My Lighthouse

Being in higher places

When everyone had finished diner, the stewards came to clean everything up as quick as they could. Mark hadn't mentioned anything about her mistake anymore and Sheila was getting used to the idea being high up in the sky . How is my favorite girl doing? Sheila heard Nicky ask all of a sudden. He leaned over her chair, trying to massage her neck. Oh Nicky yes, that feels absolutely great, Sheila said out loud without thinking. Kian pushed himself up and leaned over Mark's chair, when he said smiling, do you have any idea how that sounds like? Did he satisfy your needs Sheil? Kian always liked to let the "a" away from her name and no one was aloud to do that but Kian. She would definitely hit the one who would try to call her the same way. Mark looked aside, to see what they were doing. He saw Sheila enjoying all the attention they gave her. Should she really have no one to come home too? He thought. The lads spoke about her often enough, without her knowing about it. They liked her a lot, although they all knew she was not a kitten to be treated without gloves when she was angry or irritated. But Mark always had a feeling it was a kind of wall she had build around her, to not get hurt more than she already was. Sometimes when she didn't realize he was watching her, he saw a sad look in her eyes. As soon as she saw him staring at her, she smiled. He wished he could brake through her wall sometimes. Why he wanted that? I have no idea, Mark answered his own question. Sheila wasn't really pretty, but because he knew her for so long, they had built up a band together and he knew he could trust her for 200%. She was a very sweet friend for him.

Sheila felt his eyes on her skin and blushed. What? She asked. Am I not aloud to touch her as well? Nicky asked Mark with a naughty look in his eyes. And I have a much better position from here to massage her neck then you have. Bend a little bit forward Sheila, Nicky asked her and his hands massaged her neck and her back like he was a profession. She felt shivers all over. She even closed her eyes at one point. Nicky frowned. I don't want to interfere in anything sweetheart, but you're muscles are really tense. You should relax more often, take some time of. What! Kian and Mark said at the same time. Are you nuts! We can't live without her. Or she needs to take us with her when she goes on vacation. Yeah right, what's the use of my time off then? Sheila complained with a big smile on her face. Nicky rubbed her back on a spot where she got a feeling through her body, she never had before. Ahh Nicky, she moaned out loud. You really know how to touch the right spots, she said a little bit more quiet. Nicky grinned. Where did I hear that before? And the whole team laughed out loud now. Sheila hit his hands away from her, bastard! I am glad I am ugly, she said to him with a smile on her face. So you would never be interested in me! Well at least not in "that" way, she said quickly with a blush on her face. Nicky teased her some more, until Mark asked him to cut it out and leave her alone. But Mark had heard what she said. "I am ugly"? Why had she said that? He didn't wanted to look at her, because he knew she didn't like that. Someone told her along the way, that she was ugly, but why? Was it because of that, she always kept everyone on a distance and that she dressed the way she did? Mark realized, he wouldn't get any answers to his questions soon, so he took his book again and started reading.

The lights were almost out, just a few in the aisle were on, for people who had to go to the toilet or something like that. Business class had beds and everyone was glad it was time to sleep. Sheila had checked if everyone was okay and if they needed anything before she went to bed herself. Mark lay on his side with his face towards her. Goodnight sweetheart, he had said, which was the reason she couldn't sleep now. Shane had given her a kiss on her cheek when she checked on him and she had thanked him for that. Sheila's relationship with Shane was like a brother and sister, but than a very sweet brother which she never had. She could tell him everything without being afraid he would tell the others. She had caressed Shane's face and wished him sweet dreams when she walked back to her seat. She stared at Mark's beautiful face. His breathing was slow and totally at ease. He was sleeping all right. But Sheila didn't mind she was still awake. In the eight years she worked with them, she never had the chance to stare at him from this close. She could even feel his breath, which gave her goosebumps all over. She stared at his lips, who where just a little bit open to let the air go through. They were soft and full, perfect lips Sheila whispered soft for no one to hear. She wished she could kiss him just once. Sure he had kissed her before, even on her lips, but that was always meant as a friendly kiss. She held her fingertips just before his lips. Should she touch him? She felt her heart beat like crazy, when she suddenly bended over to kiss his soft lips. If he would wake up, she would tell him she only kissed him goodnight. Like friends do. As struck by lightning, she went backwards into her chair and closed her eyes. What did she do?! Was she losing her mind? Mark would never be interested in her!! She could lose her job, if Mark found out what she had done! For the first time in the eight years, she wished she had a different kind of a job.

Mark felt her lips on his. She felt warm and soft, but why did she do that? Did she know he was awake? Probably not. Or did she know and wanted she to kiss him goodnight? He saw Shane kissing her on her cheek as well. Maybe she just wanted to do the same with him? Mark licked his lips and tasted the honey Sheila always put in her tea. He smiled and realized he felt sorry for Sheila. What if there had never been anyone in her life who kissed her full of passion? Everyone needed passion in his life. Mark had enough passion in his life alright, but he wanted more. He was searching for love, but when you are that famous as they were, love was hard to find. All the girls they met, only wanted to be seen with them or were proud they slept with one of the pretty boys of Westlife. Sheila even took their mobile phones away from the dates they had, so they couldn't make pictures of them, which they could regret later on . Sheila was always there to protect them against any harm from the outside. But who protected her? Who was there for her? Mark bended over to her and gently kissed her lips. Goodnight sweetheart he whispered, laid down again, closed his eyes and fell asleep. Sheila thought she just lost her mind. The trip back she would definitely sit next to Shane. That's much more safe than this.

A few hours later, the stewardesses woke them up, because they would be arriving within one and a half hour and in this time they had to eat their breakfast as well. Sheila acted like nothing had happened and talked to Mark like she always did. They always teased each other a little and Sheila was glad he didn't behave different than normal. Nevertheless, she was glad they would be arriving soon and she was excited after the hotel. John had send her some pictures already and they had been breathtaking. John was an assistant of Louis Walsh as well, just like she was, but he had different artists under his care. Only this time they worked together, because there had to be arranged to much for Sheila to take care of on her own. That's why John traveled to Johannesburg earlier this weak to take care of some business already. She knew John liked her and she liked John, but not in the way he did. She wished she did, because john was, how would her dad say that?...."a good catch for a woman like you"...And of course she realized Mark was way out of her league, especially with her looks. Who knows what would happen in Africa? She had seen "out of Africa" a million times, who knows? Maybe it could happen to her as well. At least it would be her choice of man now and not her father's and brother's choice. She shivered when she thought about that period. She wished she could erase that. Are you cold? Mark asked. Sheila smiled, but Mark saw that special look in her eyes again. Pain behind her smile. Maybe one day he would find out what happened to his friend. He felt like comforting her again and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. If something ever bothers you, you know I will always be there for you, okay? Sheila frowned. Why did he say that? Could he read her mind? No of course not! She smiled again and thanked him for his offer. There! she did it again Mark thought. That correct business like answer, where she pulled up her wall a few inches higher than it already was before. Okay, maybe later, he said softly.....