Convergence

Chapter Nine

Allafair stood in a department store, frowning at his reflection. He stared into one of the small mirrors that sat on the sunglasses rack near the back of the store. Melline had slipped a pair of black glasses onto his nose and was nodding in approval. "Tall, dark, and menacing—it's a good look for you, Allafair," she remarked, suppressing laughter as she watched his frown become a scowl. To finish the new look, she placed a black hat on his head.

Allafair snatched the glasses from his face and the hat from his head. "What is the point of spending hours in a store, trying on clothes? Can't you just go in, pick something out, and leave?" he asked in frustration.

"It's fun!" Melline said, spinning in a black dress she had discovered on a clearance rack nearby. Allafair rolled his eyes and forced his gaze back to the mirror. He smiled. No sunglasses, nor a hat. His hair was combed, and he looked well-rested. His green eyes were filled with the determination he saw in every other BRIT agent's eyes.

"I just don't see the appeal," Allafair replied finally, turning back to Melline.

"Don't tell me you don't think this is fun," she said. She puffed out her lower lip as if to pout and Allafair sighed in exasperation.

"Fine then, I won't tell you," he answered. "I'll just think it."

It was Melline's turn to roll her eyes. "Come on, at least look at some coats," she whined.

"I don't need a coat. Don't you see the one I'm wearing?" Allafair replied.

"What about a shirt? Maybe a nice blue button-down..." Melline said, beginning to wander off toward's the men's department.

"Melline!" Allafair called out, his eyes darting in every direction as he searched the store for her. He spotted her by a rack of button-down shirts. "Melline, you have to stop running around like this!" he scolded her. He noticed she was still in the black dress, and she had let her hair down. She looked back at him and just that glance threw his heart into a rapid frenzy. He glanced around, trying to find a distraction of any kind.

"Oh, I like this color," Melline said, pulling a grey shirt from the rack. Allafair made the mistake of turning to see what she meant. Melline held the shirt up against his chest. "Yes, this will look great on you. Now please remove the coat so I can get a good look."

Allafair shook his head. "I am not here to buy anything."

"You are now," Melline insisted.

"Better listen to the young lady. She seems determined," came a familiar voice. Allafair smiled. He never thought he would be so happy to hear the voice of Penny Brighton.

"Penny!" Allafair said, turning from Melline.

"Penny?" Melline asked, peeking around Allafair's arm to see the old woman. Penny wore a bright pink top and grey skirt with a white scarf. Her hair was pulled back in a thick French braid that fell down her back.

"I don't believe I can say I know your beautiful friend either, Mr. Westley," Penny replied. Allafair's eyes grew a few sizes larger when he heard his alias. He and Melline shared a brief glance. She looked at him with a smile threatening to burst with laughter.

"This..." Allafair began.

"I'm Annette Young. Such a pleasure to meet you, Penny," Melline finished for him, reaching out and taking Penny's hands in her own. "Goodness, your hands! They are so cold! Don't you have a pair of gloves?" Allafair was both amazed by and unhappy with Melline's sudden change of character. It proved how easily she could fool and lie to someone. He just hoped that he knew the real Melline.