Reaper

22

I hugged Rose and Emily goodbye as Azias opened the car door for me. He had already placed my duffel in the trunk.

"Phone," Azias said while stretching his hand out. I frowned as I handed my phone to him after unlocking it. He typed away for a moment before handing me my phone. I then noticed that he had put his phone number in and had texted his phone so that he'd have my number. He had saved his name as Reaper, and it was then that I realized that he still hadn't told me his first name.

I teased, "Still not pass the first name phase?"

He cracked a faint smile before saying, "Maybe one day."

I giggled as I got in the car, and he closed my door before allowing the driver to drive off. I couldn't see the driver's face from where I sat, until he looked into the rear view mirror to look back at me, and I gasped.

"Remember me?" Michael asked.

"What the-"

"Didn't think you'd get rid of us so easily, did you?" Michael asked. "So now that you know that the Boss has people everywhere, I hope you know not to try anything stupid."

"Why doesn't the boss have you or another minion do his dirty work if he already penetrated Reaper's team?" I asked.

Michael answered, "Because Reaper doesn't talk much unless he's close to you, even if you work for him. The Boss wanted a new face, and specifically, a female who could cozy up to the target. Seems like you've been doing just that."

I disagreed, "Not really. I still know little to nothing about him."

"What have you learned so far?"

"Well, his favorite position is-"

"Other than sex," Michael sighed.

I pointed out, "Exactly my point. Everything that I've gotten to know about him is sexual even though we haven't gone there. He's mainly outside or locked in his room. I'll need more time."

"The Boss was very clear. Three months. Frankly, you're running out of time."

Hours later

My mom smiled as she took in my appearance. She looked a lot livelier since I last saw her. And I was happy to know that she was doing better.

"Hey, Mom," I happily smiled as I rushed over to her bed and gave her a tight hug.

"Hey, honey," she chuckled as she held me tightly as well. "I was a little worried when I heard I was being moved. I thought they were gonna send me to an area where they keep people that are near their due date."

I playfully rolled my eyes while chuckling, "Cut it out. You look much more vibrant!"

"Thanks, I feel that way too," she nodded. "I have to ask, though, how did you afford private nursing and this place?!"

I clarified, "The guy you met is the one that did all of this."

"Oh, your boyfriend," she smiled, and I rolled my eyes. If only she knew. "What does he do for a living?"

Shit, I wanted to know too.

"Hey, I'm not here to talk about him. I'm here to hang out with you for a while," I diverted.

"Okay, okay," she chuckled. "How long are you staying?"

"However long you want me to," I shrugged.

She waived me off with a hand while teasing, "Don't worry, I'll get tired of you soon. Besides, I don't wanna keep you away from that handsome young man for too long."

I joked, "I'm sure he doesn't mind my absence."

"He held you as you cried in his arms, and he didn't let you go even after you felt better," she brought up. She was referring to the time when I met her at the hospital to tell her that my father had been murdered. If only she knew that Azias was only there trying to do a background check on me. "He pays for my medical expenses, and trust me, their expensive. I don't know how long you two have been together, but he cares about you enough to do things you didn't ask him to do."

"Yeah, well, not everything is what it seems," I shrugged as I sat down on her bed. I was grateful for all that Azias did for me, but we didn't have a romantic relationship, as she still believed.

There was a moment of silence before she asked, "Do you still have feelings for Jefferson?"

Not her bringing my ex up...

"No," I answered. "I'm not bitter over what he did either or how things ended. Whatever reservations I have with your knight in shining armor is deserved. Can we please stop talking about this now?"

"No," she answered, and I rolled my eyes. "I obviously don't know what's going on with you two. What I do know, however, is how much Jefferson hurt you. A breakup can be very traumatic, Saph. You can be in a completely new relationship with someone polar opposite to your ex, and one little thing can happen that gives you a negative flashback. That alone can be overwhelming enough for you to start doubting everything."

However did she know?

I sighed, "I have been getting flashbacks, which is why I needed to get away for a while."

She sadly looked into my eyes while nodding. She then said, "I don't mean to pry either. I just don't want you to be lonely when my time comes. If this guy isn't the one, don't force it. I want you to find real happiness."

"Well, you'll have enough time to see that happen," I replied while placing my hand on top of hers, and I could feel my eyes watering.

"It's in God's hands," she said before giving a tight-lipped smile. "Hopefully He keeps me around long enough to see my grandchildren too."

I sadly smiled, "Yeah."

She curiously asked, "Which do you think will come first— a boy or a girl?"

I chuckled, "How would I know?! A girl, maybe. Girls are very common."

"I can see a girl too," she chuckled. "Hopefully, you'll be the one to break the family curse."

I chuckled while frowning, "The family curse?"

"The infamous line of only daughters," she answered, and we both burst into laughter. She was the only daughter, and so was her mom, and her mom too. Indeed, it was a generational curse.

"I want three, so hopefully the Good Lord blesses me with that," I smiled.

"Let's start planning names," she teased, making me chuckle.