The Spy You Trust

Chapter 11

Layla smirked. “Ah. She speaks.”

Molly gritted her teeth and thought about punching Layla in the nose. Instead, she looked back at Charles.

Charles swallowed hard. “I-I don’t know what you m-mean.” He stuttered.

This pissed Molly off more. “Like hell you don’t. I’ve heard you two talking. Keeping more secrets from me. Tell me what’s going on, Charles.”

He flinched as she called him that. Molly was one of the few people who called her Charlie unless if she was really upset. He looked down at the ground and pursed his lips.

Layla stood closer to him and held his hand. This made Molly roll her eyes and take a deep breath.

“Please.” She whispered as she sat down in a chair. Her sprained ankle was aching from not using her crutch. Tears brimmed her eyes as she stared at Charles with despair.

Layla looked at Charles. “Tell her. She needs to know.”

Charles walked over to her and got on his knees. He grabbed her good hand and brushed some hair out of her face. “Molly. I promise that one day soon, I will tell you everything I know. But, please, be patient. It’s a lot to take in all at once. I wouldn’t keep secrets from you if I didn’t think it was what’s best.”

Molly let a few tears fall. “I don’t understand. Everything was so normal. I had my first mission, I was allowed to leave the institution.” She paused. “I had my best friend.” She added quietly.

“And you still have me! Nothing has changed between the two of us.”

“Except now she’s apart of all of this.” Molly said glancing up at Layla.

Charles looked at Layla who gestured for him to explain to Molly. He shook his head. “Layla’s always been a part of this. You just didn’t know and I’m sorry for that, but that’s the way it had to be.”

“Why? Because Gladstone said so?” Molly shot back accusingly.

Charles looked confused.

“What do you know about Gladstone?” Layla asked stepping closer to them.

“Nothing. I just heard you guys saying something about him and a plan. You guys aren’t exactly the best at whispering.” Molly said, starting to become irritated again.

“Charles…” Layla said trying to hold herself back.

Charles looked between the two girls. “Enough. Layla, why don’t you give us a minute?”

Layla nodded stiffly and went into the second bedroom. She left the door open and Molly saw her walk into the bathroom. The shower never turned off, so she assumed Layla decided to take advantage of it.

Molly looked back at Charles. “Charlie. I-.”

“No. Don’t worry about it.” Charles shook his head. “Just please try to get along with her. We’re going to be together for a while. This apartment isn’t that big. We don’t need the fighting.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t stand her! She made my life a living hell for years. I don’t know how you put up with her.”

Charles shrugged. “You learn to love her.” He paused. “You need to understand something about her. Layla has some trust issues. She only treated you that way because she didn’t trust you. We didn’t know if Marcello had told you… things.” He chose his words carefully.

Molly squinted her eyes. “What kind of things?”

Charles sighed. “Later. I told you I would tell you everything later. After you’ve had some rest and you give time for your foot to heal. The doctor said it was only a slight sprain. You should be back on your feet in two weeks tops. If you rest and let your body heal that is.”

This time Molly sighed. She wasn’t known for her patience. “Please. Just tell me something. Anything. Even something small.”

Charles hesitated. “One thing. What do you want to know?”

Molly thought for a second. “Who’s Gladstone?”

Rubbing his hand over his mouth, Charles looked undecisive. “That I can’t tell you much. But I will tell you one thing. He’s the one who sent me and Layla to the institution to watch over you and keep an eye on Marcello.”

“But why did he want you to watch over me? What makes me so important?”

“Molly. Later. I told you I’d tell you one thing right now.”

Molly sighed. He was right. “Okay, fine. But one day, you’re going to tell me everything and answer all of my questions without being vague.”

Charles smiled at her. “Deal. Now come on. Let’s get some food and then you need to rest.”

* * *

The next week went by slowly. None of the three orphans left the apartment the whole time. Molly did what Charles said and kept resting her foot. She didn’t want to give him any excuse to not tell her what she wanted to know. Layla and her still didn’t get along, but neither of them tried to fix that problem. They didn’t talk and most of the time they wouldn’t stay in the same room together. Charles was the only buffer between them.

“Hey Layla? Can you get Molly out of her room? I finished dinner.”

Layla looked up from her book on the couch. “She’s right there. She’ll hear you if you speak up.” She looked back down at her book.

Charles walked over to her and took the book out of her hands. “That’s not the point. I want you to get along with her.”

“Please. It’s a two-way street.” Layla snapped as she grabbed for her book.

Charles pulled it away and took a step back. “I know that, but I’m asking you, as your boyfriend, to make the first move. She’ll never learn to trust you if you don’t try.”

Layla leaned back against the couch and crossed her arms. “Who says I trust her? I don’t know anything about her.”

“Please. I’m begging here. Try to get to know her. I want you two to be friends.”

“Yeah good luck with that.” Layla barked out a laugh.

“Layla.” Charles pleaded with his eyes.

Layla rolled her eyes and stood up. “Fine. I’ll tell her dinner is ready. But I’m not being her friend.”

“Well that’s a start. Thank you.” Charles headed back into the kitchen and finished grabbing the plates and silverware.

Layla walked up to Molly’s room and knocked. She opened the door but didn’t enter the room. Molly looked at her and sized her up. Layla shifted her weight, feeling uncomfortable.

“Um. Charles says dinner is ready. So… come eat.”

Molly gave a slight head nod but didn’t verbally respond. Layla took that as her job being done and walked back out into the living room.

Charles brought out the plates of food and set them on the coffee table. Molly walked out of her room, slightly limping.

“Hey, your walking’s getting better. How’s your ankle feel?” Charles said as he handed Molly a plate.

Molly sat down in an armchair and shrugged. “It feels okay. It’s not swollen anymore, and it doesn’t hurt. Just a little weak.”

“Well that’s excellent. Isn’t it, Layla?” Charles turned to look at Layla. All she did was give a quick nod before shoveling a bite of spaghetti in her mouth. Turning back to Molly, he saw her looking at her plate but not eating. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I guess I’m just not hungry.”

Charles laughed. “You? Not hungry? That’ll be the day.”

Molly still refused to look up at him. She just shrugged and pushed the food around on her plate.

Knowing something was going on, Charles stopped laughing and became worried. “Molly. What is it?”

She looked up at Charles and quickly blurted out, “Ithinkyoushouldtellmeeverythingnow.” Before looking back down at her plate.

Charles shook his head. “What was that? You’re speaking way too fast and quiet. I didn’t understand.”

Molly took a deep breath. “I said. I think you should tell me everything now.”

Layla nearly choked on her spaghetti and looked between Molly and Charles.

Charles let out an exasperated sigh. “Molly…”

“Don’t ‘Molly’ me. You said that when I rested, and my ankle was healed, you’d tell me everything and answer all of my questions.”

“Your foot is not healed. It’s better. There’s a difference.” Charles looked down at his food, trying to end the conversation.

Molly stood up and jumped up and down on her sprained ankle. She didn’t flinch once or show any signs of pain. Sitting back down she said, “Not healed my ass. I’m fine. Start talking.”

“I said no. It’s not time yet. Give your foot another week. Then we’ll talk.”

“Dammit Charlie! I’m fine! I’ve waited long enough. Enough with the secrets.”

Charles was about to tell her no again when Layla spoke up.

“She’s right Charles.”

“Layla stay out of this. If I wanted your opinion-. Wait what?” Molly said shocked.

Charles looked over at Layla, anger in his eyes.

Layla shrugged and looked directly into his face. “If you don’t tell her, I will.”

Charles looked back and forth between the two girls. He couldn’t believe that he spent over a week trying to get them to talk to each other, and now they agree about this of all things. They were both waiting for him to start talking. When he didn’t, Layla turned to Molly and started.

“Okay. So, basically-.”

“No. Stop. I’ll do it.” Charles put his hand on Layla’s arm. “I promised her I would.” Sighing, he looked over at Molly.

Molly sat forward and rested her arms on her knees. “Get to explaining.” She anxiously waited.

Charles took a deep breath and stated, “Okay. This is going to be a lot to take in so prepare yourself. You’re going to have a lot of memories you’d prefer to forget come back but stay with me. It’ll all make sense in the end.”