Chapter 4: She Ain’t Your Regular Girl

“It’s time to say goodbye, my Cassiopeia.” Chris kissed the books one by one before he taped the box secured, hoping that another bookworm could make good use of them. He didn’t want to let them go, he didn't want to part with them, but it would be his first step from moving on. His first step in forgetting Jasmine Reeds.

Chris stood up, looking around his apartment. He nodded in satisfaction as a smile so wide curved his lips. Four days ago, his apartment was like a construction zone with all of the built-up crap. The place was so torn up that it was hard to figure out which one is which. Now that hellish cleaning was over, he felt satisfied.

Chris glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes before the local library opens up; a good time to donate the books before the usual saturday sale in the library begins.

Taking account of the time, he did one more round up check of the area where the books had piled before. “Hmm, I believe that’s all, right?”

Chris slipped himself inside his blue hoodie, grabbed his keys, and carried the large box outside in a single breath.

Spring mornings near the lakeside had always been misty, and today was no different. The air was chilled, his breathing blew a puff of white smoke, and a group of people wanting to lose weight passed his line of sight.

“Nice haircut,” a woman with long brown hair commented as Chris walked to his car. She wore a grey basketball wool jacket - that had the embroidery of this year’s champions on her left breast - with blue sleeves and faded denim shorts that stopped several inches above her thighs.

“Ah, thanks.” Chris ignored the fact that she was leaning, arms crossed, on his car’s hood. Seeing her indifference to the cold made him shrug, but it was none of his business. He continued toward his trunk, put the box on the ground, then frowned. “That voice… Miss Kera?”

The girl walked closer, raised an eyebrow. “It’s Jude when I’m not on uniform.”

“Sorry,” Chris said, scratching his head. “You look so different I almost didn’t recognize you.” Her legs were certainly a major distraction to Chris.

She blinked at what he said. “Different? Like how?”

“Well, for one thing, you look really cute in those casual clothes - and, you’re not carrying your gun.”

“Ah, you mean this.” She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her jacket then showed Chris what she have inside.

Chris gulped after the seeing the compact pistol then said, “You couldn’t do without it, huh?”

“It’s a girl’s privilege, Chris.” She smiled sweetly, and Chris resumed what he was doing. He stashed the big box inside his trunk and lightly slammed the lid down, just enough to lock it in place.

“So, hey, aren’t guys your age bred to go to bars when they have money?” asked the brunette. “Not to mention if you’re a million dollar richer; I thought I’d find you in a lavish hotel sprawled on a king sized bed together with several women around you instead.”

Chris wanted to sigh but knew not to. “That’s… kinda cliche, don’t you think?”

The brunette leaned back, tucked her bangs behind her ear. “Better than sulking and crying at least.”

Chris ignored her childish remark. “So, what were you doing out here, today?”

She gave Chris a sidelong glance then added a hint of smile. “It’s my day off.”

Chris nodded, knowing the routine. Ever since his meeting with Mr. Lee, she’d been around to keep him under surveillance. “Really? I thought you’re here to keep an eye on me.”

“Okay, I admit I am.” She slid her hand down his car until she reached the tail light then placed a fist on her waist. “Problem?”

“No ma’am, and there’s nothing to admit. I mean, it’s kinda obvious.” Though now that she decided to wear some more natural clothes, her camouflaged was a success. A success that was a little too late.

She flushed, red as a rose. “Asshole.”

Chris smiled. “I’m actually on my way to the library, wanna have lunch after that?”

“Sorry, it’s my policy not to get too close to guys like you.”

“Are you serious? It’s just lunch, and I’m actually a pretty nice guy to hang out with.”

She snorted. “Try your luck someplace else, Chris. You’re clearly in rebound, asking out any girl that moves.”

“Quite the opposite, Miss Jude. In fact, I want to enjoy being single again.” Chris chuckled, thinking about what he just said. “Though it’s not like I wasn’t single for almost five years now. So, what’s your stance on being friends?”

A few seconds passed before she replied, “As long as this friendship won’t lead to anything sexual.”

Chris drew a deep breath then let out a big sigh. Why did it seemed like she had a problem with him?

“So hugs, kisses, and spooning are okay?” he asked, smiling.

That got her attention, her eyes dilating in surprise. “Do you enjoy being an asshole?”

“No, but if you react so strongly then of course I’ll tease you.”

“I think you’re forgetting I have a gun and that I spent six years in the army.”

Hearing her declaration, Chris was quick to raise his hands in mock defeat. “No, ma’am. Shall we go visit the library?”

Snickering green eyes stared at his face then rolled heavenward when those shades of green landed on his puppy-dog smile. Chris kept his usual attitude and got into his silver sentra, leaving the agent no choice but to follow after him.

So much for staying away, Chris thought. He turned toward the girl securing herself on his passenger seat. “Sorry, its a little dusty. You know, dust and pores generating through the years.”

“And seasons after seasons of you sulking,” she added.

“In my defense though, I have to say that sulking is a pretty engrossing job. It even helped me attract billionaires.”

“Just start the car, Mr. Collins.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Chris started his car, and it gave him a sound as if it was a hundred years old. His car needed a lot of work, he knew that, but he just couldn’t simply let it go. This car, after all, was the first symbol of his comeback provided by his fry-cooking.

Then, as Chris was about to press his radio on, he saw something that renewed the grief he just recently stamped on. With trembling fingers, he feathered down the picture he secretly took that night. A picture of Jasmine Reeds watching the waves, her blue eyes glued at the sea - it trapped him into a spell.

The air caught in his lungs and tears he didn’t realize stung his eyes. Chris closed his eyes as he relished the image in his head. He reached for the picture and threw it somewhere on the backseat.

He swiped a hand over the burning pain in his chest, brushed the tears on his eyes aside. Part of him wished like hell it would just go away. The other part was holding on like it was his last lifeline.

“You really need to get laid,” she scoffed.

Chris appreciated the distraction. “Sorry, did you say you want to have a go?”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“Come on, it’s not like sparks are gonna fly and we’ll both go gooey.”

“And what if that happens?”

“Well,” he reached into her hair and pulled a long section around her shoulder, leaning down to smell it. “If it does, it does?”

She shoved his hand aside then gave Chris an irritated glare. “I can see now why she dropped you on your ass, Chris. You need to grow up and stop these silly games. Girls won’t be girls forever,” she quipped without mercy.

She maybe right, yet she didn’t have to slap those words on his face. Chris knew what was wrong a whole lot more regardless of what they might think of him.

Defeated, Chris lowered the parking brake and shifted the gear to reverse. He released the brake pedal and allowed himself to roll out of the driveway.

Chris drove down the lakeside with windows open, allowing the freshest of breeze to whiff them across the face. Chris didn’t talk. Neither did Jude. They both sat there mute, as if both of them were in a no-talking competition and were serious about winning.

In less than ten minutes, Chris was parked on the red lane in front of the library. He popped his trunk open and offered his final farewell to the last happy memory he had of Jasmine Reeds. The lady who helped him was kind, her beaming face brought a warmth to his heart. That alone was enough for Chris to know that his books were off to a pair of caring hands.

* * *

Chris had the urge to play his music, but was afraid that Jude might complain about his old fashioned taste. When he asked if she had a certain place in mind, she shrugged him off and said she didn’t care. Good, Chris thought. He was craving to eat rice then lucked out to find a small Asian restaurant close by.

They got their table as soon as they entered. Chris sat across Jude and enjoyed the view of the supermarket on his right. Though he couldn’t even recall the last time he went out, he felt like the place hadn’t changed much in how he remembered it in his mind.

“Hi,” an Asian teenager stole their attention. Chris wondered if she was too young to be working but didn’t ask. “Can we get started with some drinks?”

“Coke.” Chris smiled, and the waitress returned a sweet smile.

“Water,” said Jude, combing her fingers through the long swing of brown hair.

“So, what were you doing before you got involve with the old man?” Chris asked after the waitress left.

“Old man?” Jude tilted her head, as if Chris said something wrong.

“You know, Mr. Lee.” He clarified, stroking his chin.

“Don’t say that in front of him.”

“I know. So, what is it?”

“Well, like I told you, I did my part in the army. Aside from that, there’s not much to know about me.”

“Wait, how old are you again?

She frowned. “You really have no delicacy.”

“Sorry, I just like to tease my friends.”

“I’m twenty-seven.”

“Damn, so two years older than me then.”

“What was that sound of disappointment for?”

The waitress returned with their drinks then asked, “Can I get your order now?”

“I’ll have some barbecue chicken, large serving, and two fried eggs on top. And I want the eggs well done, please, thank you,” said Chris while eyeing the menu on his hands.

“And for you ma’am?”

“Just some veggie spring rolls,” answered Jude, folding her legs underneath the table.

The waitress left once more after a promise that their food would be ready in a few minutes.

Chris examined Jude fidgeting across the table. She must be watching her weight, he thought. Her eyes twinkled in amusement when she met his gaze, as if she knew exactly what kind of ideas were running inside his head.

Jude broke the silence. “So, you lived here in the bay area your whole life?”

“Somewhat,” answered Chris. “I was born in New York but never really spent much time there. My parents thought it was a bad place for a kid to grow up so my father got a house here in the bay area instead.”

“I’ve read your file.”

“I see. That simplifies things then.”

“Do you mind if I ask?”

“Sure, go ahead,” he replied without missing a beat. The waitress delivered their food to their table then showed a wide-professional smile before she left.

“Umm, why didn’t you tell her what happened to your parents?”

“It’s because I don’t have to.” Chris took a sip of his coke then continued. “Besides, before that dinner date even began, her friends had already told me about her circumstances. Meaning that I already lost my chances before we even meet again.”

With a flustered look, Jude wrapped her hands around her glass. “But I thought you loved her?”

“I do. So much that I would give anything for one more hour with her.” She was ingrained in his heart and soul forever. The image of her lips, her voice tempting as a siren’s song, it had always touched something deep inside of him.

“That’s what I don’t understand.” The glint in her eyes sharpened, and Chris suddenly felt nervous.

“Sorry, is this another interview?”

For some reason he didn’t know, that made her laugh. “No, but now it’s clear to me why Mr. Lee chose you among the lot. You’re quite the mysterious man, Mr. Collins.”

“There’s always the bed to make me talk?” Chris winked at her as a part of his joke and Jude dismissed the idea with a shake of her head.

“And a big asshole as well,” she added, laughing.

“Coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

* * *

The two decided to have a drink. Chris bought two cases of beer and some just-in-case condoms before returning. But as soon as they got back, the phone rang in Jude’s pocket. She answered and listened and put it back. She then looked at him, and Chris knew it was something important.

“Something came up?” asked Chris.

“Something like that. Mr. Lee wants to see you, pronto.” She walked toward the door and checked if it was locked, closed all the blinds, then returned back to Chris. “Chris, I’m gonna have to put you to sleep, okay?”

“Huh, why?”

“Classified information.”

Chris couldn’t help but laugh after she took out a giant syringe. Have she been carrying that all this time? Nonetheless he didn’t question her work. It was bound to happen, he thought, so a mere two days early was nothing special.

“Ready?”

“Anytime.” Chris nodded then gave her the go signal. The giant needle stung his left arm and he felt some sort of liquid sinking in. Not too long after that, his vision shifted to all direction. Blackness circled in.

The books, the delicious lunch, the witty agent - none of these things made sense. Darkness won, and Chris felt his consciousness slipped away.