out of the blue / n.h

Chapter 16

NIALL HORAN

“Thankyou for coming.” They both laugh. “I’m going to leave you guys for a minute,” He smiles at me.

“Nice, I just got here and there he is, left me all over again.” I chuckle and put my wine back to the counter.

“Your dad’s an amazing guy. He’s busy, you know that, Niall.” Mrs. Hills remarks. “And not to mention, a successor.” She points her index finger to me.

“No,” I giggle. “I’m going to be a lawyer someday.” I nod.

“Really? That’s wonderful.” She admires.

We talk for quite a while. Through the interruptions other co-workers too, though. She’s an amazing co-worker for my dad. She’s quite an advisor and I’ve never talked to an old woman. Except for my mum. It’s actually pretty nice.

“So are you married, Mrs. Hills?” I ask her as I take a sip from the white wine.

“Yes, I was.” She answers without looking at me. Something from the way she talks isn’t right. Maybe I should change the topic.

“Sorry, it’s not that I’m too curious about your personal life, Mrs. Hills. It’s just-“

“It’s okay, Niall. I have a daughter also. She’s 17.” She informs.

“Oh, really? She lives here? With you?” I ask her.

“Yeah, she’s amazing. Which is why I grounded her.” She answers sarcastically and she rolls her eyes. She takes another gulp from the wine.

“Why?” I crooked grin.

“She lied to me. She said she had a sleepover but she was gone to a party.” She rolls her eyes, again. “Teenagers.” She shrugs. “Just like you. You do parties too, Niall?”

“Uh, sort of.” I laugh. “Well, it happens. You know, sometimes, they just need some more times to entertain them outside their comfort zone. They’re not going to stay in the house all day or hang out with the same person all the time or the same place, they just need to find where they belong.” I take another sip, feeling proud by my statement.

Mrs. Hills laughs and shakes her head. “I know Niall, but that’s just how parents do, right? Getting worried all the time.” She shrugs. “But I know Melanie, she’s not a party-person. She’s a bit of a loner. Last time she had a boyfriend, she wouldn’t want boys anymore in her life. Except, ofcourse, her bestfriend. Is it weird, that her bestfriend is actually a guy?” She chuckles.

I keep on squinting my eyes from the moment she said Melanie. Not a party-person. Guy bestfriend. “What’s your daughter’s name?” I arch my brows.

“Melanie Richards, Lenny for short.” She nods.

No way. Mrs. Hills is Melanie’s mum. It’s possible to actually reach out for Melanie. I just know the way Mrs. Hills’ appereances remind me of someone. It must’ve been Melanie. Should I tell her? It’s not going to be that simple, such as Hey I met your daughter at a party and she went home with an asshole that almost raped her and put her in danger walking around the neighborhood to find her way home and that I assured my friends that I will take her virginity as soon as possible.

“Melanie? I know her! I’m a friend of her!” I grin.

“Really?” A doubt fills her entire eyes. “Melanie hasn’t mentioned your name. I mean, she told me everything about her friends. Like, everything. It’s really odd she hasn’t mentioned you yet.” Mrs. Hills smirks.

“No, I do know her. We talked a few times.” I shrug.

“Well, should I ask her?”

“No! Don't! Ma—“

“A big congratulate to Mary Hills, who’s just got promoted to be the head manager! Toast!” My dad’s voice fills the entire room through his microphone, intruding my unfinished sentence.

“A minute, Niall,” She smiles and walks towards the crowd which includes my dad. She replies everyone with a warm smile.

“And to my son, Niall, thankyou for being here, son.” My dad continues as he raises his glass up and the other workers do the same. I lift my glass up then take a sip. My dad smiles at me from the distance.

There’s a little chance for me to call Melanie. Should I call her now? What will I say? That I just met her mum? Or should I ask how has she been doing? No. No! Or I should ask her about Miles? Maybe I should just get to the point. I should ask her out. I always do that, it’s natural. But no. What if she says no? She's not that type of girl.

At the end of the occasion, Mrs. Hills reaches over to me. I sit down on the same spot I spoke to her earlier.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Hills.” I reach out for her hand.

She shakes my hand and pulls me into a side hug. “I have this promotion party at my house, next week. If you would love to come, Melanie is around. I insist.” She taps my back and walks over to the door to meet some more other people and leave.