Phoenix

18. Covert Affairs

New York.

She inhaled the fresh air of the city as she alighted from the plane with the chaperones following behind her with her luggage. Despite the pain this city had put her through, it still felt good to be back in it.

There was truly no place like home.

She really did miss the life of the city especially the horns and screams from the streets which pervaded the air. The United Kingdom was indeed beautiful but its beauty was nothing in comparison with America. It was two distinct types of beauties.

They finally arrived at the cab stand and she signaled the chaperones to a halt. “Here” She smiled, handing a tip to one of them. “For all of you”

The chaperon lit up with a genuine smile. “Thanks ma’am” He said just before him and his compatriots disappeared back into the airport. The taxi-man was already loading her luggage into the car. She finally settled into the car and the journey began.

She shut her eyes once more to journey into safe haven, as the fresh air blew gently into the car due to her insistence of requesting for the cab-man to leave the windows open. Her phone suddenly rang on her laps and pulled her out of her trance.

Dad.

She frowned and picked up the phone. “Dad?”

“Sienna, how you doing?”

“I’m good. You know I’m not a baby anymore, I can arrive in the city all by myself without you calling to check up on me every minute”

“I’m sorry but there is something really urgent and I need you to come to HQ immediately”

A cold chill ran down her spine. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah sure, Of course. Would be expecting you”

And then the line hung up. She knew her dad was wrong, his voice sounded tensed and forward; meaning that there was something up. She hissed in frustration about nurturing the notion of being a tool in one of her dad’s wishes once more. About a decade ago, she had left the love of her life just to please him.

Jason.

She wondered how he was doing these days; she heard about his rapidly growing hospital, Omega and she was only proud and jealous that he was leading a different life from his family’s and also had the liberty to lead whatever life he actually wanted.

“You’re gonna make a U-turn at the closest juncture” She informed the driver of the latest development. As expected he protested.

The driver frowned and gave her a cursory glance. “That was not part of the plan, the new distance will cost-”

“I’d triple your payment”

That seemed to shut him up and make him follow orders. The rest of the journey was silent and she made no attempt to start any sort of conversation with the driver. But as she looked out of the window, something caught her eye.

Jason!

No it couldn’t be.

She sat up and peered deeper into the other car. There was no mistaken it.

It was Jason and a woman occupant at the other side of the car.

Hmph!

It was probably his new girl-friend or something but there was something familiar about the face also.

Stephanie.

Wow, the little girl she knew had really grown into a woman already. They really looked happy, laughing and jabbing at each other. Relief flooded her as she realized he had probably moved on.