Red's Desire - Sweet Glances Ver.

Chapter 20

As Fred almost finished the cake, a familiar girl sat on the opposite side of his chair. His gaze didn't meet hers until he was swallowed. "Yes?" He muttered as he wiped his mouth with a white handkerchief. "It's been a while, I'm surprised you accepted." "It's not like I had a choice." He sighed. His eyes met hers in a swift moment but he then avoided eye contact. "What do you want, Siami?" "I thought you'd be interested in hearing about your first mission." She said, Her frown turned into a soft smile that almost made her look innocent but her cold eyes remained. "Already?" It was quite astonishing how fast this got, "I thought I would have to go through some type of training." He said, his lips parting a little. "You don't need to; all you have to do is to help me plant something." "Plant?" Siami nodded, "Yes, plant. It's going to be easy, don't worry." Fred listened to her words. "I need your help to plant a bomb." "..." Fred's kept quiet, not sure how or what to reply.

"Don't ask questions, just do what I say." Siami sighed softly as she crossed her legs. "So... Are you like- the leader of Team Poppy or something?" He asked. Siami raised a brow at his question, "Oliver didn't tell you?" "No." "He should've. We need you tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow."

Fred wanted to ask more questions but Siami hushed him. "No questions, some of them might get answered tomorrow." She starts standing up, "You can wait in Oliver's office at 9 am." she said before walking away and heading towards the elevator, leaving Fred with so many questions.

The next day, Fred did as told, he went to Oliver's office and waited there. Oliver was explaining what the Poppy Team meant.

"A poppy has four petals, right? The name 'Poppy' is also the name of every branch in the 'Treasure Organization.' However, these branches were not the only places that were connected to this Organization. The branches of this Organization are the places of every Team that is using that branch as their hideout. In this Organization, teams are considered as petals. The first petal will be the one who possesses a great Talent, the second must hold great skills, the third must hold great knowledge and the fourth must hold all. This Organization was made due to the media's knowledge, this Organization was the best solution, no one could stop the power of the internet."

"I see, so which team am I in?" Fred said as he kept his gaze on Oliver. "You're currently in the Fourth Petal, once Agent Hp takes you to this Organization's branch, you'll probably wonder why there are only three of you. You must know Nemo, right? Nemoverin used to be a member of the Fourth Petal team but he chose to leave, it's a miracle how he's still alive." Before Fred could respond, his phone ringed which made him read the message.

"Hey, it's Siami. Alleya will pick you up and take you here. You're welcome."

"..."

"I'm guessing Alleya is taking you there?" "Yeah..."

"Well, I wish you good luck!"

Time passed, and a knock on the door was heard as both young fellows shifted their attention to the door, Alleya opened the door and entered. Her dark hair was made into a braid, she wore a half-shoulder white shirt that revealed her collarbone and shoulders, and she also wore a pair of black trousers and a pair of black heels. "Good morning, I'm sorry if I made you wait for too long." She chuckles awkwardly, Fred stands up and holds his bag tightly, "It's fine, I didn't wait for too long."

"You stayed for nearly an hour-" "Let's go." Fred smiled softly after he cut off Oliver's statement. "Uh-, yeah, sure... Let's go.." Alleya softly said before leading him outside Oliver's office and to the parking lot. Alleya opened the door for him. "Should I be the one opening the door for you?" He chuckled before going inside the red car. "It's fine, I'm the one who's driving anyway." She said with a soft smile.

*************

He watched as buildings and cars passed, the atmosphere was uncomfortable as Alleya continued to drive. It was as if time had stopped to make them suffer silently in this awkwardness, "Fred, I'm sorry for not contacting you. My old phone was crushed by a truck when I got a new phone I saved your number along with my friends' and families'. I couldn't contact you since I was so busy doing family things. I know you're probably mad at me right now, but I promise I'll do my best to make it up to you! I'm not really-" "Hey now, it's fine. I understand, no need to make your explanation long." He lets out a brief and faint giggle before smiling at her, "You are forgiven."

"That easily?"

"No, you should have texted me after saving my number in your new phone."

"..."

Fred maintained his calm demeanor, but if he did let his emotions and feelings control him, he'd be grinning from ear to ear. Her apologizing to him was adorable, even though there was a part of him that didn't find it adorable.

"Are you free this Saturday?"

"No, I have to accompany Oliver.."

"Oh, right. Your engagement." He muttered under his breath, the reminder was like a knife stabbing his chest multiple times even after his heart stopped beating. No matter how much he wanted to focus on the fact that she felt the same for him, he couldn't get his mind off the other fact that she was playing the role of Oliver's fiancée in front of the media. He felt angered somehow but also hurt even though he knew she didn't like the idea. What was this feeling? Was it perhaps... jealousy? But there was no need to be jealous since her engagement was all just a made-up nothing. Still, he didn't like the idea of Oliver having to touch her waist with his hands. The thought of it angers him.

Alleya noticed his silence but shrugged it off, it's probably nothing... right? Fred stayed on his seat, he glanced at Alleya who was sitting next to him, he could just lean to her side and kiss her cheek. Seeing her was enough to make his heart jump out of his chest, his inner teenage self was probably screaming like a typical anime school girl would.

As they arrived, Alleya parked the car and waited for Fred to get out (not in a mean way). She expected him to get out right away, but sometimes, our expectations didn't meet what reality had prepared for us.

In a swift motion, Fred leaned towards Alleya and she quickly leaned back. Nervously, he asked, "C-Can I kiss you?" He muttered, "Wh-what?" Alleya stuttered... Fred kissed her forehead, "You look beautiful by the way..." He said before pulling away and getting out of the car as his cheeks were completely red... 'What the hell just happened' is the only thought that will cross your mind if you could see Alleya's expression.