Thirty-five - Home is where the heart is
"Man, I am spent." Amir crashed onto the bare floor like he had just wheeled tons and tons of timber.
"You hardly touched five clothes man."
His head raised a bit in Gabriel's direction, Amir said, "I know you don't really like me, but don't make me seem that lazy. Chloe?"
"Yeah?" She took a seat next to Gabriel, her hair falling down to the side.
"How on earth do you do your job? How do you not crash everyday? Man, you are really trying."
She shrugged, a small smile on her lips. "I just do it. Besides, this wasn't that much of a stress compared to when Lucille and I arranged this entire room."
Sighing almost pitifully, yet tiredly, he said, "We really don't pay you enough."
Chloe's mind went to her untouched bank account which would be swimming in cash after what?- almost five weeks of working in their house? Was it even five? Time had really flown past and she had no idea what form the flight took.
At least she was going to have some money to come back to when her whole deal with the Agency was over.
Nathaniel let out a low grunt as he found his seat opposite Chloe. "What do we do now?" he asked.
"How about we just talk?" Gabriel suggested and Amir bounced into a sitting position.
"I like that."
"Yeah," Nathaniel added. "It is no use to go to the office anyway."
They all nodded in agreement, Chloe looking like a typical visitor who acts very modest to make an impression.
Seconds passed and nothing was said. Only glances were being shared.
"You guys don't do this a lot, do you?" Chloe asked when she got tired of the silence.
"Now that I think of it, we mostly talk about business," Amir replied, looking very thoughtfully.
"Isn't that kind of sad?" Chloe asked further, hugging her legs to her chest.
"What? That we talk about business?"
"No, that you don't talk like friends anymore," she replied Nathaniel whose prolonging sight on hers made her look away instantly. "Do you remember when you first met?"
"What is this, low budget therapy?" Amir dismissed her question with his face contorted into a huge frown.
"Amir, just go with it." He stuck out a tongue at her.
"I do remember when we first met," Gabriel started quite soberly.
"Oh, shit," Amir said.
"Ouu. Tell me." Chloe was excited.
"Well, it was the first day of high school and Nathaniel and I had already become friends after a long talk about basketball players. We were on our way to our first period, when we heard someone crying."
Nathaniel took over. "And that someone turned out to be our amazing friend here, Amir."
Chloe's face which was lit with amusement twinkled as she chuckled and asked, "Really?"
"Yes, he was crying so hard, we had to fake tears to placate him." Gabriel surely was enjoying the moment. He gave Amir a little pat.
"This is so embarrassing," he said into hands which were covering his face.
"So, I guess your friendship started there?"
"Yes. We have had ups and downs and crazy moment like that time Amir stole my girlfriend in high school and took her to prom." Amir sneered. "But we are still here, together, standing strong and I really couldn't have asked for anything else."
Gabriel's last statement had the atmosphere taking a quick trip to mushiness.
"You know guys," Amir made the trip longer. "They say home is where the heart is. And my heart is with you guys. So, you guys are my home." Chloe nodded in agreement.
"I live inside both of you." Her eyes narrowed. "I am inside both of you."
"Uh Amir..."
"Wrong words?"
They all shook their heads.
"Very wrong."
"Disgusting."
"Yeah..." They all chorused.
"Well, whatever." Amir adjusted. "I would like to make a toast-"
"With what?"
"Go with my drama Nathaniel." He smiled then raised his arm like he were holding a glass of wine. "A toast to the NAG brothers. We are all amazing people."
"We sure are," Gabriel got rid of the wondering look on his face and nodded in agreement.
"So," Amir got up. "Let us raise our glasses... raise your glasses guys."
"But-"
"Go with it," he mouthed to Gabriel. And they all did. With imaginary glasses in their hands, they got up and raised it. "To us."
"To us."
"I am not even part of your-" Chloe who was talking during the toast was cut short by Amir.
"And how can we forget our darling Chloe?" He smiled. "Thank you for all you have done." She smiled shyly. "Thank you for being in our lives."
"Sure."
"Well, let's drink up."
"Nope, I am out of here."
"Come on Nathaniel," Amir protested.
"Dude, we have a wine bar. All this drama is just shit. So, I am out of here."
"You have work to do, don't you?" Gabriel asked the retreating man.
And he replied truthfully, "I have a lot of work to do."
"Need my help? I happen to be free," Amir offered.
"I could use it honestly. Just thinking about it is so stressful." Nathaniel rubbed his temple causing Chloe to wonder if he was overworking himself.
"Well," Amir slung his arm over his shoulder. "Let's go."
"See you later Cupcake," Gabriel winked at Chloe and went after the other two.
A small smile was still on her face. She sure was growing attached to them. And that reminded her of what she planned to do once inside her room.
Without wasting time, she got to her room, grabbed her devices and went into the bathroom.
Moments later, she was pacing barefooted, waiting for someone to pick her call.
"Agent Pepper." It was Connor this time.
But that wasn't going to restrain her. "What on earth do you guys think you are doing?"
"Stay calm Pepper."
"I told Agent Markings not to proceed with the raid, I had not confirmed the suspicion. But what does he do? He-"
"Chloe, we are all as pissed as you are right now."
"Wait," she frowned. "You didn't send him?"
"You know how hot headed Markings is. He was too adamant. Now, he can barely say anything because he knows what everyone will do."
"Good."
"He did mention something though." There was something in his voice. Like tiredness or weakness.
"What is that?"
"He says that you are sexually involved with all three men."
"That mother-!"
"Who are you shouting at?" asked a voice from behind her.
'Not again.'
As her head ducked, her heart thumped.
