Code: 16B

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Twenty-Eight

    “Are you sure that this is a good idea?” I asked as I ran a hand through my hair. I wished I had the initiative to take the time to flatiron my hair this morning before leaving with Amber. But I didn’t expect to run in to my spy friends, be back at the safe house, and possibly reunite with the guy I…I…I can’t think it to myself. Can’t think the word I know I wanted to say, but never got to say. All I know is that I still like him, but it’s something more than that.

    “Relax.” Violet said, her tone was still big sister like. Just like I remembered. “Just stay calm, and maybe thing’s will go off with out a hitch.”

    “Okay.” I mumbled, already nervous.

    “Remember, wait for the signal, and then you can come down.” Garrett said, still looking through the peephole on the front door.

    I nodded my head, agreeing with them for what seemed like a million times.

    Violet grabbed my hand, leaded me upstairs into what is her room, closed the door, and looked me right in the eye. “Amanda, you’re going to do fine.” She said, her voice still soothing.

    I rolled my eyes. “Isn’t that what you said last time?” I mumbled, already feeling glum.

    “Don’t worry about what happened last time. For now, focus on the here and now, please.” She begged, her eyes pleading as they bored into mine.

    I gulped. “I will.” I said with conviction.

    “Good.” She said with relief. The next words she says, her tone back to the business tone that always makes her look like the ringleader of this group. “Remember, after we give the signal, you come down, tell him you love him, and all that. And maybe things will be back to a new way of normal.”

    My eyes bugged out, and my mouth gaped open in shock. I tried to make the words in my head form into a speech as to how the hell did she know that. After seeing my expression, she began laughing.

    “Amanda, the agency didn’t train us to read emotions for nothing. Besides, I can tell that you love him, so don’t even try to deny it.” She smiled at me as I groaned in exasperation.

    I sit down on the foot of her bed, trying my best to get as much air into my lungs as possible. “Is that why you and Garrett decided to find me?” I asked, staring at my clasped hands the whole time I spoke.

    “Yes.” She answered firmly. “I knew it from the time we had to make you incognito, but I thought that I was hallucinating from the sleep deprivation at the time. But today, at the mall, after I mentioned his name, your eyes were sparkling like it was fireworks on the fourth of July. It was the obvious sign that you still cared about him, because I saw that same sparkle when we had our girl’s night here. I saw the same thing with Cyrus when Garrett accidentally said your name. He tried to hide it, but I know what I saw.” She finished. I looked up at her and I see a sly smile on her face.

    “Really?” I mumbled, my voice holding on the hope I’ve longed suppressed throughout these last few months.

    “I’m serious. Have you ever doubted me during the entire time you were cooped up here?” she asked lightly.

    I shake my head, and turned my gaze back to my hands.

    “He’s here!” Garrett’s voice boomed through the hall, and it made Violet jump.

    “Okay, you know what to do Amanda?” she asked as she inched toward the door.

    “Yeah.” I said, the hope still in my voice.

    “We’re going to get him warmed up.” She said, her hand on the door. “Wish us luck.” She added after finally leaving the room.

    I take the opportunity to get more air into my lungs. After that, I began tiptoeing toward the door, and I opened it slightly ajar. I sat down by the door with my ear placed near the crack, and I could hear everything downstairs.

    “You asked me to come here?” I hear Cyrus’s voice, and I could feel my heart pumping really, really fast. I could also feel my breathing coming rapidly as a smile formed on my face. I shook my head, and decided to focus on the task at hand—waiting for Violet and Garrett to give the signal.

    Laughter sounded, and I could tell that it was coming from Garrett, because it sounded like it’s had too much bass. “Of course, this is a safe house.” More laughter sounded.

    “Very funny.” Cyrus said, his tone sounding sarcastic. “But seriously, why did you two ask me here?”

    “Please, sit down.” Violet said, and I wished that I could get a better look. But I stay put, and listen. After a moment, Violet spoke again, this time her tone sounded worried. “We’re worried about you.”

    “What are you talking about? I feel fine.” He said, full of bravado. Even I could tell that he sounds anything, but fine.

    It was quiet for a moment, but it wasn’t long when Garrett spoke. “Dude, we all know that you haven’t been yourself throughout the past couple of months, and we think we know why.”

    “It has nothing to do with her! How many times do I have to keep telling you this?” he shouted, and I couldn’t help but flinch at the sound of his voice. I couldn’t recall a time when he had to shout at anyone, even when I was around him I’ve never heard him shout.

    “Cyrus, you don’t even read your own face better than I do, and you and I both know that you miss her. Because the more you deny it, the more I know it’s true.” Violet snapped back, her tone also hinting the anger that sent chills up and down my spine.

    Then, it was quiet. For a moment, I considered stepping out, but just like I did before. I stayed put, and listened to the eerie silence that seemed to never end. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself, and prayed that someone would speak soon otherwise I’d probably go mad if someone doesn’t say something.

    I took the opportunity to open the fortune cookie I’ve left in my purse. After tearing off the wrapper quietly, I cracked the cookie open, pulled out the tiny slip of paper, and I was shocked by what the fortune said, “Today will bring you true happiness.”

    I smiled gleefully as I ate the cookie, and tucked the fortune into my pocket. And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is really too good to be true.

    “Cyrus, if you miss her, we’ll at least try to understand.” Violet said, her tone soothing, her voice loud enough to get me back into the game.

    It was quiet once again, and I fight the urge to make my move too soon. Again, forced myself to stay, and wait for the signal that may or may not come. “Maybe they forgot.” I mumbled to myself as I swipe a tear that unknowingly escaped from my tear duct.

    “If you won’t talk to us, then maybe you’ll talk to someone else.” I hear Garrett say, and I quickly realized that he had just said the signal.

    I stand up, and take several deep breaths before walking out of the room. I walked down the hall, and slowly made my way down the stairs. It didn’t take long for me to spot Cyrus, sitting on the sofa, still looking as gorgeous as ever with his olive skin, luscious dark, curly hair, tight and lean body that would’ve made me melt. I couldn’t stop my heart from beating a million miles an hour when his dark, brown eyes meet mine.

    “Amanda,” he murmured, almost in shock.

    “We’ll just leave you two alone.” Violet said as she and Garrett joined hands, and head towards the front door. Leaving Cyrus and me alone in the safe house.

    For a moment, I actually began to wonder if this—Violet’s plan she came up with on the way over here to get things back to normal,was a good idea.