The mind can forget... but the heart never!

Chapter 29

Mamoru had added two more hours to his late shift at the emergency room. Weary, he dragged himself home, but even before reaching the door, he sensed that something was different. The smell of cigarette smoke wafted out from his apartment. Upon opening the door, another note blended into the smoke—aftershave and a sweet feminine scent.

In his living room sat a man, while in front of him stood an enraged Angel, gesticulating wildly. Angel was finally dressed in clothes she felt comfortable in: a tight black corset, a skirt that reminded Mamoru more of a wide belt, fishnet stockings, 4-inch high heels. Her hair was pulled tightly back, and her favorite makeup was applied, making her look far more dangerous than just a few hours before.

"Damn it! Diamond, this can't be true! Find him, dead or alive!" the man before her shouted. He sat calmly on the sofa, taking another drag of his cigarette. "I know. I'm already on it," he replied.

Neither of them seemed to notice that Mamoru stood in the doorway, observing them.

"That's not enough! Make sure it's settled, or you'll be next on my list!" Angel hissed. Gone was the sweet exchange student; she was again the tough businesswoman that Mamoru remembered from before. The one who accepted no backtalk. Mamoru cleared his throat, and both heads snapped toward him.

"May I know what you're doing here?" he asked, puzzled.

Angel approached him. "Oh, Chiba. You surely remember Diamond. We had some matters to settle, but I think he now knows what to do if he doesn't want to end up as fish food."

Diamond glanced over at her with a dark expression and nodded.

"Why are you in my apartment, and how did you get in?" Mamoru pressed on. Angel let out a brief laugh. "Do you think a locked door can stop me? Please, I thought you knew me better. Since I have to work for both you and Celeste at the same time, I've decided to stay here for the time being." Annoyed, Mamoru ran his fingers over his temples. This could be interesting.

Angel turned to Diamond and nodded her head toward the door. He immediately understood and hastily bid his farewell.

Angel continued to dance around Mamoru. "Look on the bright side, Chiba. This way, I'll keep a closer eye on your bunny. You should have seen how the other one kept losing it. It was delightfully amusing, and their guilt, just delicious."

Mamoru suddenly grasped her wrist firmly and pushed her against the wall. His forearm pressed against her throat, and his eyes darkened. Angel hadn't anticipated such a move and was visibly surprised.

"I'm telling you once, Angel. No solo missions, Bunny is off-limits, and if you're really staying, you'll be sleeping on the sofa. My apartment isn't your new office. If you want to meet someone, do it outside, understood?"

Angel shot back at him. "I might almost be scared," she hissed as Mamoru increased the pressure on her throat.

"And most importantly, don't provoke me! I'm capable of making you feel pain you didn't even know existed, pain where death would be your only relief."

Slowly, Angel realized she was running out of air; her lungs were already burning as she apathetically nodded. Celeste had warned her thoroughly not to provoke Mamoru, but the itch in her fingertips was overwhelming. At least now she knew he hadn't grown soft over the past years.

He finally released his grip. Angel clutched her throat and stared back at him. A malicious smile played on her lips.

"Don't you want to know how my day was? Or better yet, what I found out?" she asked.

"I'm all ears," Mamoru said, taking a seat on the sofa.

Angel retrieved her laptop and placed it on the small table.