Melt me

Chapter 23

Breakfast was more like a business meeting. I briefed Stephan and the rest of the table of my plans on visiting the three cities. As Asia is humongous, our major centers are spread out to ensure all countries have equal access and resources. Only three were hit and they were rather far from each other so the day is going to consist of many short plane trips.

While relaying this information, for some reason everyone decided to come along. Ella said she wanted to see outside of the bubble we've made in North America and her husband wasn't hard to convince.

Amara claps her hands together and looks around the table.
"Yes! We should all go. It would be a great time."

"Darling this isn't a fun outing." Stephan squints his eyes at his wife and she sighs.
"Don't be so serious." She moves her gaze between me and Ella and her face brightens.

"Hey I was even thinking that the three of us could have a little day out together. Like just a girls thing - I've realized I haven't spent much time with either of you."

My own smile emerges and I nod as Ella agrees happily. That seems nice. Haider clears his throat and a few servers come by to collect our plates. We all stand and Lily opens her mouth,
"You wouldn't mind if we checked this place out, would you?"

Ian comes up behind her as she speaks to me.
I nod,
"Of course not. You're free to roam about and use any services. Just...not the basement, it's off limits."

Winston frowns, clutching onto his boyfriend's hand. The four of them were more keen on exploring the surrounding city than going on our little adventure. Ian opens his mouth when Haider smiles warmly, sensing his question.
"The basement has nothing fun. We do however have much more interesting places such as our training facility and technology lab."

They nod and I search for my fiancé as everyone disperses the room. Kenji stands inspecting himself in a mirror out in the hall. I've not a clue whether anyone else has questioned this change in appearance but I'm sure it's noticeable. I watch as he stands straighter and lifts his chin. Huh.

"Yes habibi, you are gorgeous." I confirm, pacing closer and his shoulders drop as he grins at me.

"Obviously." He takes my hand and places soft kisses to the back of it. Kenji gestures to the door and leads us out.

I still am curious and have to ask about him borrowing my brother's clothes. But he speaks,

"What's the first city we're going to?"

"Bangkok in Thailand." I reply. I decided it would be easier to begin with the furthest and work our way back home.

It would be about a 4 hour ride with the jet so the quicker we leave the easier it will be. Everyone else is already on board by the time Kenji and I arrive.

The seats are facing each other and we sit in front of the Warners. Haider gives us a rundown of how much damage has been caused by the attack on the city and the amount of casualties that have occurred. The blast spread for a few miles, destroying almost everything in sight.

Dissatisfied with the amount of knowledge we have so far, I spend most of the plane ride combing over every file, every letter, every dot. Nothing surfaces. Of course it wouldn't.

I groan frustrated and chuck the files onto the table in front of me. I hide my face in Kenji's stupidly nice shirt.
"Can I quit this job?"

My fiancé chuckles, glides his fingers through the strands of my hair.
"Nah I don't think it works that way. Besides, do you really want to put Haider in complete charge of a continent?"

"You're not funny Kenji." My brother scoffs. I move my head a bit to see Haider as he sits doing some work less than a few feet away. The other two couples have been focused on each other.