FRAGMENTS ; Simon Riley

Chapter 14.

ROSALIE

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"My heart is so full of you
I can hardly call it my own."

I SAT at the table, eyes boring into the plate in front of me. I wasn't hungry at all, and it was my favourite takeout right on the table. "Rosalie, come on, eat it. It's not gonna kill you." Johnny urged me with a gentle tone, observing me from the other side of the table.

"Simon? Oh my god.." The woman's wide eyes flickered between me and the lieutenant, shock written all over her face. She was just standing there, like a statue, pale and confused. His wife had just caught us red handed, stupidly. Because that stupid man couldn't close a door properly.

I bit down my lower lip, torturing it slowly while I shut my eyes, heaving out a stressed sigh. Burying my face into my hands, I held back a scream. "Johnny, I'm so screwed."

We were completely frozen, my hands still wrapped around his hot neck as the words died right in my throat. What have I done? I just ruined a marriage. "Get inside the house, Claire. I'll be back in a sec." Simon warned huskily, tearing his gaze away from her.

MacTavish just stared at me in pure confusion. Poor man, called after a tiring work out in the gym. He had to rush to my house because I was hyperventilating over call, not able to explain what had just happened. And now he was sitting there, not knowing what to do or say.

The woman didn't waste a moment and rushed out of my house, getting inside Simon's apartment.

His hot breath fanned over my flushed face, lips getting dangerously close to mine once again, before I pushed him away forcefully. "Just.. go." I whispered, avoiding his gaze completely. I could feel my heart thumping loudly in my ears, down my throat, in my head, ready to explode in any moment.

"Rosalie, I.."

"Go. You don't need to explain."

I ruffled my hair in frustration, finally letting out a small scream. Johnny just looked at me with wide eyes, as if I suddenly had grown two heads. "Snap out of it, cannae ye tell me whit the fuck happened?"

My lieutenant kissed me, and I returned it. I liked it, I enjoyed it. I wasn't planning to stop, and if I had the chance to do it again, I would.

I did so, knowing he was committed to another woman, knowing she lived right next door. And she caught us in the act, because that idiot couldn't close a door properly.

"I think I saw LT's wife." I whispered, face buried deep between my hands.

An awkward silence hung in the kitchen, he was probably in shock too. He had described the wife just like a mysterious creature, secluded from the reality, hidden inside the house away from any harm. And now I understood why he was having such a hard time believing me.

"Impossible."

"Very possible."

"No, trust me."

"She caught us kissing, Johnny!"

I peeped through the tiny gaps between my fingers, staring at his reaction. From confusion, his eyes turned wide and scandalized. Oh, how hilarious. "You what?" He gasped out, in an exasperated manner.

I didn't need to embarrass myself more and repeat it, my words were enough clear.

"Rosalie..." He trailed off, ready to nag me.

"I know! Leave me alone!" I groaned, pushing away the plate from me as I finally surrendered to the reality. I didn't need him to nag me, I was aware of what happened. Perhaps, I wasn't ready to fight with another woman, if Claire was ever the type to.

God, I felt so guilty.

"How did that even happen?" He asked, now leaning forward to me with curiosity, his blue eyes brightening beneath the kitchen's light.

I just looked at him, shrugging slightly, "We were screaming at each other, and maybe I slapped him?"

His eyes grew wide once again, his mouth opened to say something but I cut him off, "Because he was being a dick, okay? He said I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place and I obviously didn't take that well."

Unbelievable, but true. "Yes but why did he kiss you?"

"I. Don't. Know. I wish I knew too!"

I was obviously panicking, I just wanted to dig a grave for myself and get buried alive, away from this world. How was I even supposed to look at him in the eyes, now?

A series of questions popped up in my head, stressing me further. And Johnny had noticed, because he finally pulled my plate and shoved a spoonful of the food into my mouth at the first opportunity.

At least I had someone by my side.

❀

Working days passed quickly, and of course, Simon had tried to avoid me in all different manners, to the point where even the captain was getting suspicious. Especially today, I was assigned in a duo mission, Simon was the one who needed to take the lead.

His eyes held frustration, he was clearly pissed--no, actually, he was fuming mad.

Moments before heading to the heli, I caught a glimpse of him sneak inside Price's office, and curiosity got the best of me.

I leaned against the wall, getting closer to the door slightly ajar, eavesdropping to the heated conversation, "I'm asking this one more time, and nicely. Take her off the mission, now." Simon commanded silently, his tone holding stubbornness.

"You know I can't do that."

"Are you trying to torture me, John? Because you're doing your best."

Torturing? What was I, a disease?

Silence fell for a brief moment, before John sighed loudly, "Do your job, soldier. The heli is about to leave."

I was confused, why did he seem so demanding to get me out of the way? Yet he had been the one who created all this mess with me. Heavy footsteps approached the door, but I didn't have time to turn away and pretend nothing had happened. So I stayed there, feet rooted to the ground while Simon's gaze burned holes on my face.

He knew I had heard everything, he knew. Yet he didn't do or say anything. Just a small annoyed huff.

"Let's move on, sergeant."