THE SOUR ORANGE

Part 5 A leaf on the wind

A/N: Videos and pictures credits goes to the owners.  Remember, this is my first attempt to write an AU, this is my guinea pig, so hope you enjoy it, thanks for reading.

It is 8: 10 AM, Gulf took a long breath, he was getting ready to enter the war zone, he decided that it was now or never, he rang the bell twice with nervous hands. He waited for Mew to open the door when Mew opens the door, Gulf steps back instinctively, Mew was wearing sporty clothes.

Mew: "Ringing the bell once is enough, is a big house, and it takes time to get here."

Gulf: "Then why live by yourself in this big house? I know you like it this way, strange, but I respect it".

Mew: "Come, I will show you the room where you will stay." While they step in, Gulf admires the house; it looks cozy and welcoming, which surprised Gulf. They walk a long hall and then some steps to go to the second floor. The room Gulf will be staying is the one close to Mew's room.

Mew: "You will be staying here, you are free to walk around and see the rest of the house, just don't go to my room that is next to this one. The fact that you are staying here does not mean we are friends. I will help you improve your training skills by keeping you away from distractions and giving you advice. We need this mission to be successful, but please do not believe that I am one of your (friends/allies). The cleaning lady comes on Thursdays and Sundays. She knows about you, so don't be surprised to see her. Usually, around this time, I am not here, I go for a run around the neighborhood.".

After saying this, Mew stormed out of the room, leaving Gulf there. Gulf placed his two suitcases down on the floor. After organizing all his clothes, he explores the whole house. He was surprised by the big library, the beautiful garden in the back of the house, and what really calls his attention, was the big pool adjacent to the house. He did not know how long had passed, but he turned around when he saw Mew entering the room.

Mew: "I see you are feeling comfortable here, go get ready, we have to go back to the office now. I will take a shower, so meet me in 30 mins". Mew said this by rubbing his left eye like something was bothering him.

Gulf: "Alright, I wait for you. Are you alright?" Mew responded by shaking his head while he was turning around to go to his room and get ready.

Today is a special day for Gulf, the time has come for him to complete his last test to be awarded the title "junior agent." The test is for him to disassemble a bomb remotely. Back at the agency, everyone is excited, because one of the hardest tasks to be completed by a trained person is about to happen today. Everyone gathers around to see the event unfold as Gulf gets ready.

Miles:" Okay, Gulf, this is the phone you will be using, it looks like yours, only this one is green so you can feel comfortable while using it. When you enter the code on the phone, you will have 10 minutes to disable the bomb, if you think you cannot do it, place the phone in this protective case and it will disable it by itself.

Gulf: How do I know what to do?

Miles: "You enter the code, and it will guide you, it is like a video game. Remember that you will need to start practicing for the upcoming mission, and you need to be ready for everything and anything. Ah, even without the code, if the phone is far away from the protective case, which is the source of communication, it will turn on automatically and start the countdown".

Mr. Brass: "Alright, Gulf, whenever you ready, for this task, you can start any time you want; just let us know when you are ready so we can time you, alright son?"

Gulf: "Yes, uncle James, oh my apologies, Mr. Brass."

Gulf was feeling nervous, one thing is playing video games for fun, and another is to 'play' a video game to detonate a bomb. After a while, Gulf decided to step out for fresh air and let everyone know that as soon as he returns, he will start the test.

Mew was the last one to join the group because his eyes were still irritating him since the morning. So, he approaches Miles to let him know about it, Miles was doing something with a robot cat, and Mew did not ask about it. Miles instructed Mew to remove his special lenses for a moment to get a better look at them.

Everyone else was chit chatting waiting for Gulf to be ready. They were used to this kind of event; it takes time to do something like this. Mew came back from Miles' office and joined the rest of the agents. Mew looked around and noticed that Gulf was not around, Heather explains that Gulf went to get fresh air. Mew found Gulf's phone on a chair and decided to put Gulf's phone inside the car to keep him away from distractions before the test. After a few minutes outside, Gulf agreed that he was ready to start the test. Halfway there, he stops and walks to Mr. Brass and lets him know that he changes his mind and needs another break. Mr. Brass agreed, and Gulf decided to play a video game to relax.

Gulf: "Where did I put my phone; I am sure I left it here a few minutes ago." Gulf said this while he was looking around the chair where he was seating a few minutes ago. Gulf traced his steps, thinking he dropped it outside; he walked toward the exit when he heard a beeping sound coming from Mew's sports car. He decided to look and realized that he was in trouble because that was not his phone on the car seat; when he tried to get it back and place it inside the protective case, it was too late. He yelled as loud as he could for everyone to take cover. Everyone scattered around the place like cockroaches after someone turned on the lights.... BOOM!!!

                                                        *** Back to the present (clinic)***

Gulf was still waiting for Mew to come into the room when he heard the squeak of the door. He turns his head around, even though he knew who it was. Mew entered the room with an expression that Gulf could not read.

Mew sat next to him, observing how Gulf's chest move up and down in a fast way. Mew lowers his head and scratches the left side of his nose with his bend index finger like he always does when he is nervous. This time like many others, Gulf had noticed it and found it funny.

Gulf: "You came to scream at me for destroying your car? I didn't mean to do it; it was an accident. I really don't know what happened".

Mew: "No Gulf, it was not an accident at all. Accidents don't exist, only carelessness, my carelessness".

Gulf was baffled with what was coming out of Mew's mouth. He fixes himself better on the bed as if that could help him understand what was going on.

Mew: "I guess you may be wondering why I hadn't come before, well, I was doing an investigation about the accident and it was all my fault. I was the one who blew my own car. I was stupid enough to remove my lenses for just a few minutes to give my eyes a break. Look at what happened, I mistakenly took the green phone thinking it was your blue one. I found it funny that Miles would create a similar phone like yours; now, my issue is with Miles".

Gulf: "S.A Mew, I am sorry that you feel this way, but it was an accident."

Mew: "Well, I just came to tell you this. I am leaving now; I have other things in my head right now. I hope you feel better, sorry about the punch".

Gulf: "Nah, it was nothing; I hardly felt it." He said this while holding his cheeks and smiling. While looking at Mew, walk away.