Chapter 20: The thing called Love

Adam sat in front of Max, staring him with calculating gaze. On the other hand Max pretended to be busy in his work, indifferent of Adam's presence. The temperature of the office seemed to drop gradually because of the lingering silence.

"Is there any news from your spies?" Max tried to pick up a conversation.

Adam sighed finally, giving up his tough façade "yes there is a news and trust me it's not a good one"

"Is it like that?" Max arched his eyebrow.

"After the investigation, I found that Ricochet's men didn't actually break out from the prison_" Adam's voice grew graver.

"What? Does that mean the sightings of Ricochet's men were just rumors?"

"No, my men won't tell me anything unless its hundred percent true. In fact, Ricochet's man turned out to be way too clever. The prison, in which they were kept, mysteriously caught fire last month and surprisingly most of Ricochet's men were declared dead" Adam deadpanned.

"Damn it, so much happened and I didn't even have a clue. They escaped so easily! But it's not possible without the help of someone powerful. Who could be behind all these? Who might be helping them after seven years? Do you suspect anyone?" Max asked, a frown etched across his handsome features.

"I don't know, Max. Everything happened too fast. Those bastards didn't even give us the chance to process. They must be planning to take revenge. Do you think David is involved in all these?" Adam intertwined his fingers and rested his chin upon them.

"Anything is possible, giving that where David disappeared seven years ago is still a mystery. I think it's time to call John from his retirement" Max stroked his chin in contemplation and Adam nodded grimly. The atmosphere between the two friends fell silent again. Adam still seemed to have some more question as he stared Max with an inquisitive gaze.

"What is in your mind?" Max sighed heavily because he somehow knew what Adam was going to ask.

"Won't you ask what I was doing with Angela that day?" at last, Adam asked the question, which was eating him, insides since long. Max kept silence after he caught Adam and Angela in rather awkward position that day. He was actually ignoring the topic, which worried Adam.

"And pray tell why would I ask that?"

"Why won't you ask Max? You SHOULD ask." Adam's grip on his knuckles tightened.

"No Adam, I don't want to ask anything because I trust you both. I am sure what happened that day was just a matter of time." Max assured him.

However, Max's words didn't give any relief to his heart. Why are you so good Max? He thought. "Why do you trust so much?" he asked.

"Let me ask you a question. Why do you even care who I trust?" Max questioned calmly.

"What the hell man? Are you even listening to yourself? Obviously, I'd care because we are brothers. Did you forget that we are the only ones for each other?" Adam huffed in frustration.

"Now that's my answer to your previous question" Max quipped. Adam pursed his lips because Max's answer left no space for debate.

"Fine! But what about Angela? Why do you trust her so much?"

"I don't know Ad, I just do. Something in her eyes tells me that I can believe in her" a smile slowly crept in Max's tensed face as he mentioned about Angela.

"I will still say that she doesn't deserve your trust, in fact I've proof this time," Adam said with confidence.

"What now?" Max asked waving his hand impassively.

"I've seen her sneaking out from her apartment without telling anybody, even her bodyguard doesn't know it. I even tried to follow her but she is way too quick. But then I thought that it's not my place to catch her red handed, so I decided to tell you first. And according to my calculations she will again sneak out today"

Max's jaw twitched "you were stalking her?"

"Seriously? Out of everything, you got only this? And to answer your question, yes I've been." Adam snorted.

"Whatever, I don't care whoever she meets. It's her personal matter and I respect her privacy unlike some brat" Max snapped back.

"You know what_" Adam got up from his chair "I was a fool to warn you. You will only understand this once you get betrayed" he straightened his coat and stormed out of the office, leaving behind an anxious Max.

~*~

"Even her bodyguard doesn't know it...she will again sneak out today....." Adam's words kept on echoing inside Max's brain. He pushed his hair back in frustration. I know Angela won't betray me. She might be just meeting doctor or one of her friends. Why did this idiot Adam tell me such useless things? Max debated in his mind. His brain was train wrecked. I think it better to go and meet her. This way I'd also spend some time with her.

After hours of inner debate, Max decided to visit Angela himself. "Stop the car here, Rex" He stopped two blocks away from her apartment. Shall I really interrupt her? She might be busy with her work, a voice spoke in his head. So what? You're different for her....she won't mind your presence, another voice bugged. While he was battling with his own opinions, a cab passed by which attracted his attention.

"Wait...isn't that Angela sitting inside the cab? Where is she going?" Max whispered ".....she will again sneak out today..." Adam's voice ringed again. Dang it! May be I should follow her for my satisfaction. He thought.

"Rex, follow that car and make sure not to get caught," he ordered to Rex, his trusted driver. Rex nodded his head obediently and discreetly drove behind the cab. The cab took its way towards the downtown. What business does she have in the downtown? Max wondered,

After following for half an hour, the cab finally stopped at a deserted street. Angela came out of the cab, covering her face with a scarf. She cautiously looked at her surrounding to make sure that no one is following her. Meanwhile Max was watching her from the distance. Whom is she hiding from?

"Wait for me here Rex" he too came out of his car and silently trailed behind her. Angela entered inside an alley and halted in front of a shabby looking place. Max looked up to read the name of the place "St. Marie orphanage"

"Orphanage?" he crooked his eyebrow in surprise. It was when a little girl ran out from the orphanage "Momma..." the little girl screamed. Max's eyes flew to Angela, who removed her scarf at the same time and opened her arms widely. The little girl jumped into Angela's embrace and she hugged her tightly.

"Momma missed you too sweetheart" Angela mumbled and kissed the little girl's hair lovingly. Max's jaw dropped in shock. So this is the thing she was hiding... she is a mother. Max clenched his fists, why did you lie to me, Angela? It's not like I'd have looked down on you. Don't you even trust me enough to share your secrets? You had better have a decent explanation or else I'd forget that there is still a thing called love alive on this earth. His heart palpitated with pain, he was not prepared for such a betrayal from her. He stood there leaning against the wall in despair, waiting for her to prove his accusations wrong. I hope that I'm thinking wrong. Please prove me wrong Angela.

~*~

Angela came out of the orphanage waving her hands back at the children. Those little ones are like beautiful flower in the midst of a barren dessert. A blissful smile played across her lips as she turned around to take her leave. All of the sudden, air knocked out of her lungs when she saw the person standing in front of her eyes. Max stood there with his hands stuffed inside his pockets, his head hung low and a dark shadow hiding his eyes. Sensing her stunned gaze on him, he lifted his head, revealing his deadly cold eyes. Angela timidly approached near him and raised her shivering hands "Max__" she whispered.

He flinched back, avoiding her touch. "Explain_" was the only word that left his mouth.