Contagious || Ghost x Fem

𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧

As you observed the ongoing matches, Ghost remained by your side, a reassuring presence amidst the excitement of the tournament. However, your focus was momentarily diverted as Graves approached, offering his greetings to the group. The atmosphere between Graves and the rest of the group was undeniably tense, each interaction laden with an unspoken unease. "Serpent, you mind if I borrow you for a moment?" Graves' request to speak with you alone raised a sense of apprehension, visible in the hesitant nod you offered in response. Ghost's glare towards Graves hinted at an underlying tension, but you followed Graves into the building nonetheless, curious about what he wanted to discuss.

Graves led you to his office, the weight of his authority palpable as he took his seat behind the desk. Gesturing towards the chair opposite him, he indicated for you to sit down, his expression unreadable as he awaited your response. You took the offered seat, your senses on high alert as you tried to gauge Graves' intentions. The atmosphere in the room felt charged with tension, the silence stretching between you as you waited for him to speak. "Shepherd has taken you off the mission." 

Graves' words hung heavily in the air, sending a jolt of surprise through you. The news that Shepherd had removed you from the mission came as a sudden blow, leaving you momentarily speechless as you processed the implications. Anger surged within you, fueled by frustration and a sense of injustice. "Why?" you demanded, your voice edged with irritation as you struggled to comprehend Shepherd's decision. Graves leaned back in his chair, his expression remaining stoic as he elaborated, "Shepherd believes your recent interactions with certain individuals have compromised your objectivity and could potentially jeopardize the mission. He deems it necessary to remove you from the field until further notice." His words cut through the air with chilling finality, leaving no room for argument or negotiation.

With a scoff, you rose from your seat, the frustration evident in your posture. "This is because of the last mission, isn't it?" you challenged, your voice tinged with accusation as you confronted Graves. "I'm just the messenger," he retorted, his tone tinged with amusement, though his eyes betrayed a glint of something more sinister. Your laughter, laced with defiance, echoed off the walls of the office, a sharp contrast to the gravity of the situation. "Messenger my ass, you're his fucking lapdog," you fired back, your words dripping with disdain as you refused to back down in the face of Graves' insinuations. Graves' eyebrows furrowed slightly at your brazen retort, the smirk fading from his lips as his expression hardened. "I suggest you be careful with how you speak to me, Ms. Keller," he cautioned, his voice low and menacing, sending a chill down your spine.

His use of your last name sent a jolt of alarm through you, a stark reminder of the invasive reach of Shepherd's influence. For a moment, you were frozen, the weight of Graves' warning settling heavily upon you. "How...how do you know that?" you stammered, your voice laced with disbelief and a hint of fear as Graves revealed the extent of his knowledge. Graves let out a scoff, his expression tinged with smugness. "There's a lot I know about you," he stated cryptically, his tone dripping with implication.

But then he continued, his words sending a chill down your spine. "But there's also a lot I don't know about you. Like how you kept your job in the SAS when your second year you did off-the-books intel deals and went off the radar for over three months." You were frozen in place, a sense of dread creeping over you. This was information that nobody was supposed to have, secrets buried deep in your past that you had hoped would remain hidden. Yet here was Graves, laying them bare with unsettling ease, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable in his presence.