Chapter 8 Regrets
Chris's Private Island
"What is MI-5?" Isabella asks
"MI-5 the UK's counter-intelligence and security agency. It was formed back in 1909, Chris says.
"So you're a spy?" she asks.
"It was more than that - I was both a spy and an assassin", Chris says.
"Are you still working for them?" Isabella asks.
"No, when I was in the car accident and my knee was damaged, I could no longer perform like I used to", Chris says.
"Well, you performed very well last week," Isabella says.
"I was lucky - they didn't hit me in my knee. If they would have, I would have been worthless," Chris says.
"Why did Dimitri want to kill me?" Isabella asks.
"He used to be in the KGB. His wife was, too. I was ordered to kill her and I did. He wanted revenge for it", Chris says.
"It sure took him a long time".
"Yes, it took him a long time to find out who I was. He found out my cover."
"How did he do that?" Isabella says.
"I can't tell you."
"Is this why you don't want to be seen in public with me?" Isabella asks.
"Yes, it's not a good thing to have one's picture posted on the internet and all over the media. There's always more risk of discovery".
"How did you become involved with MI-5?"
"When Jackie (his first wife) and I arrived in London, we were really short on funds. We were both working two jobs. One night an old friend of my dad asks me if I want to do a job for him, I do it. The money was good. The next night he has another job for me and again the money is good. Soon, I really like what I was doing - it's quite a rush and it was fun to think through all kinds of different scenarios to reach one objective. It didn't take long before I was hooked. In fact, if not for the car accident, I may have stopped producing movies."
"We never would have met", Isabella says.
"There are times that I think it would have been best if we didn't meet, but then Zak wouldn't exist", Chris says.
"So, your brilliant plan is to stay dead and leave us?" Isabella asks.
"Don't you think that I've thought this through? There is no other solution. I won't risk your life. I can never be sure that no one else will find out about my past", Chris says.
"By the way, everything that you've learned on this island is TOP SECRECT. If any of this comes out, I won't be able to use my power to protect you. You won't like the consequences at all", Chris says.
"Zak needs his father. He needs you. You need to come up with a better solution than being dead" Isabella says.
"You and will be getting off the island tomorrow", Chris says. However fate had another plans - it began to storm and they wouldn't be able to leave in the morning.
Later that night, Chris has given Tina and Isabella rooms. They eat dinner together. After dinner, Isabella corners Chris in his study.
"I never would have expected that you had this totally different side", Isabella says.
"Well, that's good. If you would have guessed, I wouldn't have been any good at my job", Chris says.
"Does Jackie know about this?"
"No. You're the only one that I've told", Chris says.
"I need to think about what's going to happen to us", Isabella says.
"There is no 'us' anymore. There's no other solution to this problem", Chris says.
"You've manipulated me enough! I won't be manipulated by you anymore. This marriage is a two-way street. I deserve a say in the future of my own life and the future of our marriage!" Isabella yells at him.
"Zak could visit you here", Isabella says.
"No, it's too risky. With all the visits that he'd be making, someone is bound to notice. Plus, he'll let it slip that I'm alive", Chris says.
"He already knows you're alive. He can feel it", Isabella says.
"You're going to have to convince him that I'm dead", Chris tells her.
"I won't lie to our son", Isabella says.
"Even to protect your own life?"
"Not even to protect myself - parents should do what's in the best interest of their child, not themselves"
"I never thought that you'd be this stubborn!" Chris says.
"I am when it comes to Zak. If you can't come up with a better solution, then maybe Tina and I can help you".
"I've already asked Tina", Chris says.
"It's late. I'm going to bed", Isabella says.
Isabella goes up to her bedroom and Chris goes to Chris.
Chris's Bedroom
"Well, how did your talk with the Mrs. go?" Tina asks.
"Not too well. She wants Zak to come and visit me. She's not sure about her feelings for me anymore!"
"Well, Chris, you don't sound too happy."
"I'm disappointed that my plan worked too well. A part of me didn't want her to believe that I cheated on her, but she swallowed that hook, line, and sinker."
"Talk about irony!"
"Yes, my plan is working so well that she may decided not to forgive me and not to give me a second chance. In order for my plan to work, that's exactly what must happen. My heart wants a different outcome!" Chris says.
"Well, she is a strong woman", Tina says.
"Yes, I knew she was the minute I met her. Anyway, if you think of a solution to the problem, please let me know", Chris says.
Isabella's Bedroom
Isabella was lying in bed - she didn't know what to think and she was very confused. Chris's revelations today had stunned her. She couldn't believe that he used to be a spy and that he had killed people. She never would suspect that of her open, sweet, loving husband. The only thing that she knew for sure was that Zak needed his dad. As she was drifting off to sleep, she realized that a part of her needed his dad, too....