The next day Nova woke up early, too much time spent on bed to last a lifetime for her. She could feel her back start to ache, she'd slept so much. But this time, she'd spent a good half hour staring at the man who lay beside her, who slept like the dead. She wanted to trace that scar again, but she didn't. She knew he would wake up and for some reason; she didn't want him to wake up.
Looking past Derek's sleeping self, Nova looked at the time. Five minutes past six. They still had one hour left to get ready to go to the headquarters.
Staring at Derek a bit more and trying to recall when they both fell asleep last night, she remembered that after they'd had dinnerâthat Derek made and it was so delicious tooâthey'd both crashed in his room. While Nova was sure it were the medicines she'd taken that made her drowsy, she knew for Derek, it had to be pure exhaustion. The light stubble that had started to grow on his face told a lot about how he had been for the past fourty-eight hours.
Nova decided not to wake Derek up when she realised she'd better get moving and wash up to get ready already. Sliding the covers off of her body, she stood up and exited his room and went into hers.
After finishing her business she noticed it was already seven O'clock and that they needed to hurry.
She should probably check up on Derek too because he seemed pretty exhausted last night. He didn't even wake up early today; maybe Nova will have to wake him up after all. With his name on the tip of her tongue, she exited her room.
Only to see Derek arranging plates on the dining table.
"You're awake?" was the first thing that Nova uttered after seeing him.
"And you're dressed too." She stated to nobody in particular when she saw the folded sleeves of his white dress shirt and black pants that he wore. His black coat was hanging on one of the four chairs. His slightly wet hair styled back, and his skin glistening through the sunlight that came from the window. He was simply beautiful.
"Good morning to you, too, Ms. Newton."
With that Nova was brought out of whatever trance she was in just seconds ago and a blush covered her face.
"Oh, um, sorry, Good morning," she greeted and went to the kitchen counter to see what the amazing smell was all about.
"Cheese sandwich?" she asked when she saw the delicious looking things. Although they'd eaten late last night, the sandwiches looked too delicious to be left just like that.
"Yeah, because why not?" Derek said smiling as he came up to her.
Still getting used to it, Nova closed her eyes and took a deep breath when he put his arms around her. When she opened her eyes and lifted her head up, Derek's eyes were on her which made her smile. Giving a soft peck on her forehead, he let her go and they both sat to have breakfast. The sandwich was as delicious as it looked and after eating, and doing the dishes, they both set off to go to the SIS building. Penton had called for them.
Throughout the ride, neither of them said anything but this time neither of them felt the need to. They both knew they were thinking about the same thing. While the confrontation with Lee hadn't been on their focus all this time, it still had been residing in the back of their minds, nagging them for just a second and then going away. But right now as they went for their office, with mask covering their faces and both in a disguise; Lee was all they were thinking about.
When they reached, Nova was suddenly overcome with a lot of emotions. At first, she remembered the time she'd first come here which seemed so long back. Then she remember how she'd come here every day preparing herself to do better in each of her tests and interviews so that she'd get the job. And at last she remembered the time she'd been able to get what she wanted.
She suddenly remembered James and Jason and felt like catching up with them. Derek, she was sure, had been in touch with him since they were both his junior and were also supposed to be his brother but Nova hadn't been able to be in contact with Jason simply because there had been no need to. She had also been busy most of the time and had assumed that so was he. But now she'll definitely have to catch up.
The clicking of her side of the door opening was what got her out of her head and blushing when she saw Derek's hand in front of her to take. She knew it was his without even looking at his face because he was still wearing his ring. She took his hand and Derek's thumb, maybe unconsciously, went to stroke her ring that she was also wearing. A smile passed between them and with glinting eyes they looked at each other until they got into the building.
As soon as they entered, Derek's eyes seemed colder. It was a trick, she realised, a trick to mentally prepare himself and to make the other person feel like they were really under a hard situation.
Going on fifth floor, Derek and Nova met Jason and James âjust how she last remembered them in their formal attires, except James who was, much to her surprise, sporting a painful looking bruise on his right cheekbone. She gave him a confused stare but he only mouthed 'You'll see,' and went on to open the door he'd been standing against.
Officer Penton and Officer Mathur were both there, discussing something in front of a screen. The same screen that she'd seen the day when Nova was explained her role in the caseâwhen all of them were explained what they had to do.
"Yes, they're here," Officer Penton said as soon as Derek and Nova got seated. "Yes, I shall do that," and the both the officers turned to us.
Officer Penton looked just like he always did, but this time, the professionalism was a little too evident contrary to most times. Officer Mathur, however, looked like he was in a deep thought as he fixed his glasses and flicked his moustache. Officer Mathur had always been the silent one, not one to talk muchâhe'd just be there and listen and do what he had to. Nova admired that.
"Officer Adams, Ms. Newton," Penton and Mathur greeted them before Mathur began for the case.
"Case 1542, daily updates provided on all days except day before yesterday; that is 1st of March, and provided late yesterday; that is 2nd of March. Explanations?" Officer Mathur seemed intimidating as he used perfect professionalism. Nova should've gotten used to it but she hadn't because she didn't have the office job. That was probably why she still noticed the level of professionalism in people every chance she got.
Nova stayed mum as Derek answered all about yesterday and day before; all the while Officer Mathur listened carefully and went through a paper. Officer Penton looked like he wanted to speak a few times when Mathur and Derek exchanged words but decided against it on the last minute. Jason and James looked much like what Nova herself must be looking like because they were just sat their silently listing and observing, just like her.
"Very well then, Ms Newton did an excellent job and so did you. Lee Hiram has been detained but it has been reported that he still refuses to say a word of his doings. You may interrogate him but be aware that you cannot use force. We have tried and it has worked the wrong way."
Back fired? What did he mean by that?
"Yes, Officer," concluded Derek and stood upâJames, Jason and Nova followed. After exiting the rooms, Derek began walking, most probably to where Lee was being held, James walked by his side and they seemed to be discussing something. Nova couldn't help but feel left out; she was a part of the case as well, shouldn't she be aware of everything?
"Don't overthink it," a voice said from besides her when they stepped foot inside the elevator, it was Jason. Derek pressed a button that she could not see because of his own broad back, but the drop in her stomach told her that they were going down.
When the elevator made that 'ding' all four of them got out of it and again, Derek lead the way along with James and Jason and her lagged behind. It seemed like they were underground, there was barely anyone else apart from them which caused their voice to echo. Derek and James's voice was echoing through the halls but it wasn't clear enough, just murmurs, and Nova didn't want to eavesdrop.
"I mean, I could surely try to but...why can't they tell me anything?" she said to Jason, referring to what he said. "I have been in the dark this whole time. I've had to unravel things by myself for me. I'm sure even you know much more than me," Nova sighed after she said that in a low whisper. Then, as if she realised how that must've came off, she began to apologise. "Oh, no, I didn't mean it to hurt youâI mean, I didn't mean it that way."
"No, I didn't take it that way," he said politely. "I can see why you should be frustrated but that's what I was trying to sayâdon't think about it like that. And just so you know, I don't know more than you. I'm supposed to be your assistant so there's no way I'd know more than my own senior," he reassured her with a smile. His blue eyes twinkling under the LED lights of the weird, empty hallway.
But this time Nova didn't seem to let it go.
"Well yes, you're right but apart from being my assistant you're also supposed to be Derek's younger brother and I can't help but..." she trailed off, looking down at her fumbling hands, not knowing how to continue from there on.
Jason only let out a chuckle, causing Nova to look at him.
"You really are serious about all this? I am supposed to be his brother but how many times have you seen me with him? Or James for that matter?" when Nova didn't answer him, he went on to do it himself. "That's what I'm saying. We're supposed to be brothers for when someone questions us upon seeing us together, in public. He's a public figure as Adam Watson; it only makes sense if we wish to keep the ruse on," he explained and Nova nodded, finally seeing the point. Looking at him and when he smiled a soft reassuring smile at her, she smiled back, getting her wits back or at least trying to.
Lee. They were here to see him, she was here to see him and she should be grateful that at least she was included here instead of complaining. She will have to be in her best form confronting him. He has almost gotten away from her once; she must not let it happen again.
Seconds after she was done gathering courage and wit, they were in front of a blue coloured metal door. Derek gave a nod to James, one to Jason and then to her. She nodded back, took a deep breath and prepared herself for what was to come.
James opened the door with a key card that he had and they entered the room. It was much spacious but it was very dark. The only source of light was the one that James flicked on. As soon as the room filled with light, someone groaned.
Following the source of the light and the sound, they saw there Lee was, barely recognisable, tied on a chair in front of a table.
"Back again, pretty boy? Don't cherish your face, I see," the guy on the chair, Lee, grumbled out, his words barely coherent. Looking at James and his tightly shut jaw, Nova now knew how that bruise came and what Officer Mathur meant. And just like that, Nova felt something shut inside her, she felt herself go cold.
"Speaking of faces," Nova said, as she stepped in light for him to see herâshe felt heads turn to her but she didn't waver. "Would you happen to remember mine, Lee Hiram?"
He squinted under the light for a moment or two but then, when he recognized her, his face turned ugly, his lips formed a sneer and he began to fight his restrictions.
So this works, then.
Before Nova could continue on with what she had in mind, a hand clasped her shoulder, causing her to look at the person. It was Jason.
"I shall take over from here, thank you, N." Derek said in a low voice, one she knew she couldn't fight. Locking her gaze with his she also knew that she must do as she was told. Which bummed her, of course, big time.
"'N,' eh? Prentendin' to be agents now, are we? As if either of you lot didn't wander around the whole country with your names for headlines. I know who she is, boss, you don't need to use your patheticâ"
"You'd want to choose your words wisely, Lee Hiram. I'm afraid we aren't here for your usual chit-chat," Derek cut him off in that icy cold voice of his. If Lee had any sense left in him, Nova would say he would actually mind what Derek said to him. But the way his lips curled and he growled, it didn't look like he was a smart man ever in his life.
"What could you even do now, boss, you don't control shit in this place," Nova had a sudden urge to scoff there, she'd bet even Jason and James did but they all held it in. "You have no right to do anything here. And what could you even do, huh? Beat me up? Hasn't this pretty boy next to you told his stories yet? It gets colourful when that happensâ"
"I am told that you've been my employee, Lee Hiram. Now if that's correct, I'm sure you would know how I don't like repeating myself."
Nova had thought that she was the one who could best handle Lee since she could easily get him angry and through that anger she could get out the information they needed. But clearly, she had been mistaken. With Derek, she couldn't be the best because the way he was handling Lee, Nova could feel nothing but admiration and a want to be like that herself. Derek might have a temper, but here he had it all under control. This all but reminded her why Derek had the reputation that he did.
Since Lee had gone completely silent after Derek reminded him who the boss was, Derek took his cue to start with the real business.
"Why did you do it?" he asked but Lee didn't say anything. He just kept moving back and forth on the chair, as if he was rocking himself to sleep.
"I won't repeat myself, Hiram."
"And I won't answer you."
"Oh, but you see, you already have."
At this, Lee ducked his head even lower and began moving at a slightly faster pace than before.
"However, it still doesn't answer my question."
"I told you I won't rat her out," he all but mumbled to himself as he still kept moving back and forth, trying to stay focused on not telling them it seemed.
But they already had a lead. A 'she' made him do whatever he did.
"Won't you?" Derek asked in a low, warm voice. It was unbelievable how easily he changed his tactic. He was luring Lee to let go of whatever it was, burdening him.
"No," he mumbled, moving on his chair at a faster rate, making an annoying, creaking noise by his chair.
"No," he said again a little louder like he was telling himself that.
"No!" he all but screamed.
"I won't tell you anything! To none of you!" he shouted, now beginning to thrash on his chair, trying to break free.
"You," he said looking at Nova with such disgust, Nova couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. "This is all your doing. You're responsible for all this. Youâ"
"Alright, that's enough," Derek said in a calm voice.
"No!" He screamed again, now looking at Derek and gritting his teeth. "You won't know anythingânothing! But she knows you," he smirked as he said that, his body going still, the creaking of the chair coming to a halt. "She knows that you're a murderer!"
Saying that he passed out.
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A/N:
Ah, yes I'm well and alive yes. I don't know what happened, I still don't know but I guess this is gonna keep happening. I don't seem to have any motivation to keep this story going on although I have it all planned. Like I sit in front of my laptop and I open my word doc and I just sit there staring at what I'd written before. It'll be like that for at least ten minutes then I'll start writing something and I'll make it to one paragraph and I'll sit and stare at it. Change it a bit and then give up. That's how I've written this whole chapterâ in installments T.T
Anyways, here it is nonetheless. My online classes were supposed to start from today but I guess my professors are as lazy as me they all cancelled for today lol
Hope you liked it though! Some comments could really really help me this time y'know, no kidding.
So yeah, read, vote, comment, add, share, enjoy
-Z.