12 UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS pt 1

Alfred supported Nick, back to his room, struggling as the other man dangle on his shoulders. Nick wasn't even trying to walk anymore. He just allowed Alfred to drag his feet like the victim in a horror movie.

The door creeks open and the sound echoed in the empty corridor of this peaceful night.

"Oh my back!... Is there an elephant inside these muscles, Sir Nick? I think I just broke my spinal cord!" Alfred pushed Nick's body onto the bed without any regards of where he will land - he did not care. He whimpered in pain as he gently punched his lower back using both of his fists.

"Wha... what are you talking about, you smart ass!? YOU ARE WRONG! It's a... a panther!" Nick managed to respond even in his drunken state while he tossed his body to the left.

"A WHAT NOW?? Spare me.. I think I'm getting drunk without drinking a single drop of alcohol." the poor secretary pulled his hair up, trying to make sense of their conversation.

More than anything, Alfred knows that there is no point of arguing. So instead of wallowing himself in the ugly sight of his boss, he preferred to remove his shoes to make him comfortable while sleeping. He placed them beside the corner table, then covered Nick with a blanket before he exited himself.

"Was it tough?" Ms. Brown greeted him with a question as soon as he met her eyes. She was standing across the opening and wore her signature pose - arms crossed on her chest.

"Yeah. I dare not to imagine what's going to happen next." Alfred answered in a dead, lazy tone. He walked past her and made his way towards his room when another click of the door knob was heard. He glanced to where Ms. Brown was and he saw her face, pale white.

Like his life depended on it, Alfred ran as fast as he could until he reached the suspected cause of the frightened look of the assistant director.

"HOLY COW!" Alfred exclaimed.

"TELL ME THIS IS JUST A DREAM!!" Ms. Brown covered her face with both hands but her red cheeks were still noticeable under the bright light coming from the wall lamp.

"I APOLOGIZE IN BEHALF OF SIR NICK, MS." His voice was shaky. Alfred did his best to use his body in order to cover whatever horrendous thing is peeking behind the slightly opened door.

"IS HE ALWAYS LIKE THAT? I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" She uttered another witty commentary.

"UHMM... NO.. YES... BEER.. OH.. CRAP.." Alfred panicked causing him to stutter. Ms. Brown laughed and it was probably the first time she laughed that hard since they created the team. She was in stitches and was gasping for air until she calmed down a few minutes after. Mr. Secretary did not expect that kind of reaction and so he did not know what to do himself.

"Don't be so stiff now Alfred. You should not stress too much. I was just shocked.. that's all."

"Really Ms.? You are not going to stop this project, are you? he asked and concern was clear in his eyes.

"Why would I? Now I have something to blackmail this high and almighty Nick Newman." She grinned as she straightened her back.

"So, what are you going to do with him? He keeps dancing with his naked ass!" Ms. Brown continued, trying to control her emotion from bursting out.

"He will calm down soon enough.. but.."

"But?.. is there a continuation of this?.. like is he going to cartwheel now with his thing being out in the open?? THAT WOULD BE HILARIOUS!"

"NO.. Nothing of that sort Ms. Brown.. It's just.. he will become the opposite of this. A gloomy, emo and suicidal Nick will surface."

"Wow.. and you have been putting up with all of this?"

"This is not eveytime he gets drunk.. only when he really is bothered with something."

"Hmmm.. so this could be work related too.. I can talk to him... do make sure though that he has clothes on. I don't want to accidentally crush his future babies."

Ms. Brown turned around to leave the wasted Nick to his responsible Secretary when another troublesome guy arrived at the scene.

"BABIES??.. I LOVE BABIES. I WANT TO HAVE LOTS OF THEM WITH EMILY!"

"Here I thought you were behaving yourself. I will really zip that mouth of yours one of these days!" Ms. Brown rested her arms on her waist as she sighed deeply.

"EMILY?... I MISS her." the hyped Nick suddenly bowed his head and sat on the floor. Soon after, tears flowed from his eyes.

"He's crying?.. at the thought of Emily??"

"Oh Ms. Brown.. it might be nothing."

"No, I cannot let that slip. Cover his body. I'll be back once Kenneth is settled in his room."

She waited for Kenneth to get back from the kitchen who apparently was looking for some cold water. Alfred followed Ms. Brown's instructions and kept the wailing Nick in check.

A few moment, someone knocked. Alfred invited the person inside before leading to the bathroom.

"Do you have any idea why he is acting like this?" Ms. Brown asked the worried Alfred.

"This is the third time he became this devasted.. ever since that happened six years go."

"That? What do you mean?"

"Ahh.. uhmmm.. Nothing really. Even for me, it's rare to see this side of Sir Nick."

"Agree. Well anyways, I need you to exit the room."

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do it." She firmly demanded which made Alfred scamper on his feet as he rushed outside.

"Alright.. Now that we are alone, I will not hold back."

*****

Thirty minutes have passed yet there is still no news from Ms. Brown. Alfred cannot stop thinking weird, odd things that might be happening between the two individuals locked up inside.

"No, No. She knows better than to jump on Nick."

"Who's jumping now?" Kenneth once again emerged. Alfred jolted. He was so preoccupied that he did not notice him approaching his direction but he ignored him and kept his mouth shut.

"Hey you Mr. Secretary. You won't want to face my bad side now. Trust me, I am dead serious." Kenneth towered Alfred in both height and build. He was so scared that if he dies, no one will be able to figure out who the killer is, since there is no witness.. and so he spilled the tea.

"Oh... way to go Nick! I know you got balls! Use them wisely!" Kenneth howled. Alfred was quick to push the cracking guy back to his room before anyone else could hear.

*****

An hour has passed and finally a text was received from Ms. Brown. Alfred's eyes widened upon reading the context of the message.

"TELL NICK I AM GLAD IF IT'S HIM"