The Shadows of Diplomacy

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Inside the helicopter, Arya clung to Alexei's arms. The ride was, at least to them, quiet. She glanced at him. Feeling her eyes on him, Alexei faced her. Overwhelmed by the rush of emotions and the relief of being reunited with Alexei, Arya couldn't resist the impulse to express her feelings. In that confined space, amidst the hum of the helicopter's engine, she cupped his face, seeking solace and connection in a kiss. However, as her lips met his, she felt Alexei's reluctance to kiss her. His lips had not parted and he shifted his head ever so subtly.

Arya, caught off guard, felt a sting of rejection. The unspoken tension between them lingered in the air. Alexei's hesitation to kiss her left her perplexed.

As the helicopter soared through the night, the unresolved emotions hung like a dark cloud over the  rest of the journey.

They landed safely in Geneva, and approached Alexei's car. Arya lagged behind Alexei, her eyes apathetically fixed to his back. He opened the door for her, and she got into shotgun. He walked around, got into the driver's seat, and locked the doors.

"Why didn't you kiss me?"Arya asked softly.

Alexei started the engine. "We're broken up, remember?"

Arya felt like she had been shot in the chest. "Are you mad at me?"

"What the fuck, Arya?" Alexei's voice rose, shocking Arya a little. "You know, you have been really insufferable these last few months. I have so much shit to deal with and you have just been adding more and more, and it's fucking exhausting. How the fuck!... Did you end up in Italy?"

Tears were formed in Arya's eyes.

"Did he drug you? Tie you up?"

Arya's reluctance to answer communicated that the honest responses would be no's.

"I told you to stay the fuck away from Keller... Do you even know the situation you put me in? It was fucking impossible. He was threatening to murder you!"

Arya's head cocked. It was hard for her to believe that Keller threatened to kill her. However, she could not express that, as it was likely to anger Alexei even more. Keller told her she was safe, he provided her with food... besides, if Keller were to kill her, it would only make sense for him to do so, given that Alexei was non-compliant knowing that was an option.

Alexei caught on to her body language. He scoffed. "What, you don't think he could kill you? You are ridiculous. I am beginning to find it very hard to believe that you're not doing this stuff intentionally. I don't know if it's jealousy, you hate my country... I don't know, but it's really getting ridiculous at this point Arya. I don't know what to believe anymore." When Alexei reflected on it, this mess all started when Arya began to experience imposter syndrome. It made sense to him that Arya might be trying to sabotage his career. Perhaps she was that much bitter about it being more exciting than hers, and sneaking around with Keller gave her the thrill that she sought.

Arya shook her head, looking distantly out the window. In her mind, it started with him sneaking around, shutting her out, and snapping at her for reasons she did not yet understand. "I feel like this could have all been avoided if you had told me who you were from the beginning."

They reached a stoplight."I'm a spy. It's my job to not tell people who I am, being a criminal is not something one goes around confessing to people either."

"I'm not people. I'm Arya, the person who loved you most in this world."

"And yet..."

"You lied to me." Arya affirmed. "You lied to me, you drugged me, you shut me out, told me you needed space..."