Repercussions

SHAY

The tension in the elevator had escalated when Detective Oliver couldn't decide which theory he would rather believe: did I know, or did I not know, that Marcus Zephanie had faked his death?

Part of me wanted to admit a partial truth.

But a tiny part of me wanted to keep him on edge.

I didn't mean to do this to him. I had no intention of doing this to anyone.

However, the things that I had come to know are of great value. I can't just tell anyone about it.

It wasn't that simple. If it were, I wouldn't even be here riding the elevator with the Detective.

Detective Oliver seemed to be quietly assessing me. His silence had somehow invoked my curiosity.

"Be honest, Detective, why are you doing all of this?"

"Two can play the game, Shay. I'll tell you why if you tell me one thing you know regarding Marcus' fake death."

I was unable to stop myself from grinning. It appeared that I had found an equal. Things could get really interesting from here on out.

"You already know that he faked his death. What other information are you seeking?"

"Where is he?"

"He's everywhere."

Detective Oliver let out a tired sigh.

"That wasn't really an answer." I shrugged.

"That's all I could tell you. Now, I believe you owe me an explanation."

Detective Oliver looked defeated.

"I have a proposal for you."

I perked up. That was thought-provoking.

"Oh? What kind?"

"The kind that you can't say no to."

"Really? Let's hear it then."

"Marry me."

For a moment, I think the clock had stopped ticking. I couldn't really decide if he was serious or if he merely said that to gauge my reaction.

"You have a weird way of wooing a woman, Detective."

"I'm serious."

"Why?"

"Because I need you." A tiny part of me had hoped that him 'needing me' was because there was something going on between us.

Sadly, I was completely aware, right from the start, that both the Detective and I were dancing around each other with one of us trying to lay the traps while the other was attempting to elude.

It was pretty clear who was who in that scenario.

So whatever this was between me and him, it can never happen.

"You need me to find Marcus."

"Yes." I appreciate that he didn't try to deny his actual intention. Needless to say, I silently wished for him to at least obscure it a little. In that way, I can pretend that he actually came to see me… for me.

"You said that I couldn't say no. But what if I do? What then?"

I watched Detective Oliver eye me up and down before closing the tiny space between us, pinning me against the elevator walls. My heart started to beat erratically.

He was so close that I could smell his aftershave, a mix of spice and sage.

"I will have to make you." He said, his voice dropping to a lower pitch.

"I'm going to do it by force if I have to."

I couldn't tell if it was a threat. It didn't sound like one. It was more like a challenge.

Nonetheless, when I looked into his deep blue eyes, something else was there.

I found myself captivated.

Gratefully, the elevator finally came to a stop, breaking whatever spell I had fallen into.

--

RAFAEL

Before the world has fallen, there were many restaurants to choose from on a date.

However, in this reformed world, there is only one: La Boutique.

Just like in the old world, a restaurant can branch out to be accessible in other places other than their origin.

That was the case with La Boutique.

Actually, that was the case with everything around here.

The Mesial, being the capital, is where all main branches of everything can be found, while they provided a replica of the main one in each zone. Except, it was designed to consume a smaller space compared to the one in The Mesial.

"Reservation for Rafael Oliver, please." I said to the restaurant's hostess, who smiled upon seeing me, a look of recognition passing through her facial expression.

I had little patience with phone calls. Hence, I reserved our table in person earlier, which probably led to the lady staff remembering me instantly.

"This way, sir."

I placed a hand behind Shay Zephanie's back, guiding her as we followed the hostess.

She led us to the secluded part of the restaurant.

I intended to make sure that no prying eyes and ears would be able to hear our conversation.

Marcus Zephanie's fake death might not be a secret in our department at work, but that didn't mean that everyone else should know about it.

It would be harder to catch Marcus once he finds out that we're already pursuing after his trail.

"Here we are, sir, madam, the menu you've ordered will be served right after. I'll be back with you shortly. Would there be anything that you'd like to request, a song perhaps?"

"No, we're good. Thank you."

The restaurant hostess excused herself and left, leaving me and Shay Zephanie, who hadn't said a word after what happened in the elevator, alone.

I pulled out the nearby chair of the two at our reserved table and waited for her to sit before settling down myself as well.

I wasn't proud of what I did.

I didn't mean to scare her like that. I wasn't usually like that.

But I was serious. I'd do anything to get her to say yes.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened in the elevator. I didn't mean to frighten you or make you feel like I'm a dangerous person. I'm just really desperate." Desperate enough to ask for her hand in marriage, shamelessly.

I braced myself for Shay Zephanie's response, watching her closely. I saw a ghost of a smile briefly cross her lips.

"Don't worry yourself, Detective. I'm not mad. I was only weighing several reasons why I think this is a bad idea."

I was relieved to hear that she didn't hold my uncalled-for actions against me and, at the same time, was amazed at how she always seemed to keep me on my toes.

But now, I was curious.

"I'd like to hear a few of those reasons, Shay. Please enlighten me."

"Gladly. First off: there's only a ten percent probability that this plan of yours might work."

Ouch, that kind of stung.

"Ten percent? You have such a little faith in me, Shay. You're worse than my friend, Ronald." At least I had a thirty percent advantage from his point of view.

"That's because the ninety percent is riding on a higher chance of me saying no."

Dang, she really knows how to play her game.

I scoffed.

"Okay, that's one. Please go on."

"Can you guarantee you won't fall in love with me, Detective?"

She was serious. I smiled.

"That goes for you, too. Will you be able to resist my irresistible charm, Miss Zephanie?"

"Touché."

"What else?"

"There's nothing in it for me. I don't see why you were so confident that I can't say no, Detective. Because in my opinion, I can."

I beg to disagree.

"But that's where you're wrong, Shay."

Shay Zephanie raised an eyebrow in my direction.

"Really? Would you care to elaborate, Detective?"

"If-no, when we catch Marcus and finally have him in custody, your testimony against him will give the justice that your parent's death deserved twenty years ago."

Shay Zephanie shook her head, laughing. I didn't find anything funny about what I had said.

"Vengeance. You're saying that if I say yes to your crazy proposal, I could get vengeance?"

"Not exactly how I would put it, but sure, let it be that way."

"That's not a win-win situation for me, Detective. You see, if I was looking for vengeance or justice, as you wanted to phrase it, I could have done it myself a long time ago. I had plenty of opportunities."

"Then, why didn't you?"

I watched Shay Zephanie's unwavering amused expression as she clasped her hands on the table, angling her body to lean a little towards me.

"I'll let that question haunt you in your dreams, Detective. I'll keep you guessing."

A profound silence had settled between us following her statement. The instrumental music playing around the restaurant was at last given a chance to be heard.