The Fated Match

Watching Aika with the team was the perfect distraction. I was well aware that they were taking advantage of cheering up Aika as a way to not be in the gym at the minute, but I really wasn’t going to complain because I was more focused on making sure Aika wasn’t going into her sad thoughts.

“This woman seems good; she has experience in the professional field” Ryan says handing me a piece of paper with a list long of experience and referrals.

You may be wondering what we’re doing but we all had a meeting yesterday and we decided that it was in our best interest to get a medical nurse and practitioner for the whole centre. We all are increasing the training for all the teams.

That may be good for the results but that also comes with consequences so a medic on the team is our best call at this moment.

I moved my eyes off Aika swimming in the pool with Jenny and looked down.

Hannah claire was her name and Ryan were right she had a list of different referrals and places where she worked before. She was 36 which meant that she had been working professionally for over 10 years.

“I like her” I said placing it on the pile with the other worthy candidates.

We continued to look through the applications. Even though I only knew about this yesterday ryan had been working on this for quite some time.

Michelle decided to stay out of the application process saying something along the lines of, trusting us to choose the right person.

She has been keeping her distance from me ever since it all happened, and I didn’t have a problem with that.

“Theo, it’s about time you got here” ryan said as the door to the room opened up. Theo came into view his hair wet from coming back inside. Either that or he just had a shower.

They did this male hug before he pulled out a chair in the room we were in. it overlooked the pool nicely so that I could keep an eye on what was going on in there.

I didn’t need to worry about Aika too much. For one I was the one who taught her how to swim, so you could say shed learnt from the best and two, she was surrounded by swimmers, so she was in safe hands.

Coincidently he took the chair next to mine. I felt his shoulder brush with mine.

“hey” he whispered into my ear. I turned sending a warm smile. “is it raining?” I smirked looking at his wet locks.

“it’s chucking it down” he replied.

I nodded moving my attention back to the table and read a few more applications. The one I was reading was purely comical.

I showed it to Theo “do you think we should put him in the pile” he scanned it before breaking into a smile. I tried not to stare for too long, but I’ve truly missed that smile of his.

He caught me staring and his smile soon morphed into a deep meaningful look that had me turning away.

Instantly he caught my chin with his fingers forcing me to look at him. “don’t go shy on me now Elle” he spoke softly his thumb tracing the skin.

I felt uneasy as I stared at him for even longer watching those eyes watch me.

Coincidently ryan disappeared almost like he knew something like this was going to happen.

“I’m not shy, confused if anything” I answered honestly, what did he want.

Did he want me? because the last time I checked he didn’t want me.

They say girls are impossible to read but boys aren’t exactly an open book either.

“that’s my fault, I didn’t know what I had until I didn’t have you. It didn’t even take for another guy to come and get you I just couldn’t bare not having you with me” I was stunned at his words. Does this mean, surely not. Not this quick.

“now I’m confusing you even more I can’t see it in your eyes. Let’s not think about it. I want you to know that I’m here for you whatever you need whenever” he said finally releasing his hold on me.

I could only nod.

We were sitting in silence until Theo’s phone starting ringing. He flipped his phone over and sighed seeing Chloe’s name on the screen.

“was it possible for you to only come back with my parents and not my evil sister” he groaned but it was serious. What’s the point in having a younger sister if she doesn’t annoy the fuck out of you.

I laughed and urged him to pick up the phone. He excused himself quietly leaving the room.

I picked up the 5 different applications and headed over to ryan who was talking with Scott. They paused their conversation seeing me reach them.

“I’m heading off, but I think I like Hannah out of them all, but I will leave it to you to make the final decision” I said handing him the papers.

“I think you’re right, she was my top pick too”

I am walking into the changing rooms to see Aika sitting on a bench with Bryony making a French braid.

“I hope it’s okay, but we added her on snapchat, she’s just too cool” Melissa said handing back Aika her phone.

“don’t I know it” I said proudly looking down at this little girl.

“make sure to get some good training done over the weekend. I won’t be in on Monday since this girl is heading back home”

I didn’t really want her to go back home but she needed to get back to her parents and they needed to build on their relationship, its important.

Aika hugged each of them before following me outside. She was giddy as she makes her way to my car.

She stopped abruptly causing me to nearly bump into her. I steadied my balance looking up. There he was, standing by my car with Dillon.

Boy he’s grown.

“ELLE” the toddler screamed fixing his eyes on me. Theo gently pushed his son towards me. I bent down picking the little guy up. from the corner of my eye I saw Theo walk forward and stick his hand out for Aika.

“I was just taking this little one for pizza, thought maybe you would want to join us” Theo said walking towards me.

Aika looked a little confused.

“do me a favour Theo, turn around” Theo looked surprised at my request but slowly turned around. I pressed my foot to behind his knees. “bend down” I whispered to which he did exactly that.

I pulled down his jacket and showed Aika his tattoo. Her eyes widened as she leaned in closer to have a better look.

“oh, so you’re Mateo’s son” Aika put the pieces together. Theo turned around. I stepped back realising I was way too close to him, but he quickly pulled me back to where I was originally.

“in the flesh, try not to scare this one too much in the future” he said referring to me. Aika nodded her head casting an apologetic smile to me.

Dillon was tugged on my jacket when nobody was saying anything. Oh right, pizza.

“so, pizza” I asked Aika. She scoffed at me “like you even had to ask” that was enough to have us all getting into our cars. Obviously, Dillon couldn’t get in my car because he needed a baby seat, so we agreed to meet them there.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Aika asked when I was finally on the main road. I kept my eyes forward.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

She turned down the volume to the music and asked it again.

“no, he’s not. We like each other but it’s complicated” I didn’t expect her to understand it, but she hit my arm. “what’s complicated, just ask him out already”

I wish it was that simple.

“he ended it before I came to Japan, I think being friends is healthy at this moment” her eyes widened as she turned to e.

“it wasn’t because of me was it?” I shook my head “god no, it was me that’s for sure”

She breathed a sigh of relief. I don’t think she wanted that on her conscience. I don’t blame her either.

Don’t look too relieved” I rolled my eyes as I signalled left to park into the nearest pizza place where I saw Theo’s car just pull into.

We joined them inside as they sat in a booth with Dillon in a baby seat. Aika was growing fond of Dillon and I wasn’t surprised, he is a real cutie. She sat at the end of the booth next to him and let me and Theo sit with each other.

After ordering I sat in silence checking a few messages on my phone before turning to face Theo. I jumped slightly to see his eyes already staring back at me as he leant on the table giving me his full attention.

“I missed you”