Capitolo 9 :: 9

Pubblicato: 10-12-05 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

Commenti: Since the other one is finished (but not yet entirely published), I went back to this one with enthusiasm - but it didn't last long. But anyway, here you have a new chapter. Mick gets a really 'briliant' idea and Cory decides to go along (albeit reluctantly), but the night before has a last girls-night-out with her BFF... Enjoy!

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»You what?!! « Bridget almost lost her eyeballs under the couch.  

»I’m engaged, « Cory repeated with a slight smile. Sometimes her friend had problems with her hearing. Probably her ears must have suffered greatly from a lifetime of screeching.  

Bridget opened and closed her mouth like a fish. »But I thought you thought he was cheating on you. «  

Cory shook her head. »Nah. He was just helping with the designing of the ring. That’s why he was going to Maryland on a daily basis. « She paused, tapping her nose. »Plus, the whole proposal thingy with the restaurant and all… No wonder he was out of it for a while. «  

»I guess he’s back into it, « Bridget said smugly. »At least by the silly grin on your face. «  

»Bridget…« Cory warned.  

»Oh, give me a break, Cor. Everybody with eyes can see you’re in seventh heaven. Your skin is practically glowing. They say a healthy sex-life does that to a person. «  

»Bridget! «  

»Hey, man. I’ve got big news. «  

»What? « his best friend laughed on the other side of the line. »Did Godzilla swim all the way there? «  

»You’re killing me, « Mick sneered. »You’re such a monkey’s ass, man. «  

Ryo sighed. »Would you just tell me the news? I’m not getting any younger, here. «  

»I’ve asked her to marry me. «  

»Who? «  

Mick gasped. »What do you mean ‘who’? Are you zany? Cory, of course. «  

»How was I supposed to know who you asked to marry you? What am I? Psychic? «  

Mick rolled his eyes.  

»What did she say? «  

»What do you think she said, « Mick asked mischievously. He could hear his best bud grinding his teeth.  

»I told you, I’m not psychic. But I guess she accepted. You’re too smug for a guy who got the brush-off. «  

It was Mick’s turn to grind his teeth. Ryo really was an idiot. »Yes, she accepted. And we’re very happy. «  

»Whatever. Have you set the date? «  

»Not yet. « Mick paused. »Listen, Ryo, how about if we come to Tokyo for a few weeks? I want her to meet all you guys. « Of course, if he could convince Cory to go to Japan in the first place.  

»And trying to discover her mysterious past has nothing to do with this impromptu trip, right? «  

Damn, Ryo knew him too well.  

»Sure, bring her, this way I can steel her away from you. «  

Mick’s eyes narrowed into slits. »What are you? God’s gift? «  

»What else, man? I thought you knew. «  

»Hah! You can try, but she’ll never fall for you. She loves me. «  

»You underestimate the power of my charm. «  

»Don’t you mean perversion? «  

»You’re just jealous of my success with women. «  

Mick knew every nuance in his friend’s voice. He got the picture in a second. »Any luck with finding Kaori? «  

»Who cares about that half-man. I wanna meet your fiancée…«  

He has been right. »Haven’t found her yet, huh? «  

There was a long silence. »No, « his friend finally murmured quietly.  

»Don’t give up, « Mick whispered. »By the way everybody talked about her, she’s worth the bother. Keep trying. «  

»Yeah… Thanks. «  

»I gotta go, « Mick said. »I have to think up a way to convince Cory to go to Japan with me. «  

»I meant what I said, Mick. « Pause. »Well, not everything. « Nervous laughter. »I’m really looking forward to meet your Cory. She must be one hell of a woman. «  

»I bet she beats your Kaori. «  

»No one beats my Kaori, Mick. Remember that. «  

Mick smiled sadly. »I’ll keep that in mind. See ya, mate. «  

»See ya. «  

Cory watched him with large, fear-filled eyes. Did he indeed propose what she thought he proposed?  

»Excuse me, « she blinked slowly. »I lost you there. Could you rewind? «  

Mick faked a brilliant smile, his heart still thudding in his chest at the panicky look in her eyes. I will finally be able to learn your secrets, Miss McGuire. »I want to take you to Japan. «  

»What? How? Why? «  

He rolled his eyes. »I want to take you to Japan. By plane. Because I want you to meet my friends. «  

Suspicion laced her voice. »Your friends…«  

»Yup, « he nodded, a genuine smile playing on his lips. »You know – friends – as in people who hang with you when you’re down and gloomy. Who treat you for ice cream and go to the movies with you. «  

»Funny. « She smacked him playfully on the chest.  

»I’m a funny guy. «  

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, biting hard on her lower lip. »Let me get this straight… You want me to meet your friends. As in the guy, you worked with in New York? The orphan who grew up in the jungle? «  

Mick nodded. »’The tragic hero of modern time’, if I quote a beautiful woman. «  

Cory rolled her eyes.  

»So, « he smiled at her. »What do you think? «  

»Well… we’ve established one friend. But you used plural. «  

Mick shrugged. »Well, they’re Saeko …«  

»The nurse. «  

»Uh… right. « Mick cleared his throat. »Her sister Reika, Miki, Falcon, Kazue…«  

»Okay, I get the picture, Mick, « she laughed. »Now… who are Reika, Miki and Kazue? «  

He winked. »Reika is my friend’s assistant and totally in love with him so no worries there. «  

Cory huffed, rolling her eyes.  

»Miki owns a café and is in love with Falcon. «  

»Cool. « A woman in love with a bird? Where’s ‘The Twilight Zone’ soundtrack?  

»And Kazue…«  

An eyebrow climbing, Cory watched her fiancé blush. Interesting… »And Kazue? « She prompted.  

»Uhm, Kazue is also in love with the idiot I call my best bud. «  

»And? «  

Mick scratched the back of his head. »She was the one taking care of me. «  

Cory elbowed him, eyebrows wiggling. »And you developed a tendre for her, didn’t you? «  

»A what? «  

»A crush. «  

Mick shot to his feet, walking to the window. »I don’t know what you’re talking about. «  

Smiling, she walked to him, circling his waist with her arms, leaning her cheek on his shoulder. »Baby, I was just teasing. But even if I wasn’t, it’s completely normal for a patient and nurse to develop a certain intimacy during recovery. Hell, they even make movies about that…«  

He turned abruptly, grabbing her upper arms. »Don’t ever say something like that again! «  

She stared at him with wide eyes. »Mick…«  

»You are the only one. I love you, Cory, remember that. «  

»I know, « she nodded with tears in her eyes. »I trust you, Mick. I don’t think I’ve ever trusted anyone as much as I trust you. «  

No even the guy before me? That great bad-boy love of yours? Shaking his head, he smiled. »Good. Trust is important. « Even when I’m keeping secrets from you.  

Even when I’m keeping secrets from you? Worrying her lower lip between her teeth, Cory reviewed her options. She could refuse to go with him, but then she would have to give him a plausible explanation. And the only plausible explanation would be telling him the truth, which she absolutely refused to do.  

But if she went and she saw ‘him’? Nah, impossible. ‘His’ and Mick’s world were complete opposites, and besides, Tokyo was a big city. It would have to be an enormous coincidence to cross paths with ‘him’. But what if it happens?  

It won’t! She’ll make sure of that!  

Mick watched the emotions warring on her lovely face. He knew she was deciding on what to do. Whether to go or not. Whether to tell him the truth or keep her secrets. Tell me! Please, Cory, I can’t stand this uncertainty anymore.  

Uncertainty of what? She has chosen him! She chose to marry him! Chose to spend the rest of her life with him! Wasn’t that proof enough the other guy wasn’t in her heart any more? Is that proof enough? Are you sure?  

Lifting her chin, Cory looked him straight in the eye.  

He lifted a fair eyebrow, waiting.  

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled with her eyes closed. Opening them again, a smile blossomed on her lips. »You’re on, Mick Angel. I’ll go to Japan with you. «  

He whooped, lifting her in the air, kissing her soundly on the lips. »You won’t regret it! «  

When she laughed and hugged him tight, he couldn’t help a nagging little thought from emerging. She won’t, but what if you will?  

Ten days later  

Cory opened her front door to reveal her grinning friend.  

»You know, « Bridget winked, lifting a bottle of Chianti. »I always love when you decide for a girl’s night. «  

»Hey, babe, « Cory winked back, eyeing the Italian wine appreciatively. »Come on in, I have the perfect Cantuccini to go with that. «  

…  

When they were both tipsy from sucking the Chianti off the Tuscan cookies, Bridget looked at her friend with a slightly dazed expression.  

»Not that I mind getting drunk or anything, but could you tell me, why you invited me over? Shouldn’t you already be in bed napping? You have an early flight tomorrow. «  

Cory suddenly didn’t look tipsy any more. Her eyes grew shuttered and the corners of her mouth pinched. »That’s precisely why I invited you over. I wouldn’t be able to sleep even if I tried. «  

»You’ve never had problems before. And I should know. I’ve traveled with you a thousand times over the past three years. «  

»We’ve never gone to Japan, « came the quiet retort.  

Tipsiness left Bridget, too. Staring at her friend, she knew there was something big, something really important Cory wasn’t sharing.  

»What’s wrong with Japan? « she carefully asked, fully expecting her friend wouldn’t answer. As was he usual practice whenever someone asked her about her past.  

Imagine her surprise, when Cory sighed heavily, and, eyes locked with hers, softly whispered:  

»Bridget, I have to tell you something. «  

»Okay, « she nodded, eyes wide.  

»I’ve never told anyone, but I can’t keep it inside any longer. Not now, when I’m going back there.«  

Bridget smiled encouragingly, heart thudding in her chest. »That’s what friends are for. « 

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