GREG POV
I soaked Lia's lips while we were deeply engrossed in what seemed like forever. Her hands trailed the back of my head while I caressed her back. Then, out of the blues, she called it quits. She drew back, placing her index finger over my lips. It was for a brief moment but I wanted it to last for minutes. I had always wanted her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, taking her hand off the back of my head.
“You don't have to apologize. I should be doing so. I'm sorry I did that without any warning,” I said.
“No, we both kissed. It wasn't just you,” she said then stared at the couch. I had lots of work to do. Her confidence and self-esteem were shattered. I bet she's grown the mindset to always pull away from whatever that made her happy. I'll surely make the Richardsons pay for whatever they did to her. She noticed I was deep in thoughts after calling my name and I could not hear a thing.
“Greg! It's not you. It's me. I don't want to be intimate with anyone for now,” she said.
“It's totally fine. I get that. We'll take things slow. There's no need to rush, I responded.
“Thanks,” she said. I wasn't expecting it but she drew close and embraced me tightly. I wrapped my arms around her and caressed her hair. She was finally mine.
“Will you stay overnight? We can play video games if you want,” I said while we were still in the embrace.
“Can I?” she asked.
“Of course, you can. I'd be delighted,” I replied, withdrawing from the embrace. She giggled and all I saw was her smile lighting up the entire room.
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“You're unbelievable, Greg. I understand that you're in love which is obviously against all you've always sung in our ears but that's fine. What's unacceptable is bringing that woman into your house. Don't you know how dangerous that is? What if she discovers you're a spy? Do you think she'd still love you or even stay? C'mon, Greg, this is unlike you. You've been an agent for over a decade already. Why freak out because of one woman when you've seen lots of them and for goodness sake, you didn’t freak out” Sarah said, trying to maintain the high-pitch in her voice over the phone.
“Because I'm in love with this one woman. I don't know how it happened but I've grown to love her so much so everyone's just gotta deal with it,” I replied.
“Even if your boss finds out that you've completely gone astray because of an American woman?” she asked.
“We're both Americans. It can't be that bad. I'll explain things to him myself. I don't want you pressuring me over this as well, Sarah. You're my best friend. You should be happy for me,” I said.
“Of course, I should but I'm not because you could choose any woman but you went so far as to fall in love with your target on a mission. How are you supposed to concentrate?” she asked, then I heard the deep voice I'd always respected over the phone. He was the only person I feared in the agency. He had taken me in as his own and trained me to be an award winning spy. I aced in various combats, infiltrations among others because he taught me through blood, sweat and tears. I learned the hard way. He was my boss.
“Is that Greg?” I heard him ask Sarah.
“Of course, Chief,” she replied and I guessed she handed the phone over to him. I swallowed hard then tightened my grip on my phone.
“It's been weeks, man. What's going on? And you've been avoiding me,” he said, his deep voice vibrating through the phone’s speaker.
“I’ve got it all under control,” I responded.
“I want to see you at base in five days, got it?!” his voice echoed through the phone.
“Noted, boss!” I replied.
“I just hope you're safe with the decisions you've made,” Sarah said and cut the call. She was kinda getting on my nerves but she was looking out for me. Just when I dropped the call, Lia's image popped up on my screen. I was insanely in love with her. I'd make her my wife without hesitating.
I had decided to make the days I had with Lia count. She had been through a lot. I might have little knowledge of the tortures and torments she's been through but I was sure she had scars and a vacuum in her heart that could not be easily filled. I wanted to empower her. I wanted to transform her to a lady who would stand up and defend herself from the dangerous and wicked whims of any man. I had her meet me at a deserted space behind my apartment.
Despite living in a secluded area where I mostly had the trees & birds as my companion, I wondered why she had not refused showing up at my house. With her heightened sensitivity, I expected her hesitancy or refusal to visit but it was the other way around. She dreaded us dating publicly and I could not pinpoint the reason. She was one of the weirdest women I'd seen. The deserted area behind my apartment was dedicated for our combat lessons. I drew up a plan and after getting her approval, we got to work.
“I don't think I can do this. I don't know how you do it but you're so good. I feel like my tummy's about to explode,” she complained after a brief session.
“You have to. I want you to get stronger so that you won't hesitate to save yourself from any man. You've got to be strong, okay? I love you,” I assured her, caressing her hands. She avoided my gaze then her lips shaped into a pretty smile as she walked over to her position so that we could continue the training.
The next three days were filled with intense trainings. She'd visit my apartment after working hours to learn a bit of self-defense tricks. While we were getting serious, we also had fun along the way. Even though she preferred to keep things private, avoiding the public or taking pictures together because she felt I was the social type, I tried to spice things up so that she could relax around me. At least, our relationship was just four days old. Don't mind me but I was eager to make her officially mine. I would never give way to her other previous rascal of a boyfriend.
I became overly curious about what was happening in the Richardson family a day before my trip to base. I realized I might going about the mission the wrong way. What I needed might not be in his office but in his house. The family seemed to have so many dirty secrets.
We had just arrived at the mall to pick a few things when I received a call from a colleague in Asia. While I took the call, I noticed a man discussing with Lia. They seemed to be having a heated conversation. On a closer look, I discovered that it was Fred Richardson, her brother. Why the hell would they have a heated conversation? The family feud seemed to be the missing piece in my puzzle.