Always Been There

CHAPTER 4 : THE FIRST SUN RAYS AFTER A HEAVY RAIN

MAYA'S POV:

With a heavy breath, I woke up to the blurry sight of my bedroom ceiling. I touched my eyes. My hands felt a bit wet. I saw my hand. Teardrops. 'I was crying? Why?' I don't remember dreaming anything.

I stood up walking towards the floor-to-ceiling windows, opening the curtains. Bright sunshine entered touching my face. I turned around to look at the clock. 8'o clock.

' I'm late today '

I'm running late today. After a quick shower I put on a Navy Blue sleeveless dress. It hugged my body perfectly. I didn't bother with any make-up, tying my hair into a bun. I took my bag, coat, and the review files and went out hurriedly.

I don't know the reason why but my heart feels unstable. My emotions are on run. I can't control them. I could feel the tremors in my body due to my nostalgic feelings. This is not good. I don't remember what I dreamt of and why I was crying. I'm trying to control this feeling but I can't. Why am I feeling like this? What's wrong with me? Why do I feel like crying hugging 'him' tightly? Why him?

I feel a bit scared to go inside the building. I'm bound to make mistakes if I'm like this. 'should I call in sick ?' I thought resting my head on the steering wheel. Nathaniel's smiling face flashed in front of me. Even though it was only for a few hours in a day, I could feel his enthusiasm when it comes to anything research related. He is fascinated with life.

He's such a great scientist. He was looking forward to discussing this research. I can't disappoint him. It's my honor to work with him. The fact that we're first name basis with each other is proof that he trusts me.

I came out of the car with a determined look but inside I'm a mess. When I entered the lobby I saw Rachel waiting for me with another person whom l didn't expect to meet yet. Nathaniel smiled at me as soon as he saw me. All the unstable emotions in me came to a halt. His smile reminded me of the first sun rays after heavy rain. I didn't realise I was mirroring his smile.

" Good morning, Nathaniel " I wished him.

" Good morning, Maya " Today he's wearing a light caramel colored cardigan over his white shirt and a pair of black trousers. He observed me for a few seconds before he said "Seems like you slept in" He gave me a an over all look.

" Let's go " Nathaniel said when l nodded my head.

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Section B17 was written with an arrow mark on the left side of the wall indicating that the lab is located there. Since the research is important only the heads and our team are allowed here.

Swiping my key card I came into the brightly lit lab. The lab has the main experiment lab, the experiment room where we are standing, the Sample room, the meeting room, and a changing room where if necessary we change into detailed protections. Nathaniel already started explaining the team. They encircled him.

" Good morning Dr. Maya " They wished me when they saw me coming.

" Good morning "

Nathaniel and I started discussing the microbe samples we received. We need to find what type of microbe or whether it is a new kind of microbe.

We both took turns explaining it. To be honest most of it is done by Nathaniel because of my absent mind. He dispersed them and took my hand walking us towards the meeting room.

" Come with me "

" Hey !Nathaniel! " I bit lip calling him by his name in front of our team. I could sense some surprised gazes on me.

" Just come with me " he didn't lose his grip on my hand.

Nathaniel led me in to the meeting room. He let me sit on a white chair and turned around going towards the table.

He came back giving me a tea cup. His expression seemed a little grim. Is it because of today? My performance? Turning my chair around, he placed his hand on my shoulder looking at the glass window.

" Calm down okay? Take a real break and calm yourself " His words! These words felt so familiar. His hand on my shoulder felt warm.

" Seems you're disturbed by something. You need to let go of it. Don't keep it in" His voice was soothing her nostalgic emotions that were threatening to break. I slowly let my body lean on the back of the chair. I started taking sips of my tea.

" You didn't sleep well ? He asked me before looking straight at the window. He must have noticed my dark circles. Today I didn't bother with any make up so it was visible.

"Yeah"

" You had a disturbing dream ?"

" Maybe. I don't remember "

Nathaniel became quiet after that. He didn't ask me any questions. I looked up at Nathaniel. He seems to be in some deep thoughts. His half-framed dark blue transparent glasses matched his hair perfectly. This is the first time I saw him wearing glasses.

" Are you feeling okay now ? " He asked me. When did he turn to look at me?

" Yeah. I feel much better" I smiled standing up.

" Let's go back to work " Nathaniel suggested.

Nathaniel and I came out receiving weird looks from our team. Some are giving me creepy smiles while some giving dissatisfying looks. Few looked at me with concern.

As someone who received these expressions before, I'd be a low EQ person if I don't know what's running in their brains. I saw Nathaniel glaring at the people smiling at us. Nathaniel didn't react much. That's a relief!

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Nathaniel invited me to have lunch with him. I couldn't reject the offer. It was better to eat with him than eat alone. We had our lunch at the laboratory gardens and started taking a walk. The breeze felt so comfortable.

" I'm sorry " I apologized recalling what happened this morning.

" For what ? " He asked in return.

" I shouldn't have called you by your name in front of our team. If it isn't for that, we wouldn't be facing those looks " my mood automatically going down.

" You shouldn't be sorry for that. You did nothing wrong " I looked at him a bit surprised. "I gave you my permission to call me by my name because I consider you as a person whom I can trust and of course as my friend. It's none of their business what you call me. If they continue to use their brains for gossips I can give them a nice lesson after the experiment results "

I chuckled at his words. " So you consider me as your friend? " I peered at him to take a note of his emotions.

" Isn't it obvious? " Nathaniel asked me.

" It is but why me? "

" You're one of the most popular and talented people in the scientific world. As popular as me. I heard from you many times. I always wanted to meet you and work with you and now the opportunity came. When I first saw in person l know you're different " I became dazed as Nathaniel continued explaining. Such a big personality knew me and was waiting for an opportunity to work with me!!!

" Don't look at me like that " Nathaniel noticed my look.

" Who wouldn't be surprised if a person whom you admire knows about you, admires you, and waiting for an opportunity to work with you?

"Nathaniel let out a hearty laugh " Come on. Let's go back."

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"…So you mean to say even if it's a pathogenic microbe because of its prokaryotic nature it might not be harmful? " I asked him writing our thoughts on my notepad.

" It's just one of my theories " Nathaniel is leaning onto the table while l sat on a chair " To be honest I have a bad feeling about this "

He said finishing his cup of coffee.

" You mean the microbes? " We both are staying until everyone left the lab and discussing the microbe samples.

" Yeah," he nodded his head. He checked the time. " It's already 7:30 PM. Everyone left. We should go."

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I shivered as the cold breeze touched my body, walking towards the parking lot. The winter already passed, but the wind is still cold. ' I better wear some warm clothes '.

I thought Nathaniel left until l saw his figure near my car.

" You didn't leave yet? " I asked him as l reached my car.

" I was about to go but I thought of something " he answered with a teasing smile.

" What is it? " I looked at him a bit curiously.

" Drink a glass of milk before going to sleep " His eyes held a mischievous spark.

" Come on! It's only one time. I was just disturbed! " I sighed. Nathaniel laughed.

" Alright. You need to go. Drive safe " I smiled at him.

" Take care," I said entering the car. Until l left the parking lot he was smiling at me. I returned his smile driving out of the parking lot.

____________________________________END OF MAYA'S POV_______________________________________

Nathaniel stood watching the car slowly leaving the parking lot. His smile vanished as the car disappeared from his sight. He looked gloomy with a tinge of happiness. He looked lonely in the deserted parking lot. His phone rang. He lifted the call without checking the caller.

" Yes," His voice sounded low but dangerous enough to send chills. " After 10 minutes " he replied hanging up.