Chapter 9
"No, Gab. I swear the sword looks primeval in a refined way," Kat said as she eyed Gab who's holding a bucket filled with metallic golden-brown paint. Uncle Eddie together with the Bagshaw brothers did a replica of Gillian Gallagher's sword which looks exactly like the real one and Gabrielle volunteered to be the one to garnish it, "Oh! I see…we are going to need silver aluminium paint, aren't we?"
Kat nodded as she eyed Hale and Zach who both just strolled into the kitchen. "We are going to need motivation," Hale grinned at Kat as he went straight to the fridge. Zach, on the other hand, skipped to the storage counters and grabbed the puddings and whip creams. "What are you guys up to?" Kat said as she studied the two but she got completely ignored when the doorbell rang. Zach cheered as he ran to the front door, "Our sets of meals are here!"
Hale ran towards Zach and grinned, "Awesome, let's go!" he struggled as he tried to clasp the basket of bagels and the jar full of homemade cookies in his arms. "What's in there?" Gabrielle eyed Zach while pointing at the huge paper bag that he's carrying. He stared at her for a brief moment, "The family of tortilla." Hale elbowed Zach, "Hey, Goodie. Whoever gets into the room first will have the most number of burritos, deal?" Zach gave Hale a wide smile as he gripped the foodstuffs tighter, "I prefer nachos…but whatever…you're on, Scooter!"
Kat laughed as she shook her head, seeing the boys struggle as they sprint their way back into their room gave her entertainment. Gabrielle came back a minute later, holding another bucket of paint. "Did they just call each other by their nicknames?!" Kat showed Gabrielle a confused smile. "They did! It seems like they're getting along well," She muttered as she sat next to Kat, "This replica will be finished in no time as long as we both work together…how about I'll start with the blade while you do the handle, okay?" Gabrielle shifted as she carefully took the blade. Kat laughed as she eyed her cousin, "Fine!"
~~~ Let Bygones Be Bygones ~~~
Simon, Hale, Zach, and the Bagshaw brothers are working on their own task given to them by Uncle Eddie who is paying Uncle Charlie (his twin brother) a visit. Simon has been trying to hack a number of satellite feeds that will give him access to the enhanced security cameras of the Henley while Hale is busy with his phone, giving orders to his secretary. "…Yeah, Nat. I emailed the verification letters to you two minutes ago. Listen; just have them signed by my dad and then fax the papers to my email right away," Hale said with a mouthful of burrito, "Why can't you understand me?" he frowned as he took a bite of Zach's Nacho.
Zach gave Hale a deadly stare which lasted for a second or two and then he focused back on the map that Simon handed him earlier, "The Henley is bigger than I expected." Angus gave Zach a grin, "It is also one of the most secured museums that I know of." Zach has one entire day to learn everything about the Henley. He has to familiarize himself with the museum halls and the exact positions of the security cameras, he also has to memorize the numbers of the display booths, plus, he has to know the exact location of the vents and the emergency exits.
"The Gallagher Girls…what are they like?" Hamish smiled as he took the bowl of fajitas and the jar of cookies from the side table. Angus eyed his brother as he sat on the couch with tacos on both hands, "I heard they are all snobs," he said with a grin. Hamish sat on the couch next to his brother and stared at Zach, "Are they?"
"They are…exceptional," Zach smiled but his face turned serious as soon as he thought of Cammie. "What is it?" Angus took a bite of his taco as he studied him, "Don't tell me…" he trailed off as he stood up and approached him. "What?" Zach smirked as Angus stared directly into his eyes. "I knew it…you have a girlfriend who goes to that school!" He showed Zach a wide smile, "What's her name?"
Zach gave him another smirk and then he murmured, "Cameron Morgan."
~~~ Let Bygones Be Bygones ~~~
Kat stormed into Uncle Eddie's room and her eyes grew wide, "I brought some beverage." Kat placed the cans of soda on a wooden coffee table but she can't get her eyes off of Angus who was pinned face-down by Zach on the floor, "What's going on?" She glanced at Hale. "We're wrestling…basically the last man standing will have the last Nacho."
Zach smiled as he helped Angus to his feet, "Scooter?" he motioned at Hale. Hale breathed as he positioned himself in front of Zach and then Hale attacked him without any warning. All Kat could see are the flying kicks and punches coming from Hale. She noticed that Zach is not fighting back but he is effortlessly blocking and ducking and all the attacks.
Hale pirouetted aside and did the uppercut which gave Zach an opportunity to spin slightly to the opposite direction as he looped Hale's legs with his. A second later, Hale stumbled on the floor and Zach moved swiftly, immobilizing Hale as he locked both his arms on his back, "That was a risky move, bro."
"Actually…I let you win," Hale resisted but he couldn't be able to fight back. Zach laughed and offered Hale a hand as soon as he got to his feet when…"I want to try." Kat didn't know what has gotten into her but she wanted that last piece of Nacho so she positioned and glared at Zach before she started punching.
Zach is again ducking and blocking but he never really fights back at all and Kat knew that he's only waiting for the right time to stumble her off her feet and pin her down but she just can't let Zach have the last Nacho to himself.
She tried kicking and punching at the same time but Zach is too good for her inexpert moves so she tried to literally push him towards the wall and it didn't take a single second for her to realize that he got her pinned to the wall instead…now she can't move a single muscle. "Okay, Goodie, you won…now get your hands off her," Hale smiled as Zach let go of her.
Hale approached Kat who started to burst into laughter. "I can totally imagine what I look like earlier," She practically chuckled hard as she pulled Hale into an embrace. "Mommy and Daddy are hugging again," Hamish teased.
Minutes later, everyone in the room started to focus back on their tasks and when Kat was about to head for the door…"Hey, thief girl!" Zach yelled as he ran towards her. "What?" Kat harshly said as she spun around to meet his gaze.
Kat notices the way he smiles at her every time she gives him a glare. "You forgot this," Zach handed her the Nacho. "But I didn't win," Kat said as she stared at him. "I know but I'm full so take it," Zach showed a smirk as he handed her the Nacho. Kat was lost in an empty thought as she stared at the Nacho on her left hand. "I should be getting back to 'Operation: Learn about the Henley' task or Uncle Eddie will hate me forever," Zach grinned as he walked back and sat on the couch beside Simon.
Kat studied Zach from afar and she saw the way he smiles and laughs at Hale's joke...he seems happy. Kat thought about every time he looks at her, she can always see it in his eyes that he's actually glad to be where he is…to be where he feels like he belongs. She then thought about Zach's parents and realized; He wants a family he can lean on to.
