My Passion in Pain

The Mission

“Rach,” He took her hands and continued as he leaned even closer. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t miss us.”

She looked him straight in the eye and he saw hers. It was just as pure and hot as he had remembered. He knew she missed what they had, but maybe if she said it, it’ll make him less doubtful.

He was ready to fight for her. To take her back even, no matter the stakes—no matter the risks.

But she said something far different from what he’d expected.

“It’s Richard!”

Breaking his line of thought, and before he could process what was happening, she dragged him and ran without looking back.

“Rach…” he tried to stop her, but she kept running further into the building. And in the twinkle of an eye, they were in the ladies' room.

“Come, let’s stay here for a while,” she said. Her breathing was fast like she had seen a ghost.

“Who’s Richard?”

After slowing down her heavy breathing, she found her voice and responded. “He’s my husband. I don’t know how he’s here. Could he be following me?”

Alex held her cold hands. “Breathe.”

“He could have seen me. Did he see me? Did he see YOU?”

“Rach, breathe!”

She let out a deep breath and looked up at him. “Thanks. I can’t believe I’m hiding from my husband in a hotel’s restroom. I’m pathetic.”

“I would have asked, but I believe it's private. Nonetheless, you’re not pathetic. If I must add, you’re smart.”

“Smart is not the opposite of pathetic,” Racheal said amidst mocking laughter and then she continued with a smile, “but thanks… and I’m sorry I brought you into this.”

“Are you kidding? I’m spending time with you again. You even made fun of my grammar. It’s like the good old days.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. We’re hiding from my husband, remember.”

“I see it as hanging o…”

“Shh”

She placed a finger over his lips as soon as they heard the door outside.

She froze, but her eyes were still angelic. Soft and innocent, like she was a scared little girl and he was her hero.

Okay, maybe not a complete hero… but he liked to think so.

And her fingers, so tender as they laid on his lips. He couldn’t help himself. Her fragrance, the sound of her breath, the closeness…

He tugged her closer, bent, and found her lips with his.

She let out a gasp before her lips entangled in his. The way she succumbed to his kiss, he knew immediately that she wanted him.

Her moan was thrilling and alluring. Her body was fragile like it could break and he was in charge of protecting her. He hugged her closer, kissing her even deeper and harder than before. He wrapped his hands around her feminine waist and she moaned.

But then she stopped.

“I can’t do this.” She pushed the door open and ran off.

“Rach…” Alex called out as he followed behind.

“Oh ma’am, I thought you had left,” the attendant from earlier said as soon as she met Racheal.

Alex looked over at Rachel. She was dumbfounded, most likely from the remaining tingles in her body. So he stepped up to reply and kill the awkwardness that was starting to form.

“We’re still around. We wanted to check around the place. You have a beautiful structure, by the way.”

“Thank you, and I’m glad you said that. We are currently offering a promotion and I think you might be interested. Some of our finest suites go for half the price.”

“I would be delighted to…”

“How much for the drinks?” Racheal cut in.

“It’s complimentary.” The attendant replied with a welcoming smile.

“Thank you. And I won’t be taking any rooms, but I’m honored.” Racheal said and turned to leave without much of a second look. Alex followed behind her, calling her name till they reached the car.

“Rach, please stop.” She finally stopped by the car and looked back. Her innocent eyes were teary. His heart broke for her.

“I’m sorry, okay?” he finally said, hoping it would comfort her. He hated to see her cry or in pain. And it was even harder for him because he was the one causing her pain.

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I just miss you. I miss us.”

“There is no ‘us’. Don’t you get it? I’m engaged for heaven’s sake.”

“I’m sorry I left, Rach. Please.”

“No, you’re not sorry. If you were, you wouldn’t have come back. You would have stayed back in the city you fell in love with. You can’t expect to show up in my life and everything would start to dance around you.”

“Please, Rach.”

“No!...” She said and took a pause, cleaning off the tears that dropped from her eyes. “I have to go,” she ended, stepped in her car, started the engine, and drove off.

Alex watched the car leave the parking lot and ran his hands through his thick hair.

“Would you like the room, sir?” The attendant’s voice crept up behind him.

“Are you following me?… Forget it! Give me a room.” He said, walking back to the hotel.

***

Alex unlocked the door of the suite and was welcomed into a cozy, yet luxurious view.

He headed straight for the bed and plopped into it, fully clothed. He closed his eyes but soon opened them again at the sound of his phone ring.

The caller ID made him jump to his feet before tapping green.

“Received?” The voice on the phone asked sharply.

“In 2 hours,” Alex replied with the same tone.

“Remember. No mishaps!”

“Guaranteed!”

But it wasn’t guaranteed.

No Mishaps? That would mean no mistake whatsoever. But there was already a mistake. He had spent more hours of his time in New York looking for Racheal. And when he found her, he didn’t hesitate to meet with her.

But at the same time, he could not possibly report that he had been distracted with getting his old love back. So instead he decided to lie. What bad could happen?

“Guaranteed? Are you sure?” The voice asked.

He was sure that he would get Racheal back. He was sure that he would finish his mission. But he wasn’t sure if there won’t be any mishaps. Because there already was.

“Affirmative. No Mishaps.” Alex enforced.

There was no response for a while and he was beginning to tense up. But he became stressed even more when he heard the reply.

“It would be a deathly mistake to play with us.”

“I don't…”

“14:12, wrong location, accompanied by a dark-haired civilian. 15:32, another wrong location, accompanied by the same civilian. 18:15, right now. Wrong location.”

Alex quickly rushed to the window but saw no one when he looked through.

“We are always watching. Always.”

“Client called for a change of location.” He said, trying to defend himself

“It would be a deathly mistake to play with us. Remember the mission. Remember the goal.”

And the phone beeped. Alex let go of a deep breath and looked through the window again. Still, he saw no one. And then he decided to check the room for any hidden cameras.

After a futile effort lasting minutes, he picked up his phone from where he had dropped it and dialed a number.

“Cody!”

“Sup bro. Been a minute.”

“I’m being followed. Any eyes on me?”

“Let me check.” After a few seconds of silence, Cody responded. “Yes. Two. The tall building adjacent to your location… right now. And another opposite. Should I take them out?”

“Too risky. Appoint falcons to watch them. Have you disabled the chip?”

“Working on it. It’s a fifth-generation GPS chip. It’s not that easy.”

“I’m counting on you, Cody. I need them to stop tracking me.”

“Sure thing.”

“Also, about Wellington. Any update?”

“I got his address. Sending it over now.”

“Good job. I want to know everything. Let me know exactly who I’m dealing with here.”

“Sure thing.”

“One more thing Cody… No one must know about this. I’m on a mission and that’s all they need to know.”

“No problem. But they gave you a day. How do you plan to delay?”

“Leave it to me. I have a plan. Just focus on digging up Wellington. His time’s up.”

“Got it…but bro?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful.”

Alex cut the call and immediately checked for the information Cody had sent.

“Carnegie Hill… So that’s where you’ve been hiding. Executive Director of the Surety Foundation. Richard Wellington. I’m coming for you.”

His line of thought was broken by the buzz of the landline.

“Hello?”

“This is the bottom floor. Are you ready for dinner sir?”

Remembering that he had not eaten proper food all day, he requested that the dinner be brought up, and he ended the call.

After a long while, he heard a knock on the door and he assumed it was the attendant with his long-desired food.

As he opened the door, he saw a shocking sight.

It was her beautiful face.

“Hi again, Alex.”

“Rach!”