“No, no. I don’t want to make your abduction or your near-death situation sound as small as that but it was only meant to pose as a distraction,” Cooky tried to explain to me.

“That bitch tried to kill me and you call that distraction?” I confirmed with pursed lips and crossed arms.

We were sitting in the office, two days after my freedom from the devil’s grasp. I spent most of my time sleeping and eating, both things that I missed dearly. Dad returned back home because of the work that was mounting due to him leaving suddenly, because of me.

He did not forget to appoint Castiel as the watchman in his stead to make sure any other similar mishaps do not happen again. So now, I got dragged by his side to the office, not that I would complain. Of being at the office, that is.

But what I found annoying was the discussion which again returned to Cooky’s argument. Violetta wanted to explode me as a distraction, it seemed. But Raphael told me to be grateful that I escaped without actually exploding to bits. I heard about the building that eventually crumbled down because there was not enough time to search each bomb she hid around.

Most of the people were successfully evacuated though some sustained injuries. Angelia was at the hospital for a night because she got a minor hit on the head. And some other people that were held captive at Violetta’s place were still in the hospital because most of them were overdosed because of her.

“So...what was exactly her plan again?” I asked, my face resting on my hands as I stared at Cooky for an explanation.

“You know that Violetta had actually been testing new drugs at that building right?” Raphael asked.

“No.”

“Uhm, okay. Well, she had been doing that. And most of the already tested ones were being sent in large amounts at the harbour. We got to know that from one of the workers arrested. And Violetta had the habit of frequently changing places to not attract attention. Her best plan seemed to be to destroy the building and run away, not caring if anyone got killed along the way,” Raphael elaborated.

“But we put our nose in her business, which is our business too. And that was preventing her from shipping her drugs away. So she must have thought that if we get focused on saving you and the others as well, she should slip away without any intervention,” Shooky ended.

“There is usually that moment where we go ‘but that’s where she thought wrong’ after that,” I looked at them encouragingly.

They all looked at each other and gazed at me weirdly. I slumped back in my seat as I understood.

“She hasn’t been seen at any port yet and her workers claim she may have fled among the shipments of drugs, wherever they were destined to. This could mean leaving the country. As for that Doctor, we still cannot find out his real identity. We’re still searching,” Castiel added.

“Alessio?” I asked.

“Got him,” Raphael chuckled. “He felt quite enraged at his beloved sister’s betrayal and the fact that he was mistaken as just one among her workers. Must already be planning his escape and revenge.”

The discussion continued some more until Castiel checked the time and told me to get going. I almost forgot that I was supposed to catch the night flight back home.

“Have a nice flight, both of you,” Raphael winked at us.

“What does he mean, both of us?” I asked Castiel as he directed me out.

“I’m returning too, if you didn’t know.”

“Why so early?”

“We’ll all be returning anyway. So who cares when. And what if you get abducted at the airport here or when you get off the plane back in London? People love targeting you nowadays,” Castiel replied sarcastically.

“Don’t act like this is your main concern. I am sure a lot of report writings are waiting for you back home. How fun!”

“Same goes for you,” he dryly retorted back.

“You’re in for a surprise then.”

☆☆☆

“You spent so much time in Italy and you buy me chocolate from London’s airport when you return? Seriously?” Eliyah eyed the chocolates in a judgemental way but grabbed them all when I tried taking them back.

“Same thing. It’s all about the intention.”

“Yes, but these chocolates haven’t breathed Italy’s air. That makes a vast difference.”

“I breathed Italy’s air. Want me?” I asked, from my desk.

“I already got you,” she winked at me and I laughed.

“That’s the gift you will be giving Attorney Kim?” she chuckled at the envelope in my hands.

“Definitely, which makes me remember that I have to go straight to him now,” I said, standing up.

“I know I’m telling you this for the millionth time but let’s have a sleepover for real. You always seemed to slip away. This time, if you disappear, I don’t care who I have to chase behind but I will drag you back at my apartment and keep you hostage myself,” Eliyah promised with a firm smile.

“Gladly,” I replied, walking away, towards the elevator.

I got off the fifth floor and headed to Attorney Kim’s office. I knocked on his door before entering with a greeting grin.

“Looong time, Boss,” I said.

“Who are you, again?” he replied, rolling his eyes.

“Missed me that much?” I asked, taking a seat.

“You know the amount of work you left behind and how much have accumulated?” he asked, his eyes glinting over his glasses.

“Is there really?” I laughed as I slipped him the letter in my hand.

He reached for the letter and opened it, silently reading it. He nodded in the end, putting it back in the envelope and into his drawer.

“Good. We won’t need to fire your replacement then,” he mused.

I gasped with fake indignation.

“How good is she?” I demanded.

“He is quite good.”

“You never said that for me,” I mumbled to myself, standing up. “But, one day I will return. And I will be stronger!”

“Close the door when you step out,” Attorney Kim replied.

I gazed at him with an intense look.

“And good luck with whatever it is that you are planning,” he said finally. I nodded with satisfaction and walked out.

☆☆☆

I got out of Castiel’s car as he finished parking it in the parking lot at the IOF headquarters. Everyone finally returned from Italy after a week and I thought of seeing them at the office. To pry for information, of course.

“Why are you bringing your bag as well?” Castiel asked as we marched to the meeting room.

“I want to,” I said, shrugging.

Castiel surveyed me suspiciously.

“Are you curious?” I smiled, patting my bag.

“Not at all,” Castiel rolled his eyes, focussing ahead.

We soon entered the meeting room where everyone was seated and chatting.

“Heeeey, amico!” I waved around.

Raphael waved back as enthusiastically. He even dragged a seat beside him for me.

“How’s life been without me for a week?” He asked with a grin.

“Just like it’s been for twenty four years before your arrival in my life,” I chuckled.

“I empathise greatly. How did you even manage to live twenty four years without me?” he asked with wonder.

“Trust me. She managed perfectly fine. She’s already worst living with herself.”

Raphael and I glared at the intruder whose seat had to unfortunately be beside me. Castiel shrugged and returned our glares with a smile.

“How cute,” Raphael exclaimed, reaching his hand over me and towards Castiel, pinching his cheek. I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop the laugh that threatened to slip away.

“Hey, don’t fight. I’m in the middle!” I tried to remind the two men as hands started being thrown in front of me.

I sighed and looked at Cooky who stared at the two men, from across the table, in amusement.

“Psst, Cooky! Any sign of Violetta yet?”

“I am Lucio, Haelyn. Drop the nickname already. And no. She must have gone on a temporary hiding. I fear we won’t hear of her soon. But I got something. Wait.”

He got up and grabbed a laptop. Sitting down again, he searched for something and turned the laptop towards me.

“That’s the doctor!” I exclaimed, mouth agape. “You found his identity?”

“Hans Wilhelm. German. 55 years old. He was kicked out of the country for past illegal research he did as scientist. He used to sell data acquired from those researches. Seems like he never stopped even after leaving,” Cooky shrugged, taking the laptop back.

I nodded in amazement. I scrunched up my nose in disgust as I thought about how he was twice the age of Violetta. Each to their taste.

Mr Ford entered the meeting room soon after, silencing everyone's talks.

“We need to go over what is to be revealed to the media. Usually we reveal only as much as they discovered but this time, the bombing received much public attention and even arrived on front page on many Italian articles. The name Verdino spread like fire around. Everyone is wondering if the Verdinos have appeared again,” he explained.

The discussion continued for a while as everyone put their input on what needed to be included or taken out. Shooky got the responsibility of writing the report and submitting it to the media.

After their meeting ended, I waited for everybody to start going out. I took out the papers from my bag and handed them to Mr Ford.

“I’ll get in touch with you soon,” he smiled and I nodded.

I turned around, leaving the room to find Castiel waiting for me besides the door.

“You can ask,” I said, muffling my laughter.

“What makes you think I want to ask something?” he scoffed.

“You don’t? Okay,” I smiled in return.

We walked to the car and as I got in, I heard the door at the back opening and someone else getting in. I turned back thinking it was Raphael and let out a gasp.

“Embry!” I exclaimed, looking at the younger version of Castiel.

“Were you waiting around here?” Castiel grunted, fastening his seatbelt.

I ignored him and turned to his brother. “When did you come here?”  

“I’m here with my girlfriend,” he grinned at me and turned to Castiel. “Cas, drop me at the library near Stallion Street.”

“Are you in your second year of university right now?” I asked, as Embry leaned forward between Castiel’s and my seat.

“I am in the middle of holidays right now. Second year will start soon. Oh, and I didn’t expect to see you with him, you know?” he asked, with gleaming eyes.

“Anything’s possible,” I shrugged, chuckling.

“Really? Did you finally gather your guts and profess?” Embry turned to Castiel, asking with excitement.

“Embry...you’re not letting the man drive,” I chuckled as I saw Castiel sitting stiff in his seat, with pursed lips and his hands grasping the steering wheel tightly.

“And by the way, I learnt about the love letter prank you pulled on him by using-”

The car screeched and came to a halt.

“Get out. We’ve arrived,” Castiel breathed out as he loosened up his tie.

I looked out and saw that we were in front of the library. I let out a breath of disappointment and turned to Embry.

“Let’s meet up later,” I smiled as he grinned and nodded, throwing a wink at Castiel.

Embry got out, making his way towards a girl. That must have been his girlfriend. Castiel started the car again, grumbling under his breath about how I have too much free time.

“I’ve quit my job, remember?” I reminded him with an annoying grin.

“Start searching for another job…,” he trailed off in thoughts. I looked at him questioningly.

“What was the papers that you gave Mr Ford?” he finally asked when we stopped at the red light.

“Finally, you asked. I filled in the papers for the training programme,” I grinned at him.

“You plan to join…,” he drawled off and I shook my head.

“I am only joining the training programme, by Dad’s encouragement. And if I can, I’ll do the six months internship. Then, I’ll see what I can do,” I explained.

“Ain’t it starting soon?”

“Yes, next week. I’m leaving for Manchester in a few days,” I grimaced at the thought of leaving yet again.

The conversation lapsed into silence for a while before I spoke again.

“By the way...I owe you a lot, it seems,” I started, glancing at Castiel.

“You sure as hell do,” he mumbled with a smirk.

“How do I repay your idiot ass then?” I smiled in turn.

“Hmm, many ways…,” he mused.

“You’re giving me weird imaginations,” I shuddered.

“If you want those im-”

“No, I don’t. And where are you even driving to? We’ve passed by your apartment like five minutes ago.”

“Up to you. You have free time all day right?” he asked nonchalantly.

I smiled, thinking about it. I turned to him, beaming.

“I’ll buy you lunch! One step towards repaying my debt. I need to do that soon since I’ll be gone for months soon. What say?”

“Definitely works for me. But I’ll be glad to make it a lifetime worth of debt for you. I saved your life after all.”

And as we moved through the traffic, our back and forth banter made me temporarily forget what was awaiting me next week.

A new destination. Paved by my own ambitions. With new adventures. But please, no more abductions. I had enough memories and debts to last a lifetime.