Chapter 38
I got up extra early. I spent over forty minutes trying on different combinations of sweaters with the dress.
"Dee…this is just not working. I mean, this dress is okay, but I need something to go with it. Actually, what I really need is a new wardrobe. Look at me, I get fatter everyday!" I commented.
"Girl, you aren't fat…your just pregnant! Get over it. I mean, it's not like you are nine months along and look like a hippo! You are ONLY four months, and geez girl, you only look like you went from size 6 to 10. It's no big deal. Nick is going to think you are gorgeous no matter what. You are carrying his child, and I know that he loves you. No matter what you wear or whatever, you are beautiful in his eyes." Dee reassured me.
"Yeah, I guess you are right. Well, I guess this dress and a scarf will have to do." I sighed as I finished gathering my stuff.
We then heard the doorbell ring. Dee went and answered it for me while I made sure that I had everything.
"Hey Mike, come on in. She is just finishing up." I could hear Dee say.
I grabbed my stuff and head to the front door. Mike helped carry my bag and led me to the car. I turned and gave Dee a hug and told her to wish me luck.
"I will be back in a few days Dee. Thanks for everything. Let's just hope that I can get a while to talk with Nick." I said as I climbed into the car.
Mike took me to the airport and we walked in to the ticket counter. We were familiar with the routine. Nick had always made the arrangements, and of course, just told me when to be there. The clerk at the counter handed the tickets to Mike and I. He took my bags, and then escorted me to the gate.
As we were walking to the departure gate, I asked Mike.
"Mike, why does Nick insist that you parade around with me? I don't mean to sound rude, and I do appreciate your company, but I honestly don't think that the fans will bother us. In fact, the fans have been very supportive. They have been intriqued by the whole situation, but they haven't been bothersome."
"Ms. Truesdale, it's not the fans that Mr. Carter is worried about. You see, he knows that Scott is still out there somewhere, and he wants you protected at all time until the police find him. Mr. Carter just doesn't want anything else to happen to you, that's all. He loves you very much miss, and he only wants you to be safe. So, that is my job." Mike answered honestly.
"Mike, how many times am I going to have to tell you? PLEASE call me Heather." I laughed. "I appreciate what you do for Nick and I, Mike. Honest. In fact, I am grateful, because I am scared to death that Scott will find me again." I confided in him.
"Have you talked to Mr. Carter about this?" Mike asked inquisitively.
"Mike, call him Nick. Mr. Carter is too formal. Afterall, you are our friend and practically family. Please." I told him, "And, no, I haven't. Nick doesn't need to know how scared I am. It will only worry him more. He needs to concentrate on his job, and quit worrying about me. You are here to protect me, so, he doesn't need to know. Mike, please don't tell him." I requested.
"Ms. Trues…umm, Heather, you should really talk to Mr..Carter…umm, Nick. He needs to know. I think it is important that he know about it. You shouldn't hide anything from him." Mike said, without thinking.
"Well, I will do what I think is the right thing." I said as I stopped in the middle of the concourse. "Look, I don't need anyone to tell me how to run my life. I will ask for your opinion when I want it, until then, you just keep out of it!" I yelled, feeling frustrated at the idea that someone was telling me how to deal with my relationship.
"I am sorry Ms. Truesdale, I didn't mean any disrespect. Honest. I shouldn't have pried into your personal life. I am here to guard you, not be your counselor. I am very sorry." Mike said as we approached the gate.
I just looked at him. I felt bad about blowing up at him. Afterall, I owed him for putting up with me. I am sure that his idea of fun wasn't escorting around a bitchy pregnant woman. He probably didn't really want to do it, but Nick had asked him, and he agreed. I stayed quiet, not sure what to say. After a few moments, we heard the flight attendant request that all First Class passengers start boarding.
As I handed the flight attendant my ticket, I looked back at Mike. As usual, he took his position right behind me, not allowing anyone to push me. He helped me put my bags into the overhead compartment and then we took our seats. I stared straight ahead, afraid to look at him again. I was feeling even worse about what I said. A tear trickled down my cheek. I tried to wipe it away before Mike could see me. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
"Please don't cry miss. You will see Nick in a few hours and everything will be okay. If you want, I will tell him to assign a new guard to you as soon as possible. I really am very sorry." Mike said apologetically.
"No, that will not be necessary Mike. You are just right for the part. In fact, I honestly appreciate you putting me back in my place. I know that I have been a pain to you. And no matter what has happened, you have always been there to watch over me. I know that Nick is very grateful. I sincerely apologize for my rudeness, it was uncalled for. I want you to be our friend, not just our 'guard'. Do you understand?" I said softly.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I like you and Nick. You are both nice people and a pleasure to work with." he said with a smile.
After a short wait, the plane finally took off. Once we reached our cruising altitude, I told Mike that I needed to use the ladies room. I was feeling a bit queezy. I made my way to the ladies room. After several minutes, I came back out, unprepared for what was about to happen.
As I approached the curtain back to First Class, I bumped into a man. "Excuse me, I am so sor…" I said as my face went pale.
"You! You should be dead! Bitch!" he yelled. Then he noticed the scar on my face and smiled evilly. "At least I left a mark on you that you cannot hide! I may not have done it right the first time, but I will not let you off this plane alive!" he yelled as he came at me.
All I could do was scream. I was terrified. Mike heard the scream and quickly made his way to the curtain. As he opened it, he saw Scott and I. Scott was furious. The flight attendant was trying to get him to back away from me. I could only stand frozen in my place. I was completely frightened as I watched Mike try to detain Scott. The flight attendant called the cockpit and informed them of the situation. Suddenly, the plane was on course to land at the nearest city possible. The pilot had informed the control tower that a wanted criminal was aboard the plane and that they needed to make an emergency stop to have him removed.
"Heather, we are going to land. I will call Nick right away to tell him that we will be late. Are you okay?" Mike asked me, growing evermore concerned.
All I could do was shake my head. I couldn't look around. I couldn't do anything. I was in such shock from the whole situation. I started to shake uncontrollably. Mike could sense that things weren't good and asked for medical assistance once we landed.
After about 45 minutes, the plane landed in Atlanta. It was slight detour and a bit of an inconvenience for those on the flight, but they understood that it was necessary. The paramedics checked me over and determined that nothing was seriously wrong. I was just frightened by the situation. The police had arrested Scott and had him detained in a car out on the runway. After a few questions by the police, they said it was okay for the plane to take off again.
I heard Mike pick up the cell phone to call Nick, but he soon gave up as there was no answer.
"He must be on his way to the airport. Hopefully they will explain the situation to him at the gate." Mike said quietly.
"He is going to be so worried…" I said as I stared straight ahead for the rest of the flight.