Utterly dark but for the several coloured lights revolving slowly around the expansive hall, she felt aptly hidden in the shadowy setting, face buried in the shoulder her partner. A warm hand held the middle of her bare back, while a navy blue dress hugged her shoulders. Another arm was enclosed tightly around her waist, almost carrying her effortlessly.
Bass drums pounded around them, vibrating the pristine wooden floorboards beneath them. Augmented, low-pitched piano chords were steadily ringing out, reverberating gracefully around the room.
She inhaled his scent deeply again, dangerously addicted to the intoxicating cologne mixed with his natural essence.
They were swaying lightly to the passive rhythm of the music, feet moving independently, hips in slightly imperfect synchronisation.
Her own arms were clung around his neck, hands smoothing out the creases on his white dress shirt. He had ditched his suit earlier and rolled his sleeves up in a mess to fight back from sweating profusely in the humid atmosphere.
She wished she owned a remote controller that could halt time in its step but wishes seldom unravelled themselves.
The music faded out gradually, and radiant lighting illuminated the vast hall, signalling the conclusion to the dancing.
Settling down from her ecstasy and immersing herself into reality once again, she turned to face her partner. He was staring right back at her, almost hyperventilating as if just finishing a marathon. With her sparkling high heels on that blistered her soles, they were almost identical in height. Their foreheads met in an amiable bump and eyes shut, savouring each other.
Then, wordlessly, they walked out together.
The blistering heat did little to split the two figures apart. It was only her mother's voice that told them they had to let go.
She was flying out to settle down in Boston for Harvard, mere days before he would be doing the same at Stanford.
"We'll have the Summer and Winter breaks at the very least. And there's Facebook and Skype," he whispered.
Sarah nodded almost imperceptibly, still in skepticism at their predicament.
Kissing his cheek gingerly was the only thing she could do before saying her goodbyes. She pulled her suitcase along with her and disappeared into the throng of people ready to board the aeroplane with a final wave back.
Sarah had vividly relived these memories countless times, probably the most poignant moments in her life.
A knock rang out from her door. Sarah was laying stomach-down on the bed in her dormitory, combing through a brutal onslaught lecture notes.
She was in disbelief that she had somehow survived more than a semester of university, and more importantly, all that time without Chuck physically with her. Absence truly did make the heart grow fonder.
However, the two were still in contact, making worthwhile efforts to Skype each other every week. They had also caught up during the Christmas holidays, spending precious time walking the coastline and parks in more layered clothing appropriate for the season.
Picking herself up, she walked over and opened the door. There was a older large man waiting patiently at her doorway.
"Sarah Walker?" he questioned.
After she nodded back, he continued, "My name is Langston Graham. May I speak with you?"
She moved aside to invite him into her small room, only large enough to fit a bed, desk, closet, miniature fridge and a sink in. Her desk held residence to her MacBook, textbooks and notepads, stationary and a lonely desk lamp. Various hair and make-up products lined the shelves above the sink in neat rows.
If not for the fluorescent light bulb, the only source of light would have been the window opposite the door, not large enough to adequately brighten her room unless the sun was directly facing it.
However, there was evidence of homeliness, with the extensive collection of polaroids tacked on the wall adjoining her bed in a compact cluster.
Graham took them in, possibly noting the people in them: herself, her mother, Ellie, a bunch of other friends and, of course, Chuck, who appeared notably more than anyone else.
Sarah remained unflinching, arms folded, patient but bothered. While she may have initiated contact with Chuck, she was still moderately cautious around other people, especially after her dad left. She only reserved her open and lighthearted nature for when Chuck was around.
Acknowledging her hesitance to talk, Graham state, "I have a job offer for you."
Curiosity had piqued her now, tilting her head subtly to her left. "I don't remember applying for anything."
"This isn't the sort of job that's publicly advertised." They were now in a mock standoff. "I represent the Government, the CIA specifically."
"Not interested in public sector work."
"I promise you, this is no desk job." The dark-skinned man peeked at the photographs in her room once more. "Not close with your father?" If intrusive, he did not see ashamed. "What if I said that the signing bonus for this position is that he goes free early, say right now."
By Sarah's estimate, her father had eight years in prison remaining. Chuck had repeatedly assured her that her father's crimes were his alone to atone for but there was still a jagged thorn puncturing her side when she thought about him and their time together in her youth.
An uncomfortable pause later that neither acknowledged, Sarah replied hesitantly, "What's the position and how long do I need to stay on for?"
"Well, I have to be sure that you'll take it first before I tell you exactly what it is. Suffice it to say that it'll be exciting, demanding and possibly dangerous. As for how long, the contract is indefinite but five years is generally the minimum."
"How did you find me?" Her eyes were narrowed but she had not budged, still standing stiffly between Graham and the door.
"We've been keeping tabs on you for a while. Smart, athletic, strong-willed, a gift for languages and your experience aiding your con-artist father as a child definitely helps. You most definitely stand out amongst your peers here." Graham seemed more amused than intimidated by Sarah's unresponsiveness.
"I should also tell you, Miss Walker, that you're to break off contact for extended periods of time with friends and family. And we will also accelerate your degree, so to speak."
Instinctively, her eyes locked on to the photo of her and Chuck by the pier. While time was powerful enough to mend wounds, five years was still a length of time inconceivable without the rock in her life.
Tired of her indecision, Graham pulled out a business card and placed in on top of her open notebook.
"Take some time to think about it, Miss Walker, but call me before week's end. But I caution you in discussing with others about this proposal." He squeezed past her and left without another word.
Sarah promptly laid down on bed and stared blankly at the snow-white ceiling. Her father was deserving of a second chance, redemption and she had the power to give him that. Chuck would not given it a second thought, she rationalised, avoiding his inevitable disappointment. They had already envisioned plans to stick together, even if just as friends, after university.
Three days later, she called the number on the business card.
"It's Sarah Walker." Without expecting a reply, she asked, "When do I start?"
She looked at Chuck's motionless face in the closest picture and quietly apologised.
A/N: Thank you to all those that are following this story and the feedback. Please keep it coming. For those wondering where this story is heading I hope this chapter helps. I don't really want to say what's going to happen, since it might break interest to the story.
I apologise for the sudden jump in time but I really want to push this story forward and it was on the brink of fluff. Fluff is awesome and always a great time to read but doesn't really suit the tone of this story. Cheers!
