Episode 3: Living Conditions

"SO ALL THAT WAS A TEST?" I yelled at Supervisor Han who still gave me his usual smiley look.

The incident at the airport was sorted out with no problem. And as it turned out, the entire thing was actually a test cooked up by the higher-ups. Of course, Han dipped his sadist little fingers in it to cause some drama. And the result? I discovered something about my best friend that I rather not have known, and apparently, a lot of our officers were idiots who were easily manipulated.

We eventually arrived in Canada, my home country. Supervisor Han insisted on tagging along to explain to us our new living conditions. He explained that the higher ups were actually quite on board with the mission and have decided to support us in every way. In fact, they even provided us an apartment in the middle of the city close to headquarters so my commute would be shorter. They argued that this arrangement would prevent "marital spats" due to staying at work too late.

Mr. Han sent Maria ahead to prepare the apartment. I insisted on helping her but Mr. Han wanted to discuss the finer details of the mission as soon as possible. I felt guilty but Maria and my parents reassured me that it was fine. Plus, she seemed keen on doing some heavy lifting after sitting for hours so I eventually relented.

Now, Mr. Han and I were headed to headquarters in a computer-controlled company car.

"The test was for me to see if you're worth sticking my neck for," he said as he popped open a can of beer. "I expected a lot but really? 'Shoving it up the higher ups' asses?' Now that's quite bold."

I buried my face in my hands. High strung as I was, disrespecting the higher-ups was a total career suicide. Thank god Mr. Hans was notorious for favoring interesting situations over kissing up to his superiors.

The car travelled along the route towards the SPD building. But before it reached the street where the entrance was, the car immediately took a detour.

I raised an eyebrow. "So what's the deal with the car?" I asked.

"Precaution," Mr. Han replied. "Details of this mission are highly sensitive and the office is hardly a place for a clandestine conversation."

I immediately understood what he meant as soon as he said that. "Did Chakob say anything to you?"

"No names," he replied. "He just let us know that the SPD have some... eavesdroppers. That father-in-law of yours really like the drama."

"You're two peas in a pod," I smirked.

He shrugged. "I guess that's why I'm so willing to be your handler," he replied.

"So," I continued. "What do the higher ups want from us?"

Without a word, Mr. Han reached into the large sleeve of his traditional Chinese robe and produced a brown envelope.

"Read this thoroughly," he said. "There's a lot of details in it that I'm sure you'd like, but the gist of it's that the higher-ups decided to give this mission a year. If we can't prove that this mission's worth all the risk and expenses by then, we'll get demoted. Until then, they'll give you and Maria anything you need to act as a married couple. Hell, you can even have a kid and they'll be willing to pay for that too."

I scanned through the documents. As he said, it was all data that I'd need to have a good grasp on the mission. No need to read them right now.

"You're really gonna ignore that kid comment I just did?" he asked.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Mr. Han," I rebutted. "We're in a fake marriage. Even if the SPD told me to do it for the sake of the mission, I'm not laying a finger on her."

Mr. Han reclined and looked at me with amusement.

"You're quite the gentleman, Officer Roberts," he said with a sly smirk. "I also heard that you never touched your previous girlfriend. Was that also your preference?"

My ears twitched at the sudden mention of my past.

"No," I replied. "Work got in the way. And before we knew it, we've drifted too far."

"I guess dating another SPD officer's too much even for you, huh," he said and took a sip of his beer.

"It's tough for anyone..." I replied. "Those who can make it work are more mythical than you, Mr. Han."

He chuckled. "That's true, kiddo," he said and finished off the rest of the can.

The car continued to drive us around the city until the sun was almost setting. And before long, it parked itself in front of a tall building. It was an intimidating structure. And as I stepped out of the car, it greeted me me with its polished dark windows and modern architecture. Two guards were posted at the automatic doors and fountains decorated either side of the path. It was the apartment I guessed, but I never thought that they'd get us one of the most luxurious ones.

"I can't believe that the higher-ups were willing to give us this," I gasped.

"Well, some of those guys are thousands of years old you know," he replied. "Your life's become one helluva telenovela, kiddo. And you know how those bored meddling hags like those."

"Right..." I chuckled wryly.

"Well, don't keep your wife waiting now," he said while waving goodbye. "The moving guys aren't here anymore so I'm guessing she finished everything. Pamper her a bit, will you?"

"Will do," I replied and watched as the car disappeared into the streets.

I let out a long sigh. The past few days have been hectic and it seemed that my lungs finally gave out.

Using the key fob in the envelope, I entered the building. The two guards greeted me with a curt smile, and as the automatic door opened, a sudden gust of lavender hit my nose. Smooth, calming music filled the tidy and slick interior. It was clearly a place aimed for the busy and overwhelmed. A place where they could relax and call home.

Our apartment was in the 40th floor so I had to take the elevator.

Ugh, elevators...

The last time I was in one, there were two gang members beside me. Thankfully, the elevator was empty when its doors opened. But just to be sure, I immediately pressed the "close door" button on it.

But as the doors were about to close, a giant green hand wedged itself in it. And all of a sudden, sweat rolled down my forehead.

"Thank goodness we made it!"

"For sure! Why'd they make these elevators so slow anyway?"

Two familiar voices rang through and as the elevator opened once again, two familiar gigantic figures cast their shadows onto me. It was Mateo and Alejandro! They still wore their suits and their signature hairstyles.

The three of us paused in recognition. But instead of awkwardly letting the door close as I wanted them to do, the two immediately squeezed in. And before long, I was in between two mountains of muscles with nowhere to go.

"Press to the 40th floor please," Alejandro requested.

I obliged and waited for the doors to close on my fate.

The elevator hummed as it lifted us to our destination. In the silence, I could feel my heart beating loudly and their gruff breathing. Soon enough, I couldn't take the silence anymore.

"Did Chakob send you?" I asked.

"Straight to the point, aren't ya?" Mateo answered.

"The boss sent us, yes, but not to spy on you if that's what you're thinking," Alejandro immediately chimed in.

"So why're you here then?" I pressed.

"You notice anyone missing?" Alejandro asked.

Right... That guy's missing...

I let out a tired sigh as I massaged my temples.

"Just keep him in line," I groaned slightly. "And if any of you get in the way, I'll beat the shit out of you before I arrest you."

"Boss won't have it any other way," Alejandro replied.

As our conversation ended, so did our elevator ride and we went towards opposite directions. Guess they were telling the truth...

I reached the door, Apartment 4010. I used the fob on the door and it unlocked with a satisfying click. The door creaked slightly as it opened and unexpectedly, complete darkness greeted me.

"Maria?" I called out.

No answer. Did she leave? Did my parents take her somewhere?

I checked my phone. No messages from my parents and I haven't bought Maria a phone yet so she wouldn't be able to contact me even if she wanted.

I felt around for the switch and when I found it, the lights revealed a very surprising scene. The living room was fully furnished with no boxes in sight. And from afar, it seemed that the kitchen was already used as evidenced by the dishes in the sink and the pot on the stove.

I walked along the carpeted floors towards the living room and found a note on the coffee table.

[You were taking long so I cooked. Hope you like pork stew.]

I smiled and glanced at the owner of the note who was sprawled across the couch. She snored a little and still haven't changed from her regular attire. But she was sleeping so soundly that it'd be too cruel to wake her up. She was undoubtedly tired from travelling but she still finished unpacking and even made dinner. Orcish vitality always amazed me.

But tired as she may be, passing out on the couch would make her sore tomorrow. So, using a little bit of wind magic, I carried her into the bedroom as gentle as I could. It was the master bedroom from the size of it and the king sized bed was also a dead giveaway. It was also properly furnished with the bed even having fresh sheets on them.

She stirred slightly as I put her down. Remembering the mermen on the beach, every movement she made sent shivers down my spine. Eventually, I managed to tuck her in.

I was planning to head to sleep myself, but my eyes remained glued on her. Her face was gentle, and young. I hardly believed it with Chakob told me we were the same age. And her arms were so thin. Even though one punch from her would send me flying. Ever since I met her, I've only seen her as this strong, scary woman. But looking at her sleeping face, she just looked like any other girl.

I eventually shook myself off of her trance and headed for the couch. But before I do, a sudden rattle on the window caught my attention.

My heart froze. An intruder? An assassin? My mind spun with all the scenarios it could be.

The window was covered with a thick curtain so I couldn't see any shadow from beyond it. Slowly, I knelt down to grab the back-up pistol in my shoe. Then, with careful steps, I approached the window. Silently, so that I wouldn't spook whoever it was.

Then, I pulled it back. Ever so slightly just so I would have enough time to react with whatever it was.

At that moment, when I've fully peeled back the curtain, the most nonsensical and rage-inducing image appeared. It was Rico. He dangled in front of the window using nothing but a thick rope.

Our eyes locked.

His face, filled with rage, yelled a bunch of incomprehensible insults through the soundproof window.

My eyes, dead from tiredness, just looked at him as I slowly grinded his rope using the sand in the air as a makeshift wind saw.

Noticing this, he immediately erupted into a frenzy. But I remained stoic. And before long, the rope snapped, and he fell onto the pavement below.

And with all troubles out of the way, I can finally sleep.