The Missing Ace

Chapter 2

"Mattie~ Mattie~" Camille called, poking Matthew's cheek as he slept like a log. "Mattie~~ We're landing soon." She kissed his cheek. The Canadian slowly lifted his eyes open and rolled his head over to the Russian. He grumbled and turned away. Then, the seatbelt sign was switched on. "Cabin crew, prepare for landing." The captain announced. The next thing they knew, they felt the aircraft descending. Matthew gripped his armrest (and Camille's hand) as the plane started to wobble a little. "Still haven't gotten over the trauma yet?" She teased. Matthew gulped. On their flight to Russia, there was heavy turbulence. One of the few moments of it was strong enough to make the plane have a sudden drop. Matthew, who was working on his computer, was greatly shaken by the sudden change in surroundings and blacked out.

Within the next few minutes, the aircraft landed and it was safe to turn off the airplane mode. The moment Camille had signal, a message was sent to her. It was from a familiar British 'older brother'. "Arthur said that he's meeting us outside of the arrival hall." She added. "Just him?" Matthew asked, breathing very deeply, as he began to unbuckle. He got up and took his bag from the overhead compartment. "Yep, Al is probably at home with Alfie. Luci said that he had other plans." Camille explained. "And what plans does he have?" Matthew asked, eyes fixated on retrieving his hand luggage. "Dunno, the last time I checked, he seems to have his eyes on someone." Camille commented. "Wow, I wonder who." He sarcastically muttered.

In the five minutes, the crowd was moving and Camille and Matthew were making their way to the belts. Along the way, her phone chimed once more. She whipped out her phone and checked the new notification. It was from 'Babe', and he had sent a selfie of a golden retriever and himself; a tan American with dark russet hair and hazel eyes. "He's such a darling~" Camille mumbled to herself. She felt the tired aura leaving her before she looked up from her phone. Matthew was retrieving their luggage from the belt. She kept her phone and hurried over to help.

Exiting into the arrival hall, Camille and Matthew waited for Arthur to appear. She glanced at her watch. "Where is he?" She muttered as she was beginning to become impatient. "I want to get back ASAP." She complained. The Canadian shrugged, resting his weight on his luggage. "Camille!" She heard someone call her name. She turned and saw the familiar blonde British, and his thick eyebrows. Since young, the Russian has never been able to take his eyebrows seriously. Arthur was wearing his usual dark ivy green jacket over a darker green vest and white shirt, and a pair of matching pair of dark green pants. She had (read: has) been having a hard time trying to hold in her laughter.

"Pardon me that I was late. I had an appointment overrun." He reasoned. "Who's the customer?" Camille asked, curious. Arthur sighed. "Braginski again... he's always very picky and petty about clothing. And he wants it the day after when he returns from Moscow tomorrow." He commented. Camille smiled. "Well, I think he cane be fun to toy with." She added, playing with a curly lock of her hair. "Anyway, let's head home. I'm a little tired now." She stretched her arms.

・・・

Upon arriving in the outskirts of New York, the trio came across a large private estate with a large front lawn. There was a tan male resting on a hammock in the shade, as a golden retriever slept at the foot of the hammock. As Camille got closer, the canine raised its head and turned towards the Russian. "C'mere boy! C'mon, Alfriston! Here boy!" She whistled. Alfriston barked and scurried to all fours. The scratching of his nails against the wooden flooring awoke the male. He slowly turned his head to the approaching group. "C'mere boy! Come to mummy!" She smiled, ditching her luggage with Arthur as she ran over to canine. "Oi! Volkov!" Arthur yelled, enraged by the sudden action of the Russian.

Alfriston gleefully barked and leapt into his human friend's arms. "Atta boy!" Camille cheered as the dog licked her face. The male sat up and scratched his nape. "Dollface~" he grinned, getting up from the hammock. Camille felt a cool relaxed aura approaching her. "Al~" she cooed with a sing-song tone, walking over to the approaching male. Allen, or Al, cheekily smirked as she skipped over to him. When she was close enough, he pulled her into a hug. "I hope you didn't miss me too much." Allen smiled against her head. Alfriston barked as they parted from each other. The canine stood on its hind legs and pawed at Camille's waist, wanting a scratch. She smiled and knelt down to scratch his lower jaw.