Anam Cara | Ian Kabra

[02]

Natalie's eyebrows were furrowed as she watched her brother sitting behind his study, reading through some files regarding business for the branch. She didn't know much about it, just that it had been bothering Ian for almost two weeks now and he wouldn't let her help no matter what. From some conversations she had overheard Ian talking on the phone, she knew it was something concerning his art business. She had pressed for answers a couple of times, but all he had told her was it concerned some legal proceedings she admitted she knew nothing about.

However, that didn't mean Natalie didn't know someone who knew all about it.

There was a smirk on her lips the whole morning as she sat on the armchair opposite Ian, but he didn't seem to have noticed it. He was so focused on the issues of the art business he didn't quite realise Natalie was scheming. He had hardly looked at her from the moment she had stepped in the room, if she actually were to be honest, but right now, she wasn't bothered. She knew she would have his attention soon enough anyway.

Natalie tapped her manicured nails she had decided to paint a lovely shade of white about a week ago on the arm of her armchair, dark eyes analysing every move of her brother. She briefly took in his attire. He was wearing a shirt he hadn't buttoned all the way up, and even though he was dressed in clothes most people would consider formal, she knew this was the least put together anyone that wasn't family would see him as. Her smirk widened as Ian ran both hands through his hair as he read something. The phone nearby rang and he answered, his eyes never leaving the files he was browsing through.

"Ian Kabra."

Natalie couldn't hear what the voice on the other side of the phone was saying - a man, if she were to guess by the deep voice - so she decided to watch her brother's expressions instead. Ian's eyebrows furrowed almost in distress.

"Jenkins, we've had this conversation many times already. You've been trained for this your whole life. How hard is it to complete a single mission without calling me twice a day to make sure your mission is a success?" Natalie's smirk widened as Ian took in a deep breath. "Look, you know what you need to do. Hack into the computer, delete all files regarding the Lucians and you can go home. You've done this before, Jenkins." Ian nodded to himself. "Let me know when you complete the mission."

The moment the phone call was over, he turned to Natalie. "Next time something that concerns you or me directly happens we'll do the job ourselves and be done with it. We're evidently the most capable agents in the branch. I've lost count of how many times Jenkins has called me ever since he took over the mission!"

Natalie shrugged. "I told you before, Ian, some incidents should be taken care of by those directly concerned. I did offer to take over the mission but-"

"I refused, I know," he took in a deep breath as if he was exhausted, which he probably was. He had been working without stopping for weeks now, his only breaks being in case he needed to sleep or eat. Natalie was worried about him. The only reason she was letting him do this was the knowledge the two of them would go on vacation next week. During these days, she would make sure he relaxed. Still, she wouldn't just sit by and watch him drown because of the paperwork.

"You're tired, Ian," she spoke as she leaned forward and reached for his hand, placing a hand over his. He looked up as she squeezed his hand before drawing back. "I did something to help you."

The suspicious look he sent her only brought her to smirk in return. "Natalie, what did you do?"

Her smirk widened. "Remember Elvira Stewart, Ian?"