Just To See Her

~~~~Chapter 21~~~~


Kathy couldn't stop staring at the house the limo pulled up to. "Your house is gorgeous Nick!" she told him, admiringly. "Thank you." he said shortly. Kathy knew he was probably feeling some pangs of regret about not being able to see his beautiful house and neighborhood. The view was simply stunning and she knew right away that she would love her stay here with him. Jane was busy instructing the driver how to handle the baggage and issuing orders for him to take it all to the door for her. "Do you think you can walk now Nick?" Kathy looked into his face for any sign of remaining queasiness. "I'm okay now. The drive helped." "Okay, well lean on me if you think you are going to pass out or anything, alright?" He nodded and felt along the door for the handle. She watched his fingers search for the handle in silence and jumped when he pounded his fist against the door in frustration. Jane opened it from the outside and glared at Kathy. "Can't you just open it for him? Does he have to start right now? Hasn't he been through enough?" Kathys problems with this woman were mounting to stratospheric levels. She hoped she would make it through the night without slapping her.

Jane ushered them into the house and guided them to a comfortable living room. "Nickolas, darling, you stay here while I show Miss Westerfield your room and where she will be staying. I'll get you set for bed right after, okay? Nick nodded morosely from the sofa as Jane hustled Kathy out of the room and down the hall. Nick sniffed the air, his scent, his element. He could smell the ocean air and the basketball shoved in some corner of the room. He briefly wondered if it was true that his sense of smell would get better now that he couldn't see. Or maybe that was hearing. He didn't really care to know, either way. He felt his hands along the sofa noticing the pillows that were arranged neatly against the back of it. His mother must have called the cleaners and had them come in before he got home. When he was here the cushions were always on the floor where he liked to stretch out and play with the dogs. Where were the dogs? Probably shipped to some kennel, he thought bitterly. He hoped they would recognize him after all this time away. Nick wanted to get up and walk around, but he knew there was nothing for him to grab onto if he tripped, so he stayed put. He reached out to the table that should be in front of the sofa and bumped his knuckles on the edge. "Shit!" he cursed. "I'm never going to get used to this!" He drew his knees up his chest and buried his head in them, letting his tears soak into his jeans.

"This is Nickolas' room." Jane opened the door and swept into the huge room. Kathy looked around in awe. "His bathroom is to your left, he has a TV and such in here." She gestured to an oak cabinet across from the bed. "His ridiculous video games and a VCR. I guess it would be best to get rid of those?" "No." Kathy disagreed. "Well, maybe the games should be stored away, but he can still listen to the TV and tapes in the machine." Jane looked at her dubiously but didn't say anything. "Now I have no idea where his clothes are. That stupid girlfriend of his takes over half the house every time she is here." She searched through the bureau and opened a couple of doors. "Shoes in here...Ah, here we are. There should be more somewhere." "Nick never mentioned a girlfriend." Kathy said. "No? Well they must be off right now. You know, on again, off again. I wish he'd get rid of the little tramp." Jane moved some things around in the closet. "You'll probably meet her soon enough, her and her idiot friends."

"This is your room." Jane had showed Kathy to a smaller room down the hall. It was smaller, yes, but still grander than anything Kathy had ever slept in. She could see the ocean from the window and the view took her breath away. "I hope this is close enough to Nicks room for you. I realize you will probably need to hear him calling at times for you." "Yes, this should be fine." Kathy trailed along behind Jane as she showed her the en suite bathroom. "This is satisfactory for you?" Kathy nodded. "Yes, this is wonderful, thank you." "What else do you need to see tonight?" Kathy considered, I guess just where the kitchen is. I can do some searching tomorrow while Nick sleeps." Jane nodded curtly and escorted her back down the hall and through the living room again.

Nick wiped his eyes when he heard their approaching footsteps and sat up straight on the couch. "We're almost done, honey." Jane called out. "Then I'll get you to bed." Nick groaned. "I'm really tired, mama. Can't you let Kathy look around by herself for a bit?" "She's a guest, Nick!" Jane huffed. "It's alright with me, if it is alright with Nick." Kathy allowed. Jane turned without a word and put her hand out to Nick, barely touching him to let him know that she was there. "Very well, Nickolas, let's go." Kathy watched as she marched him down the hall to his room. "What a bitch!" Kathy shook her head. "The sooner she is out of here the better!"

She began to walk through the house, drinking in the beauty of it. The large open foyer with the large glass windows, the huge kitchen, the dining room with more huge windows, the music room, it was never ending. Kathy loved the open concept of the house. It was so airy and fresh looking. She walked back into the kitchen and pulled open a few cupboards and smiled at the single man fare found within them. "We'll have to do some grocery shopping, I see!" She wandered out the glass doors to the back deck. The water from the pool lapped at the steps and the ocean spread out never-ending before her. "What a beautiful view." she murmured to herself. She could see why Nick was so miserable, this was just the tip of what he would miss seeing. Jane tapped on the glass and motioned for her to come back in the house.

"He's all settled, I swear he can be such a baby about things!" Jane laughed lightly and sat on the couch. Kathy couldn't believe what she was hearing this woman say about her own flesh and blood. "He has been through a lot." Kathy pointed out. "I know, but really!" Jane smoothed her skirt over her crossed legs. "Anyway, I will be going shortly. Is there anything else you need to know?" Kathy nodded slowly. "No, I think I know where almost everything is. Nick can tell me what I don't know." "Alright then. I just want you to know one thing. You keep your hands off of him. He is your employer and you are his employee, nothing more. If I ever see you touching him in an inappropriate manner you will be flying back to that cursed island before you know what hit you." Kathy sat there stunned, she didn't know how to reply to that threat. "I am a professional." she stammered. "Let's just make sure you keep it that way!" Jane snapped. "Have a good night!"

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