THE ONE by Khamya Rafiq (Series 4)

Chapter 1.3

Khamya's POV

I woke up 1:00 AM and as much as I wanted to fall asleep again, I can't. I propped my left hand and looked at the man beside me who's sound asleep. I smiled. He's still handsome even if he's snoring. I gently run my fingers on his tousled hair then lean to kiss him in his temple.

"I love you." I whisphered after kissing him.

I lay my back on the sheet again, hoping that sleep might visit me again, yet after several minutes had passed, nothing happened. So I get off the bed then went to the kitchen and pour a chamomile tea on the cup. While drinking, my conversation with Sir Reid Alleje this afternoon flashed back on my mind.

3:15 PM, GENETIC RESEARCH CENTER

"Sir Reid!" I said in surprise and he nodded.
"Let's just talk in your office." He seriously said.
"Okay Sir."

When we were inside my office he immediately talk.

"About what you mentioned in your call, what's that important thing we need to discuss?" He said with all business look on his face.

I cleared my throat to ease my anxiety. "It's- it's about-"

"Just tell me straight Khamya and don't be afraid of me, I'm not gonna eat you alive."

(Even you say that Sir Reid, you look terrifying and I can't help myself for trembling) In my thoughts.

I cleared my throat again. "Sir, it's about this." I handed a paper to him. A letter of recruitment from a secret service of UN. He inspected the letter and read it carefully.

"So you're resigning?"

"No sir!" I immediately said.

"But they are hiring you, and I'm sure they will pay you with a large sum."

"Yes, they will Sir. But it's not the money that made me reconsider the offer because honestly, I declined at first."

"So what made you reconsider?"

"The project itself sir."

He put a finger on his chin then look at me with a serious expression. "And what project is that?"

"I'm afraid I don't have the liberty to disclose the exact project we'll be working on sir since it's under a secret service."

"That's a bull Khamya! I'll be losing the head scientist of my research center and here comes you can't even give me even a smallest detail about the reason why you'll be gone?"

I was frightened by the sudden raise of his voice. But after a minute I managed to compose myself.

"Like I said Sir, I won't be resigning. I told the directors of the program that if I join them, that's only until I finish my part in the project and besides, the assistant head scientist in this Research Center is also a reliable one and even if I'm gone, I'll monitor them and so as their works. So basically, it's like I'm still here in the club."I explained.

He was silent for a moment which made me so uneased. "Is this project really that important to you?"

"As a scientist myself sir, yes. It's a great opportunity to learn and contribute to the world."

"Well said Dr. Khamya, as expected from you. My cousin is lucky to have you." He said and finally he managed to give me a relax expression. "But I wonder, it's UN, so why you of all the scientist in the world? I'm not degrading you if that's what you think, because your credentials screams with excellence and I don't doubt that. It's just that..."

"Honestly, I'm not quite sure myself Sir but I guess it's because the project is so much related with my two theses. My thesis in my masters degree and the one I have in my doctorate."

"Hmnnn... If I remember correctly, it's the reason why there was an org that's too eager to hire you, the one who works with the Amazon rehabilitation, right?"

"Oh! That one. Yes sir."

"I see. But I thought you don't want to be involve in that kind of project anymore?"

I chuckled. Then immediately covered my mouth.

"Something funny Dr.Khamya?"

"N-nothing Sir. It's just that I realized you're trying to pry some information about the project I'll be working on."

He smug then get serious again. "Clever. And here comes I hoped you wouldn't notice what I'm doing. As expected from a great scientist."

I smiled. "Thank you sir. Well, to at least give you a credit for the effort, this project is different from that rehabilitation offer. I'm afraid that's all I could say sir, sorry."

"It's okay, I understand. So, did Beiron knew about this? You'll be gone for a while so I guess this would be an issue for him."

I exasperatedly sigh. "You guessed it right sir. But I think he'll understand."

"Well, good luck with that and with the project you'll be working on. You have my permission to go and I'm proud of you."

"Thank you Sir."

"Very well, I need to go. I still have a lot of meetings to attend to." He said then stand up. He's about to go when he suddenly look back again. "Another thing, if this project of yours becomes successful, if it's good for business, I'll take advantage of that and same thing with your reputation. I won't take no for an answer. Bye." And he's gone.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you expect from the business minded Reid."

****

I sipped my cup again and was surprised to realized that it's already empty. I massage my temple and decided to go back upstairs. After a minute or so, I carefully lie down on the bed so I wouldn't wake my husband. I covered myself with the comforter but Beiron suddenly stirred then locked me with his arms and kissed my hair.

"Where have you been?" He asked in a raspy voice.

"Just in the kitchen."

"Go to sleep and stop wandering at this time."

"Yes sir."

He tightened his embrace. "I love you and sweet dreams."

"I love you too."

And we went back to sleep.