Chapter 20
I was on cloud nine for the rest of the night and when I went in the next morning- I was greeted by eager Nerd Herders.
"Did you kiss her?" Morgan asked.
"More importantly, did you get some?" Lester asked with an interested Jeff behind him.
I growled at them and my girl Anna stepped in: "Its none of anybodies business,"
I give them the look of sudden death (oooh Sudden death) and they both shut up.
Anna ushers them off and gives me a light punch on the arm.
"You are too romantic you know that Casey," she says and walks toward the nerd herder desk. I roll my eyes and go back to work.
Besides Chuck grinning and give me the thumbs up- the day went by without a hitch. When I get back to the apartment complex I can see the clouds forming. It looks like rain. I can feel something unearthly stir within me. A premonition of sorts-something is a miss. I look at the flowers I bought for Ellie and I approach her door when….
"Oh Devon!" I hear her say. Normally I wouldn't jump to conclusions but it sounds like she is laughing. Laughing?
My heart drops and I begin to feel dizzy. But I muster the strength to knock on her door.
When she opens the door I can see her face fall. Perhaps its because she can see the pale look on my face. Or perhaps she feels that I have caught her doing something that I shouldn't have.
I kiss her gently on the cheek and I give her the flowers but I see that she is still upset.
So she wants to go back to him. Even after what happened last night and what she promised me. I don't fight her. I have learned my lesson against fighting determined women. Things don't turn out right.
I can pretend this doesn't bother me and head back to my apartment with my dignity.
"I understand. You should take care of yourself. You know where I'll be if you need anything,"
I take a step back and that's when the rain starts. God this is so melodramatic.
"It's not like that," she said, frantic look on her face.
"I know," I say laughing at the rain slowly going insane.
She stands there, in the doorway, looking distraught. She starts to cry.
"I love you Ellie Bartowski," I finally say. The rain intermingles with the tears that stream down my face.
I don't hear Devon's foot steps because I am too focused on Ellie mouthing the words- I love you too.
He tackles me and another brawl ensues, this time I am on the defense. I don't like being taken by surprised. I didn't expect to try to fight me again. I can't hear the words that he is saying because there is a loud ringing in my ears. I close my eyes and could smell a faint mixture of jungle, sweat, guns and death. I open my eyes and in slow motion my fist connects with Devon's jaw. I can hear a crack and I see him crumple into a heap on the floor.
Awesome.
The hearing returns in my ears as I see Sarah and Chuck running up the path in order to step in-between us.
"Who are you?" Ellie asks as she sobs in the doorway.
My jaw hardens as I retreat into my apartment.
The damage has been done. I lost the girl and compromised the mission.
And that has never happened to me before.