MONKSHOOD

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: TUTU ~ CAMILO, SHAKIRA, PEDRO CAPÓ]

Raven left the flower shop, walking to his car. He had intended to drive straight home, but as there was still something he needed to do, he made a small stop. From his side mirror, he could clearly see men lurking around, and he knew they were watching him. He had seen them at the club, at the police station, and also in front of the flower shop. Raven was used to it; it was always like this whenever he stepped out. Every organization wanted to know what he was up to.

Raven's mind went to the girl he met; he was sure the girl understood his words and wouldn't go telling her police friend about him. But one thing crossed his mind: of all places, why was she working with Adolf, the main reason why her life was in shambles.

Raven let the thoughts go; it was not in his character to meddle with other people's lives, and it was not his fault that the girl was plain dumb.

Getting to his house gate, he saw an annoying red-haired short man standing there with a grin on his face. Raven didn't stop driving; he continued with the same acceleration. When he was almost hitting the man, he stopped because Shadow raised a brown envelope up, showing that he didn't just come for fun.

In the past, Shadow would always want to tag along, begging to have a sleepover at Raven's place. Raven had to use extreme measures to get rid of such imaginations from Shadow's head that he didn't even dare get close to Raven's house. Seeing him in front of the gate, Raven felt the need to remind him.

Shadow, who had his eyes closed when he thought Raven would run him over with his car, finally opened it slowly, then he grinned, rubbing his tongue over his lips, revealing the piercing on it. The redhead walked round to the window and knocked.

"I'm happy to see you too, Raven," Shadow chimed like he was not just about to lose his legs a while ago.

Raven whined down his tinted glass, "Speak," he said curtly.

Shadow pushed in the envelope through the window, saying, "The foundation thinks you're being slow in getting the chip; they want you to use extreme measures," the young agent informed.

Raven didn't say anything or make any expression; he raised the envelope, his brown eyes turning to meet that of Shadow's as if asking him what it was that was in the envelope.

"That? That's my personal research. I did it for you. I don't know how rumors are moving around the town that you're somehow entangled with the girl. She's on every radar. A hot search, I may call her," Shadow informed, pointing for Raven to go ahead and open it up.

Raven tore the envelope and took out pictures from last night and this morning. All were with him talking with the girl, and around them were different people who were watching from afar. Raven had already noticed people tailing him, but he was used to it. He didn't know his short conversation with the girl would raise such a mess. He sighed.

"It has nothing to do with me." He raised his hand and threw the envelope back to Shadow.

Shadow was shocked; was this man even human? He couldn't help but question or was he some kind of handsome psychopath.

"How does it have nothing to do with you? Everyone is interested in her because of you! Why did you speak to her, and even offered to drive her home? This morning also, you went to meet her; you know all eyes are on you!" Shadow said in a frustrated tone, almost crying out loud.

Raven lazily raised his eyes to look at him, "I wouldn't have met her if you didn't get yourself locked up in the station."

Shadow, who wasn't expecting the issue to fall back on his lap like hot buns, blinked. "Yes, it's my fault then...wait, you said you didn't come for me last night. You had other business," he tried to defend himself by throwing back the ball.

Raven started off his ignition; before driving inside his house, he said, "You handle it yourself, and only get information on how to retrieve the chip from Adolf, not unnecessary information."

Shadow nodded; he moved back and watched as the car drove inside the gate, and the gate was automatically locked the moment the car entered.

Before evening, Lily met with the lawyer who would be helping her brother out with his case. She was very much excited because the man sounded very professional and promised her that her brother would be released in no time. Things were really starting to work out well for Lily; finally, she would relax.

"Hey Lily, congratulations on getting your brother a good lawyer. From the look of things, he should be out soon," Jeffrey said to Lily with a smile.

Lily moved one of her legs behind her as she blushed. She couldn't help but act like this every time this man spoke to her, and now she had the right to even enjoy his presence because things would soon go back to normal.

"Thank you for taking care of my brother throughout this time," she replied with her eyes on the ground.

Jeffrey chuckled lightly, "It's not a problem; I see Fred as my younger brother too." The man remarked.

Lily finally raised her face, "What about me? Do you still see me as a child and your younger sister?"

Jeffrey hummed for a moment, "You're no longer a child, but a full-grown woman, so it would be an insult to your pride to call you a child. But asking if I see you as my younger sister. I guess that's what you can call our relationship." The officer said this with a sweet smile.

But his words weren't that great when they fell on Lily's ear. Which girl wanted to be like a younger sister to their crush; she wanted to even crush that idea from Jeffrey's mind.

"We are not family-related, so don't see me as your younger sister. See me as a woman." Lily found herself speaking without thinking. When she realized what she had said, she covered her mouth with her hands praying for the ground to open already.

Jeffrey threw his head back and laughed heartily, "Our little Lily is now a woman really. No problem I'll do as you asked, I'm glad you're smiling now."

Lily played with her fingers, "I guess it's because my brother would soon be released." She replied happily. When she raised her face, she said, "Can I get you the dinner I promised? The day after tomorrow?"

Jeffrey nodded his head, "Sure why not." The young man replied.

Lily smiled, she was finally going on a real date with Jeffrey. She was so excited, maybe everything has a reason. If she didn't go to the club that day and her brother didn't get arrested. She wouldn't have had this opportunity. Lily apologized to her brother in her mind for using his situation to her own gain but it was a win win for all. He would soon be out of jail and she would be walking down the aisle with Jeffrey. Lily blushed as her imagination started running wild.

She tapped back to reality when Jeffrey cleared his throat and said to her, 

"It's getting dark, you should be on your way home; be watchful as you go." Lily waved at the man, as she exited the police station happily. If her brother should be released, this might be the last time she would come around, so she needed to confess his feelings before then.