A Game Of Cat and Mouse

Chapter Six

( The picture is Antonio😍)

The black-haired woman was in a hurry to get to work and ignored Platt's greeting as she briskly placed her hand on the illuminated handprint. Soifon swiftly ascended the stairs and promptly approached her desk, paying no mind to her colleagues who appeared to be looking at her.

Placing her bag and coat over the chair, she was occupied with organizing her desk to the extent that Erin's inquiry went unnoticed. Suddenly, she felt a hand resting on her shoulder, causing her entire back to tense. She turned her head and saw that Erin had approached her and placed a hand on her, but swiftly retracted it upon seeing the expression on her face.

"Easy Soifon, it is only me." Erin spoke softly. Soifon allowed herself to regain composure. After a brief period of silence, Soifon looked towards her colleagues and noticed their shocked reactions upon seeing the bruise on her face. She bit her lip upon hearing Erin's inquiry about what had occurred. Additionally, Voight approached them, his dark eyes exhibiting suspicion towards her.

Flinching when Voight extended his hand towards her face, Soifon was startled. Inquiring about the reason for her reaction, he swiftly withdrew his hand when she flinched away. She denied any significance, averting her gaze from his scrutinizing eyes. Antonio's voice pierced the silence as he approached her cautiously, asserting that her response was insignificant. The unease in her gut returned, causing her to bite her lip.

Hearing a gentle exhale emanating from Erin, who placed her hand soothingly on top of hers, she proposed, ''Let's return to the break room and allow me to examine that bruise.'' She implored as she observed the expression in her friend's blue eyes, retracting her hand from the brunette. ''It can be postponed. Don't we still have a case to conclude? Besides, it was merely a result of slipping in the shower,'' the raven-haired woman responded, her glare fixed upon the group.

Perceiving Voight's sigh and concurring nod, it was evident that he would not coerce the young woman into telling them the truth, acknowledging her fabrication regarding the cause of the bruise.

''Very well, Soifon and Erin, why don't the two of you proceed to prepare things at the bar while the rest of us arrange ourselves,'' Voight stated, instructing everyone on their respective tasks. ''Ashley, Antonio, I suggest you proceed to the hotel, just in case Becca happens to be there instead.'' The second-in-command affirmed his understanding.

After reviewing the plan, Soifon and Erin departed from the bullpen and stepped into the chilly atmosphere. A hush embraced the two individuals until they reached the brunette's vehicle. Soifon gracefully entered the passenger seat and secured her seatbelt, while Erin followed suit.

Departing from the premises of the police station, Erin proceeded towards the bar, briefly diverting her gaze towards the brunette individual whose green eyes were attentively fixed on the road. A profound sense of regret overshadowed the raven-haired woman as she emitted a sigh and prepared to articulate an apology to the aforementioned individual, recognizing her own lapse in composure.

"Soi, I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for last night," Erin said, taking the initiative to speak. As they drove to the bar, there was no rush as it was still early in the morning. "I realize that I should have waited for a more suitable moment to inquire about your whereabouts when you were in a more composed state." When the car came to a stop at a red light, Erin redirected her gaze towards Soifon, and couldn't help but release a sigh of relief upon seeing a faint smile grace her friend's face.

"It is acceptable, Erin. I should not have overreacted. You caught me by surprise," Soifon explained with a slight sigh. As she turned her blue gaze towards the window, she contemplated whether to share with Erin what had transpired the previous night. It was not a matter of distrust towards her friend; in fact, despite being apart for so many years, she still had full confidence in Erin. Soifon acknowledged that she should have heeded Erin's advice regarding Ace. It was her own mistake that resulted in her falling into the clutches of the merciless man she had once thought of as her lover.