Serene

24

Greg pants as Amber studies him from a few feet away.

"So, no harm done?" Amber asks, walking slowly towards him.

Greg stays in his crouched position, head down, eyes on the floor.

"None, ma'am."

She stops a foot away. "Stand."

He stands and faces his boss.

"Where is she?"

Her eyes calculate. She knows where he went.

"At home." He replies, his voice neutral, trying not to give in to emotion.

"And how was she?"

Amber's voice betrays her hidden agenda. She's starting to lose her care for her eldest daughter. She doesn't care for her daughters.

"Pale. She was shot."

"Mm. And did you talk?"

She walks back to the couch and sits beside her sleeping husband.

"No, ma'am. Nothing of interest."

She shakes her head, a mocking smile on her lips.

"Oh, Greg. I know you've had a thing for my daughter so please do not lie to me." Her eyes narrow. "What did you talk about?"

Greg sighs. "I asked her how she was and where her sister could be. I wanted to find Sofia to make all of you happy."

His heart beat quickens as he tries to change the words around. He knows he can't give away that he saw Sofia's friends.

Amber nods. "Okay. And what did she say?"

"Nothing. She doesn't know."

Amber's eyes could be aflame if eyes could actually be on fire.

"She lied."

Greg stares at her. It was pretty obvious that Madeline took her sister during the shooting but-

"Go back. Or find a way to force the truth out of her."

Greg gulps. "Yes ma'am."

***
Madeline sits across from her sister on the plane.

She takes in the girl in front of her and realizes that Sofia bears a strong resemblance to their mother. Though hinted with Spanish blood generations back, Sofia's tan skin and blond hair, sharp green eyes and curvy features remind her of their mother's.

"You okay?" Sofia asks, caring eyes studying her sister.

"Yes, Sofia. I am." Madeline musters a smile. "But I think I should tell you my real name."

Sofia's eyes widen and her jaw drops. Madeline laughs.

"I know you have so many names to memorize, being in the middle of spies and famous people. But my name, Madeline Hawk is a stage name as is your Serene. And as for you, the public only found out your real name when we were at Corona Hotel and it was announced." She pauses. "My real name is Madelina Renali Belle. Not that far off but I thought you should know."

Sofia's calmer now and nods slowly. "Wow. This world is more confusing than I thought."

Madeline laughs.

"So do we still call you Madeline?" Gabby asks from beside Sofia.

Madeline nods. "Easier that way."

Cal's voice echoes through the plane.

"We'll reach Miguel's house in ten minutes. Please fasten your seat belts and- behave kids."

In ten minutes, the crew's on the ground and they give out a prayer of thanks to God for the safe trip. Miguel and Carlos rush out to greet them with relieved smiles.

Cassy helps Doctor Herce bring his lab materials to a room set up for him.

"So glad you're all back." Miguel says, eyes trained on Gabby.

Madeline and Sofia share a smile.

Madeline glanced at Odeo and sees a similar look in his eyes.

She walks over to him.

"Odeo, I know how much you care for my sister. And I know you have a conflict on what you should do. So I advise you to restart. Show her why you love her, why you always have. Because even if her brain can't remember, maybe her heart will." Madeline allows Odeo's surprise to pass before she says her next message. "But just know that if she gets hurt, you answer to me."

Odeo gulps and nods.

"Good. Now let's go inside."

***
I sit alone once again as everyone else plays marco polo in the pool.

I watch them with amusement, laughing at the antics played.

"May I join you?"

I nod gladly as Cal sits beside me, our feet in the water.

"Why aren't you joining them?" He asks, his accent quite clear.

"I don't really feel like it." I answer.

We watch the rest play, Cassy included.

"Well, I hope you feel like it soon because it'll be a long while before you get days like this again. I'm sure you know that."

He looks at me with raised eyebrows and I smile.

"I know, Cal. Thank you. And Cal?"

He waits for me to continue.

"Are you going home?"

He gives me a sad smile. Not something you'd usually get from him. Cal may not be the most talkative but he sure has a fatherly aura and is a really amazing guy. He smiles a lot and is definitely skilled.

I'm going to miss him.

"I'll see you soon, Sofia. You have unfinished business." He says, putting an arm around me and giving me a little squeeze. "I'll be on the lookout from down under. Don't you worry. Now, why don't we have some fun?"

He helps me into the water and we join the next game of marco polo. Sadly, I'm the one to close my eyes and search for the others.

We spend the rest of the day resting and talking with Cal. He leaves early the next morning and we get quieter as we think of the next tasks ahead of us.

"We have to go to the Government." Val says.

Gabby stays silent, still adjusting to the fact that the Government did not train them and make them go through what they did.

"And how do we find them?" Odeo asks. "They don't have a visible office and no ones knows who works for the Government."

Val smiles. "There's a clue. To find one in the Government. Lucky for us, or rather, God has blessed us, because we don't need to follow the clue. I already know the answer and the person who could lead us to a Government official."

Our shoulders relax and the grateful smiles are all on our faces.

"So where do we go?" Madeline asks.

"Frill."