Of Him and Her
Chapter 4 – Of the Apology
A month after the core team of the MIF was formed Ethan was ordered to train a new agent. The "green" girl who seemed to be too young, innocent for the job. But everyone knew what they were getting themselves into started working for an organization like that. If it's a wrong choice they have no one to blame but themselves.
Lindsay Farris. Lindsay. Ethan told the three of his teammates that she was one of the best from all the agents he had trained. It impressed, amazed even. Especially Luther. He better of all knew that Mr. Hunt almost never expressed admiration for any of his so-called students.
"Hi." Declan turned from the screen of his laptop to see an unfamiliar face.
"Hello."
"You're Declan, right?" A pretty young woman with light shoulder-length hair and dark eyes stepped a bit more closer.
"Yes." The Irishman nodded. "Funny thing, you know my name, I don't know yours."
"Lindsay." She smiled sweetly, extending a hand for him to shake but instead he planted a kiss on it. "Oh, a gentleman. Nice."
"Can I help you with something?" He positioned himself in the chair again.
"Yeah, Ethan said you could give me files with reports on your latest missions." Lindsay requested.
"Sure. You need then on the screen or on paper?"
"Whatever's easier for you." She beamed.
From the corner of her eye Zhen could follow the scene in the next room. The glass walls were see-through after all. This woman, Lindsay Farris, what was she actually doing there, speaking, flirting with Gormley for God's sake! She was supposed to be working…but it's not like it was any of her business. She was just doing some reading on their next mission that's about to take place in two days.
Reading, reading, processing the information, making conclusions. The Asian caught herself on a thought that she became too much like a robot, a machine. A machine that does its job properly, without even a sign of a mistake. But Zhen couldn't help but wonder if that was worth it.
Declan stayed at the office late that night, working, searching for some files he's lost, when he heard a soft knocking and turned to see Zhen behind the easily-shattered transparent substance, shifting on her feet unsure.
"Come in." He called out, still going through the papers.
She entered, gracefully but hesitantly making her way to stand by the table, where Declan located himself under the pile of work.
"Hey." Zhen said quietly.
"Hi, you need something?" He replied, not looking up from the piece of information.
"I…" She started, uncertain, as if not really sure what to say. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Ok." Declan nodded, eyes fixed on the papers.
There was a long moment of silence before the next words escaped the woman's mouth:
"I'm sorry."
"What?" At this Declan finally looked up not to sure what to think.
"For what it's worth…" She repeated. Looking him in the eye. "I'm sorry."
With that said Zhen turned and headed for the door, leaving the Irishman stunned, his jaw slightly hanging.
"Are you…" He finally coughed out, making her stop at the door. "Are you sorry for that night?"
The young woman turned, waving her black hair.
"No." She shook her head slightly. "I'm sorry I failed your mission."
This time she left. But this time Declan wasn't just shocked, he was stunned or, to be fully honest, paralyzed with the unexpected revelation.
