Chapter 25: Changing World

August 21st 2010 1900 Hours

Athens, Greece

I figured that she would have at least eased up a bit after I fell asleep while continuing to type reports but Koko was relentless. The last time I did something like that was when I dozed off during school and kept writing notes, but after I regained my senses I was just writing scribbles. But after it happening several times, she finally decided to let me have a night off by going out to eat. The previous day I had to find a decent tattoo artist in the city to do some retouches on Sophia's tattoo from where one of Low's shots clipped her wing. Naturally of course I had to pay for that out of my own pocket. Along with a little extra to stop the artist from asking any questions. What was crazy though was how much pain tolerance she had. I mean not more than a week earlier she just regained consciousness several days after being shot four times in the back and then she was under the needle of a tattoo artist getting the wings retouched. Granted though I wasn't really practicing on taking good care of my body as well after that little incident by drinking. But at least I didn't have to worry about mixing my medication with booze anymore since I finished my prescription. I never had grappa before, it wasn't too bad.

"What they make this stuff out of anyway?" I asked Koko.

"Grapes, same as wine, but they distill it from the pomace. That's the leftovers from after they make regular wines."

As I poured us both the first round I took notice on the bottle, 90 proof. I was told by the crew that she was a very mean drunk and I don't think that a somewhat small thing like herself could handle the alcohol content. But I was never the one to turn down free booze, especially from a lady. We toasted and drank it all in one gulp finishing at the same time. It was just us tonight at a rather nice looking rooftop place that oversaw Athens that I gave up on trying to pronounce the name. Well to be more precise it was my turn for her to make me feel miserable from darting off and not telling her. I could handle almost any type of physical stress that was thrown my way. For example from a rather hilarious story Koko told me the other day. If I didn't leave I'd probably be the stopping force that would have helped crush the crew when she apparently drop kicked all of them when they were bunched up in a doorway when they told her I left. Lutz told me it was one of the most hysterical ways he'd ever seen her like that and he had seen way more than I had. But then came the painful reality that she was also serious as he got the brunt force of her stiletto to his face. Despite the nature in the way he got hurt it was more often hysterical.

"It's only your first round Damien, don't tell me you're drunk already?" Her face was already starting to flush from the grappa.

"Naw, but do tell me does this remind you of anyone?"

I grabbed both sides of my hair and pulled it to the side, crossed my eyes, stuck my tongue out and then imitated.

"WAAAHH."

Koko stared for about three seconds and didn't know how to answer. It was a little out of character compared to my three usual attitudes of sarcasm, antisocial, and silent.

"Uhh…care to explain?"

"What? Isn't that how you reacted when you found out Sophia and I went off the reservation?"

"Not that elaborate and I didn't try to pull my hair out."

"Still hilarious from what the rest of the guys said."

As we both laughed the waiter came over with our food and we started eating. All jokes aside, it was another miracle that she managed to pull off in order to save us both. It made me wonder on how she managed to get away with even half the shit that she did. But then I thought of what couldn't have been more obvious, money. While number six on the core concepts of economics as a whole most people tend to think that it's number one because if you have enough you could literally move mountains. To an extent it was somewhat true and a sad fact is that it can fuel power and it can lead to corruption. All too similar to what was festering in Afghanistan and Iraq, the damn fools in Washington thought they could just keep throwing money at the problem and thought it could get fixed. But the bombings continued and neighborhoods that were cleared out of insurgents were just replaced the moment the US presence there wasn't as strong. The governments of both nations saying that they still weren't ready to take on the insurgents, which I knew was a load of crap. They were just too weak to make the choice of doing what they must do instead of wanting to do. And the United States was stuck in the rut with them because of how the world would then view us. I would say to hell with that, who cares what others would think. Each human being on this planet, whether they admit it or not, has a will to make a choice. Those choices and the actions that follow are a reflection of who they really are. It didn't matter whether who was weak or strong, smart or stupid, careful or reckless, it doesn't matter. All that really matters is the truth. As I looked outside to the window to the Athens cityscape even after Koko brought me on, my life was still an emotional roller coaster that didn't seem to stop. Killing and destruction not included.

Who am I really?

"Lost in thought again Damien?" She asked.

I turned back to her and continued to eat. "Yeah I was just thinking about a few trivial things that were…well let's just say business wise."

"You ready to get back to work this soon? We just started to eat!" She teased.

"Ok that's not funny." I said pointing an accusing finger.

"I'm sorry! Please continue." She said waving me off.

"Do you think that people would eventually figure out that throwing money at a problem over and over again will not work?"

"Depends on a few things. One, and most obvious, what type of problem it is. Two it will depend on whether or not that said person is either fugal or wasteful. Lastly it depends on who receives the transaction on what type of goods and services will be provided and if they will be of good or poor quality. But if you keep getting the same results then yes, a logical thinking person will figure it out."

"Hmm. Glad we're both of one mind on that." I agreed.

"Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking about what you said to me and Sophia in the hospital, that you were just mad about the money and not us. You must have built a lot of solid loyalty with this crew, you guys protect and care about each other in a way that's not even seen amongst the most tight knit military units. It's more like an actual family."

As Koko then speared her next bite of chicken I saw her smile slowly fade, I must have brought up a bad memory.

"Before I start, it was mostly about the money." She said pointing at me while letting me know I couldn't weasel my way out of my punishment. "Anyway I learned a long time ago that you can't just simply pay someone to be your guardian, it's the trust you build up with your subordinates when you're a leader. A leader should always smile, not scowl and threaten. That's the key to the life we lead."

Educated military leadership would counter that but this was different. In this case on where I was at now in my life it made more sense. But the way she said that last part didn't sound like she came up with that on her own.

"Who taught you that last part?"

She set her fork down and put her hands on the table connecting them. Looks like it was her turn to share a bad bedtime story with me.

"It was one of my former bodyguards, a man by the name of Sean Eckhart, I called him Echo. He, Lehm, and Wiley were my three original body guards when I was still just a child. They all were recruited by my father into HCLI from the US Delta Force and he assigned them to me. Not long after that Chiquita came on to the crew as well after she got into some trouble with some bad people. I don't think I need to explain to you that being the daughter of one of the biggest shipping tycoons in the world makes you a prime target if someone wanted to exploit your father. They were with me for the longest time and we grew to care about each other very much. It wasn't that long after that, that I came across Valmet and brought her in. Naturally they didn't take her seriously at first but I don't think I need to explain to you that she got her point across. Only one to not judge was Lehm."

"I take it that this was his first marriage to Chiquita at this time?" I asked knowing what the answer was going to be.

"Yes. But anyway a few years ago we got into a deal that turned out to be an ambush. They had us completely outnumbered and they managed to separate all of us. Valmet was the one that lead me away while the rest tried to hold them back. I remembered being so frightened that I was literally hyperventilating, I screamed at Valmet that I paid her so she had to save me. Naturally she struck me across the face and told me to get ahold of myself. As I stood there dumbstruck but still scared I then heard Echo."

I think I know what's coming next.

"He placed his hand on my cheek said he didn't need or want anything but just for me to stop crying. As he took it away he left a bloody handprint. Not long after that Wiley appeared in our getaway vehicle with Lehm and Chiquita. He then ran back to where the attackers were to buy us some time to escape. That was the last time I ever saw him."

She finished the story then and there. I didn't need to figure out the fact that in order for her to get away it cost him his life. He must have gone through the exact same interactions that I had experienced with the rest of the crew. He, Lehm, and Wiley had built sturdy foundation on building comradeship by seeing each other as not only people but themselves as well.

I reached across the table and took her hands. They weren't soft and delicate like I thought they would have been from a woman of prestige, they were frim and somewhat dry. They were workers hands, the hands of someone who gave a damn about their life and wanted to work hard for it. Normally those that are born into money tend to have their success already planned out for them, but there are exceptions. Some tend to squander their fortune and ride off of their parents success, but Koko was different. She wanted to make her own successes and learn from her own failures. I did wonder how she managed to do that and achieve the knowledge she has without ever going to any form of education in her life. But no matter how she did it, she more than earned it.

"I'm sorry about your friend. He must have been rather special, and you know thinking back on it I haven't really been what you might call the most efficient team player. Questions about Dr. Miami, Dubai, Baldra, and just recently I've tended to act more on selfish reasons rather than selfless ones. You now have my word, no more Mr. Hard Ass."

Her smile then came back and she wrapped both her hands around mine. I then noticed that on while she was a larger than life person, she was still a woman of gentle build. Her own hands just barely covered my one.

"You haven't acted like that at all around me. You told me yourself you have a reason for everything you do, and that includes stealing away my sister." She winked.

"Jealous?" I threw the next jab.

"Now that's an ugly term. I would prefer competitive." She countered.

"Sorry but I don't think you're going to win. Charming personality only goes so far." I said as I took my hand back and crossed my arms.

"And being a sarcastic jackass does?" Haymaker out of nowhere.

"Now I prefer the term comedian."

As I tried to block that with all my strength, Koko's phone then began to buzz. She then put in a return text and then grabbed her glass to refill.

"What's up?"

"I'll let you know later. Now eat up Captain Damien! There'll be no wasted food!" She said commandingly while pointing her fork at me.

2230 Hours

The Mara Nostrum Hotel

After we were done with dinner and she had a few more drinks in her than she should have I could understand why everyone would try to stop her or avoided her when she had too much. While I was driving the both of us back to the hotel she had already asked the same question five times already and even though I gave the same answer her response was always different but it included wailing on my arm each time. Even though I was healing up fine and it didn't hurt as much, I was glad she at least didn't hit my chest. But my arm was starting to go numb, I didn't know she could hit that hard.

"COME ON DAMIEN. TELL ME WHAT DO YOU SEE IN VALMET?"

That made number six, she was clearly beyond smashed at that point. Even though everyone had already checked in for the night we were still getting some attention from the hotel staff. As I led Koko by her hand she was stumbling behind me as we made to the elevator, and gave the same answer after we then started to go up to her suite. I gave this answer though as if I didn't care what she thought.

"Ugh…I told you five times already. She has an incredible drive to succeed, she doesn't know how to fail."

Koko then stood there looking at me as if she was judging me. I knew what was gonna happen next, it all depended on what she was going to say however but this one came rather bluntly.

"OH DON'T GIVE ME THAT SHIT. YOU LIKE HER BOOBS DON'T YOU?"

I was so glad that we were still in the elevator when she blurted that out. Although the overwhelming smell of grappa from her breath didn't help. While she wasn't completely wrong in stating the obvious about Sophia, I had absolutely no response to that one as she started hitting my arm again.

"Koko come on! Please calm down!" I pleaded and she didn't let up.

"I KNEW IT. YOU MEN ARE ALL THE SAME. ONE LOOK AT OVERSIZED MAMMARY GLANDS AND YOUR BRAINS SHUT DOWN."

As the elevator reached the top floor I prayed to God that no one walked out to see what was going on, Sophia especially. I didn't know as far as relationships go that we were at that point but if she came across this I'd be dead, literally. Koko continued to hit me in the back with her free hand while I lead her to our suite, as well as with her drunken rant.

"YOU KNOW WHAT I TAKE THAT BACK. THAT CAN'T BE THE CASE CAUSE YOU LIKE HER LIKE THAT. YOU'RE SO MUCH OF A NARCISSIST THAT WHEN YOU SEE HER YOU SEE YOURSELF. YOU GIVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO THE PHRASE "GO FUCK YOURSELF"."

This was getting out of hand. I did not want to have to deal with her drunken craziness for the rest of the night. As we were in the hallway almost to our room I turned around and shook her hard by the shoulders.

"Koko! Enough! GET-A-GRIP!"

Then without warning she leaned into me with one of her hugs. This time burying her face in my chest and her hands tightening around me. As if she was scared of losing me. She then started to speak softly, but still slurred, and as if she held a great concern for me.

"How much do you truly care about her Damien? Please answer me honestly."

Once again she caught me off guard, I had no choice but to do what she said. Despite missing an eye that made her appear vicious, the most deadly skill set I've ever seen on anybody with a blade and being a little hot tempered there where qualities about her I couldn't deny. She was strong, focused, innocent and whether or not she cared she was rather gorgeous. I never thought that even in my wildest dreams thought that a woman like her would exist. But I then remembered of the current company I kept and what we managed to accomplish together, Koko especially.

I took a deep breath and answered.

"I haven't truly had the chance to ask her on how she feels. I would like to think of us as more than friends now but I can't answer that yet unless I know for sure. And if she says no, I won't push."

After a few seconds she let go, staring up to me in her usual fixed smile. She then walked to our suite, still in a drunken stupor.

"Well then I'll give you plenty of time figure that out. But like I said, I don't intend on losing, even if it's to someone who've I've spent more time with than my own real family. Now if you'll excuse me I have to booze off this sleep. I got you your own room for the rest of the time we're here. A reward for all your suffering you took from both the pen AND the paper AND the typing! Nighty night!"

As she sloppily put in her key card to her door she was pointing the opposite room next to hers, it was unlocked. As she stumbled in I sighed heavily and was glad that she was Sophia's problem now. I didn't think that she could have won me over with a free room though but I was getting a little tired of sleeping on the floor. I was ecstatic that all that crap I was filling out was done though.

As I entered the room I took off my shoes, jacket, and shirt. I saw my things lying next to the couch in the middle of the rather large room I now had all to myself and threw them on the couch. I actually didn't even need to turn on the light as I saw the moonlight was shining rather brightly through the balcony windows. I didn't really have anything else to do tonight so I decided to pour one glass of scotch and then slip under the blankets. As I finished prepping my drink at the mini bar I decided to sit out on the balcony. As I opened the glass door I was immediately hit by the warm evening breeze and the scent of the sea. But before I stepped outside I froze, as I heard soft footsteps approaching me from behind. They stopped right behind me and then I saw well-toned arms wrap around my waist and felt the body of a woman press against my back. It looked like this was what Koko meant by giving me time. I did find it strange though. From what I interpreted she wanted to win me over but she's ok with letting her be with me for now. But I'd think about that later.

Looks like now's the time to find out how she feels.

"Your senses are starting to get very dull Damien. I could have been an assassin and killed you five times already."

I ignored her and just asked her straight up front. "Are you sure about this?"

I sat my drink down and turned around to face her. Dressed in a simple black tank top and shorts, she was a tomboy through and through. As a stronger breeze from outside came in again it blew her shortened pitch black hair back gently and then my own much longer brown hair covered my sight. She then moved my hair out my face and put her hand on my cheek. Her one gold eye spoke something to me that I had never thought I'd ever see from a woman like her, desire.

"I want you to answer me just one thing."

"Sure what is it?"

Her response wasn't words but actions. As she grabbed my wrist with her other hand, swept my leg out from under me and pushed me down on to the carpet and she then straddled me. It hurt a little bit more than I wanted to but I kinda expected that Sophia was one to take charge. But I didn't mind, I always rolled with the punches both figurative and literally no matter what I was up against. I sat up and got face to face with her, our arms wrapped around each other tight.

"You still didn't ask the question."

She then looked at me with a smile that symbolized that she was never more happy than she had ever been in her life as well as being a little shy. But spoke with a softness that I had never heard her say before. This was her human side talking to me, not just another powerful warrior, but her as a woman.

"You meant…what you said right?"

I started off with a bit of a sly smirk and then I could have answered a little better.

"Hell yeah."

In that moment, two hearts and two bodies connected. She leaned forward and I leaned back, our lips connected and tongues danced in our mouths. Neither of us needed anything else in the world right now other than each other. She then leaned back up and took off her tank top, the glory that was beneath it was awe inspiring. The both of us then gave into our carnal desires and were focused solely on making each other feel something good. Judging from the way she acted when we first met and that what we were doing now probably meant that this was the first time she had been with someone else in a very long time. I was no exception to that either, for so long I've focused on nothing but the job and trying to stay alive that I had forgotten about my human side. I didn't even know if I was ever going to live my life normally again. But as our flesh caressed against each other's I had taken another step in towards cleansing my soul of anger and regret. As I was being embraced ever more tighter from a woman who in my eyes transcended humanity I then realized, while I enjoyed the embrace, I knew I was not worthy of her. But that didn't matter, all that did was the moment we were in.

August 22nd 2010 1125 Hours

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

It had only been two weeks since General Chan's assassination and already several of the businesses that he owned in conjunction with Tashinhai had already been bought out by several South African local businesses. His five star restaurant, The Golden Horn, had been bought out and replaced with a farmers market. It's as if his influence in Port Elizabeth had suddenly just vanished. Along with the memories that he had even existed in the first place. It was on the level of how Karen Low felt, she wanted to pay respects by having one last drink at the restaurant her mentor once owned to honor him and she couldn't. It was then that she realized that she had nowhere to go or even live. As she adjusted her arm in the brace she had for her shoulder it caused her to wince from the pain on her side. She then started thinking about what happened.

A PLA patrol responded to the sound of shots fired near where they were searching for the two intruders that had rampaged through the steel mill. She was shot three times on the right side of her stomach, leading up to her chest and finishing on her left shoulder. After being rushed to a PLA emergency medical facility she managed to survive from her injuries after waking up the day after her surgery. The first people who greeted her after she woke were not the ones she wanted to see, agents of the Ministry of State Security. For three days, even in rehabilitation, she was questioned about what happened in the mill. The MSS as well as the Chinese General Staff was raising hell about how a terrorist group that they knew nothing about practically humiliated them and got away with it. But Karen didn't tell them the whole story, even though she wasn't present at the time of the attack, she knew who was responsible. She did not however confirm the kill of Koko Hekmatyar's two best body guards. Since she was already relieved of her command by the time the attack happened the MSS could not connect her with having anything to do with failing in her duty as a Lieutenant. That didn't however mean that they were going to help her, she was no longer the problem of the PLA and was left behind in Africa once she was discharged from her hospital in Ethiopia. She figured she would just return to Port Elizabeth and try to start over with one of Chan's business but she then saw how that turned out. With no place to live and her money almost gone, she wondered how she would have to survive. She then sat down outside the new farmers market that was once a restaurant to think, almost as if she was in a fetal position of absolute defeat.

Down the street Professor Amada and her bodyguard Mokoena had just finished shopping and were heading back to their office. She lit her cigarette and noticed that she was on the street where Chan had often took her to dinner.

"I can't believe that they turned Mr. Chan's excellent restaurant into that. I loved those spring rolls. I'm going to miss them." She said sadly.

"You know Doctor come to think of it we haven't had a call from Mr. Chan in quite some time. I wonder why?" He said curiously.

Amada sighed thinking that since she played so much hardball with Chan he must have given up. As they were about to continue back to her office she noticed a familiar woman. It was Karen Low sitting next to an orange stand. She immediately approached her to see if it was her.

"Karen is that you? You are Mr. Chan's secretary right? Lieutenant Karen Low?"

Low then looked up to Amada, eyes sagging and bloodshot from exhaustion. She then answered callously.

"Former Lieutenant, what do you want Dr. Amada?"

"Hey hey hey now! I can tell when a person is really down on their luck. If you have nowhere to go why don't you come with me?"

Low then looked at her and wondered why she was so interested in her all of a sudden. But before she could speak, Amada's had trapped her in one of her spiels where once she started she couldn't stop.

"You can be my new secretary and you can work at my lab in Marchen. I got two but I could use one more. I heard that you went with Mr. Chan up to Ethiopia but I'm glad your back. Your salary will be totally negotiable. Wow it's starting to get cold out here considering that summer is almost over. Hey wait a second what's with those bandages and brace? Are you injured? We'll fix you up at my place. Oh by the way this is Mokoena, I call him Moko for short. I also have another assistant named Malin but you already know her. Recently we've had a string of people keeping an eye on us. I think it's the CIA or spies from other industries. By the way when's the last time you showered? Never mind you can do that at the office. You sure look strong. I have high hopes for you!"

As she continued with her never ending stream, Mokoena just stared dumbfounded on why the Professor would take her time to help out her.

Looks like the Doctor's taking a real liking to her.

1300 Hours

Marchen Toy Development, Professor Amada's Office

Explaining the story over again to Professor Amada was as if she had memorized the whole thing by heart and she could explain it as if she was singing her favorite song. As she sat patiently for the doctor to respond she was working on one of her new prototypes, a bear dressed like a ninja.

"So that's what happened between Tashinhai and HCLI. Or maybe coming from your perspective, Chan and Valmet. I will admit that must have been quite a mess, not to mention that your government just left you to fend for yourself out here in Africa."

"You'll forgive me Doctor but I forgot how deep your connections are with HCLI."

As Dr. Miami took another puff of her cigarette she put her toy down and asked the former Lieutenant bottom line up front.

"Are you angry at the world because you lost both Tashinhai and your General at once?"

Karen took a moment to think before answering but knew the proper response.

"No. Not like that I should say."

"Well that figures for someone like you. Someone who runs from a fight wouldn't be able to feed herself. I can't blame you for wanting to blame the world, but you won't need to worry about that for now. I'll let you in on a little secret. That world that you once knew, is going to change."

Low then looked at the Professor with much confusion. "What do you mean?"

"It has to do with what Mr. Chan and I were discussing for the longest time. But that's all you need to know for right now, the rest is a secret. Ok now check this out!"

She then plugged her toy bear into her laptop and typed in a few words and the bear began moving its arms like if it was chopping.

"It's only the first test so far but I'm thinking of it being able to throw shuriken's! Now I'll help you find a place to rest for today and you start work tomorrow."

As Low sat there looking at the bear move she couldn't believe that she was now about to work for a woman that had friendly relations with the group that had killed her General and shot her. But she knew that she had to survive one way or another.

I don't have much of a choice. Looks like it's either work for her or end up on the street.

September 3rd 2010 1600 Hours

The work that came with Professor Amada was for more or less eccentric. Her hyper attitude and various disappearances from work kept Low constantly on her toes. Keeping away spies from competitive toy companies to having Scarecrow himself actually eavesdrop on them. He was still trying to get his hands on Koko and figured Amada would be the next piece in the puzzle. Not to mention keeping it very hard to maintain a state of readiness whenever the Professor needed to go somewhere. She often kept things last minute, as when she was almost done for the day and Amada burst into her office.

"Karen! Pack your bags we're heading out to the Solomon Island's tomorrow morning!"

"Doctor I…ugh ok."

September 4th 2010 0200 Hours

Aboard the Fruition, The Solomon Sea

I woke up drenched in sweat and sprung up from my sleep, I felt like I was in someone's crosshairs. But then I realized I was in my cabin in the middle of the ocean, no snipers way out here. Plus even with the ships air conditioning it wasn't really keeping me that cool considering we were in rather warm tropical waters. I was however glad to be sleeping in my own bed again. Even more glad that I also had company, but the way I just sprang awake meant I had to have done the same to her. As I was running my hands through my hair and cracking my neck I heard a sigh and then felt a familiar hand on my shoulder.

"What's wrong? Everything ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine I just woke up suddenly. No idea why though."

Sophia then took her hand off me, felt the moisture with her fingers, and sat up. Then gave me a look that she knew I wasn't alright.

"You're absolutely soaked, you are anything but fine. It's not another nightmare is it?"

"No nothing like that, I'm fine, trust me. I just had some sort of shock."

She smiled gently and we both laid back down in the bed together. She moved closer to me and put her arm across my chest. I slid my hand down her back towards her waist, but just before I could grab the promising parts she struck me on the forehead.

"Behave." She said sternly.

"Sorry. I'm tired I wasn't thinking clearly." I said with false innocence.

"Yeah right, now shut up and go back to sleep."

"Ok. Oh hey, rocket launch is…well since it's already the next day I should say tomorrow right? It's the last satellite that's going up for this communication whatever network shit?"

"Yeah, this is HCLI's, or rather Koko's dad's crown jewel that she and Kasper have been developing for the last few years."

"Right, ok night." I kissed her on the top of her head and shut my eyes.

As I tried to get back to sleep I still couldn't shake the feeling about something happening. It didn't matter whether it was good, bad, or indifferent. But I'd worry about that later, I found it more bizarre that HCLI was pumping a lot of money and resources into this satellite project. Apparently from what Koko told me on our flight to New Guinea she had launched over one hundred satellites that were going to make some sort of revolutionary type of communications and logistics system. Naturally she said that she couldn't tell me the details of the project and that Kasper was going to explain what it was publically in a few months. My guess was that HCLI was just trying to find a new way to expand its market into other fields besides weapons and maritime shipping. People could already speak to each other around the world in real time already. To me this just sounded like whenever the next new and improved smart phone came out. When they first entered the market they were huge, they were literally computers that fit in the palm of your hand. Now everyone just went crazy when the next one came out but they were only just slightly better. It looked like it would be a while until we started to speak to holograms or have a screen pop up out of our hands.

Well whatever was coming up was the next project that the job was gonna be a part of. Just had to knuckle up and keep an eye out for potential threats as usual. However I had to also look for threats from the inside as well. The crew didn't really care how each other went about their business on their off time or when it came to relationships. A prime example would have been Lehm and Chiquita but that was a while ago. They didn't say it or show it up close but I could tell from a distance each one of the guys were beyond envious that Sophia and I found comfort in each other. They probably hated my guts for most definitely being able to see and experience what they could only dream about. And considering the fact that we were lying in my bed next to each other naked they had every right to be furious. But I didn't give a shit what they thought. I learned to stop caring what people thought about me a long time ago.

I said it before and I'll say it again. My life has turned into one hell of an adventure. I wonder what's gonna happen next?