It was like a weight was lifted as soon as the Forger's left the hospital. Loid felt weird being hauled out in a wheelchair. After all, he was fine, it was his shoulder that had been shot. Regardless, Yor was insisting and he couldn't exactly say no. Anya found that hilarious. When they got home and were greeted by Bond. The first thing he wanted to do was break the news to Anya. It was hard not to think about it for the sake of not spoiling the good news for her.

As soon as everyone sat down Anya knew something was going to be said, she knew it was important but she wasn't quite sure if it was good news or bad news. Her Papa was wearing his usual neutral expression. Her Mama seemed nervous and fidgety. It was sending her mixed signals, to say the least.

She braced herself for bad news, perhaps an update on their divorce…

"Anya as you know once Operation Strix is over I'm supposed to leave." Loid began to explain as he kept an eye on her reaction. As he expected, Anya recoiled at the idea.

Anya began to shake. "I-"

He interrupted her knowing she was in distress. "But I've received wonderful news, I'll be retiring once Strix is over and be able to remain as part of the Forger family."

The mood instantly shifted, Anya went from distressed to surprised to overjoyed in a matter of seconds. Her mood gave her whiplash as a result too. "Really?!" Loid nodded with a wide smile. Yor mirrored it, her thoughts were filled with joy. That's when Anya's mind was invaded by a flashback of how it happened. Suddenly everything was right in her world. She jumped from her seat and hugged her Papa tightly. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean what I said back then."

Loid felt himself relax as relief washed over him. "I know."

Anya felt like crying but refrained from it. All she wanted was to make up for the lost time that was caused by the fight. It was then that a question popped into her mind. "Wait… Mama, what about your…" She trailed looking off to the side. "Work." She air-quoted it.

Yor's eyes were slightly wide before settling in her seat and beginning to explain her situation. "I will be retiring… however I'm unsure how to break ties with them without problems." Her worries were obvious but she figured they would allow her to retire.

Anya understood although she wasn't too positive about it. A secret assassin organization that not even WISE knew existed until some time last year, there was no way her Mama leaving would be that simple. Regardless she was hopeful that things would work out in her favor.

"We'll figure something out once we finish with Operation Strix," Loid said, hoping to settle Yor's incoming stress.

Yor clapped her hands together with a wide smile. "Yes of course! How can we help?"

"As you know my target is Donovan Desmond"

Yor nodded. "Right, right, perhaps my friendship with Melinda can help somewhat although even when she invites us to her home we never see him there." She tilted her head remembering the few times she's been in the Desmond mansion.

Loid nodded, his spy demeanor taking over. "From what I've gathered over the years he's not close with his family he seems to keep them at arm's length." He began to explain his findings to Yor who despite not fully understanding everything it was fascinating to see such a side of Loid she never knew.

Anya smiled as she watched the two form a game plan to end Operation Strix as soon as possible. Ideas were forming, Loid at one point left to get a journal in his room to write down everything. The conversation went on until lunchtime when a break was done, they eventually moved to the living room where Bond joined in. Anya's smile only brightened as time passed.

"Anya does need only one more star but at the same time I refuse to put any more pressure on her," Loid said, the topic of Anya's involvement was finally touched. He didn't think getting that last Stella would be any easy considering how difficult getting the other six were.

"I'm sure I can get it easily." Anya would beg to differ of course. She had Damian by her side, no way he would let her fail if it meant becoming an Imperial Scholar and being by his side without anyone suspecting any- wait. She paused and blinked as her parents went back to planning for the potential Stella. Since all was well she could tell them-

"Of course, Anya is friends with Damian and she could try and set up a meeting with his father during one of the meet-ups." Loid hummed a bit but scrapped that thought. If Anya wasn't able to somehow meet Donovan in the last few years despite being friends then there's no chance she can now. It didn't help that Damian didn't seem close to his dad anyway.

Anya's smile quickly faded as her mind was invaded by Damian's angry and disappointed face. "So you were using me?" There was nothing but despair in his eyes.

No.

"Did you even love me?"

Of course she does!

"Why did you betray me?!"

No!

She quickly shook the thought away. She blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill. She couldn't do it, she can't do it. It'll hurt him, she'll hurt him. This entire operation will be her ruin. Will be his ruin. She watched as her parents continued what they were doing. Not noticing her distress. In the end, Anya realized she was truly fucked.

Who will it be?

Her family?

Or Damian?

-

The bell rang, and Anya was sure math class messed with her brain somewhat today. The material was impossible to learn! How does everyone else manage? How did Becky manage?! She groaned as a book hit her head. "Ow!" She glared up at the person who did it.

"You should study more," Damian said with a slight smirk.

Anya rolled her eyes. "Right, right, and you'll help me I assume?" She tilted her head and exaggeratedly batted her eyelashes.

Now it was Damian's turn to roll his eyes although Anya could see his small blush. "Sure anything for you."

Before Anya could respond Becky smacked Damian on the head really hard. "Idiot."

"Ow, what the hell Blackbell!" He exclaimed while rubbing his head.

She merely shook her head. "You're too obvious Desmond! It's a miracle nobody has figured anything out yet! It's a miracle you guys even managed to hide it from me!" She pouted, still clearly upset Anya was planning on hiding such important news from her and it wasn't all Damian's idea like she originally really wanted to believe. That entire conversation was rough on Anya, the number of times she over-explained was too much. Regardless Becky understood her friend's need to keep things on the down low.

"Nobody is around! We specifically chose this spot because of that!" Damian said while gesturing around him. They had been walking here for the past few minutes. It was a free period and they were more or less allowed to walk around the campus so long as they didn't disrupt any of the other classes. It was a great opportunity for Damian to spend time with Anya but unfortunately for him, Becky and the boys decided to tag along because it would be less suspicious. They were right but just because they were right didn't mean he had to like it.

Anya had to turn her head to avoid giggling. He was so dramatic it was cute.

"Anyway."

"Don't change the subject Blackbell!"

Becky sneered but continued anyway. "Anya, have you asked your parents for permission?"

Anya paused and looked at Becky in utter confusion. She started going back in time in her mind to remember what she forgot. "Uh…"

"The fake study session that's supposed to be your date with Damian at my house." She explained half expecting bad news.

That jogged Anya's memory and she felt like cold water was splashed all over her. Because of yesterday's events, she didn't even bother asking her parents. Since things were fine now it would have been okay to ask. She had decided she was still going to lie anyway. "Oh, that! Yeah, I have permission." She nodded as she began to freak out internally. WHY did I lie about that?! She did not have permission if that much wasn't obvious. If she showed up late or didn't show up at all her parents would naturally freak out and there wasn't anything she could do about it.

Becky squealed, unaware of her friend's predicament. "This is going to be exciting! My best friend's first date!" The squealing session continued. Anya forced her smile as Becky began to spill out all the events she had planned for the love birds. "And then we'll have dinner, just the two of you of course, and-"

"Becks knock it off, you're smothering Anya." Ewen grabbed Becky by her shoulders mainly to stop her from talking everyone's ear off.

Becky glared but figured he was right and decided to give Anya some space. Anya was very thankful for it but didn't show it. Nobody could tell she was having an ongoing internal battle. Meanwhile, Emile kept pondering how he ended up being a 5th wheel. They settled down on a more private spot in the garden, Becky and the boys sat down at a distance from Anya and Damian to give them some privacy.

"Are you excited for later?" Damian asked, he was rather fidgety. It was his first date with Anya after all. He had always imagined how it would go. Never in the million scenarios his mind conjured up did he think they'd be dating secretly.

Anya merely nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment. It wasn't that she didn't look forward to it, she just didn't know what to do. How does she reassure her parents she wasn't kidnapped without her friends and boyfriend thinking she completely forgot to ask?

Damian observed her for a bit before crossing his arms. "You didn't ask, did you?"

Anya practically choked on air. "Am I that obvious?!"

Damian playfully rolled his eyes. "Of course, your facial expressions usually give you away but this time I could tell because I know you."

Anya sweatdropped. "Great." She said in a low and sarcastic tone. With a sigh, she sat down on the nearby bench. Becky was off with the boys talking their ears off still giving them privacy. Damian sat next to her not saying much. Unfortunately, Anya was a mind reader.

Is she upset? I didn't say it to upset her.

She just looked at him questioningly while he pondered in his head. Didn't he just say he knows me? She internally giggled.

Damian looked up at her in confusion. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing!" She quickly answered.

He kept looking at her, trying to decipher what was going on while he was stuck in his head. "Anya."

"Hm?"

"We can reschedule if you want."

Anya paused, she was alarmed by such a statement for some reason. "No! It's okay, everything will be fine!"

"But Anya-"

"No buts! I can handle this, I know my parents." She reassured him but deep down she knew her efforts were going to waste because he knew she wasn't being truthful. She wasn't being honest with anyone honestly. With Damian, Becky, and her parents. Her parents were finally happy and on the road to reconciliation and yet she hasn't shared the news with her friends at all! And she didn't dare tell her parents about Damian. They were dating and in love. That she didn't want to use him for Operation Strix, and that they should find another way to complete the mission without hurting Damian.

She knew though.

She knew this was only going to end one way or another and that very thought freaked her out to no end.

"Anya!"

Anya blinked and looked up to see Becky running up to her and waving to get her attention. When she did she could see Becky had some pictures.

"Blackbell where did you-"

"Shut it Desmond a lady never tells her secrets." She threw Damian a glare. "Anya! My sweet Anya! Look at the newest fashion line! Let's do some quick shopping before your date!" Becky practically had hearts in her eyes.

Anya wasn't sure how to react. She merely sighed. "Becks, you know I can't afford this stuff." She pointed at a random dress. The price was jaw-dropping. Why anyone would spend so much money on a dress this fancy was beyond her. It was pretty, sure, but with that price, she'd be afraid of ruining it.

Becky merely waved her hand dismissively. "I'll pay for it." She showed off her wallet which had her allowance which was more than what her Papa made in a month.

"Absolutely not!"

"Anya come on."

"No!" She dismissed the idea entirely. Anya was a lot of things but she never allowed her friends to pay for her share of anything. "Becky, that's your money."

"And you're my best friend! Let me spoil you for once!" Becky argued.

But Anya wasn't backing down. "I said no!"

"Anya!!" She whined.

"Nope!"

Becky crossed her arms. "What! But why! Desmond back me up here!" Damian held his hands up knowing better than to get involved which only annoyed Becky. "Coward!"

"Hey now! You know Anya isn't one to just accept things without working for them." Damian said, needing to explain himself.

Ewen rolled his eyes. "What, like the many, many, many times you bought her peanuts, even the expensive kind?"

Damian's face turned beet red. "That's different!"

"How so?!" Becky questioned.

"Because technically I did work for them!" Anya pointed it out. All those times he only bought those as a means to motivate her to study more.

"Yeah!" Damian quickly jumped in to agree. "Anya likes peanuts so I figured I'd… buy them so she does better… yeah!"

Emile shook his head. "Real smooth boss."

"Shut it, Emile!"

Anya looked at him funny. "Was that not the reason?"

Damian's face couldn't get any redder. At this point, both Ewen and Emile couldn't help but burst out laughing. It was like they knew something she didn't. Not even Becky knew and this made her curious too.

"Spill it you two!" She was eager.

"That was just an excuse." Ewen began to explain.

"In reality, he figured giving you peanuts was a guarantee to get your attention." Emile finished wiping a tear from his eye.

Damian combusted on the spot practically covering his face. Anya blinked and blinked again, something clicking in her mind all of a sudden. "Oh! So that's why you were always embarrassed." It suddenly all made sense.

Damian half-heartedly glared at all. "You're getting it now?"

Anya practically cackled. "Oh my god, you're so adorable!"

Damian was sure this was the worst day of his life.

"My god I didn't know there were many shades of red." Becky teased with a snicker.

"Shut up Blackbell!"

She looked at her nails. "Don't think I will."

"Ewen shut her up."

"Huh?!"

"Excuse me!!"

Damian dismissed them both. He still didn't know why Ewen wasn't confessing to Becky about his feelings. Granted he wasn't any better and only did it because he thought his brother was taking her away. In hindsight, he still felt embarrassed about that assumption. Demetrius was way older than them. Why would he go after Anya?

Anya almost let out a snort at that. Indeed why would he? And why would she ever set her eyes on an adult?! She's not Becky!

Emile watched the entire scene wishing he had popcorn. Truly a sight to behold but also why was he the only one without a potential girlfriend? Was he destined to be forever alone? No way! Then again at the rate Ewen and Becky were going, they might as well also be forever alone.

Anya couldn't help but agree with that. But she knew why Becky didn't dare say anything. She felt bad for her. Surely there was something that could be done? But then again she was lucky she could be with Damian without any issues. If there were he would have said something by now.

Right…?

"Damian?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you… said anything to your parents…?" Why are you asking him?!

"About?"

"Us." STOP!

"Oh, um no, but I was mostly waiting for you to say something to your parents first."

Abort. Abort. ABORT!! "Oh! Yeah! Soon… I was just curious." She tried to play it off cool. She wasn't sure if Damian saw right through her, his thoughts didn't give him away oddly enough but he didn't say anything further. This meant all was well right? She figured getting her parents' approval was easier than his parents'. That's why he wanted to wait. Plus the secret relationship was her idea!

Why did she even ask? Why did she stir the pot?

Why does it matter?

It matters… Papa's plan…

"We have a plan laid out. We'll go back to Plan A, Anya gets her final Stella and when the meet-up happens I'll make contact. We know Donovan at the very least does attend if only for the sake of appearances and not so much because he cares about his son."

"It'll be easy since Anya is friends with Damian."

Friends…

Sure.

Anya shook away the memory. Plan A was better than Plan B at least but still, the very thought was enough to make her nauseous. She was still using him.

"Anya you look a little pale, you good?" Becky's concerned voice called out to her.

Anya was finally brought back to the present. She quickly nodded. "Yeah sorry got a little lightheaded."

"Did you eat this morning?" Now it was Damian's turn to be concerned. Like the caring boyfriend he was, he held her close to him.

The very motion only made her feel more emotional but she bit back her emotions knowing full well she couldn't show them. Nobody can know after all.

Nobody can know she's nothing but a liar.

Hello hello!

Unfortunately for me my authors block came back with a vengeance xD

So basically we're going back to I'll upload when it's done because I no longer trust when I'll be cured lol

But also I hit a rough patch in rl which hasn't really left me any time to sit down and try to write anyway as well as motivation

Thank god though I managed to finish this chapter! And progress on chapter 12 has started (nowhere near done yet naturally but at least it's being started lol)

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