The Chief | Touch Me Not, Love Me Still

Chapter 4

Ryan

I am 22 years old, and I just passed the exam to become a civil police chief. I want to dedicate myself to this position to end corruption and these traffickers. I know I'm a bit young to take on such a role that requires so much study time. But I only know how hard I fought for this.

In my first week as a police chief, an operation was going to take place; we were going to raid the hill to arrest a trafficker known as Tatu, who was responsible for drug and arms trafficking in City X.

I was very excited. After all, I was going to put into practice everything I had learned. We invaded the favela at 3 in the afternoon, and it was the worst scene I had ever witnessed: unprepared police officers, many team members died, and many innocents. The operation was deemed a success because we managed to capture the trafficker Tatu.

For me, this operation was a failure; we were not prepared, and the innocents were not to blame for what was happening. So I decided that I would prepare myself and my entire team; we would be the best team, and all operations carried out by us would have to be successful without innocent victims.

...

Six months later, Tatu's son, known as Frajola, took over the hill again. He was worse than his father, cruel; any police officer who approached the hill was executed. The rate of police deaths was increasing, and I investigated his steps from afar, and trained my men, and this time I would not allow failures, and I would not lose any men or innocent people.

We left the police station at 3 AM on a Monday, stormed the hill with full force, had several men injured but none executed, no innocent was hit, and our target was apprehended. This operation was indeed considered a success.

***

Present Day

I just finished a 24-hour shift. We arrested a car theft gang, and I am very tired and hungry. I decided to stop by the restaurant near my house for lunch. When I enter the establishment, a woman bumps into me, and the attendant shouts that she is a thief. I firmly held her arms, her eyes wide open. I put the handcuffs on her arms, listened to the testimony of the attendant and the restaurant manager, and said that I would take the criminal to the police station.

I sat her in the passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt. I see that she is scared; she doesn't seem to be an experienced thief. She doesn't look like she's done this before.

I decided to take her to my house; she's a very attractive brunette,and maybe she'll offer something in return for her freedom. I've been working so hard lately that I really need some fun. I park the car in my garage, take her out of the car, hold her by the arm, and sit her on my couch. I question her about the reason for the theft. She tells me a story. I question her several times, and her version doesn't change, her eyes brim with tears. When I asked her to convince me to let her go, her response was not what I expected to hear. I expected her to offer herself to me, and if she did, of course, I would accept; it's not every day that I come across such a brunette. But her answer was no, how come she doesn't want s*x with me? I ask if she's sure, and once again, she denies it. The moment I realized this wouldn't happen, I saw that she really just wanted to feed her family.

I decided to offer her a job; she was willing at that exact moment, and I offered an additional benefit because she had a child. I offered to take her home. I want to see what I'm getting myself into, but she declines my offer for a ride.

***

The next morning, at 8:30, I went downstairs to have my breakfast. Maria and Larissa serve me. The uniform I bought for Larissa is a bit short, showing off her beautiful legs, which look so soft. My hands itched to touch them, but I quickly snapped out of my inappropriate thoughts. I finish my coffee and head to the precinct.

When I got to the precinct, several warrants are waiting for me.

Isabel: Good morning, Ryan.

Ryan: Good morning, Isabel.

Isabel: We're going to Bar X today. It would be great if you came.

Ryan: Maybe next time.

Isabel: I'll take you up on that.

Isabel is a great officer and leaves everyone speechless, but she's not my type. Sometimes I think she's flirting with me, but I'm not interested in getting involved with a colleague, not even for fun.

***

The next day, at 8:30 in the morning, I went downstairs to have my coffee. Larissa serves me. I take a sip of the coffee, and it's horrible, so I ask her to make me another one, tapping my fingers on the table while I wait. After some time, she comes back with an even worse coffee. I had her make it again. She has a bit of an angry look, and I tease her by asking for a smile, but all I see is steam coming out of her nose, and I feel like laughing.

After a horrible coffee, I have doubts that she really knows how to cook, so I decide not to have lunch at home. I asked her to leave. I hear some noises in the kitchen, I take a peek, and she's crying. I wasn't that cruel. I just encouraged her to make a better coffee. I'm just particular about my coffee.

I headed to the precinct. We're going to arrest a con artist. I got to my office and realized I hadn't brought my badge, so I went back home. Since it's a quick trip, I park my car at the front door and go in to get the badge. When I enter my room, I see Larissa trying to open my secret box. I got angry and told her to leave my room. I opened the box and checked if she hadn't messed with anything.

Ryan: This girl needs a lesson.

I went down to the laundry room and threatened her that if I caught her messing with my box again, she'd be fired. I returned to my room, grabbed a shirt, and took it for her to wash. When I enter the laundry room, I hear her crying. I can't believe this girl can't handle a scolding. She walks past me, ignoring what I'm saying, and goes to the clothesline to get the clothes. She stretches to reach, and I catch a glimpse of her backside. My thoughts start to wander, and I admire the view for a moment until my phone rings.

Ryan: Hello.

Lucas: Ryan, where are you, man?

Ryan: I'm on my way.

Lucas: Okay.

I took another look at Larissa and headed back to the precinct.

***

I got home around 7 PM, and the shirt I asked Larissa to wash was on my bed. I take a quick shower and open my underwear drawer, which, for the first time in my life, is organized by color. The sock drawer is also organized, my pants are all on hangers, my uniform shirts are folded and inside the drawer, my perfumes are organized.

Ryan: Alright, Larissa, you've earned a point this time, but you still need to work on the coffee.

No maid has ever organized my closet like this before; sorting underwear by color is a first for me.

I get dressed, fix my hair, and put on my favorite watch.

I left the house at 8 PM. I had to pick up Susan, so I sent her a message letting her know I was on my way.

By 8:15 PM, I was at Susan's apartment door. I'm replying to messages on my phone, playing a game, and trying to reach Susan, but she doesn't show up until 30 minutes later.

Ryan: Come on, Susie.

Susan: I was late.

Ryan: I noticed. Dylan was going to be mad.

Susan: Since when do you care?

Ryan: I hate being late.

We arrive at Dylan's house.

Dylan: I lived to see Ryan Collins being late.

Ryan: Blame Susie, I got to her place at 8:15.

Dylan: Come on, let's go in.

Emma came to greet us.

She's my sister-in-law and Dylan's girlfriend, and she's expecting my first nephew.

Emma: Ryan, Susan, come join us.

Ryan: You look beautiful with your baby bump. How's the little guy doing?

Emma: He's quite active.

Ryan: He's excited to hear his uncle's voice.

Oliver: Sure, right.

Dylan: Guys, guys, stop, he really gets excited with his dad.

Ryan: I don't doubt it, you keep poking him.

Dylan: Yeah, I do poke him.

Emma: Enough of this topic, let's have dinner.

We sat down at the table for dinner.

Dylan: Unfortunately, Adam couldn't be here today, but I want to tell you that Emma and I are engaged.

Susan: Oh, how sweet.

Susan gets up and hugs them. I congratulate them.

Dylan: We've also decided that we're going to live on the farm.

Ryan: I don't agree.

Susan: Me neither. Raising a child on the farm is difficult.

Dylan: We were all raised on the farm and we're all fine.

Oliver: But what if she goes into labor? By the time you get here, she'll have had the baby in the car.

Emma: Don't be so dramatic, when the due date is near, we'll stay around here.

Susan: But then you'll go back to the farm and leave us far from him.

Dylan: When he's older, we can let him sleep over at your place.

Oliver: (laughs) You won't let him.

Dylan: Of course, I will. Just not with Ryan.

Ryan: And why not?

Susan: You're not a good example.

Ryan: Of course I am.

Oliver: No, you're not.

Ryan: Yes, I am.

Susan: No, you're not.

This is absurd. We keep arguing, with everyone accusing me of not being a good example while I try to defend myself. We finished dinner and sat in the living room.

Ryan: And when's the wedding going to be?

Emma: In two years.

Ryan: That far off?

Dylan: Plenty of time for you to find girlfriends and a boyfriend.

Ryan: Why?

Dylan: To be our best man and maid of honor.

Ryan: In two years, I don't plan on dating; in fact, I never intend to date, because single life is just too good.

Susan: The single life is good, yes, but having someone must be pretty great too.

Oliver: Look at Dylan and Emma; their love is beautiful to see.

Ryan: It is beautiful, but it was quite a struggle for them to get together.

Susan: It was, but in the end, it was worth it. They're very happy now and they're going to give us a nephew; I've always wanted to be an aunt.

Emma: Ryan says that now because no one has come along to stir his heart yet.

Ryan: I hope no one does.

Oliver: I've been wanting to date, but the women I see never want anything serious.

Ryan: The ones I date never leave me alone.

Oliver: Hmm, smooth talker, are you?

Ryan: Maybe.

Dylan: Oh, for God's sake, Ryan.

Ryan: What?

Emma: You guys are always giving Ryan a hard time.

Ryan: That's right, Emma, defend me.

Oliver: As if you need defending.

Ryan: Of course I do.

Dylan: Emma, don't encourage him.

Emma: Why is it that every time you guys get together, it's always this kind of nonsense?

Dylan: Nonsense?

Emma: Yes, every time you keep talking about Ryan.

Susan: Poor Ryan.

Oliver: Poor him.

Emma: Not like that. I just think you will give him a hard time.

Dylan: We don't.

Ryan: You do.

Emma: Guys, stop.

Susan: Let's go, Ryan, enough of this mess.

Ryan: Mess? Do you think I'm a kid?

Dylan: Yes, you are.

Ryan: Oh, come on.

Oliver: Old man's face, kid's mind.

Ryan: My mind's not childish; come here and I'll show you.

Oliver: Screw you, Ryan, you clown.

I burst into laughter.