Dalliance - Z.M. (An Exquisites Original Story)

48; When the Party's Over

Chapter 48

"Quiet when I'm comin' home and I'm on my own."

(Raine's POV)

The chilly air dances over my skin, loud rock music blasting in my ear despite the calm environment around me. In an effort to clear my head, I run my fourth lap around the building, watching as the sky turns a deep salmon color. Although I should be tired after just returning from a mission this morning, my mind seems to be on an adrenaline rush that I can't possibly control. If Zayn were here, I would be taking out my pent up frustration out on him, but unfortunately, Ana had called him.

Despite our valiant efforts to remain possessive towards one another, we knew the moment was short lived when Ana told Zayn to meet her somewhere. He tried to reassure me that nothing would happen, but I am not sure I needed to hear that from him. Both of us know what Ana is capable of doing, not to mention the fact that he has to convince her that he's single for this plan to work. So maybe, this run wasn't all about the fact that I assassinated a valued member of Apollo's ring this morning.

It strikes me as humorous that I am suddenly so desensitized to death that I am more concerned about Zayn and Ana than the blood on my hands.

Just as I turn to corner for my last round, my phone rings and pauses my music. Expecting it to be Zayn, I answer and continue running. "Hey."

"Hi," Apollo's voice says on the other line. I immediately stop running.

"Apollo," I say, suddenly out of breath as I lean against the brick wall beside me. "How are you?"

"Where are you?" He says instead of answering my question.

"On a run," I tell him, shutting my eyes as I let his familiar voice flood my ears. I haven't spoken to him in what seems like forever, I was starting to forget what he sounded like.

"You by your place?" He asks me.

"Yeah," I huff out, feeling heat rise to my face as my exhaustion finally catches up to me. "Why?"

My eyes immediately open at the sound of footsteps approaching me. I'm surprised to see Apollo walking towards me, a cigarette in his mouth, the phone pressed against his ear as he cracks a smirk at me. Immediately, I start feeling even more light-headed, drinking in the sight of him in black cargo pants and a sweatshirt. He eyes me shamelessly as well, and that is the moment when I realize how incomplete we left things. This is only going to stir up situations I can't possibly afford.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him as he walks over to me, leaning against the wall beside me. My eyes can't leave him, but he is already focused on lighting his cigarette.

"I came to check up on you," he tucks his lighter away in his pocket. "And also ask you to join me for an assignment tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, tonight," he repeats, looking at the sky above him. I feel too suffocated standing this close to him, I'm afraid all the lies I'm keeping are going to spill out of my mouth like the smoke from his cigarette.

"You haven't been doing anything for the past week and Ramone is asking questions," he explains, the cold not bothering him in the slightest. "I thought I would give you a break since the incident at the party, but I can't do much without you."

Swallowing hard, I look away from him and try to take a slight step away from him which he immediately takes note of. But he says nothing, playing his cards close to his chest as always.

"What's the mission?" I ask him, realizing I don't have much room to argue given the fact that my real boss is also asking me to convince my fake boss that I am very much devoted to him.