Divisions

Part 3- Chapter 15

Natalia

The following evening.

"Where is this get-together again?" Rick asked, as we got ready to leave his room.

"Gia and Camilla's room." I said, checking how I looked in the mirror.

"You look so gorgeous, as always," he said, holding my waist.

"Are you still upset about the mission?" I asked.

"A little..." he began

I turned around again, about to apologize.

"No, no, it's okay." He said. "If my presence would have jeopardized the mission, I shouldn't be upset that you chose not to tell me, right? I am just so angry that Mr. Jeffries almost..."

"The situation was completely under our control," I said. "You'll understand everything when we explain the whole situation today,"

"You mean at the get-together?" he asked.

I scanned the room quickly, checking for any cameras, and nodded.

"Officially, it's an informal party," I began, and then lowered my voice. "But really, it's about explaining our information on the case so far. We have some sensitive Intel, and Gia and Camilla have already debugged their room so that's where our words are safest"

"So I'll finally know everything about the mission?" he asked.

I nodded. "I'm really, really sorry Rick..."

"No, it's alright," Ricardo said. "This must be tough for you too," he planted a small kiss on my forehead.

"We should go." he continued, and the both of us left the room.

"Hi Natalia. Ricardo..." Mark said, opening the door for us.

Already seated were Carmen, Gia, Camilla and Jarred, and on the table was a box of pizza, uneaten.

"Well," Jarred cleared his throat, looking at me as I closed the door behind me. "Now that everyone's here, Nat and I have some explaining to do,"

Rick shot me a look as Jarred rose to join me.

I stepped away from Jarred as Ricardo took Jarred's newly emptied seat, next to Carmen, who was avidly discussing something with Camilla.

"Okay, guys," Jarred said, getting their attention.

"We have a few bombshells to drop," I began, keeping eye contact with Jarred.

"Yeah, some really big ones," he said, looking at Mark and Ricardo.

I nodded.

We went into a detailed explanation about how Mr. Sheldon had faked his death and how we now needed to find out information about the NIF and IDA's intentions to frame us for the murder. Jarred then explained that he and Mark have spoken to Mr. Reed, of the IDA, and that they have been recruited to plant fake evidence to incriminate Ricardo and me.

 As he said this, Ricardo shot me a concerned look, but then Carmen whispered something in his ear, calming him down slightly.

I then explained how Gia, Camilla and I had managed to get a recorded confession from Mr. Jeffries of the NIF's plan to frame Mark and Jarred for the murder.

Once we were finished, I took a seat next on the other side of Camilla and Jarred sat next to Gia.

We all mulled over what was said in silence, until Mark bent over to take a slice of the pizza.

We all watched him.

"What?" he asked, defensive. "Just because we're involved in a high-staked double-crossing, life-saving mission doesn't mean the pizza has to get cold. I stress eat." He bit into his slice.