Thirty - Miss me?

Chloe felt different. In a good yet almost strange way.

Without thinking, her hand went to her lips.

Then she remembered.

The kiss. Her smile. His voice.

Chloe groaned. He had gotten to her way too much. There was no backing out.

Before she knew it, a dreamy smile was on her lips. Before she knew it, she was seeing his face in her head and that sexy smirk of his. And those lips... she could never get enough of it.

A vibration broke her out of it.

Almost shuddering as though disgusted- she was more amused- she reached for her smartwatch and a look at it reminded her that she also got so many calls from the Agency the previous night.

But boy was she tired.

Without wasting much time, she walked to the bathroom.

"Agent Pepper," she said.

"Do you have a death wish Pepper?" It was Markings again. Chloe sighed. "Wasn't I clear enough when I said you shouldn't get involved in Mr. Cook's issues?"

"You know it takes more than a mere threat to stop me. And Agent Markings, if I recall clearly, I offered to work for the Agency-"

"You are playing with-"

"The Agency didn't offer me a job. I am not obligated to always do things by the book. If you have a problem with that... screw you sir."

"You are playing with fire Pepper."

"No." She was on fire that morning. "You people are playing with fire. Till now, you have not told me a single thing about my brother. Do you think I am daft Agent Markings?"

"Pepper..."

"Oh, you think you have seen an employee who would do anything for you as long as you delay what she needs. Isn't that it?" She chuckled.

"Listen sir, if I don't get what I need at the end of this mission... Just try your best to stay away from me. Because I will make you know how crazy I can be."

"That's quite audacious Chloe."

"Do you need something else sir?"

"Uh..." Chloe never knew a day would come that Agent Markings would be lost for words. "Their shipment is arriving today."

"I know that."

"And you know what you have to do?" A knock came from outside her room.

"I do."

"Good. Once we have a visual of items, we will come in."

"What if what you find isn't incriminating?" The knock came again. Chloe wondered who it might be. At the thought of it being Nathaniel, a small smile played on her lips.

"You sound as though you don't want the NAG brothers in jail." Chloe shifted her stance. "Agent Pepper, I hope you are not forgetting why you are there?"

"I will get back to you sir." She did not let him finish what he had to say.

Soon, she was out and in her room and walking towards the door.

As she opened it, she was greeted by a flower. She had no idea its name but it looked so beautiful. Wondering who was at the door- her head already knew who she wanted see- she stepped outside to see.

"Hello Cupcake."

"Gabriel." It had also being a while since she saw him. And he wasn't dressed like a house-husband this time. She rarely saw him in a suit, so she was fascinated by the view in front of her. Even his hair looked different, like he had it cut and styled.

"How have you been?"

She shrugged, her eyes went to the flower. "I am just there."

"Here, I got this for you on my way here." He gave her the flower with this cute smile on his face.

Biting her lip, her other hand playing with the end of her shirt, she wondered if she would be a reason a rift would exist between Nathaniel and Gabriel. Chloe looked up at him and said, "Gabriel, I told you we can be friends."

"Well, don't friends give each other flowers?"

"I guess they do." She smiled and inhaled the lovely scent of the plant.

Suddenly, a loud noise came from downstairs.

"What's that?"

"Oh," he looked towards the stairs. "We are receiving some new stuff today."

"Oh. What stuff?"

He reached for her nose and pulled gently. "That's none of your business Chloe." She trusted him to say nothing. She also knew he would shut her question up nicely.

"Before I forget. The new stuff will be kept in Amir's basement, so don't bother to clean that today. Let Lucille know."

"Okay." That statement smelt of something being hidden.

He gave her another smile before he said, "Okay Cupcake, I have to go. Business stuff." He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Before he pulled away, his lips drew closer to her ear and he whispered, "I have not forgotten about our kiss." Chloe's head shifted as she managed to look at him with side eyes. "Now, I want you even more."

Then he drew back, gave her a smile and walked away.

Yep. She could feel a rift coming. And that means more drama. Chloe sighed. That was one of the reasons she didn't want the matters of heart in the equation.

But it was a little too late already. Nathaniel had already found his way to her dreams.

Her lips wanted to tug as she recalled the cheesy dream she had, but she recalled she had things to do.

So, she went inside to scheme how she was going to get to the shipment.

~

The night was still young, but the house was empty. Chloe found it the perfect opportunity to find out the contents of the shipment.

For some reason, her heart became nervous. If she finds something illegal that will be a strong evidence, that would mean the brothers being jailed. And that would mean her identity being revealed.

Chloe sighed. Why was she falling for one of them when they would still hate her at the end of the day?

It was just crazy.

Not seeing a reason to change out of her uniform yet, she took a duster and made for the basement.

She had hardly made it to the stairs when a pull on her hand left her startled. As she found herself in a corner, her eyes drew into blue eyes that glowed even more as a husky voice asked, "Miss me?"