Chapter 4
Nicky and Georgina entered the building, hand in hand. It had been more than a month since he last saw any of the Westlife lads. Louis decided that Nicky should have a few weeks off aside from their one- month vacation, since he can’t really perform onstage with casts on his right arm and on his right leg, and in a wheel chair onstage. It would look rather silly. The last time they were together was at the hospital, where they visited him frequently. Afterwards, the lads just called in to ask how he was because they were on their own vacations with their families. Nicky was now fully recovered, thanks to the thousands or millions of prayers he received worldwide from all of their adoring fans, as well as his family who was there for him all the time. Of course, not to forget Georgina. She needed to be there, she was his girlfriend, oops, is his girlfriend. Both of them were sick and tired of it really.
Flashes of light greeted Nicky and Georgina as the photographers snapped away with their cameras. They posed for a while, much to Georgina’s discomfort. Nicky wrapped his arms around a very shy looking Georgina. Reporters started asking he was back on track with the band, and while answering the question he quickly took his arms off her. They also asked if there were any plans of a wedding, since Georgina was there with him. Nicky held her hand, just for the need of it. They looked at each other and smiled while the photographers went wild once more. They looked like a really great couple but inwardly they felt so disgusted over what they were doing. It was all so fake. “Well, we have talked about it. We always do. Umm… we both think it’s still too early for that.” Nicky lied as Georgina just nodded in agreement. He and Georgina never talked about it. They never talk about anything anymore. Just a quick peck on the cheek and then they’re off to the comfort of their own homes. They excused themselves from the press and headed onward to the function room of the hotel, where the party was being held. The bar was open for everyone and waiters were bustling about, serving cocktails to all the people who were present. Later on, everyone would be going to the rooftop to watch the fireworks and to start the countdown.
Nicky scanned the room, looking for his friends. He didn’t really have to look hard he just had to listen. If there was continuous laughter, there’s bound to be the others there. Finally spotting them, Georgina and Nicky made their way toward them. They sat down after saying their hellos and giving Nicky “we missed you” hugs. Nicky suddenly noticed the girl who was sitting in between Mark and Bryan. She had Chinese like eyes, high cheekbones and small lips. She had a lovely tan, and she obviously wasn’t from Ireland. She was quite chubby but Nicky found her cute. Mark noticed him staring at her. “Oh gosh! How stupid of me! I forgot to introduce you! Umm… Toni, you know Nicky already, and with him is Georgina. G and Nicky, meet Toni, my girlfriend.” Mark said. “Hello!” Georgina said cheerfully, standing up and extending her hand. Toni took it graciously. Nicky did the same as Georgina. “Hi! It’s nice to meet the two of you.” Toni said as the three of them sat down. Nicky was quite surprised. He was expecting her accent to be a weird, because he’s watched some films before and Toni didn’t talk the way he expected her to. Sure, she had a different accent but it was quite different from what he was expecting. “Are you really Chinese?” Nicky asked, sipping his drink. It seemed quite rude, but he was just curious. “Umm… sort of. My great grandmother was Chinese while my great grandfather was Portuguese. I’m from the Philippines by the way.” she said softly. Nicky didn’t want to ask what she was doing in Ireland when she was so far away from her home. His first question seemed a bit rude already. It might strike her as if he didn’t want her there. Which of course, is not true at all. “You two were just in time. Mark was just beginning to tell us how he and Toni met.” Bryan said. Toni smiled as Mark blushed slightly. “Well, umm… it was an accident really. The way we met I mean.” Mark stammered. He really didn’t want to delve into how they met. It was far too embarrassing for him. “Why don’t you continue for Mark, Toni? Looks like he’s too embarrassed to say anything.” Georgina said, sipping her drink. Toni looked at Mark and he nodded, gesturing for her to go on. “Well, Mark and his best friend Rowan were at this poolside party. My best friend, Rainey and I were at the same party. Well, Rain and I were having a conversation and I was totally concentrated on it while we were walking near the pool. Mark was there as well, checking out the view or whatever…” Toni trailed off, looking over at Mark who was blushing like mad. Everyone was laughing at him at this point. “I couldn’t help it!” he said guiltily. He and Rowan had been checking out some of the girls who were wearing really short skirts. “Anyway, these two girls walked past him, and he kept walking while never taking his eyes off them, or should I say, their legs rather! He crashed into me, knocked my drink and spilled it on my dress, lost his balance and he fell into the pool!” Toni said, laughing as the others joined in. Mark laughed along with them, even if he was blushing like crazy. “That’s not all! Tell them what happened next!” Mark said, as the laughter died down a bit. “Oh, well, after he fell into the pool, I really couldn’t get angry at him even if he ruined my dress. It was just too funny. So anyway, I was still laughing, and I extended my hand so I could help him get up from the freezing water. Along the process he slipped, falling into the water again and taking me with him!” Laughter filled the air once more as Toni finished the sentence.
The evening went on splendidly, while everyone talked about what they have planned for the year 2001. Toni couldn’t take her eyes off Nicky. He looked absolutely charming. She looked away guiltily each time Nicky caught her staring. She also caught Nicky staring at her, but she wasn’t sure at all. Maybe it was just her imagination. “Hey! Come on! It’s nearly 11:30. We better go to the rooftop before it gets totally packed.” Kian said, taking Anya’s hand. Anya was Kian’s girlfriend. They’ve known each other way before the band formed. Kian didn’t have the heart to tell her how much in love he was with her. He thought she was far too beautiful for him. He felt like he didn’t deserve anyone as funny, friendly, loving, caring and thoughtful like her. Finally getting the courage to tell her after he became quite successful with the band, he explained that he felt like he didn’t deserve her back then because he might not be able to give her everything her heart desires. She laughed at him, saying he was so silly. She told him that ever since she laid his eyes on him, there was nothing else that she longed for but only his love. “Oh, I dunno. Maybe I can watch the fireworks from here.” Bryan said. “Aww… I’m here with you. You don’t have to be afraid of heights you know.” Jannica said. Bryan smiled, kissing her softly on the cheek. “I love you, you know that?” he whispered in her ear. “Well, let’s go!” Shane said standing up. He placed his arm around Camille’s waist as they talked quietly as everyone followed them, heading for the lift. Once they got in, Toni felt as if a shock of electricity passed through her body as hers and Nicky’s arms touched. They were standing side by side, and looked at each other at the same time. They stared into each other’s eyes, unable to look away.