Jake pov

I looked at the key, frozen. I didn't know what to think about it, my brain just stopped proceeding with what was happening. MC's key to her apartment. Even in my wildest dream, I never dare think about it. I was a hacker wanted by the government, a criminal. When did everything change? When did I get the chance to have this tiny hope to live with this gorgeous woman, or at least give a try to our upcoming relationship? Two weeks ago I was hiding from everyone and now I was about to become a free man, this was too good to be true. Could I dare to hold on to that hope?

It was a set of three keys - one for the building's door, one for the mailbox and one for the apartment - hanging from a pink and green scoubidou keychain. It was so old-fashioned... so cute.

I realized I was standing here for a while. I looked up at MC and saw embrasement in her eyes. She lowered her gaze and waved as if she was about to take the keys back. I abruptly raised my hand and took the keys. I felt my cheeks burn. Damn! I was blushing. I leaned over MC to peck her on the forehead and quickly left. It's not that I wanted to go away - even less leaving her on her own after what happened last night - but I felt so embarrassed. I haven't been in a relationship for more than four years. And back then, none of my ex girlfriends had shown such care for me, I just didn't know how to react to MC's behavior.

I walked down the stairs with the keys still in my hand. I could feel the cold metal on my skin slipping in my sweaty hands. I opened the building's door and stepped outside. There, I stopped in my tracks, opened my right hand and stared at the keys again. The morning sunshine reflected on it, dazzling me. I smiled, and put the keys in my pocket.

I walked on the street, it was a beautiful day. The sky was blue, the birds were singing, people seemed to smile at each other. I never noticed this place was so beautiful. I was focusing on dark alleys, motels and abandoned buildings. But this neighborhood looked so friendly. I felt the keys moving against my thigh and a smile appeared on my face. Soon, this neighborhood would be where I live, just a few blocks from MC's apartment.

As I got closer to Prescott's office, my smile started to fade from my face and the weight of the keys in my pocket seemed heavier. What if this was a trap? What if I had to run away again? What if I was arrested by the FBI? Of course I had already checked all the possible exits of the building but I was walking willingly to my enemies' location.

I tried to slow down my breath as I stopped in front of the building, weighing if I had to go in or just leave far away. I took a step back and spotted a narrow alley on my right. I could just run and be safe. I shook my head. No! I couldn't stand this life anymore, living in the shadows, cutting myself from the world... from MC. I knew what was at stake, I knew the risks. But it was my only chance, and I couldn't let this go.

I raised a shaking hand and pressed the intercom. I waited a few seconds before I heard an unfriendly woman's voice "Yes?!"

I cleared my throat, embarrassed.

"Hum... I have an appointment with Mrs Prescott, '' I mumbled. No one answered me, but I heard a click indicating the front door was opened. I entered the building, it was a clean, impersonal place.

"Second floor, the door on the right," I jumped when I heard the woman's voice. She didn't bother to look at me while she spoke, too absorbed in reading a magazine. I spotted the stairs on my left and went upstairs, as the woman said. Prescott's office was opened and she was sitting behind her desk, a man sat on a chair across the desk. I quietly knocked on the door and she looked up at me, smiling.

"Ah Jake, you're right in time," she said checking her watch, "please take a seat. I introduce you to Mr Pierce, the lawyer who worked with me to settle our deal." Prescott waved at the chair next to Pierce. I sat down waiting for Prescott to continue. "So, as agreed, you will be free soon. But you will need to stay in town until the end of Jasper and his partners' trial. Your testimony and the file you found will be used as evidence against them." she took a deep breath, "Do you have the file?"

I picked up my phone and quickly tapped on it. "I have just sent you the file." I could see her smile, satisfied. I took my precautions, though. If the FBI intended to use it against me it would be destroyed right away, and I still had a copy with me. But of course, Prescott didn't know this.

"Well, let's start to fill the papers then," she stated. For the next two hours, we filled all the papers. Pierce took the time to explain everything to me. I had my identity papers back and all the charges against me were erased. At the end, Prescott stood up and handed me a key, "We booked a hotel room to give you the time to find a new place to live. You're a free man now, Jake."

Before noon, I had settled myself in this big hotel room. I never had so much comfort for four years. The place even had a small kitchen and a balcony, for me it looked like real luxury. My old habits were still here, though. I put my computer on the desk and was monitoring the FBI activities around me, to be sure I was safe. Nothing seemed to be suspicious.

I went to the bathroom and realized there was a bathtub. I didn't remember the last time I had a bath. I sat in the bathtub, letting the hot water ease my sore muscles. I tried to relax but I checked my phone - which was connected to my computer - every two minutes. But there was nothing. After a while, I decided to put my phone away and I leaned against the cold porcelain of the tub closing my eyes. It felt weird, it was so quiet and I didn't need to be focused every second to ensure my safety, or MC's. I needed to get used to this, doing nothing. What was this feeling? I'm bored. I chuckled, it was a strange feeling, but it was quite pleasant, being bored. I liked this. My breath started to slow down and my back slipped slightly against the bathtub as I drifted to sleep.

I sat up, coughing and spitting the water out of my mouth. Fuck! I looked around me. I fell asleep in the bath, the water was cold now. I got out of the bath and wrapped a warm towel around my waist. I picked up my phone, widening my eyes. I slept for two hours, two hours! I dressed with a black t-shirt and sweatpants, and sat in front of my computer. After checking one last time if there were no suspicious activities in the area I looked for a restaurant for my date with MC. I found a Chinese restaurant by a river, it seemed pretty romantic and it had good advice.

I started to be more and more anxious about this date. What was I supposed to do? Should I hold her hand while we walk? Should I pay for the bill or share it with her? Should I drive her back home? kiss her? Was it too soon? I sighed, it was far more stressful to put the woman of my life on a first real date than to hide from the government.

I dialed a number on my phone, I needed to talk to the person that could help me, someone I trusted with my life and who wouldn't judge me. I didn't know if this person would answer, this is why I was surprised when I heard an excited voice, "Jake? Jake is it you?! Is it really you?"

I smiled to the sound of this voice. I missed her a lot, "Hannah... It is really me. I was not sure that you could answer the phone. How are you holding up?"

"It's better, far better. My psychiatrist said I'm making good progress. I was allowed to use my phone again since last week. Lilly and Thomas come to see me everyday. She told me Jake..." her voice cracked a little, "she told me who you are. Why didn't you tell me back then?"

I sighed, rubbing my left hand over my face, "I didn't want to break your family."

"But, Jake! You're my family!" she stopped for a while and I heard she was struggling to find her words, "Well, we'll have to meet. Lilly, you and I. We need to hang out together!"

"Yes I promise, we will do that soon." I was smiling, hearing Hannah cheered me up.

"Jake, isn't it too dangerous to talk to me on the phone like this?" she asked, concerned.

"No it is not. Not anymore."

"What do you mean?"

So I told her, I told her everything and I felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders. She seemed so happy, it warmed my heart. "So, tonight's a big night huh? What's your plan? You're not too nervous?" she asked.

"Actually, I am. I am worried that MC does not like the date." I mumbled.

"Why wouldn't she? Look, I don't know her but I heard a lot about her and about what she did for us. I'm sure she loves you very much. She wouldn't have done all of this if she didn't. So calm down, Jake. She seems to be a wonderful person." I could hear Hannah smile through the phone.

"Yes, she is. She really is amazing." my heart was beating faster.

"So you have nothing to worry about," Hannah stated.

After a while we hung up and I layed on the bed, watching TV. Around 6pm I started to prepare myself for the date. I squeezed MC's keys in my hand and walked to her apartment. I opened the building's door with the set of spare keys she gave me and walked up the stairs. Once I arrived, I took a deep breath and knocked on her door.

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Thank you for reading and for the support. ❤️