Chapter 5: Two minutes walk kinda neighbour

"The gadget room is accessible from each room. The monitor will take a facial scan and once granted, you are let in." The driver said.

"There's a study room and gym on the same floor." 

The rooms looked amazing. Huge queen-sized beds, a dresser, a study table(like they needed one??) And a massive walk-in closet. All the clothes were suited to their tastes in fashion!

"I must say, John's planning skills improved," Lauren said, stepping out of the room and smiling at The Driver.

"I would be sure to rely on your compliment." The driver assured.

"Wait, what's your name?" Kat asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Android A7." The driver said.

"Lame! Is Dan always this boring?" Lauren asked.

" You can call me the driver. That would be fine." He said.

"This is odd. John doesn't care about what we wear during missions." Lauren reasoned.

"Or where we would even stay," Kat adds.

"I bet we even have rides." Lauren adds.

"Two motorcycles and a car." The driver chips in.

"Is the mission sending us off to our deathbeds?" Lauren asked, arching her eyebrow.

"Mr. John would like to speak to you, girls." The driver gestured to the huge screen in the hallway. It was a call from the office.

The driver slides on the receiver and steps back.

John was seated in his office, on his with a coffee in hand.

"Why, good to see you girls." John said.

"I am never getting used to seeing this man so put together. It's scary!" Lauren blurts and Simi nudges her.

"John, I'm concerned," Simi said with honesty.

"Why? What's wrong? Is there something you don't like? A1 would get it fixed immediately." John said.

"This is exactly what I'm worried about," Simi said.

"Since when do you care about our mission? You never even care where we sleep, ate or wore! Hell, we could walk there for all you care!" Lauren said.

"Really? Have I always been that inconsiderate?" John asked.

"Is he growing old or is he suffering from STM?" Lauren asked Simi.

"What is going on John?" Simi asked.

"You are going undercover to keep an eye out for the princes. And you would be attending a prestigious high school. This mission wants to cover all grounds and make sure your background story is concrete in case someone wants to find out more about you girls." John said

"So what's our cover then?" Simi asked.

"You all are cousins from a wealthy family. Parents are too busy to care and you girls had to stay together because your grandma forced you to. Said it would aid your bonding time together" John said as though extremely bored.

"Not bad," Lauren said.

"What's with the sarcasm Lauren?" John asked.

"We're cousins? And we live together because our grandma said so? And our parents? They allowed us to stay alone?" Lauren asked.

"The background story is okay by me Lauren. What do you think Kat?"

"It's great. That means we're supposed to be like enemies! Coming together because we so much love our grandmother." Kat said dramatically.

"Now that's a scenario," Lauren said.

"It's the same thing John said." Simi reasoned.

"Kat made sense out of it," Lauren said.

"Since that's settled, you girls should go to bed. School starts tomorrow." John said in a fatherly manner.

"Of course. You're having fun, aren't you?" Lauren teased.

"Bed. Now!" John ordered and the call went off.

"I should be on my way then." The driver bowed and took his leave.

"I want to know his programming," Kat said with seriousness as she watched the boy leave.

The girls retreated to their rooms after making sure the surveillance cameras were functioning and the doors locked.

"Tonight is going to be the longest night ever. I'm going to explore the gadget room all night!" Kat said and hurried to her room.

"Don't stay up too late!" Simi warned.

"Yes, mum." Kat teased

"Very funny Katrina. Very funny." Simi said, hiding a smile.

Naomi made her way to her room without much of a word and Simi turned to leave for her room as well.

Lauren made her way to the kitchen and was soon on her way up the stairs with tons of snack bars when she spotted a silhouette by the pool.

It was Simi.

The pool reflected the lights from the house, making it a lovely sight in the moonlight. There were chairs by the pool and a fireplace glowing with a blue flame.

Simi was sitting at the edge of the pool with her legs in the water. She looked over at the mansion and sighed.

"I almost thought you were a ghost," Lauren said.

Simi stared up at her with a smile.

"Glad you didn't knock me over before recognizing me," Simi said with sincere gratitude.

"I would recognize any of you in a crowd of look alike." Lauren rolled her eyes.

"Aww," Simi said.

"Because you guys are my biggest headache," Lauren said in annoyance.

Simi laughed out loud.

"You have a weird way of saying how much you care." Simi said

"I don't. You all can fall off a cliff for all i care." Lauren rolled her eyes.

"I wouldn't need to think too much about where all the energy bars went." Simi said with a smirk.

"Why are you out here and not checking the kitchen out?" Lauren asked.

"You're ndirectly asking me to cook, uh? Nice try." Simi said. 

"You can't blame me for trying." Lauren shrugged.

There was silence for a while.

"Hey, this mission may sucks but it could be fun, you know, " Simi said.

"I thought you weren't bothered by the mission. Here you are thinking I am." Lauren defended.

"Well, I'm a bit nervous." Simi said smiling.

"You? Nervous?" Lauren laughed it off.

"You're the team leader. If you're nervous, it's going to put the reest of us in a really awkward situation. Get it together. It's babysitting!" Lauren said.

You could call the relationship between them a healthy rivalry. Lauren had always wanted to be the team leader but Simi got all it takes.

They got close during the one-year suspension and Laren had made her feelings known to Simi.

She disliked and respected her at the same time.

No hard feelings.

"Go to bed before you catch a cold." Lauren said, turning to leave.

"Good night Lauren." Simi said. She stared at the starless sky and sighed.

She would do great.

She always had.

But why does she feel like this would be the longest mission?

Simi found herself stepping into the pool without much thought. She sank into the chilly water and soon sighed in relief as she felt every part of her clothing soak with water.

It felt nice.

She needed it.