The Venturesome Race

Chapter Eleven:

MATEO WILLIAMS POV –

It had been almost a full 48 hours since I last saw her and that was starting to make me nervous. Not because I had the burning desire to be close to her but because if she wasn’t here, that means neither is what we’re looking for. We’ve been wasting our time here. For some reason, the thought of her thinking I was foolish was like a weight pushing down on my chest and I was left with the white-hot need to prove myself to her. Irrational I know but I couldn’t help it.

I was beginning to think that Jun and I would never hear back from the boss. I called him yesterday and alerted him to the fact that I didn’t think she was in India anymore or at least not this part of it, I had expected them to pull us back to the company's main HQ in Washington DC, but they hadn’t made the call until an hour ago.

Jun knocked on my bedroom door before popping his head in immediately anyway. He beamed his pearly whites at me in a Cheshire cat like grin.

“Ready to go bud?” He asked as he lightly kicked the bottom of the door, so it was wide open.

“Yeah as much as I love the travel, I can’t deny I enjoy sleeping in my own bed almost as much.” I joked whilst tossing the large duffel bag that doubled as my short-term holiday suitcase, over my shoulder.

The car ride to the airport was quiet and The flight back to the States didn’t seem as long. Jun stuffed his face with almost all the food on board in the first hour before passing out for the remainder and I stayed awake the whole time, just thinking about her. I still had so many unanswered questions, like did that tattoo snake the length of her body like I suspected it did, and why orchids? Did she prefer dogs to cats or summer to winter? Who is the protective stone like man that accompanies her, and would she kill me if she had no other choice? Questions I was unsure I wanted answering swirled around in my mind by the dozens before the company plane landed back on American soil. After dropping Jun off at his apartment, I went back to my own to catch some much-needed sleep. I lived in a small 3 storey building; three apartments reside on the first two floors, but the top floor was all mine.

As I was climbed the last two steps towards my door, something caught my attention. That’s when I spotted it. A small white vase containing a single tall white Orchid. I picked it up gingerly and inspected it while unlocking my door.

Taking it inside with me, I determined it was exactly what it looked like. A Beautiful Orchid in a small pale pink vase with a tiny card stuck into the soil carefully by the tip. After locking the door, I carried the vase with me into the living room and sat on my sofa before placing it in front of me on the coffee table. I plucked the note from the soil slowly and let out a breath I didn’t realise I had been holding in. On the tiny piece of paper was a single sentence.

“Oh, we are going to have some fun together. Brynn.” and the smallest wax seal I had even seen was stamped on the corner of the note bearing a single orchid as the crescent. That confirmed what I already suspected the moment I spotted the flower on my door mat; she had been here or at the very least knew where I lived. After having the quickest and coldest shower ever I was finally sliding into my own bed for the first time in weeks when my phone rang. One glance at the caller ID told me I couldn’t ignore it.

“So Agent Williams, I know you and Agent Lee just returned from India, but I need you back out there asap.” Rushed out a husky and thick English accent I had grown used to the past few assignments.

“Sure thing boss but since its 4am and I got off the plane an hour ago, I think I’m going to sleep for a few hours first. Also, before you ring Jun, he is already asleep Sir.” I replied in the most compliant tone I could muster.

“Fine, I’ll send a car to pick you up at 1pm. I want you back on the ground in India by tomorrow night.” He grunted before ending the call.

“Sure thing boss.” I responded to no one as I tossed my work phone onto the bedside table.

I was not prepared in the slightest for the 9am alarm I had set but a quick coffee and shower helped wipe away the remaining sleep. Looking down at my watch I confirmed it was ten now, meaning I was right on time for a late breakfast with my mother. I was sat in the café absentmindedly observing the people walking by when she walked in, well more like rushed.

“Hello sweetheart, you look nice. Have you been eating enough?” She questioned as she took a seat beside me.

“Yes mother I have been eating plenty. You look chipper today, something happen?” I asked as she looked at menu, even though she ordered the same thing every week.

“Nothing to be concerned about darling.” She sighed with a tight smile while lightly rubbing the back of my hand.

“The girl I told you about last month came to see me again.” Her smile reached her eyes when she spoke about this girl, the one who had been visiting her every few weeks for the past year. It worried me a little that I knew absolutely nothing about the person who was coming to see my mother so regularly.

“You really should tell me her name, let me do a light background check on her.” I remarked with clear annoyance.

“Mateo don’t use that tone with me, remember who you’re talking to.” She looked me dead in the eyes and raised her fork to show her seriousness.

“Sorry mom. I just worry about you.” I flashed her my most boyish grin.

“I know my love, but I am an incredibly wise woman and a great judge of character. I can take care of myself.” She smiled as she gently stroked my cheek.

“Anyway, you might get what you want.” In the blink of an eye her tender, motherly smile had been replaced by her secretive one.

“What do you mean ma?” I asked as I readjusted myself to a straighter sitting position.

“I want you to meet her. She is smart, compassionate, beautiful and intrigued by the most wonderous things, I think you would like her very much Mateo and she could show you the beauty you have overlooked in the world.” Her voice had taken on an almost pleading tone towards the end and her smile had disappeared. Before I even had the chance to comprehend what had just happened, my phone rang.

“Mom, I'm sorry but I have to skip breakfast this week. I’ve got to go.” I apologised as I stood up and placed a $100 bill on the table.

“It’s okay my love, call me when you’re back and we will go for diner.” She cooed as she called over the waiter. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving to find Jun, out flight had just been moved forward.