It had been a week since Luka let his boss know where he stood.  There was no way he would dump his fiance.  He thought about Marinette's suggestion to find a new job. 

        He had been a spy since age twelve.  He knew it would not be easy to find a new career, especially when his employer would not let him quit. 

      Marinette was dismayed at the results of Luka's talk with his boss.  

      "Luka, I feel like I compete with your work."

     "Babe, do not be silly."

        Marinette took the ring off and threw it at him. She had to go. She could not look back. It was not her fault his boss was a horrible man. She had to let him know where she stood. She ran.

       Luka called her name as he tried to chase her. He gave up when he realized she ran faster than him and he had no idea where she went. He sighed. Great, just great, he thought.

       He went back to his place in tears.

      A few days passed and Luka was on the job again. He could not get what happened out of his mind. Chelsea and he were working together again despite all their protests. It was not right. This job took things too far. He was not sure what to do about it. Chelsea seemed uncertain as well.

      "Well, here we are."

      "Yes, here we are."

       "Ladies first."

       "Thanks, you are such a gentleman," Chelsea teased him.

         Once inside the place, Luka shut the door. He checked to make sure it was locked.

            Chelsea closed the curtains. She did not like this any more than he did.

                Luka went into the bedroom in the house they had to stay in for two weeks. He shook his head. One bed as usual. Why?  Did his boss try to set them up?  It was almost like his boss wanted him to be with Chelsea for real.  

               He got ready for the night and climbed under the sheets. The evening's temperature was not that great and the heater did not appear to be working.

              Chelsea climbed into the bed and laid beside him. She did not say a word. What was there to say anyway?  She fell asleep despite the chill that came over her. 

           Right at   Midnight, Chelsea woke up. She felt something was off. She turned on the light and screamed.  Luka was not breathing. What was she to do?  No one told her what to do if this happened.

        She reached over and rolled him over on his back. She pulled the blankets off. She climbed on top of him and started to make compressions on his chest. She halfway remembered the CPR instructions she had taken years ago. She was scared. 

         Luka still did not breathe.  Chelsea placed her lips over his and began to give him short breaths. She went back and forth between the compressions and mouth-to-mouth. She could not let him die. 

           Suddenly, his heart started again and he hugged her.

             "Thanks, for saving my life."

               "Nah, forget it. It was nothing."

                Luka reached up and tucked a stray hair away from her face. He had not noticed until then she was rather pretty. He shook his head. He was an engaged man. Wait, no he used to be. Marinette had dumped him. He did not say a word. He got caught up in the moment and kissed Chelsea. First, it was on the cheek. Then, he felt her press her lips into his. He knew it was wrong but he kissed her back. It was nice to have someone appreciate him for once.

                 After the kiss, he heard her sob. Uh, oh!  He had gone and ruined things between his coworker and himself hadn't he? He felt so bad.

                 "Chelsea, I am sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. I'm happy you saved my life. Besides, you are  lovely, and well, I was feeling down cause Marinette gave the ring back."

                 "Luka, I am sorry too. I shouldn't have kissed you either, but I was so worried. I am glad you are alive."

                  Chelsea waited until he went back to sleep to turn the light off. She felt too cold to rest anymore. Luka wrapped his arms around her and she felt warm. She knew it was not right but she wished he could be hers. She always did like him. She went to sleep and dreamt that she was Luka's girl.

              The next day, Marinette saw on the news Chelsea and Luka were on a job together. How dare he?  She fumed. Then, it dawned on her she had dumped him. "Oh, I am not his anymore."

              She felt the tears fall at the realization.

        Perhaps, he had moved on already.

           Luka and Chelsea completed the mission. Then, Luka walked Chelsea home. She invited him inside. "I better not. I am sorry. I am not ready to move on and to be honest, I am not sure I ever will be."

               Chelsea went to her bathroom and got ready for bed. Then, she went to the door again. To her surprise, Luka had not left yet. "You sure you will not stay the night?"

              "Look, we are not boyfriend or girlfriend, we are not married, we aren't even lovers. We are only co-workers and I am not sure we can ever be more than that so please, close the door and go to bed."

            Chelsea pouted as she slammed the door. She was disappointed. She had no idea why she thought they could ever be more since he still loved Marinette.       

                the story continues in Chapter 5  Trying to Win My Girl Back, Isn't Easy

                until then,

        bye-bye, little owlets!

               Summer out!