Chapter 271

Chapter 271
He looked at me for the longest time, like he was trying to understand something. "Hartley is a stupid man."

"No argument here," I laughed, blushing.

"No, seriously Lillian, he's a stupid man. What kind of man would mistreat a gem like you?" he asked.

One who doesn't exist, much like this 'gem'.

I shrugged. "A man who has everything else going for him and doesn't need me to complete his life."

"You're an angel who would complete anyone's life," he countered.

"I'm yet to believe that, but thank you," I said, pulling my hand away from his.

I can't believe I held it for so long to begin with.

"Believe it. You've helped me to overcome something I held onto for so long. I didn't think I'd ever find peace," he admitted.

"What exactly did they do?" I asked.

"They imprisoned my parents after accusing them of being terrorists. They used me to get information. The entire time I thought they were my friends, until they stabbed me in the back," he told me.

I frowned. "Who are they?"

"Do you believe that there are spies in the world?" he asked.

I nodded. "I've heard Hartley discussing it with one of his friends before, but I don't know if it's entirely true."

"Oh, it is. There's a whole world of agents, spies, terrorists and villains if you may. The agency that arrested my parents, Cypher, is the most glorified of them all. Their best team is the one that imprisoned my parents, and the whole thing was led by their most famous agent, Six," he said.

What?

I had to remain calm and straight-faced. "Is that a person?"

He nodded. "I honestly despise him, but I won't lie. The kid is good at everything he does and he's the best of the best."

I already knew that much.

"You said this agency is glorified. Why do you say so?" I asked.

He scoffed. "They've managed to actually convince themselves that they're saving the world."

I raised an eyebrow. "And they aren't?"

"I mean, at some point they probably did, but there are a whole lot of things that not even they know about their own organization. It's actually funny to me," he said, laughing a little.

"And what about you? Where do you fit into that whole scene?" I asked.

He frowned. "I don't know yet."

That knocked me for six.

"How come? Shouldn't it be easy to figure out?" I questioned.

He sighed. "It was before last night."

"Last night?" I asked in confusion.

Instead of answering my question, he stood up. "I need to step out and make a call. Don't go anywhere."

"Where will I go?" I asked, deadpan.

He chuckled before leaning down and kissing my forehead. "Touché."

I was flustered beyond belief as he walked out of the room. I had to scold my racing heart, not that that did anything to calm it. There's something borderline dangerous about the way I feel every time I'm in his presence.

Last night, he'd led me to this massive room which is right next to his, and he told me that it was now mine. After giving me his clothes for the night, we spoke some more, until I fell asleep to the sound of his voice. I woke up hours later, sweating, and he was still in the room, which is how he then found out that I was sick.

When he came back, I didn't push the topic we were talking about earlier. I didn't want to give away anything, so I instead settled for his suggestion to watch movies the whole day. He sat by the couch in the room, while I stayed in bed.

This was the case for the next two days.

"Get out Lane," I told him.

He laughed. "Are you seriously kicking me out?"

"I am. You've been stuck in here with me for two days. Clark has already told you that you are needed at the office, and I'm feeling much better now," I pointed out. I'd met Clark when he brought my stuff by.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Fine. I'll go to work tomorrow, but if you so much as sneeze or cough for the rest of the night, I'm going nowhere."

"Letting you steal me away has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever done," I said dramatically.

He hit me with a pillow, making me giggle. "So much for taking care of your ungrateful ass."

"See that's the problem. My ass was never sick. I believe it was my chest," I joked, making him smack me again.

"You are definitely healed," he commented.

"What's the plan for tonight?" I asked.

"What? Are you tired of watching movies?" he questioned.

"Well yeah. I'm sure there's something we can do in this big ass house of yours," I pointed out.

"We could always go to the games room, but only after dinner. I'm cooking tonight," he said as he helped me to stand.

"Oh? What happened to Mrs White?" I asked. Mrs White is his chef, and Mr White is his butler.

"I gave her and Marvin the night off. It's their anniversary today," he informed as we headed downstairs.

I was dressed in a pair of yoga pants, a loose t-shirt, slippers and Lane's hoodie. I can't help that it's so soft. My hair was in a 'gloriously cute mess' as he put it, and I really was feeling a hell of a lot better. We got to the kitchen and I watched him move around, getting ingredients and all the tools he'd need.

"What are you making?" I asked, sitting on a stool at the island.

"I think I'll surprise you. Are you allergic to anything?" he asked.

"Not that I'm aware of," I replied.

He nodded. "Can I ask you something personal?"

"Sure," I said.