Chapter 23: Stalking: Maggie and OA
Ever since Erin let slip that Maggie is dating her partner, her older brothers went into overprotective mode. They tried to find out everything about him - family background, routine, and of course, dating history. Never mind if he's 6'4" and a fed, they're Indiana police and former college quarterbacks. This 'Omar' would not and, for their younger sister's sake, should not be a problem.
"Target spotted. He just entered the building."
"I'm standing next to you. Why are you doing that?"
"Sorry, force of habit." They saw the target order his usual black coffee then sat at the table near the window. He's checking his phone, seemingly unaware that he's being watched. Well, this is going to be easy.
They approached him, taking both seats on his sides. As they sat down, he looked up from his phone. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?" An easy smile on his face - so not entirely unaware.
The older one asked, "You saw us?" He nodded. "Well, you are supposed to be a fed."
Omar chuckled. "So, are you going to tell me what this is about?"
"This is an interrogation," said the younger one. "Normally, we would've asked you to come to the station but this works too."
"Interrogate me about what?"
The older and seemingly wiser one smirked. "You might've forgotten how this works. We get to ask the questions and you answer them." When Omar kept quiet, he took that as a yes. "So, let's get to know you, Omar."
"You can call me OA." The younger one snickered. "Just one more question, does Maggie know about this?"
The brothers looked at each other. He's good. "How did you know?"
He shrugged. "I recognized you from the pictures she showed me. She had them displayed on her tv stand. Looking at you now, I certainly see the resemblance. You must be Michael," he said, pointing to the younger one. "And you are Nathan," he gestured to the older brother. The brothers nodded in confirmation. And," OA paused, checking their reactions, "she warned me that you two might do this."
Michael narrowed his eyes. "Do what?"
"Ask me to stay away from your sister. Try to scare me off."
"And what did you say about that?" Nathan tilted his head.
"That I understand. I'm guessing you already did your research about me so you know I have younger sisters," he said, looking at them. "It's natural to be protective of them. So when I see someone interested in them, I ask them of their intentions, get to know them."
Nathan nodded. "You also lost your father so you felt responsible to look after them."
"So I know what it's like. But I'm telling you that I sincerely care about Maggie."
The older brother could feel that maybe, OA was understating the extent of his feelings. He was about to test his supposition when the entrance door opened.
Maggie rushed towards them. "I told you to stop doing this."
"Mags, we're just chatting with OA," Michael said, trying to pacify his sister.
"Shut it, Mikey. I already told that he was the last one you're going to do this to." Everyone knew who he was.
Nathan calmly stood up. "We thought so too," he said which earned a glare from Maggie. "Nice to see you again, Mags." He quickly hugged her as he passed.
Despite her anger, she couldn't help but hug her brother back. She also pulled Michael into the hug too. OA smiled.
When they were out of the coffee shop, Michael turned to his brother. "So what do you think? Is it the same as last time?"
"The same yet different." At his brother's confused look, "They have the same determined, sincere look but they're also different, you know." He took another glance at the couple, OA's arms around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Mags always had good instincts so I trust her on this."
Michael nodded. "Yeah, I tried to make fun of him, just to see if I can rile him up. But he didn't take the bait. He seems like a decent guy." Then with a mischievous smile, he asked "Do you think we get to wear suits again next year?"
Nathan smirked. "Only if he earns dad's approval."
Notes:
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