Author's Note: Thank you for taking the time to read this story! I hope you enjoy my first publication! :) The song: My Mind Is by NVDES feat. Oliver Tree- I thought this song would make for a fun beginning and one of the characters is named Oliver. Enjoy!
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It has been ten days of nonstop cheer and I'm about to kill him. How can a human being be so consistently cheerful? "Extra crispy waffles coming your way!" He has even infected happiness into the food. I glare at the strawberries that have been shaped into eyes and a grin. They are taunting me. Soon he will turn all my favorite foods against me. "Geez, these are the best waffles I've ever tasted, Oliver!" exclaims Daphne. He smiles appreciatively before turning back to the waffle iron. I glare at the traitor. She has been saying all his dishes have been the best she has ever tasted even the two day left over delivery pizza he warmed up for her last week. She gives me a weary glance, "Aren't you going to try a bite, Arty?" My stomach rumbles in response, "I'm not that hungry. Coffee is just fine for now. I'll grab a granola bar before we leave for work." She admonishes me with a shake of her head. I steal a quick glance at Oliver. He may have won over Daphne with his charming good looks, "best" cooking skills, and impeccable manners, but he doesn't fool me, after all he is a criminal for a reason.
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"Artemis, don't do it." Daphne doesn't even look up from her desk. "Don't do what?" I quickly hide the vile of Noctis. "Arty" she warns again. "Fine, but he deserves it and you know it!" I yell out. The weeks of cheer have gotten to me, and I just want one day free from wanting to choke him after he smiles at me. "You're impossible. It was your idea in the first place to have him stay with us" Daphne reminds me. "And you were against it remember?" "I was wrong about him. Even better is that our apartment has never looked so clean and organized. Don't even get me started on the wonderful meals." "Enough" I groan out in exasperation
"And what a body to boot...Oh! she smirks knowingly, You have the hots for him."
"I think you've sniffed too much "reefer" as the kids say" "It is okay, Artemis, you can tell me." Her smirk widens to a full on smile. I frown and give my best glare in response. Best friend my foot. "Listen, about the-" "The meeting is starting in five we should head out now." I interrupt ignoring her features turning into a sympathetic look as I begin packing for the briefing.
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"OKAY EVERYONE SETTLE DOWN!" Chief Bernard bellows out. He's in a good mood today, he isn't using the megaphone. The burly chief continues on while blushing, "EVERYONE PLEASE WELCOME SPECIAL AGENT WALTERS INTO OUR HUMBLE ABODE!" "Hello, everyone, please call me Helena. I am eternally grateful for your cooperation in ringing all the Meta. Let us stop them before they cause an even greater epidemic." Everyone cheers in agreement. She winks at Chief Bernard, and his blush deepens. "Chief Bernard, thank you again for lending us your office as our basecamp." "You are very welcome, uh, Helena." I've never heard him speak so softly before. It was almost at normal conversation level. "As you requested, two of our best detectives are ready to join your team in the forefront of the investigation."
"RIVERS! LINDEN! COME GET YOUR ASSIGNMENT FROM, HELENA!" Daphne and I step forward. Up close Helena is rather striking with her platinum blonde hair and sharp angular cheekbones. Her hair is in a perfect bun, makeup done in a subtle manner highlighting her sapphire blue eyes. In contrast is my raven colored hair in a messy ponytail, and makeup done haphazardly, none of which highlight my chocolate colored irises. Daphne could be mistaken for Helena's sister if not for her dyed auburn hair, and purple colored contacts. She said the painted facade helped with getting information to catch the perpetrators, and the free drinks help with the fuss.
"It's an honor to meet you, Helena", Daphne shakes her hand enthusiastically "your mission on Star Scape is made of legends! I'm Daphne Linden, and this is my partner, Artemis Rivers. Please do away with our surnames as well." "Very well, Daphne" Helena replies smiling, "I'm honored to meet a fan of Star Scape. It is my toughfess mission to date. I can tell you more about how I defused the three grenades if you would like." Daphne looked as happy as when she got three guys to ask for her number while she tied up a criminal with several leather belts. "I would be delighted, Helena!"
They continued their conversation as we made our way to Chief Bernard's office on the second floor three doors down from our own office. "...so that's why you should always wear a front clasping bra." "That is amazing!" Chief Bernard had turned beet red. "I...ugh...have a meeting...yes...a meeting downtown, so I'll leave you ladies to it." Helena is busy scouring the files as he makes his exit. "Okay, what can you ladies tell me about the Metas?" "Not much unfortunately" I answer "all the information you have is all we got as well." She nods affirming "Then what can you tell me about Oliver Kent?" I grimace while Daphne answers, "Our Oliver Kent? He's a nice guy. Arty felt sorry for him after reading his file, so he's staying with us until he gets back on his feet." "Has he mentioned that his alias is Genesis?" I let out a startled laugh "He can't be", I stammer out after. "Interpol's lab geeks cracked some of his emails." Daphne and I stare at each other in disbelief. "Then why is he staying with us?" demands Daphne. "Beats me. I'm not the evil genius here. All I know is that we have the upper hand now." "What do we do now?" I ask. "You ladies gather intel. Discreetly. Act as if everything is normal. We need to gather more information on how the Metas work, and what they are planning to do next."
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After running off my nervous energy on the treadmill for two hours after work, I now felt ready to face Oliver Kent a.k.a. Genesis. I took another calming breath, and open the door to become engulfed by the smell of chocolate chip cookies. "Hey, there you are!" exclaims Daphne, "Oli made chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and the lasagna is almost ready." "Are you joining us for dinner, Artemis?" Oliver asks with his dimpled smile. His dimpled smile of lies. I fight off a grimace, and plaster on a smile. "Of course I am, silly! I love your cooking!" His grin falters, "You've never even tried my cooking." "Oh, right, uh, today is a good day as any to finally to try it!" I widen my smile until my face hurts. His own smile has disappeared. "Did something happen at work today?" he asks. Don't mess this up, Artemis. "Arty hasn't been feeling well. She just got back from the doctor's" Daphne responds. I quickly agree, "Yes! Yes. The doctor said I just needed to rest more." "Oh," Oliver gives me a concerned look "I'll make you a cup of honey lemon water, that always helps me feel better." "NO!" I scream. He might toss in his truth serum. I've been putting off the immunization for it since last October.
Both Daphne and Oliver are startled. "I mean, no, thank you, Oliver. I'll be okay. I just need some rest." I plaster on my smile again. "I'll help, Artemis to her room." Daphne takes a hold of my upper arms and steers me away from the living room. I glance back and see Oliver giving us a guarded look, "I'll be out of the apartment by the end of this week." "What?!" we both exclaim. "I'll find another place to stay. I don't want to be a burden any longer." "You aren't a burden! I cry out. He looks unconvinced. "I heard you tell Daphne that I was the burden and that you were Sisyphus...multiple times." I wince "I meant it as a joke!" His frown deepens. "Look, it's fine. It was nice of you ladies to offer your home in the first place, but I've overstayed my welcome. I look at Daphne for help. "Artemis just has a kooky sense of humor you'll get used to it! You truly haven't overstayed your welcome. You've made our place into a home. We wouldn't survive the mess, and I would starve without your delicious food." "Yes!" I agreed emphatically "I admit I was put off when you first offered to organize my underwear drawer, but now I see it is a boon. Please stay". Daphne gives him a quizzical look, "You never offered to organize my underwear drawer." "Okay, I'll stay", he replies ignoring Daphne. "For only another week" he replies smiling again.
Crisis averted...for now. We have a week to gather as much intel as we can.
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As Daphne shuts the door to my room I hiss out, "He knows!" "Shh! Just stay calm, Arty." She massages my upper arms, massaging upper arms is her nervous tell. "Ditto, Daphne." Letting go of my triceps she steps away from me and sighs. "We gotta play it cool." "You don't have to tell me twice." "That means you have to keep rejecting his cooking, and continue to act somewhat snarky." "Snarky? When am I snarky?" Daphne sighs, "Always, Artemis." I give her a glare. "Fine" "Good. Now go to bed." "It's only seven." "Goodnight" she says as she closes my door. My eyes remain glued to the shut door, "Once more unto the breach, my friend" I whisper.
YOU ARE READING
IT WAS A TRAP
Science-FictionI got inspired by a tumblr post by Writing Prompts to create this story. "What if your fears became your superpower?" Artemis wants Oliver out of the apartment by the end of the week, but trouble is afoot and she might need his help. A chemical com...
