After Nathan had left, she slept for a couple of hours or so and was awoken by a gasp.
"Trouble, I'm afraid we need to talk." Loudly whispered Gabriel, close to her ear. Sang jerked up, shocked at his sudden intrusion. Pain shot down her arm and she cried out. Her stomach was in knots over what Gabriel had just said. Had they found out who she really was? Did they know whom she was working for? Was he here to tell her that they were going to lock her up for what she'd done? She began shaking uncontrollably at the possibilities running through her mind at what Gabriel would say. His eyes widened as he took in her trembling state and he frowned. "Whoa, Sang, are you okay? What's wrong? I just came here to tell you that we need to so something about your hair. You've been lying there for ages and your hair looks like a goddamn birds nest." Sang couldn't believe her ears. Gabriel was here to do something about her hair? She didn't stop shaking immediately but exhaled a sigh of relief. Thank God. She had been prepared for the worst. Only God knows what she would have done if he had broken it to her that they had exposed her. She gave him a wobbly smile.
"Sorry. I'm just hurt and shocked over this whole thing. I still can't believe what happened. I just keep thinking, why me?" she spoke, begging her trembling limbs to be still.
"It happened because it brought you closer to us, Sang. Think about it, in some sick, twisted way it had to happen because you're stuck with us for better or for worse. I'd like to think for better though, because we're all here at your disposal. You just say the word and we'll bring you anything you need." He said in earnest. She had never seen him so serious and concerned. It felt out of place, as he was usually so carefree and joking around. She wasn't complaining however, because his kindness and hospitality was just what she needed at this moment in time. It was partially due to this and the whole behavioural dynamic of their group that had her so conflicted and disputed in her own mind. On the one hand she knew she was not supposed to be fraternizing with the enemy, but on the other hand how could she be ungrateful to her when the only thing they'd been so far was courteous towards her? She found herself mentally trying to argue with the decision she should think about making in the future. She had to complete this mission whether she liked it or not and just prayed at the end of this assignment she could simply go incognito and disappear off their radar if they ever tried searching for her. Her line of work would simply not allow her to have further contact with The Academy or with any of its members. She assumed she'd be sad about this fact, as she had taken quite a liking to some of the members so far just as they had of her. She would probably miss them but would have to get over it. The bitter fact of the matter was that after this was all over and they had been exposed and detained she would never see them again. She didn't know what hurt more, that the personal attachment she had begun to form with the guys would be cut off abruptly, or the cold reality that she was in fact spying and betraying them. She'd have to toughen up if she was to complete this assignment and came to the conclusion that yes, she could have her fun now, but at the end of the day she'd have to remember that these guys were criminals involved in drug trafficking, no matter how kind and compassionate they came across they were crooks. Despite this, she knew in her heart of hearts that no matter how bad they were law-wise, she could trust them to take care of her, and she appreciated it.
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The sight of Gabriel waving a hand in her face drew Sang out of her thoughts. She took a calming breath before replying. "You're too kind. Thank you so much... you don't know how much that means to me. In a way, I am glad that it's bought me to you guys. If you'd have asked me last week that I'd meet nine pretty awesome guys, get strange nicknames, learn Vivaldi on piano, and get shot in the space of two days I would've certainly considered referring you to a mental institution. "I guess it was fate after all." She joked, winking at Gabriel.
"It's pretty awesome if you ask me - not the whole getting shot part though, like holy shit, that half scared me to death. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. And as for the nickname thing... don't deny the fact that you like it... Trouble." Gabriel winked back at her, a boyish grin on his face. "Say, what were you doing on the bus anyway? Going out?" Uh oh, Sang thought.
"Yeah," she lied, "I wanted to get some fresh air for once so I decided to take the bus to the mall. I had no idea I would get shot. I swear, this country and the access people have to guns is ridiculous!" she finished bitterly. She had recently seen something on the news about police shooting a twelve-year-old boy in Cleveland for wielding a toy gun. She had felt sick to her stomach that such a thing had happened and hated the fact that America had one of the highest gun related crime rates. This, paired with the fact that the police force themselves were shooting people willy-nilly was enough to make her want to throw up. Gabriel acknowledged her statement and nodded in agreement. "Sometimes I hate the world, Trouble. But luckily we dabble in legal work and law-related things so we can stop people like that." He added soberly. Sang wondered then why it was that if they were so against criminals why they themselves were dealing in drug rings? What on earth were they about? They seemed like walking contradictions to her but she'd have to trust TIBI to know more about The Academy's motives than her. Perhaps The Academy wanted to profit off illegal substances and so had bought the JH-15 to sell it to other interested buyers. Or maybe the entire organisation was a bunch of crack heads and they were just really into drugs. Some how she doubted the latter, but it was a funny theory, considering not one of the members of The Academy that she had met so far came across as the drug abusing type. She would simply have to wait and see what their ulterior motive was before coming to conclusions of her own. Sang decided to take his word for it although she knew there was more to what he was telling her, bearing in mind she had actually witnessed the exchanges between the group and the drug cartel members on two separate occasions and even had recorded proof of their conversation, despite one of those recordings being lost.
She looked up at Gabriel and realised he was frowning.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Your hair. Trouble, I came here to sort out your hair. Right, let me just pop out and get the essentials before I try to tackle my biggest task of the day - that nest you have growing up there. I'm pretty sure I saw a little robin in there earlier..." he teased, Sang playfully swatted his hand away as he reached up to poke at her hair. She giggled as he had improved her mood and she was grateful for his company. Gabriel left and returned minutes later with a white bag and... Victor, who walked in behind him. He was wearing a white Armani shirt and black slacks. He looked pretty impeccable.
"Hey, princess." Said Victor, his fire eyes catching hers. "A little bird told me that you wanted to discuss music..." he trailed off, smirking at her dumbfounded expression.
"I think we've had enough bird references for today," said Gabriel, emphasising the term 'bird' as he stared at Victor. Victor dismissed him and walked towards where Sang lie in the hospital bed. "That bird" he mimicked, giving Gabriel a pointed look, "just happened to be Nathan. He told us earlier that you wanted to talk about stuff that would curb your boredom while you're here. Luckily, you have me." Victor said, only half joking.
"What the f***? Victor I think you and I both know that Trouble here would much rather have me accompany her during her lonely days here than you." Joked Gabriel, winking at Sang.
"For all hair purposes, I would definitely pick you, Meanie," she said, trying out his new nickname out loud. "But for music I would absolutely pick Victor. I mean he loves Vivaldi... what more do I need in a man?" she said, grinning up at Victor who seemed to be blushing slightly.
"Uh, you probably want a man who isn't stuck in the sixteenth century?" said Gabriel.
"Vivaldi was eighteenth century, actually," corrected Victor. They all burst out laughing.
Sang turned her head towards Victor before addressing him. "I was just wondering if you had an ipod or CD player or something that I could use to listen to Vivaldi on? If you could add in some Mozart and Yiruma too that would be great. I love them also." Victors gaze penetrated her as his eyes sparkled.
"Of course. I'll try to get it by tomorrow."
"That would be great. Thank you, my bel pianista" she said gratefully. He pursed his lips at his nickname and smiled slightly, shaking his head. Victor left shortly after their conversation ended, stating that he had to leave to check up on something, and so it was once again just Sang and Gabriel left in the room.
