Hidden Secrets (halted)

Part 15

I routed through Mike's drawer to find a jacket I could wear that would keep me warm, and surround me with Mike's scent for the whole day.
I felt a solid object so I took out the clothes that covered it. It revealed a gun, Mike's gun. It had a bow on it and a tag. I picked it up, which didn't make me curl my nose up with distaste, surprisingly!
I read the note which had written on it, 'happy 19th birthday! I thought giving you my gun would give you extra protection! Also it's the one I used to save your life for the first time!' I thought back to when I was hiding on my own in the hotel room and Mike came in, looking furious after I ran away, then the assassin came in about to kill us. Luckily Mike managed to shoot him.
I focused on the side of it where my name was imprinted on it, and the words, 'to protect you when I can't' I put it down on the desk, and carried on my search for a jacket, now is not the time to get upset!
I found a black jacket which I remember him wearing the day he kept chasing after me.
I put it on and something fell out of the pocket. It was pink tissue paper with a note saying 'happy 22nd birthday Nicole!' I was really confused. How many other gifts did he have hidden for the next birthdays for me? I unwrapped it which revealed a bullet.
I held it between my first finger and thumb. It was on a thick chain as a big hole had been made through it, now a charm on a bracelet. I focused more closely and saw writing carved into it. 'The second time I saved your ass!' I put it down on the desk and cleared my face from the tears that I had let escape. I took in deep breaths and looked down at the left open drawer. Was there anything else hidden in there?
I moved his tops around and felt something under a grey top. I turned it over and saw a note attached to the bottom of a stand. I removed the top and saw the nebuliser, modified so it was like a trophy, held up on a stand. I took it out and read the note, 'happy 20th birthday Nicole, a reminder of the third time I saved your life, and I never want to forget it!' I put that on the desk and wondered how many others he had in here, sneaky hidden secrets for me!
The top drawer didn't have any more, so I searched the next one.
I was in his pants drawer, but I couldn't find anything. I was about to give up until I found something in the pocket of his designer pants.
I took it out and gasped.
It was a velvet box and a piece of paper was folded up on top of it. I opened it up and tried my best to see through my blurred vision.
'It's your 21st birthday, and I wanted it to be the best ever! I love you, so much! So in case I mess up and can't say the words, I wanted to ask you, will you marry me?' I broke down. I had a huge pain in my chest. I was on the floor, on my knees. Holding the box in front of me. I opened it and I felt my life freeze. A princess cut diamond engagement ring was inside.
I took it out and held it like it was fragile. I slipped it on to my finger and held my hand out in front of me. It was perfect!
I wiped the tears away that had overflowed and tried my best to distinguish my sobs.
How long ago did he get all of this? He must have got it when we were sort of together, and that could only be when we were in the factory and he left during the day to get lunch, sneaky thing.
I just wish he was here so he could see how much he means to me!
"Are you ready Nicole?" Cody was outside the room, I forgot that I told him to wait so I could get a jacket from Mike's room.
I opened the door and smiled, "lets go!" I began to walk on ahead of him but he stopped and grabbed my hand, not the one with the ring.
"Hey, are you okay? I thought I heard you crying!"
"Yep, I'm great. Come on!"
He turned me around so I looked down to the floor to hide my face.
"You have been crying!"
"I got emotional when I put the jacket on!"
"Why?"
"It's Mike's! The one he wore when I first met him!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Don't be, I wouldn't expect you to understand. You're a guy!"
"Are you saying guys don't get upset as easily?"
"Well yeah!" I looked to him and raised an eyebrow a cheeky smile formed on my face too. "Are you saying you've got a feminine side?"
I nudged his shoulder with mine then laughed at his defeated face.
I skipped towards the front door with triumph in my step.
I heard Cody calling after me. "No, I wasn't saying it like that! I meant it...I was saying..." I turned and saw him rub his chin trying to find something to say.
"Let's go Codeine!"
He gave me a little evil look which made me laugh again. And he sulkily came over.
"Okay then Nick! God you don't have to keep rushing me, you know I have to look my best when I go out!" He linked his arm with mine and he joined in with my laughter. "Come on let's go, it's about time you met my manager!"
"I can't believe you're making me meet him now! After years of you working there!"
"You know I didn't think it was safe for you back then. I wasn't sure if there were anymore assassins sent for you!"
"I know. Can we actually go now, I'm getting pretty bored just standing here!"
We got out to the car which was still in top condition. We got in and I shivered slightly, what if Cody's manager doesn't like me?
"Hey, you okay?"
"A little nervous!"
Cody held my hand, "don't be!" He stroked his thumb over it and bumped the ring. "Where'd you get this?" He lifted my hand to examine it. "It looks like an engagement ring! Who are you engaged to?" His look set the hairs on the back of my neck on end.
"No one!"
"Don't lie to me!"
"I'm not!"
"Then how do you explain the ring on your finger?"
"The persons dead Cody!"
We sat in silence as Cody tried to think of something to say.
"Mike."
"Yes!"
"That's the real reason why you were crying?"
I could only say the one word quietly as I felt guilty. "Yeah."
"Why didn't you just say?"
"Because I didn't want to make you upset! I didn't want to make you hate me!"
"I'm not upset, I understand! He intended to give that to you and wearing it will make you think he will be happy!" I removed my hand from his grip and held it with my other hand close to my heart. "I'm not going to hate you either!"
"Thank you!"
"Just don't be getting properly engaged behind my back!"
I had to laugh, I knew he wasn't mad at me, and I am very relieved!
The engine started and we were on our way to Cody's work to meet his boss.