A different day

"What's wrong with Chief today?" Cole questioned the moment Chief Morgan was out of sight and looked at Kate especially for answers.

"I know right? He smiled and I think this is the first time I've seen him smile." Laura added, her eyes still rounded in shock. "Do you think he broke his brain when he was blowing his steam off?"

Dominic rolled his eyes while Bradley continued to give them a bored look, not pitching in any thoughts even though he had one at that moment.

"Kate, may I call you Kate in private?" Laura swiveled on her chair until she was facing the lady beside her.

"Sure." Kate wasn't bothered by her friendliness even though it had been only a few hours since they met. Laura wasn't a vile person and that was all she needed. It wouldn't hurt her to have a friend like her.

"Kate, what potion did you feed the iron tree that cherry blossoms are blooming on it?"

"What?" Kate gave her an incredulous look.

"Laura, don't you think your question is a little too unreasonable?" Dominic warned with a frown.

Although he knew her intentions, her words sounded terrible and one's imagination would immediately run wild if they didn't know that their Chief was happily married and he loved his wife to death. The entire IB was aware that the iron tree was a wife-doting maniac and it was only for her that he showed his soft side.

However, none of them had met the great warrior who had subdued their Chief. It was only a phone conversation they had overheard where their stone-faced Chief was speaking softly to his wife and it was enough to create a huge ruckus in the IB. Since then, many people started to worship the brave lady who had sacrificed her life for the greater good and the well-being of IB.

"I didn't mean it that way." Laura realized what she had said and she snuck out her tongue apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I get your sentiments. I'm surprised to see him smile as well." Kate brushed off her words with a soft smile. There were no hard feelings.

"Did you know him before this day?" Dominic leaned forward curiously.

"No. This is the first time I'm meeting him." Kate was sure she had not met him during her training days. Even when she was in the police force, she had never met Chief Morgan. 

"Well, let's just say he woke on the wrong side of the bed today." Cole shrugged as if his Chief's strange behavior didn't matter to him much and everyone agreed upon it.

"Shall we go for lunch? I'm famished." Laura stood up and patted her stomach and Cole was quick to grasp the opportunity to attack her.

"And the voracious rabbit is back." 

All Laura did was flip him off as she dragged Kate with her.

On the way, they received quite a few stares and by now, Kate was accustomed to it.

"Ignore them. The ladies are jealous of your looks and smartness and the men are...let's just say are doubting themselves by comparing with you." Laura whispered and Kate let out a soft chuckle immediately.

"I know. I became used to it."

"Good girl. You'll survive in the IB."

"Is it that terrible?"

Laura quirked a brow at her, prompting her to elaborate.

"I mean the jealousy and the competition."

"Hmm...maybe. People are always jealous. We just have to make sure they don't stop being jealous of us. Otherwise, they can't digest their food." Laura stated as a matter of fact. "And as for competition, it doesn't matter. The best will win no matter who competes."

"Agreed," Cole added from behind. "After all, not everyone is the best unlike me." He said it with such pride that even Kate felt like throwing a jab a him.

"The best and you? Please." Laura made a face as if she was about to puke and Cole jumped back in fright.

"If you want to puke, go far away from me." He looked at her in disgust, making Laura glare at him in annoyance.

"Let's go, Kate. Someone's presence is making me nauseous." Laura quickened her footsteps and Kate had no choice but to do the same to match her pace.

Ten minutes later, the five sat together at the table as they ate their lunch. Kate's eyes fell on Bradley who had not spoken a word for a long time.

Curious to know more about him, she leaned towards Laura who was having a spoon fight with her food.

"Is he always like this?" Kate tried to keep her voice as low as possible so as to not alert the men.

"Who?" Laura frowned and gave Kate a puzzled look.

"Bradley. Is he always silent?"

"Oh him? You can say so. He's just an old Grandpa who is conserving his energy for world peace." 

"I see." Kate nodded and pushed a spoon of rice into her mouth.

"So, Kate. May we call you Kate as well?" Dominic spoke all of a sudden, gaining everyone's attention to him.

"Sure." Kate had no problem with it and shrugged lightly.

"Tell us more about yourself."

"Umm..." Kate didn't know where to start and she looked at Laura for help.

"Fine, I'll start. You know my name already. I started training to join IB after I passed out of high school. It's my eighth year this year. As for my personal life, I'm happily single and I love to travel. Exploring different cuisines is a habit of mine and...." Laura thought for a moment before she ended her introduction. "I think I covered all the necessary details."

"Thank you. Very informative." Cole commented which earned him a kick from Laura under the table.

Kate didn't miss the smile that spread across Cole's face. Even though he was being kicked brutally, he was not annoyed. He didn't kick Laura back either and Kate's radar caught onto what was happening immediately.

'Does Laura know?' She wondered and glanced at her. From her face, it was obvious she was oblivious to it and Kate pitied Cole. 

"I'm Cole, the cool one here." Cole went next. "Laura and I have been classmates since school.

"Oh, you two practically grew up together?" Kate interjected with a smile and Bradley glanced at her twice.

'Perceptive and smart.' He thought.

"You can say so. We trained together and joined IB together as well. I'm single and as for what I love," His eyes immediately went to Laura who had her head lowered. 

'More specifically who you love.' Kate corrected silently.

"I'm going to keep it to myself for now."

Kate sighed in disappointment but didn't show it to anyone.

"Dom, you are next." Cole leaned back and masked his expression as he continued to sneak peeks at Laura.

"Bradley and I joined IB a year earlier than Laura and Cole. We were trainees together. I have a fiancée who I'll be marrying at the end of the year."

"Congratulations." Kate chimed and Dominic smiled at her in return.

"As for my hobbies, I like to draw and paint in my free time."

"Interesting." Kate mused and turned her attention to Bradley who had already finished his food.

'When did he eat it?' She wondered, surprised by his swiftness. She had barely seen him eat and now, his plate was licked clean.

"What about you? What are your hobbies?"

"This guy is an adventure geek. Anything to do with adventure and he'll be there first." Dominic answered instead and Kate nodded. She didn't ask him about his relationship status. If he wanted to say it, he would. She wouldn't force him.

"I'm Kate. I was in the police force for five years and now, here I am. As for my hobbies, does car racing include?"

"Definitely," Cole answered. "I didn't know you were an adventurous type."

"Can't hate the adrenaline rush. Can we?" Kate winked cheekily.

Dominic's head shot up and he looked at Bradley in surprise. But the man had no reaction at all. He was unbothered by all that was transpiring around him.

"What about a boyfriend? Do you have one?" Laura didn't let her go and questioned her, quirking her brows playfully at her.

"No. I've been single for a long time now."

"Wise choice," Bradley remarked all of a sudden, taking everyone by storm.

"Laura, pinch me." Cole extended his arm as he gaped at the man beside him and let out a yell the next instant.

"Why did you pinch me?" He protested as he rubbed his skin to soothe the pain.

"Didn't you ask me to? Why are you being a baby?"

"What's happening today? First Chief and now Brad? Is it some special day today that I don't know?" He continued to gawk at his friend who was not being himself all of a sudden.

Bradley scoffed and rolled his eyes at him before he donned his 'I'm bored' expression again. He had said more words than he did on average and now, he'd only speak if he was only required of him.

The lunch ended as they discussed the case and they returned to work with Cole and Laura bickering on the way back.