Love Or Death?

Ten

We had unconsciously spent the entire day together. From the waffle house to coffee, to get ice cream, to the museum, then unfortunately, it got to 4 pm, and I knew I had to start getting ready to go and see Jack. Nevertheless, it was an amazing day, to say the least, I've been feeling quite disconnected from my best friend, I hope today made up for that.

I was happy, she was happy, her smile exposed the chipped canine she got when she was nothing but an unexposed child, plating so rough to fall off quite a height. She was lucky it was just her tooth that chipped.

I wanted to see her smile all the time, it didn't matter what I needed to hide, I always want to see her this happy. That's why I lie, that's why I avoid anything that'll make her suspicious.

“C'mon! He couldn't even f**k you right, girl!” she giggled loudly, stumbling into her living room with her arm across my neck.

“I just decided to give it another shot, I mean he's a nice guy.”

“He's hot too,” she winked, I rolled my eyes unable to control my very cheeks from giving me away with its tint, “Don't worry, you'll be fine, I'll be fine. Go now, I have quite a lot to take care of, I would not be coming later, I rather not listen to you fake moan for never-ending minutes.”

I signed, giving her a tight hug. She graced my cheek with a peck, making me giddy inside, “ take care,” I rubbed her arms up and down, waving before I closed the door behind me.

As I jammed my car door, it was as if I left my happiness at Devina's doorstep, feeling the dread of reality cover me like a dark cloud. I didn't have much to say, driving with a numb, blank face to my apartment.

We had luckily gotten lunch, nothing but a bunch of junk that we knew wasn't good for our diet but we did it anyway, more or less Devina's fault.

I dropped my bag in front of my door rather intrigued, down the hall, could have sworn those frameless glasses looked a bit too familiar, paired with the familiar flushed face, “You ‘gonna come say hi or just creep a little more?”

He looked rather startled, looking like he didn't expect me to see him. He’s a darling, sweet man, “I'll stay here for a bit,” he mocked, the quite deep voice that didn't match his demeanor echoed through the halls.

“Alright,” I shrugged, squatting to pick up my bags after unlocking the door.

“Wait!” I heard him call out as I shut the door, as expected.

I placed my hand on my hip, leaning on the door frame as I stared, “Well?” I raised my brows.

“I–I know this may sound weird but I see a quite consistent young man coming over to your place quite often, I just wanted to, you know–”

“Holy s**t!” I raised my brows, rather not surprised but I had to look like it, “Are you watching me, Joey?”

“Is that some sort of ‘YOU’ reference? Of course I'm not!” His voice was defensive but nervous, itching the back of his neck, “ I'm just a concerned neighbor, a friend if you may.”

“I'm fine, Joe,” I sighed, consoling him with a pitiful look, “I'm seeing him, there's nothing to worry about.”

He sighed, “You know I care about you…err, neighbor!”

“That's so nice, Joe.”

There was a split second of silence, I watched his demeanor, looking rather flushed as if he wanted to say something but didn't know how to put it into words.

“Wait!” He called out again as I wanted to shut the door. I sighed, I was getting quite annoyed and he noticed, “He looks rather…familiar, not the good kind of familiar, Zipporah.”

I frowned my brows, folding my arms against my chest, “I'm intrigued, tell me more.”

“You know I work with security and stuff, he's been snooping around a few times, his face stood out in particular because, you know, his features,” I tilted my head, agreeing, “Usually tampering with stuff with some sort of backing. I don't think he's good news at all.”

“Why haven't you guys reported it yet?”

“I've only suspected it, he works with the higher-ups, and I can't really start throwing the accusations like that. Especially since, if he's doing anything, it mostly is beautifully clean work, no trace of anything missing.”

I sighed, “I don't know what you want me to do with this information, Joe.”

“Just be careful,” he sighed, “Even when bodies are found dead, I've heard my colleagues in these places say they've seen him usually around and they're never able to find the footage.”

“I'll be careful, Joe,” I assured him with a smile, closing the door behind me.

Great, that mini-investigation took out of the time I needed to get ready. Luckily I didn't need to put in much effort since it was just basically feedback.

~

The car ride was rather quiet, not much said in general as he drove. He didn't even bother to spare me a glance like I killed his brother or something with the way a frown was plastered on his face. I gripped onto my sweats for comfort in the uncomfortable silence.

I didn't go for much, simple sweats and a baby tee, even if it didn't look club-appropriate, I didn't have the energy to put into my dressing today.

It wasn't long till we got to the hotel, walking down through the yet still so strange process

Although Devin didn't have to slit his palm.

“Zipporah! Pumpkin!” Jack exclaimed, spreading out his arms to embrace me as soon as I walked in. He received nothing of course but a stiff pat on the back. I wish I was even half as happy to see him, “I've been expecting you, love,” he threw an arm around my shoulder, walking me towards the same entrance of the lab.

The club was the same scenery, people f*****g in the background, center, and front of the space, and a few obscure styles but nonetheless, I wasn't one to judge.

He locked the door behind me, taking a seat on one of the chairs, slouched as he scanned my every move till I sat. I had my eyes locked on him too, watching the slight smirk on his face grow periodically.

“Now what?” I asked bluntly.

“How was your mission?”

“Fine.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“I rather not, I'm just glad the plant didn't kill me too,” I forced a smile.

“No problem, your next one will be a little more…exciting,” his eyes lit up with the excited smile on his face.

“Oh really? I'm intrigued, tell me about it,” I leaned forward.

“Why ruin the fun? You'll find out when Andrew delivers it to you.”

I frowned my brows, “What? What happened to Devin?”

“Oh, he wouldn't be handling your missions or anything that has to do with you anymore. You see, when it's not in this club, we don't mix business with pleasure, Zipporah.”

Shit, I'm in trouble, “How did you–”

“Pumpkin, I see and know everything as long as you're under me, I'm only sharing you and Devin’s d**k just because you didn't know that,” he said bluntly, not a spec of emotion in his voice.

“My apologies.”

“Since that has been cleared up, there's a bag of two in the car with your name on it. That's your pay plus I'll Venmo your rent to you,” he sighed, walking towards the door, probably a sign for me to follow.

He walked me out, introducing me to the supposed Andrew. He was a bit more built, darker skinned with quite sharp features.

“Oh yeah, Zipporah?” I turned my head once Jack called out as we walked down the hallway, “Try not to f**k him, please?”

I felt my cheeks heat up, mortified, I felt like sinking into the floor but I kept it calm. Pursing my lips as I walked beside him.