~3~
After I stormed out of the room I made my way over to one of the booths in the bar section. I didn't care if they followed me, at least they would see what I did for my job. I made my face expressionless as I walked to a specific table.
"Jacqueline! Mi bella figlia! Tu vuoi andare a la vacanza?" (Jacqueline! My beautiful girl! Do you want to go on vacation?) I smiled at Raoul.
"No. Non mi piace la vacanzi. Grazie. Milano fa bel tempo e bella figlio." (No. I do not prefer vacations. Thank you. Milan has good weather and beautiful boys.)
He laughed along with me. I daintily sat down next to him. I wasn't supposed to leave Milan until I got the information I needed.
Raoul apparently was the man in charge of many illegal, large, nuclear plantations. I had to get the code out of him- or find it- in order to shut them down. Apparently it's one word. One simple word, but if you put in the wrong one, Raoul will be alerted. And he will know who is behind it- me. Well, and the CIA, but he'll probably come after me.
So it's best to play the dumb, sexy, blonde roll that is really prejudiced. He snaked his arm around my waist as I chugged down more wine. He and his buddies -probably part of the operation- were playing poker, smoking, and drinking beer. You know, one of those cliché movie things.
Life can really suxx sometimes. Did I mention that already?
~3~
I knew they were watching. I'd catch a glance of them every once in a while. What hurt me the most was watching Zach walk by and look at how Raoul would touch me. Truthfully, I had never fully gotten over Zach. He was all I had thought about for a long time. I had truly missed him- but I had learned to block him out of my memory and focus on the mission.
"Io voglio addormento. Ciao. Chivediamo domaini, Raoul." (I want to sleep. Bye. I'll see you tomorrow Raoul.)
"Ciao bella!" (You should know this one…) I posed for pictures before walking out into the cool air, and I stood there momentarily, letting it all sink in.
I sighed loudly and checked my surroundings. Alright, three people across the street. Two guards by the main entrance, Zach exiting… wait what! Right behind Zach was Grant and the rest of their team. Zach strode out, carefree, even though I knew he was worried about his mission…or maybe me, and he looked like a better model than the ones I had just walked down the aisles with.
I pretended not to notice them and I pulled out my cell phone and called my driver. When in….Milan…do as the anorexic models do!
After he told me he would arrive shortly with my limousine, I snapped my cell phone closed and stuffed it into my purse I pulled down my hair and tossed my scrunchie into my purse along with it. The waves tumbled down to the small of my back. It felt good to let my blonde hair blow in the slight breeze produced by the oncoming hurricane.
I heard a sharp intake of breath and turned to see Zach walking towards me as Tina, Anna, Grant, and Solomon stood by the entrance, waiting.
"What do you want, Zach?" I said, crossing my arms, and not caring about the cover. I was to emotional right now; it probably had to do with the fact that I was PMSing, but whatever. Boys will be idiots…
He stopped about two feet away from me, shoved his hands in his pockets, and looked into my eyes.
"You tell me, Cammie. What have I wanted since the day I met you at the museum? What happened to the beautiful, smart chameleon from Gallagher? Sure, you're even more gorgeous now, but you're different."
"What? Are you also upset with how I do my job?" I retorted. He stepped closer to me.
"I'm sorry I never contacted you, but you know how it is. This is the life that we chose." He replied softly.
"Then tell me, how I managed to keep contact with my mother, Liz, Bex, and Macey. Oh lets not forget the couple of times I've "run into" Josh."
Two years after I had graduated I used my superior skills to seek out Josh, and we dated for a while again, but then I broke up with him. He couldn't keep up with my life- and I could never tell him I was a spy. It was too hard, and I couldn't put him in danger by telling him. That would be unfair.
Zach seemed to be upset with the thought of me talking to Josh. Or any male for that matter- besides Solomon, Grant, and Jonas.
"Look, I know. I was just…scared. I was never sure if you really like me. So I just kept in contact with Dr. Steve, Grant, and Jonas. That's it. I never stopped liking you, and it bothered me that a Gallagher Girl could occupy all parts of mind. So I did what I had to- I focused my life on my job. I did my best, in missions, and trying to stop thinking about you. By the time I actually tried to contact you, I couldn't find you. They don't- or didn't- call you the Chameleon for nothing." He smirked at the last part.
"Now, that's the Zach I know." I smiled.
"What?"
"The smirking part. That's how I remembered you. Your infamous smirk, and I-know-something-you-don't smile, and "spy" reply. And then there were the memories I had of you showing your soft side." I smirked when I said soft side.
"Only you have seen that side. But that's not the point. I really am sorry, Cammie. I know you have a mission to do, and you have your business, but really, is that the way to get it done?" He looked up sadly at me. I immediately regretted what I had to do. My limousine pulled up.
My eyes starting welling with stinging tears. "I'm sorry. But you have no idea what will happen if I don't do this. I sacrifice myself for my country- and the people I love. That includes you." I quickly pecked him on the lips. I opened the door, "Just so you know, I either do this or die." I slammed the door shut, and cried on the way to my apartment. I was usually so strong. My PMSing and Zach probably were messing with my emotions.
I collapsed on my couch and let sleep drift over me.
~3~
I woke up with a massive hangover.
"Ugh. Too much alcohol." I muttered as I stumbled off the couch, clutching my head.
"I'll say. I was wondering when you were going to wake up, Cammie." I didn't even open my eyes, I knew who it was.
"Wow, Tina. You're so sympathetic. Anna? Could you get me the aspirin? It's on the kitchen counter, since I tend to use it often." I heard Anna get up and Tina came to join me in the bathroom as I splashed my face with cold water.
"So, Cam, we've got major catching up to do." I could tell she was smiling- some people never change. Much, anyways.
"Let me change first, Tina." I walked into the master suite and changed into dark wash skinny jeans, a t-shirt from Delilah's, a silver necklace with a peace symbol hanging off of it, a couple of bracelets, a ring, and my gray All-Star converse with blue lining and shoelaces. I ran a brush through my hair, downed the aspirin Anna provided, and brushed my teeth.
They were seated on my couch, waiting intently. Tina was basically bouncing up and down, and Anna was waiting patiently, trying to calm Tina down. Some things never get old.
"So, tell me, about your looooove life, Camilicious!" Tina basically screamed. Obviously she was going to tell Grant or Zach something. No doubt they knew where these two were and would show up sooner or later.
"Please do not call me that Tina. Anyways, you know I sometimes have to sleep with guys to get info out of them; well my name is the Seductress. But other than that, I slept with Josh once, and we dated for a bit but then I broke it off after about six months." I shrugged it off like it was nothing.
Tina and Anna's mouths were open. "What?" I asked innocently.
"YOU WENT OUT WITH JOSH AGAIN!?" Tina screamed, jumping on her feet. Anna was too astounded to do anything.
"BASTA!" (Stop)I yelled, out of habit of speaking in Italian. They immediately regained their composure.
"It's just that- you remember what happened the first time, ya know. Back at Gallagher. And you slept with him? Niceeee." I raised my eyebrow at Tina.
"What about you Tina-talks-a lot?" I asked. She smiled at me.
"Oh just a couple of one night stands with other spies over the years. Anna here too." Anna smiled sheepishly at me. They were total opposites and yet I understood why they were best friends, I mean, look at Bex and I.
"Any spies I know?" I asked. "As in thee hawtest boys around, Blackthorne Booooyss!" I sang, and stopped when I realized that Zach and Grant were standing at the door, smiling. "What?" I asked innocently. "They are." Tina giggled. I just rolled my eyes and got up and grabbed a yogurt from my fridge. Then the phone rang.
"Ciao." I said as I slid the spoon out of my mouth.
"Ciao, bella. Siete che venite stasera sopra?" (Hello beautiful. Are you coming over tonight?)
"No, Raoul. Sono occupato. Spiacente. Lo vederò presto comunque." (No Raoul. I am busy. Sorry. I will see you soon though.)
"Approvazione. Chivediamo, Jacqueline. Ti amo. Ciao." (Ok, see you then Jacqueline. I love you. Bye.)
"Ciao Raoul. Chivediamo." (Bye Raoul. See you then.) I hung up, and sat on the counter. Silently pondering, eating my yogurt. I didn't remember there were other people in my apartment until Grant stole my yogurt and starting eating it.
"Don't you eat it Grant! I'm serious!" I said as he lifted the spoon to his mouth. "I will hurt you, and I'm not afraid to. You know it too." HE ATE MY YOGURT.
I screamed and he dropped the yogurt and spoon and they clattered loudly to the ground and I jumped onto his back. I wrapped my arms around his neck in a "friendly" attempt to suffocate him to death. He stumbled into the living room where Tina, Anna, and Zach were talking on my couch.
"AH! CRAZY CHICK ON ME! GET HER OFF!" He screamed hitting my back as I started punching his shoulder, neck, and head. We fell on the ground and starting wrestling. He stood up and I kicked his shins and he fell. I head locked him and then he flipped me over. He was hovering over me, with his arm around my neck.
"I win." He said simply. I smiled.
"Oh really?" then I kicked him in the place-where-the-sun-don't-shine. He went down clutching himself, groaning. "And that's how you do it." I said. I patted his head. "Would you like some ice?" I said sympathetically.
"Y…yes" he managed to say. By now Tina, Anna, and Zach were cracking up at their friend's pain.
I took some cubes out of the freezer, put them in a bag with a paper towel around them, and threw it at him. Even injured, he caught it easily. My cell phone rang in my room and I ran to pick it up.
"Hello?" I asked.
"CAMMIE!" A voice screamed on the other line.
"Hey, Liz. How's it going? Having fun saving the world from a lab with your hubby?" I asked, smiling.
The phone was on loudspeaker, and it was quiet outside so I was sure they were all listening.
"Oh, it's all good. I'm so happy I don't have to do fieldwork. Jonas told me you had a surprise visit from Solomon and some old friends last night. I also heard you got drunk again."
"Haha. Thanks for the support, Liz. Solomon is a pain in my butt, but he can be helpful. I actually saw, Tina, Anna, Grant, and Zach. They're actually in my apartment now somewhere, doing who knows what!" She laughed along with me.
"Really! Did Grant talk to Bex? She's been talking about him again." I heard someone yell yes, of course it was Grant, and I heard Zach trying to calm him down. "And tell me, how is our favorite Zach Goode doing? The last time we were all together I remember a certain someone kissing another certain someone…." She said suggestively.
I was silent for a moment. "Well, yeah, Grant talked to Bex, in fact I JUST HEARD SOMETHING BREAK!" I yelled more to Grant than Liz. He called "Sorry!" and Liz heard it and laughed.
"Oh, same old Grant. Now stop avoiding my question."
I sighed; of course everyone in the other room was straining their ears, trying to hear what I was going to say.
"What do you think Liz? By the way, they can all totally hear you and me talking. So, thanks for that." She giggled.
"Of course, Oopsie Daisies! Look, I got to get back to de-fusing nuclear bombs via computer so I'll call you later, sweetie."
"Alright, bye Hun. Remember to be safe!" I called back, laughing.
"Wait, you know I work in the lab." Liz said confused.
"Honey, you're married, and eventually you're alone with Jonas. That wasn't spy implied. CIAO!" I yelled and hung up as she started yelling at me.
"Well hopefully, she spends some time with Jonas outside that lab. She could spend all day in there!" I said, aloud.
The door to my room banged open and in walked Zach like he owned the place. He casually laid on my bed, next to where I was sitting.
"Alright, you can lay down then." I said sarcastically.
"Oh come on, you know you can't resist me." He said teasingly. "I heard so myself over the phone." He smirked.
"Well, you just heard me ask Liz what she thought." I retorted.
He started drawing patterns on my knee. Ah, it felt good. "Well, it was implied." He said softly. I bent down and softly kissed him. Then it became more heated. I laid next to him, and he was leaning over me. Kissing me. I hadn't kissed anyone like this for years- since Josh. And I'd rather Zach over Josh anyday! BELIEVE ME!
Suddenly, he got off of me and smirked. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." He said, straightening his shirt.
"I'm pretty sure I've waited long enough." I retorted. "7 years, 3 months, 21 days, 13 hours, 17 minutes, and 49 seconds." I reattached myself to his lips. It continued for about a minute, and then he pulled away again. I flopped down onto my bed with a sigh.
"No can do, Gallagher Girl. But I must say, you are quite the Seductress for sure." He winked at me. "I'll see you later. Chivediamo, bella!" (See you later, beautiful!) He yelled as he exited my room and I heard Grant saying,
"What happened? What happened? Tell me! Come on! Tell me, Zach! I hate being out of the loop!" He sounded like Tina, except five times worse in a weird male version… freaky. I heard a slap, judging by the almost hollow sound, someone slapped him upside the head.
"Stop bugging me, Grant. Why don't you go call Bex or Jonas or someone?"
"You are no fun at all, Zachy."
"Don't call me that."
"You boys are idiots." Tina said as she closed the door. Once it shut I closed me eyes. Hopefully I would see Zach again.
Although, unfortunately, I was meeting up with Raoul again. Ew.
~3~