GREG POV
I felt like rushing over to Lia the moment I dropped her by the academy. She was extremely fun to be with. Such a cute, sexy and pretty woman, all rolled into one. I wonder what kind of dude got the audacity to maltreat her. In a few minutes, I was at the apartment where I stayed.
While I was changing in my room, memories of Lia and our time in the kitchen, preparing breakfast and playing games at night flashed through my mind.
“Shit! You've fallen hard for the girl, man,” I said to myself in the mirror then grinned. Personally, I've got no issues with falling for her. She was totally my type but my feelings could jeopardize the reason I approached her in the first place at the park. While I contemplated on the fix I was getting myself into, my phone vibrated, echoing through the mirror stand.
“Hey Sarah,” I greeted.
“Dude! Are you planning never to call me again or reach out to HQ. Boss thinks you've gone AWOL,” she whispered over the phone.
“He's always thinking. Let him be. What's up?” I asked.
“We've gotten a few files on the Richardson. Let's meet up. I’ll text you the address. Please, be there on time,” she said and cut the call.
“Yes ma'am!” I teased even though she had already disconnected the call.
I knew what Sarah or my Boss would say if they realize that I've fallen for Lia. I don't even know how it happened. I can't explain it. All I know is that despite the dancers surrounding my feelings for her, I can't fall out of love anymore. It took guts to resist drawing her close while we prepared breakfast and soaking her lips with kisses. She was too pretty like a goddess with those plump, well-shaped lips. Sarah's message beeped on my phone, distracting me from my thoughts which was going wild.
“Always love quiet places,” I commented on her choice for a meeting place. I got into my all-black outfit and wore a cap. I could be flashy sometimes even though it was against out work ethics. I needed to play discreet all the time. Sarah was so good at that but instead, I was good at keeping my life and job a little bit separate even though they could not live apart. Although, I rarely wear flashy outfits. That could give my identity away.
My power bike was all set for the journey. I got on it and in a few minutes, we were out into the streets of New York City.
“You're two minutes late,” Sarah said when I stepped down from the bike and approached her. We were at a container depot which was one out of our numerous meeting spots.
“Now one would think you're my boss. I'm still your Team Leader,” I replied.
“Section Head. You should learn your role. Whatever, you'll always be the cocky and stubborn agent and friend I met ten years ago,” she responded while I grinned with delight. She knew how to choose those words that gets to me.
“What do we have?” I asked.
“A file in a flash drive. I stumbled on it this morning. Boss wanted to go to HQ but I decided to save you the stress plus I got a new target,” she said, handing over the flash drive to me.
“So you'll be in New York in the mean time?” I asked.
“The dude's name is Phil. Owns a couple of clubhouses but secretly operates a drug society underneath his castles. I'm bringing him in today. I got the guys in position already. You're the reason I drove here,” she said, gazing into my eyes as if she'd swallow me. I always got the feeling that she wanted more between us but she never said a thing and I could only see her as a friend and sister. Nothing more.
“Thanks cupcake. I’ll put it to good use,” I said.
“Please, Greg, you have to focus on this mission. This isn't the first you're handling a case that involves a woman,” she said.
“Don't tell me you're stalking me,” I replied, fixing my cap properly on my head.
“We've known each other for ten years, Greg. I know when you're getting attached to a case. You've shown all indications already and I can't think of any distraction except that woman, Lia Richardson,” she said with wide eyes, fixated on me. She was getting too serious.
“You don't have to worry about Lia. Everything's under control. I'm not getting distracted,” I replied.
“Oh! It's Lia now. You're going by first names. What happened to our code? What's going on with you? Don't tell me —” she stared at me and I could read meaning to her expression.
“It's not what you think, Sarah. I've got a deadline, remember. I'll bring those guys in as soon as possible and the case would be over, I promise,” I said and part of it seemed like a complete lie. Could it still be possible for me to stay away from Lia.
“I think you need to be careful. You're obviously smitten by her,” she said.
“Stop it, Sarah! I bet you were the one who influenced Boss to give me this sort of domestic case so I can stay in New York and have fun. I'm not blaming you for looking out for me but you know I only do international cases. If I'll be doing this, you might as well have some confidence in me,” I explained.
She heated a sigh them looked at me, “I won't say anything about this again but know that I warned you. You'll only get that woman in big trouble if you start having feelings for her. Does she even know who you are? How do you think she'd feel if she learns the truth?” she asked.
“And who would tell her? Besides, she already knows my real name. It can't get any worse than that,” I confessed.
“You told her?! You f**king told her?!” Sarah exclaimed.
“There was a situation and I had to tell her to win her trust,” I replied.
“I really don't know what to say to you. You're the boss. You know what you're doing. Just please, don't get hurt,” she said, hitting me hard by the shoulder. I laughed then held her hand and intertwined my fingers with her. “Promise, I won't get hurt,” I said. She nodded then went into her car and zoomed off.
Now, I might not be in trouble but Lia would be in deep shit for being friends with me. I need to wrap up the case fast before it gets out of hand.