Lift To The Cosmos

Chapter 5

Akiyoshi fell asleep quicker than I thought. How did I know? Well he was quietly snoring and not talking for once.

The thoughts kept reappearing in my head, 'You're sleeping with him', but no I wasn't not in that way. I glanced over at him sleeping soundly, why did he have to tease me this way? Why couldn't he have kept his t-shirt on? His arms seemed well structured; he had quite a bit of muscle. My face felt hot as a stove, I frowned shaking off the thoughts.

All these feelings were new to me, since I never had such close contact with opposite gender before. It made me feel frustrated but happy. Yet I was upset for putting myself in such a vulnerable position. Which I was going completely against what I planned on doing from the start, maybe this time would be different, maybe Akiyoshi would stay.

But if we survived and his so called 'mission' was complete, would he stick around? No of course not. Akiyoshi probably leave to complete more missions. Then I'd have to go back to England, since I had overstayed my time in Paris.

I didn't want to think about that, how could I even think about that when the planet could be destroyed!? Funny how so much was going on and all I could do was check out the guy who was snoozing next to me.

It was the early hours of the morning and I still couldn't fall asleep. Suddenly I heard footsteps outside, I was paralysed with fear as my mind flooded with visions of someone breaking in and shooting me on the spot. all I could think was 'what if they found us and shot us?' The thought of Akiyoshi dying scared me more than I thought. The footsteps disappeared after a while.

"It's okay I won't let them hurt you." A sleepy voice muttered.

Akiyoshi pulled me into his chest, he was so warm. For the first time all night I felt comfortable, I remained still and leaned against him, as I disappeared into a beautiful cloud of slumber.

"Poppie... Are you in there?" The familiar voice wondered.

My eyes snapped open and I unravelled myself out of Akiyoshi's arms.

I quietly peeked through the door's peephole to see Jessie eagerly stood outside. I opened the door and she rushed in to hug me, she clung to me tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks, "Everyone was saying you're dead, I've been all by myself and..!"

Akiyoshi grunted half awake, Jessie leapt back to see a shirtless Akiyoshi, "WHO'S HE?!"
"This is Akiyoshi, he's... An acquaintance."

He buttoned his work suit up, he gave Jessie a little wave, "Nice to meet you, a friend of Poppie, is always a friend of mine."
Her face lit up, she beamed, "You're him!! The charming, mood swingy man!"
"Charming?" He seemed smug as he glanced over to me.

I let out a forced laugh, as I gently shoved Jessie inside before any guards passed by, she continued to chirp happily, "You came back and she thought you wouldn't! You're going to save us!!"

Akiyoshi shrugged modestly, "I'll do my best."

I placed my hands on her shoulders, "But if you stay with me you will be in danger, so I need you to be brave for me."
Jessie's eyes widened, "What are you going to do then?"
Akiyoshi knelt down to her, "Were going to get everyone home. But it's a secret, so let's keep it between us, okay?"

She nodded skipping out the door, "Okay, as long as you send me home first, I hate this boring ship!"

I looked at my watch; the work bell was going to ring soon, I slipped into my work overall and quickly cleaned my glasses before placing them back on.

"So how much longer should I wear this overall?"

Akiyoshi didn't say anything, I raised an eyebrow, "What?"

I looked through my rucksack and pulled out a comb and began brushing my hair.

Akiyoshi sat quietly on the mattress, I sighed, "Is it because I called you an acquaintance? Or was it the moody swingy thing Jessie said? You're not doing any justice by giving me the silent treatment-"
"I think it's best if you go home." Akiyoshi said abruptly, "Today."

I froze as I faced towards the window. I slowly tried to figure out what did I do wrong.

I smiled in disbelief, "So you think it's safer for me to go back onto a planet that may blow up? That's really the safer option? Rather than me getting shot here? I think it's about the same."
"I won't achieve my objective with distractions." He scolded.

Anger bubbled inside of me as I sprung to my feet, "And what if you don't achieve it? Why did you even bother bringing me back, why did you even bother with me at all? If you were just going to leave me behind!"
"You were the one who ignored me and went in the lift! I only brought you back so I could have a reason to get on board and find information!" Akiyoshi snapped back.

A silence fell between us. I nodded not able to absorb what he was saying. Was this his true self, had he been pretending the whole time so he could use me?

Tears began to fall uncontrollably down my cheeks, "So basically you used me as decoy? Wait, so if I couldn't defend myself, you were just going to leave me for dead?!"
I grabbed my bag and marched out of the room. Akiyoshi followed me quickly, a gunman passed by, he gripped my hand and pushed me against the wall.

The gunman looked round confusedly then continued walking down the corridor, he didn't notice me.

Akiyoshi peered his head round the corner, "I think it's clear..."

I couldn't even look Akiyoshi in the eye, he was still holding my hand.

Akiyoshi sighed as he held my shoulders, "I would never leave you for dead; you're more than a decoy. I trust you."
I laughed in disbelief, "You just called me a distraction only a minute ago."

"Look at me." He insisted.
I glanced up to meet his warm oak eyes; it sent a chill down my spine. I've never let my walls down this much before, I had nothing to lose since he was just going to abandon me anyway.

"I don't understand you. Do you care about me or not? I don't know what to believe."

He wiped the tears from my eyes, "I'm sorry, I've got you involved in this... It's my fault."
I shook my head, "That's not true."

Akiyoshi led me to a lift; I stared wearily at him as he stood outside the door. I couldn't believe this was actually happening, things couldn't end like this.

"The organisation I work at may come and have a word with you about anything else that you know, nothing major."

"Thank you." I said trying to keep myself together.

He raised an eyebrow, "For what?"

"For having my back." I told him.

There was a silence, Akiyoshi nodded respectfully, "Take care."
He pressed the button and the doors closed, I watched him turn and walk away, without a second glance.

So, it was all professional then, I was naïve to believe it could be anything more.

My forced smile slowly slipped, "Bye Akiyoshi..."

Akiyoshi pressed his finger against his ear piece, "I've... I've done it. She's gone."
"Good. Now we don't need any more interference, do we? Go find agent Susan and report back if there's anymore of a development." A strict voice told him.

His serious expression vanished; an uneasy feeling overcame him, as he looked back at the closed lift doors.