him, especially not in this kind of setting. It was weird, seeing him outside of work, outside of the professional bubble they'd always interacted in.

Trent hadn't seen her yet, but as he moved closer to the bar, their eyes finally met. His expression shifted from surprise to something warmer, and he gave her a friendly nod, followed by a smile.

"Is that...?" Kendra's voice trailed off as she spotted him. "Isn't that Trent?"

Harry glanced over as well, raising an eyebrow. "Well, look who's here."

Nia could feel her cheeks warm slightly, but she quickly brushed it off. "Yeah, looks like it."

"You two know each other, right?" Kendra said with a teasing smile. "Maybe he'll come over. That would spice up the night."

"I doubt it," Nia said, laughing lightly. "We're not exactly close."

But sure enough, a few moments later, Trent excused himself from his group and made his way over to where Nia was sitting. He looked relaxed, more casual than she had ever seen him—just a regular guy out for a night with friends. When he reached the table, he flashed that same easy smile she'd come to recognize.

"Nia," he greeted, his voice carrying a warmth that surprised her. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Same here," she replied, keeping her tone light. "What are the odds?"

Trent chuckled, glancing at Harry and Kendra, who were both watching the interaction with curious smiles. "You guys mind if I steal her for a minute?"

Nia shot Harry and Kendra a look that said she'd be fine, and they gave her a playful nod as she stood up.

They walked over to a quieter corner of the bar, where the noise wasn't as overwhelming. Trent leaned casually against the wall, looking more at ease than he ever had during their work encounters.

"So, Sky Sports, huh?" he said, his tone teasing but genuinely impressed. "I heard about your new project."

Nia raised an eyebrow. "You heard about that?"

He shrugged. "Word gets around. Besides, you're kind of making waves lately. People notice."

Nia wasn't sure how to respond to that. Coming from Trent, it felt different, more personal. "It's a big opportunity. I'm excited about it."

"You should be," Trent replied, meeting her gaze. "You're good at what you do. Honestly, I'm glad you're getting the recognition you deserve."

Nia smiled, though a part of her was still cautious. Trent had always been friendly, but there was history between them—some awkwardness she hadn't completely shaken. Still, in this more relaxed setting, he seemed sincere.

"Thanks, Trent. I appreciate that," she said, her tone softening.

There was a brief pause, and Nia could feel the shift in the air. The usual professional distance between them wasn't there anymore, replaced by something more casual, more personal. It was strange but not unpleasant.

"So," Trent said, breaking the silence with a slight grin. "You're not still mad at me, are you?"

Nia laughed, shaking her head. "No, I'm not. I mean, it was... weird at first. But we're good now."

He nodded, looking relieved. "I'm glad. I didn't want things to be awkward between us. I've got a lot of respect for you, and I don't want you to think I see you any differently because of... you know."

Nia appreciated his honesty. "It's all in the past, Trent. We're fine."

Another pause, but this time it felt lighter, the tension between them finally easing.

"You know," he said after a moment, his tone playful again. "If you ever need someone to practice your interview questions on, I'm always around."

Nia smirked. "I'll keep that in mind."

They chatted for a little while longer, the conversation flowing easily, and by the time Nia rejoined Harry and Kendra at the table, she felt surprisingly relaxed about the whole encounter.

"Well?" Kendra asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What was that about?"

"Just catching up," Nia said, playing it cool as she sat back down. "It's no big deal."

Harry shot her a knowing look. "Doesn't look like 'just catching up' to me."

Nia rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Alright, alright. Let's not make a thing out of it. We're just colleagues."

But even as the night continued and the drinks flowed, Nia couldn't shake the feeling that her dynamic with Trent had shifted—maybe for the better. The professional boundary they'd always maintained had blurred slightly, and while she wasn't sure where it would lead, she was content to let things unfold naturally.

For now, she was focused on her career, and that was enough. But still, it was nice to know that in a world full of uncertainty and competitive ambition, there were moments like this—unexpected and surprisingly easy.

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