Just The Right Black

Chapter 1

Ari's POV

Why does Director Penn want to see me?

Hardly does Jack ever send for an agent except its urgent or the team was called to carry out an OP. But the team wasn't here since we were already assigned an OP, so it's an urgent matter.

I wonder what could be so important, he had me pulled out of the field, away from my team for this.

It better be good...and more thrilling than the OP the team was just assigned.

I paused outside his door and knocked.

"Come in" I heard before I twisted the knob and entered his office

"Director you wanted to see me?" I asked after I shut the door

He looked up from his paper work

"Yes, Agent Feilman" he said "Have a seat"

I stood at ease and took his offer. I waited for him to continue.

"I have an assignment for you" he said leaning forward with his arm on his desk

"I figured that much" I said

Silence.

"Jace Black" he said

"I beg your pardon, sir?" I was confused

"That's your assignment" he said "You're gonna give him protection till I say 'stand down'"

What?!

Protection?

Protection!

What the heck!

He wants me to be a... I can't even utter that word.

"Excuse me, sir" I began "When I got called in, I expected it to be something bigger than what the team was assigned and not something below my rank"

"Agent Feilman, I'm assigning you this job cause you're the best and I need the best for this job" he said "The details doesn't matter. Just stick to protecting the named person and you'll be back on the field with the team sooner than you expect"

Oh, I wanted to punch something so freaking hard.

I took an inaudibly deep breath.

"Sir, you want me to be a..." I clenched my jaw, not able to utter the word

"Bodyguard" he said staring at me blankly "Yes Agent Feilman, and I expect nothing but the best from you. Is. That. Clear?"

"Yes sir" I finally said, sighing inwardly

"Get prepared" he said "It's a round the clock protection. You'll be staying with the named person. See you bright and early tomorrow Agent Feilman" he said dismissively

I swallowed and got up. Leaving his office, I went out of the HQ. Mounting my black pulsar power bike, I fastened my helmet. I started it, revving the loud roaring engine, I sped off to the gym. I needed to let off some steam before this so-called assignment which seemed more like a punishment.

All my team mates would think I got punished.

What the heck?!

I was getting an assignment for a rank way lower than mine.

But the Director specifically said he wanted the best for this job. So, it wasn't a punishment. Something was up.

This named person must be important and in a lot of trouble to need the best protection the Director could offer. But the named person also wanted to keep it low key. Otherwise, the Director would have assigned more agents to this case.

I sighed.

Jace Black.

I have to find out what exactly is going on. I only got a name. No story or case file to back it up. Just a goddamn meaningless name.

How the f**k is that going to help?

After two hours in the gym with Wang - the gym owner and trainer, I sped off to my apartment for a shower and change of clothes. I then drove off to GC Hospital, getting lilies on the way.

"Ari" nurse Betty smiled as I walked into the lobby

I smiled at her. She was in her late forties. She took great care of her for me and always informed me when something was wrong.

"How's she feeling today?" I asked

"Same as before" she said

I smiled.

I liked Nurse Betty for her honesty. She doesn't sugar coat anything.

I gave a curt nod before I made my way to the elevator, going to her room.

I got out of the elevator, stepping into the hall way. I walked to her room and opened the door. I saw her thin figure lying on the bed, unconscious as before. I went to the side table and switched the old lilies with the new ones. Dumping the old ones into the bin. I dragged a chair to the side of the bed and held her hand.

"Hey mum" I said "How are you feeling? You look better." I paused "So I got called off the OP and I was assigned a personal case. I'm starting tomorrow, it's a round the clock job, so I don't know when I'll see you next. But I promise when I'm done, I'll come see you" I paused "Betty's giving you a hard time uh?" I smiled

Mum has been like this for a few years. She found out she had cancer a year after my graduation, when I was in the Army, but she never said anything. I got a call one day telling me that I was on their patient's next of kin. I found out over the phone that mum collapsed. I rushed across the country to see my mum and found out she had cancer. She had been going for Chemo and it was going well, suddenly she lost consciousness - somewhat of a side effect the doctor said. I quit the Army for obvious reasons and moved back here. No one quits the Army just like that but when the superiors were informed of my reason, I was relieved of my duties.

Jack Penn called me out of the blues one day, apparently, my S.O. in the Army spoke to him about me. So, he offered me a spot as an Agent and I took it. And here I am a few years later doing what I've grown to love and waiting for the day my mum wakes up.

I stayed with mum for a few hours before Betty came in.

"You should go home sweetheart" she said placing a hand on my shoulder

I looked up and smiled at her

"You're on tonight's shift?" I asked her

"No" she said "I just don't have anyone at home today. I'd rather stay here helping out than going home to an empty house"

"You'd be too exhausted for your morning shift tomorrow" I said, frowning at her

She smiled

"I'm off tomorrow"

I sighed and smiled at her

"Now you go home" she said "That job of yours is worse than mine"

I got up, shifting the chair back to its former position. I hugged Betty.

"I won't be here for a while" I told her "They've got me on something two-four-seven without an end date"

"Does anything you do ever have an end date" She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes

I scoffed smiling at her.

"Bye Betty" I said leaving

"Bye sweetheart. Be careful" she called as I left the room.

I went home and got the best sleep I could get because I don't know when next I'll be able to sleep. This job being two-four-seven, I have to be at alert every time.