Surveillance Chapter 9

July 24th

(Mina's Mansion) Garden 06:47 pm

Cream tilted her head back in laughter as she smoothed out her sun dress. She caught the floppy hat she was wearing before it slipped off. "I missed your humor so freaking much, Amy. Sometimes I regret telling you to take this position", she giggled.

Amy's smile faded. "Oh...do you really mean that?"

"Yes and no. I miss you like crazy, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I hadn't encouraged you to take the opportunity. You really are something special, Ames." Cream gazed up at the orange sky as she said this. Her lashes fluttered, a signal that Amy knew all too well. She was trying to hold back tears. And at this, Amy felt a sudden surge of irritation toward her dear friend.

"Why didn't you cry at my parents' funerals?"

Cream perked her ears and gave Amy a wide eyed expression. "I don't-...where did that even come from?"

Amy buried her head in her palms, making a mess of her hair. "All these years. I've never said anything, but deep down it's always bothered me. You've cried during sad movies, when we got in our first fight, during every sprain when you played volley ball in middle school, during highschool and college graduation...but not one tear came at the sight of my parents laying in caskets. Why?" Amy's eyes were dull. Cream wasn't sure if she was entirely addressing her, or if she was talking to herself just out loud.

"I guess I was trying to be strong for you."

"Bull shit."

Cream bit her bottom lip. "Come on. Let's not make my visit a sour one. I can't really explain why I didn't cry. Don't take that as me not caring because it tore me to shreds. Maybe we can talk about it another day, yeah?"

Amy opened her mouth to protest, but dropped it lower at the sight before her. She looked up slowly along Shadow's figure. Every sharp angle, smooth curve, and dark crevice. Every bead of sweat that created the most glittery effect in the evening sunlight. Her tounge went dry as she looked away in embarrassment. Cream on the other hand smirked in amusement. She swung her feet back and forth under the stone bench she was perched on.

"Hi, Mr. Shadow. How are you?"

Shadow nodded in acknowledgement. "Good evening. Rose, we have an-"

"Ohhhh, so we're using nick names now?", Cream smiled innocently.

Shadow flushed only a bit. "Amy, we have an issue. Could you come up to the master suite with me please?"

Cream blushed brightly. "Oh, I wasn't aware-"

Amy turned even more red, making Shadow flatten his ears. "It's Mina! For the love of...clear your damn heads!" Shadow spun on his heels and stormed off. Cream giggled but Amy looked on with a concerned expression.

"What's up?" Cream inquired.

"Nothing. I'll meet you back in my room", Amy muttered as she stood to follow Shadow. But something was wrong, and she couldn't put her finger on it. She was always good at reading the body language of others and something was telling her..."he's guilty about something..."

Mina's room (5 minutes earlier)

Mina held the vodka to her lips and smiled as a few drops missed her lips and sailed down her neck. She lay sideways, hanging over her bed while looking at an upside down Shadow. "I'm pathetic, you know?" She rolled over on her tummy, taking another swig. "I mean..have you ever treated one of your only friends like complete...*hiccup* utter shit?"

Shadow pulled awkwardly at his collar. "Can't say I have."

"Wellllll", Mina slurred while waving her index finger in circles, "I did, and it sucks. It sucks sooooo bad!"

Shadow cleared his throat. He wasn't sure why Mina called for him, and certainly wasn't sure if he should be seeing her in this drunken stupor. He didn't get the big deal of Blaze taking some vacation time. "Mina-"

"I really like you", she murmered. "I know I'm out of it, and I'm sure i'm *hiccup* dreaming, but...you're so nice and gentle and hot", she giggled. She sat upright in her large bed, her silk shirt slipping over one shoulder. "But I know you don't see me that way. I found out about your contract with Blaze. About how you'll leave eventually. I know I'm just a job."

Shadow tensed. He wasn't sure why, but he somehow felt different toward Mina now. "I...I can stay longer. If you need me to", he muttered.

Mina smiled, but kept her head facing down. "There's this tabloid whose soul purpose is to make me seem like the shittiest super star in existence. You know what they said about our picture?" Mina began to laugh hysterically. "They basically said I'm a slut. That I only hired the two of you so I could sleep with you." She clenched her bed sheets in her sweaty palms. "Those ass holes don't even know I'm still a virgin. Are you a virgin, Shadow?"

Shadow's ears flattened instantly. "Mina-"

"Are you?"

"Maybe I should-"

BAM

Shadow startled and rushed forward as Mina fell face flat on the floor. He pulled her into his arms and sat her on the bed. "Are you ok-mmphf" Shadow's eyes widened as he realized Mina's lips were on his. Her eyes were closed with only the slightest flutter of her lashes. She leaned in deeper to the kiss. Shadow tensed. He cursed to himself over and over and over. He was angry. Not at her, but at his mind and heart...because he found himself kissing her back.

Mina gasped slightly and began leaning back, pulling Shadow on top of her. She arched her back, her tosrso meeting his. "Shadow-"

"-I can't."

Mina laid still as Shadow stopped kissing her. She looked up at him solemnly. "Am I not attractive? ..Or..or is it someone else?"

Shadow shook his head, softly removing his hands from her waist. "I don't know what it is. You are beautiful, though", he said softly. "But you're not in your right mind. You're drunk."

Mina sighed and leaned her head on Shadow's chest. "I've felt this way long before the vodka hit my lips-OH MY GOD!" Mina screamed loud, making Shadow stumble off the bed. He looked around frantically. Mina pulled the covers over her and stared terrified at her large double windows. Shadow followed her line of sight, but saw nothing.

"Was it paparazzi again?"

Mina shook her head. "No. They wouldn't be able to get this close. I think I saw someone. A hooded figure." As she said this, her body began to shake violently. She rubbed her temples, trying to calm herself down. Shadow ran a hand through his quills and opened the window. He looked left and right multiple times before leaning back in and locking them.

"Are you sure it wasn't just a shadow? There's a tree right there", he pointed. "The branches could have easily cast a shadow."

"Yeah", Mina concluded ."Maybe. But if you don't mind, could you and Amy-"

"Of course", Shadow said, slightly grateful for a chance to leave. He reached for the door knob but froze. He felt wrong to just leave after...that. He turned back to Mina who was glancing casually at her bed sheets. "Um-" he broke off as Mina suddenly hopped out of bed and ran over to him. She stood on her toes and gave him one more long, oddly satisfying kiss.

"See you later", she whispered as she shoved him out the door.

Shadow stared at the closed door in shock. He wiped the beads of sweat forming on his head and started down the hall to find Amy. He swallowed hard, trying his best to suppress an unknown feeling of guilt.