Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following morning, the team was called in for a meeting by Devin “Change of plans team. Time Square on Sunday, we’re splitting up.”
Matt turned to him oddly “But I thought we decided--”
“I’m calling it off.” Devin cut him off “We’ll partner up in groups of two. Mia and Erin, you two will be in the mall, search the floors for anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Matt and Jenna, I want you two in the streets, cover a block radius around the mall. Doug and Ryan will be outside the mall, there is a little coffee shop there, consider that your hideout. Reina, I and Carmen will stay inside the van and make sure everything is in order. Darren, I want to hang around the roof of the building across the street from Time Square. Set up a sniper gun just in case you notice that we need help.”
“But Devin, I should be out with the rest. I am the Captain. Couldn’t I stay with Erin and Mia?” Reina tried.
He shook his head firmly “No. This is the plan until further notice.” Devin looked around the curious faces “I don’t want to bring more attention on us. We won’t meet until Sunday morning at 7am sharp in this building.” He turned to Mia with a finger pointed, “I don’t want to hear complaints.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” She turned away with a sarcastic look but turned to Erin with widened eyes, surprised at how he knew she was going to say something.
“Meet at the weapons room and get your vests fitted. We’re walking into a trap but it takes a brave team to enter the lion’s cave. But we won’t get eaten, right?!”
Mia wrinkled her brows “What?” the rest stifled laughs.
“That’s all for today. Everyone try not to get kidnapped.” Devin cracked, he chuckled but no one else thought it was funny “Sorry. I forgot about Jessie.” Clearing his throat “Meeting adjourned.” He was ready to leave when he pointed at Carmen “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Okay.” She nodded while looking around the table and followed him out.
The minute they were out of the room, Mia leaned into Erin “I think they’re going to do it in his office. Did you see the way he was giving her suggestive smiles?”
The group groaned while Erin rolled her eyes “You are always the last to know.”
“What? What happened? What did I miss now?” Mia was upset that she wasn’t told.
Jenna sighed, “My uncle has a girlfriend.”
“He cheated on you?” she spun around to Erin looking appalled “What a pig!”
“Mia, we’re not dating.” Erin said without feeling.
Turning to Doug, she pointed while he tried hard not to explode with laughter “You lied!!!”
“Doug!” Erin frowned with a shaking head.
“Ah, the life of an agent. Gossip, lies and…Mia.” Matt cracked making the group laugh.
They moved out of the room when Erin turned to Darren, who had been less than talkative the entire time “Anything wrong?”
Shaking his head, he smiled “No, just a little tired from last night.”
“Mia kept you up again?” Erin asked with a knowing grin.
“No. I don’t sleep well without her next to me.” he frowned and turned to find his wife talking to Matt and Reina “Didn’t you two stay up late last night planning Reina’s bridal shower?”
Shaking her head, she answered, “If we did, it must be in her dream. Are you sure?”
“She insisted on it. It was really weird, we were having dinner at Monet’s last night and suddenly she gets up to go to the bathroom for almost half an hour. I figured she had a stomach ache or maybe there was a long line for the restroom? She was completely out of breath by the time she came back and was jittery, it only happens when she’s caught in a lie. Before we left for home, she suddenly remembers that she was to meet with you.”
“You don’t think…” Erin couldn’t get herself to say it.
Darren sighed, “I hope not but she’s been very strange lately. A little moody and snappy if I must add. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was having an affair.”
Erin spun around to make sure Mia wasn’t within ear distance as she pulled him further away “Darren, that is a big accusation. Don’t worry yourself without raw evidence.”
“I know.” He nodded “I won’t. But she obviously lied. She didn’t come home until almost midnight. What am I suppose to think?”
“Midnight?” Erin asked, brows furrowed.
“What?” he questioned.
Shaking her head, she answered “Nothing. I was just wondering where she could have gone.” He nodded slowly and she felt empathetic “Don’t worry too much. I’m sure she’s not, she loves you more than life itself.”
“Things change…feelings change.” Darren sighed sadly, already defeated in his own mind.
Glancing at her watch as was ready to head out “I have to go.” He nodded. Erin took a cab to the little restaurant overlooking the beach, where Mia took her too a few months back. Waiting to see if he would come like he normally did. She ordered breakfast and ate slowly but still no sign of him. After having lunch by herself, she realized that maybe he would not come that day. When she paid the bill and was ready to leave, she saw him walking with his pants pulled up and his shoes in his hand, walking along the sand.
It had been going on for months that she had come to watch him. He did nothing the whole day, only watch the waves crash until sunset and he was off again. Going home, she assumed. For some reason that day, she decided to approach him. Walking quietly against the sand, she stood a few feet behind, having second thoughts she decided to leave when his voice stopped her “I was wondering when you would approach me.”
Erin turned with a simple smile “You saw me?”
“Every week.” Devin’s smile was different, he was not his usual smug self. She wondered what the beach had to do with his change of tone “What are you thinking?”
“Wondering what you are thinking.” She said honestly.
Sighing as he took a seat on the sand, not afraid it would dirty his slacks. Pointing to the seat next to him, he invited her with a pat “Strange isn’t it?”
“What?” she seated herself, careful not to sit too close.
“How different I am when I’m out here.” Devin read her mind.
Erin turned away with a small smile “You took the words right out of my mouth.” He chuckled softly to himself and continued to stare out at the beach “So, what’s your story?”
“Story?” he turned to her curiously.
“Sure, everyone has a story. I come out to the beach when something is bothering me. It’s my escape from pain, but for the past few years I found it hard to face the beach.” She looked down at the sand and picked up a pebble as she tossed it in her hand “It reminds me of him too much.”
Devin leaned back against the sand with his hand under his head “We are so different, but are similar when it comes to one thing.”
“What?” she turned to look down at him.
“Love.” He said simply.
“You come here to think about a love that you lost?” she asked.
He smiled in reply “You could say that. Although I find the sound of the waves very relaxing and it calms me.”
“Does your girlfriend know that you come here?” she spun her legs to the side to look at him easier.
“She’s not my girlfriend.” He said simply. Erin turned away, frustration building up slowly “I love it when you get angry, has anyone told you that you look even more beautiful with your nose flared like that?”
Realizing that he was teasing her, she cooled down “Why do you taunt me?”
“Because it’s fun.” He shrugged lightly “It’s my nature. But I must tell you that I have never enjoyed teasing anyone more than when I make you squirm.”
“I feel so special.” She said with a roll of the eyes. Glancing at her watch, she noticed it was dinner time “Anyways, if you don’t want to share your story, there’s no use in me staying.”
“Please…” he pulled her by the hand down to the sand “stay. It gets lonely.”
It was the first time she felt his sincerity through his eyes “Okay.” She hesitantly agreed, afraid to show him her weak side. But in truth, she wanted to stay. From that moment on, they did not say a single word to each other. Just sitting on the sand, enjoying each other’s company while they watched the sun setting ever so slowly.
*************
She returned home feeling like she had been floating on air the whole day. Jenna and Ryan were pacing the floors nervously “Erin! There you are!” Jenna exclaimed while tapping her watch “Do you know what time it is young lady? At least call home for dinner instead of worrying us like—” suddenly her eyes bulged out “Oh my God, I sound like Joe!” groaning painfully as she dug herself into the corner of the couch.
Ryan laughed at her gesture “We were just a little concerned.”
“Sorry guys, I didn’t bring my cell phone with me.” Erin apologized as she walked by him.
“Ga Jei, why do you smell like fish?” he wrinkled his nose strangely.
“What?” Jenna looked up “Fish? Did you go shopping for food without me again? I told you, the most fresh fish comes from Cheung Suk.” She looked down at Erin’s hands “Where’s the fish?”
Erin shook her head “I didn’t buy any.”
She turned her head to Doug rushing down the stairs, wearing a jacket “Bye kids, don’t wait up.”
“Where are YOU going?” Jenna asked tiredly.
“To see a friend.” Doug said simply and left the house without another word.
“I can’t keep up.” Jenna threw her hands up in defeat.
Erin was staring at the door for a few seconds until she decided to follow him “I forgot that I had to run …an errand.” She explained.
“Oh no! You’re not leaving us. I’m going with you!” Jenna declared “And Ryan is going too!” She added.
“I can speak for myself.” Ryan said and turned to Erin “I’m going too.”
“Fine, but we do not speak to anyone about tonight, not even each other.” Erin warned.
Jenna bounced up and down “Goodie! A secret! I haven’t had that in a long time!!”
“Honey, you need to get out more.” Ryan said sadly.
“Aww, you called me honey.” Jenna hugged him on the waist with a giggle.
“You guys want to be alone?” Erin asked as she opened the door and saw Doug’s yellow car pulling away “He’s getting away.”
“We’re following Doug?” Ryan asked.
Jenna sighed as she tugged him along “You have a lot to learn.” The three climbed into Erin’s car and drove off after Doug.