(6) The Spaceship

"What?" Sun Ho said. I couldn't read his expression in the dark.

'What the fuck did I say!!?'

"Your jokes are so lame." He said.

"..hahaa... right my jokes are so lame."

'Thank God.'

"Shouldn't we head down now? It's getting late. Let's go, I'll drop you home."

"Yeah.."

'Maybe he doesn't like to spend time with me.'

We took a different route to come down the hill or cliff or whatever it was. My mood was ruined.

'I can't believe I'm behaving like a teenager right now. Why he doesn't want to spend time with me!? And what? I almost blew up my cover. If captain knows about this then I'm done for. I'll be behind the bars for the rest of my life.'

"Sit here. I'll be back from the convenience store."

I nodded my head. I opened my phone to check for any messages. None. Well, nobody will ever text me in this 20th century device. I had to check my mails.

"MG show me my mails."

All my mails popped up.

Captain Harey: Report back to the station at 12 AM sharp. Bring all the documents.

Mom: Hope you're blending well in another planet. When will you be back? I'll cook you some meat. Reply when you see this.

'I miss mom and my little brother. I wish I could go back home soon.'

"Did I made you wait long?"

"Not really." I said as I was about to get up.

"Sit down." He pushed me down.

"Hey! Don't push me."

He knelt in front of me.

'Is he proposing me or something!?'

"Why would you wear a skirt when you're going through thorny bushes. See, you got scratched all over. Didn't you even realise you're bleeding?" He said as he started applying band-aids on my scratches.

'Propose! As if! I'm losing my sanity for real.'

"I didn't realise.. It's fine you don't have to do this."

"Why? Are you uncomfortable? Sorry I didn't realise..." He quickly took a step back.

"I'm not uncomfortable. It's just... I don't need it. It'll be fine."

"Here, I bought you some antiseptic, just in case in you need it."

Our eyes locked for a sec. Actually more than more than a few seconds. Not a word was spoken. But there were so many things I wanted to tell him. I knew these feelings I'm experiencing are forbidden. It'll bring him trouble.

"Thank you for this, but I never asked you to care for me. Why don't you mind your own business? ...and let me mind my own?"

"I'm just worried." he said, a little taken aback.

"You don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"I don't understand you. Sometimes you are nice to me and all of a sudden you turn into someone so different!"

I didn't say anything. I stood up and walked away.

'I should maintain a distance. If we start having feelings for each other then it'll be a big mess. I might blow up my cover and he'll be killed if he discovers something.'

"I don't have time for this. I've to assemble documents and go meet captain." I mumbled to myself.

"Agent JNC. The captain is looking for you." Said my fellow agent who has been living with me disguised as my brother.

"But the reporting time was 12AM.."

"Agent... it's past 12:30AM.."

'Shit! He has referring to JMD05's timezone not Earth!'

I rushed in and changed into my uniform, sprayed some perfume because I didn't had time to wash up and opened the portal to the spaceship.

I scanned my ID and went in.

Our captain was a very kind and humble person. His good looks, behaviour and personality was popular among everyone. Specially the girls of the unit. But since I made a mistake today even if captain doesn't say anything, his secretary,Miss K will give me a long lecture. If worse, then maybe a penalty.

"You're late." Said Miss K.

"I'm sorry. I got the time confused with Earth's time."

"That means you're adjusting here just fine." Said Captain turning his gaze to me.

Those eyes. If it was just a few months ago, I would have melted. I liked him ever since I joined the crew, for 3 years I liked him secretly. Only when I thought I would confess my love, I found out he got engaged to Chief's daughter. I was shattered. I always thought that he liked me too. The warm smiles and the caring gestures made me feel like he liked me too. But I was mistaken. It was just me, overthinking about it. He was just a warm person to everyone.

"Yes. I'm adjusting just fine." I said, smiling.

I thought seeing him will be painful and all the memories will rush back again but I didn't feel anything. I didn't feel sadness or happiness. Maybe I was over him.

"Miss K I would appreciate if you leave us alone for a while." He said. "Selene you know right? If you successfully complete this mission, you'll get a huge promotion."

"..yes .. yes sir."

"What happened? Why are so low?"

"I'm not low sir. Just a little taken aback. You haven't called me by my real name in a while."

"Don't call me sir. Well, I couldn't properly talk with you because there were always people around us. We always have to act so professional around everyone. But when we're alone, treat me as a friend."

'Why's he so friendly all of a sudden.'

"..yes... si- I mean Peter. I'll keep that in mind."

"Sir." Miss K barged in. "Chief is calling for you. He's on call."

"Okay. I'm coming."

He turned to me.

"Also I'm assigning you a secret mission. Check your mail later."

'A SECRET MISSION!?'