From Mine to Ours

43: Awkward...

The cold bite of the ever chilling air is still taking some getting used to, but I'm obviously enjoying the soothing comfort it brings each year. I don't know what it is about the cold that brings me that extra bit of peace, but it's just so energising in the mornings. It wakes me up and gives me that extra surge of power I could definitely use these next few weeks.

October is approaching us fast and the self-appointed deadline is approaching even faster. We need to get this whole picture thing sorted before the Holidays, otherwise I think I'll completely lose it.

Gabriel and I are making our way up to Sarah's office. Him and Vivienne swap shifts weekly, so their night shifts always change. I know Sarah and Jennifer both continue to remind me that they're happily doing their job, but I still can't help but feel so off about keeping them up like that. I mean, I can't even begin to imagine what their sleep schedule must be like right now.

"Noah, come sit," Jennifer peaks over Sarah's monitor with one of her welcoming grins. We've gotten quite used to each other's presence, especially since we've been working so closely together for nearly two months now. I've even added getting them some coffee along with my tea on my way up here to my routine, and vice versa whenever we stay long and take a break in between - one of them will always grab us some snacks!

One thing I still haven't grown accustomed to is my non-identical shadow. He doesn't sit and join in our conversations. Ever. And the one time I offered, Sarah laughed saying something along the lines of: "He's not interested in anything that doesn't involve guarding and protecting."

Which, I quickly found to be true. During these meetings, he genuinely seems very content keeping watch over me right by the door every time I look back to check on him. If he has to use the bathroom, he times it perfectly so that he's never gone for longer than a minute; And he rarely ever goes whenever I don't have company with me.

"Right, so is there a reason we're coming so far along in our investigations as quickly as we are?" Jennifer is looking through all of our documents, her gaze flitting up to me briefly before handing the papers back to Sarah. Right, they're both very much so in the dark about Tyler. Partly because I want to avoid explaining my connections to him. However, it's mostly due to the fact that he asked not to be mentioned to anyone outside of our 'little circle'. The only other people who do know about the information we're getting from Tyler are Gabriel and Vivienne.

"Lucky guesses?" I shrug, glancing back at the dark haired brunet behind me.

They both hum, thankfully dropping the subject. I suppose they're just happy to be coming along with all of this. The quicker the better after all.

"Right, it's 7 am, let's get this meeting done before 12 today, okay?"

"I have a photoshoot at 1 anyway, so that sounds perfect,"

As per usual, I make sure to ask if Gabriel needs anything before heading inside and wishing him a good night. It's gotten to the point where I get him a glass of water and a small snack anyways even if he does say no. I would even dare say I've gotten a smile or two out of him from my actions, so that's good. Only this time around, as soon as I open the door a stray moan manages to make its way through the crack in the door, immediately turning my face red. Why would they do it now of all times?!

I know for a fact it's Sebastian and Julian, so after ignoring Gabriel's eyes on me, I storm my way up the steps with furrowed brows after slamming the front door shut so they know I'm back. I cannot believe that just happened.

I have no clue if my security guards have their suspicions of us are not, but as far as I'm aware none of us outwardly said anything about our relationship to either of them and we all mutually agreed to keep it this way until the investigations come to an end. For safety reasons.