< Athaire Starlight Hotel
UTC+2 0500 PM SAT
Lobby >
This couldn't be happening. One Shot stared at his hands in disbelief and with a spark of curiosity. But it was undeniable. No matter how he looked at it, the slight tremble persisted. I'm nervous, he realized with shock and fascination. Countless missions in the past, some less risky, some life-threatening, but he couldn't recall a single time, his hands were shaking. Restlessness made him check the time again.
05:01 PM
She's was late. Was she perhaps not coming at all? It was the wedding of her best friend. But the best friend betrayed her. With her boyfriend. He couldn't blame her for hating them. Was she really not coming? Guests were dropping in one after the other through the front doors, which he kept owl eyes on. A lady in red, a lady in orange, another one in pink. Not her, not her, not her.
He wanted her to come. But maybe work was making her run late. It did sound like a serious issue. A problem with the sources. Plagiarism. In a book that was already printed. It had to cost a ton and finding the perpetrator who messed up could turn into a witch hunt. In any case, she might not be able to make it.
But he wanted her to. Call it curiosity. Maybe a coincidence, but the meeting with Angel was a chance to get to know the person behind all the stories. Get a grip, he reminded himself. This wasn't like him. He closed his eyes. What he needed was a calm and collected mind right now. He couldn't let himself lose control over himself. Breath in, breath out. He felt himself settle. Another breath in when suddenly, a small gust of wind brushed his face. He opened his eyes.
"Welcome back, my darling." Angel's face was inches away. Her pursued lips made it clear she had been the one to blow on his face and caught him off-guard. Yet again. The radiant smile that followed took his breath away. Her eyes sparkled in the light, as she teased, "Ready to be lovers for a day?"
In response, he offered his hand. "Ready when you are." She took it and his hands stopped shaking. He returned her smile, and together, they entered the wedding reception hall.