Chapter 17

"I am so excited that you're staying with me for two whole days! This is going to be amazing." Sarah bounced on the bed like a five year old as Avril was unpacking. She couldn't find it in herself to feel the same level of adrenaline as her friend. She'd thought she would feel happier at some freedom but she couldn't shake the nagging emptiness clawing at her. She found it strange. Did she really become attached to Thomas in this short time?

No. That's not it. She'd just grown to accustomed to having him around. That was all. That was pretty far off from attachment. And yet, her body was screaming in anticipation of them finishing what they started that night. The more time that passed, the more she feared he would forget all about it. Moreover, should she even think that an experienced man such as Thomas would even be slightly bothered by an almost kiss? She was delusional.
"Hey, how about we go out tonight?" Sarah asked enthusiastically. Avril held her breath. She was thinking of how she should respond. She didn't exactly want to go anywhere, she was comfortable to just sit in bed...how she could convince Sarah of that was difficult.

"Tonight? Its kind of late isn't it?" Avril questioned. She had never been out at night, her parents would think her mental for even asking.

"It's only eight. Come on! You're parents aren't here to stop you, live a little." Sarah all but begged.
Avril stared at her oldest friend, her mind swaying but not quite stable. "I don't know..." She let the words trail off. Just the thought of doing something her parents would prohibit made her nervous. She'd known what everyone thought of her parents. Overly strict and not at all understanding but Avril knew that their rules came from a good place...sometimes. Other times, their helicopter parenting style was hard for her to accept. They wanted to protect her even though they gave her little freedom. She guessed they didn't like change, didn't want to accept that one day their daughter would have to grow up.
Knowing their good intentions made her feel guilty by just thinking of deceiving them.
......

Thomas sat in his office, his fingers drumming on the desk as he mulled over the options to get rid of the threat the Qiangguo organization. Once their organization made the first step it would be a nonstop battle until the end, he would have to be alert. Therefore, Thomas was determined to plan every detail and make alternatives in case things go according to the plan.

"Mason, I want to choose twenty of our men to aid in this venture of bringing down our enemy." Thomas addressed the computer genius running background searches on every member of the rival organization.

"Twenty men?" Mason responded in perplexity. Thomas nodded. "This organization is made up of over a hundred highly trained assassins and you only want to send in twenty of our men? Isn't that suicide?" Mason couldn't believe that he'd head this from Thomas' very mouth.

"A smaller group is much more desireable. We will have a greater chance to infiltrate without being detected." Austin explained.

"But-" Mason interjected only to be silenced by Thomas' hand gesture.

"I understand the hesitation, but our employees are under attack as it is, any huge changes internally could alert our enemies, it's important that nothing substantial changes. However, we won't be taking on the hundred men, we will have a strategy to get rid of at least half of them without any combat." Thomas looked directly at Austin, waiting for him to provide a solution to that plan. Austin gave a knowing smile in return. He happened to know exactly what concoction he could use.

"I do have what your looking for. Its an airborne poison its very easy to disperse. Our men can be given the antidote beforehand so it won't have any effect." Austin responded.

"Good, I also need you to have the antidote on your person just in case our hostages are being kept within their main facility."

Austin nodded. He always had backup in the event of such an occurrence. He had to be especially careful when using airborne weapons. The chances of civilian casualties were always high. "Already considered," he responded.

Thomas then turned his attention to Mason. "Are you certain you can find all of their bases?"

"Positive, I just need a little bit of time." He turned his attention back to his laptop.

"I'll get the twenty men organised and briefed." Austin rose from his seat and made his way out.

Thomas knew this was going to be one of the most dangerous missions he ever went on but he was determined. He'd also reached out to other organizations for assistance with man power. As per treaty agreements they were obligated to give their aid. After all, Thomas wasn't exactly sure if there were other rogue organisations aiding the Qiangguo. He didn't know if he needed the aid but it was always good to be prepared.
Taking a second to unwind he picked up his cell and dialed. The call was answered on the second ring.

"Hello?" Her voice was soft and cautious. He didn't expect anything else. He'd never called her casually before. It was a decision he acted on before his brain could come up with alternate reasons.

"What are you doing?" He questioned.

"Uh....I am sort of out." Avril responded cautiously.

"What!" His voice rose exceedingly high that he noticed Mason gazing at him. He took a breath, no wonder the wench sounded nervous.

"Avril, I am pretty sure you were supposed to ask for my permission?" He tried to keep his voice level and unemotive. His eyes passing to Mason. He knew his call was being listened in on, however, it didn't matter much.

"I assumed you were busy, I didn't want to bother you." She shouted over the music in the background.

"Busy or not, didn't I promise I will always answer your calls?" He rebutted. Thomas found his voice raising in response to her tone and his inability to hear her properly. He noted Mason's eyebrows raise and he resisted the urge to kick him off her chair.

"Oh...I didn't know that extended to this situation," she answered truthfully. Avril always thought that he'd been saying those words as a means of comforting her. She didn't think he was serious.

"Well, now you do. Who are you with?" He questioned.

"With Sarah, we are at a friend's house, it's only ten of us." she informed him. Avril had to make her way into a bathroom to talk to Thomas. She desperately needed to avoid the curious stares from her friends.
Thomas felt relived that she didn't mention her boyfriend. "Are there members of the male species there?" he heard a short-lived snicker from Mason. The man quickly composed himself and Thomas sought to ignore him.

"Yes about three." Her voice was careful.

"Where exactly is this friends house?" He questioned again and once she'd made an effort to explain her location he ceased the questions.

"I hope you enjoy your night out, please be careful, Avril." he paused. "Call me if you need anything."
Thomas pushed back on his chair once the call ended, stood up and walked over to Mason. "Is there any of our surveillance satellites free?" he looked over Mason's shoulders.

"You need somewhere surveiled?" Mason questioned. He received a nod from Thomas. Thomas entered the coordinates once Mason made the arrangements.

"Is that an enemy facility?" Mason questioned. "That residence didn't show up in my search." Mason wondered if he'd overlooked something, his pride taking a hit.

"No, but it's someone important. Ensure nothing unusual happens, just for tonight and from tomorrow night I want you to switch surveillance to my house until we return. Ensure someone is always available in case something goes amiss." he patted Mason on his shoulder and continued on with his work.
Mason regarded Thomas strangely. He couldn't help but wonder about the woman who had the ability to bring out emotions such as worry and caution in the infamous Thomas Lynne. The man was known to be stone-hearted and uncaring.
.....

Avril hang up the call. She didn't know why her heart was racing. Something about the conversation seemed intimate. It was as if the universe was mocking her. The entire time she was fixated on Thomas, wondering if she so much as littered across his mind and he called as if seeming to confirm her internal questions.

"Who was that?" Sarah had pushed open the bathroom door. She gazed at Avril intently. She was partially worried that Avril's parents had called and was alerted by the music in the background.

"Thomas." Avril responded. Her lips dry. Sarah's lines smoothened out from her face.

"The young master of the house you're staying at?" Sarah clarified. Avril nodded her affirmation. Sarah closed the door behind her and walked closer to Avril.

"He called to check up on you...hmmm." she teased.
Avril could see wheels spinning in Sarah's head. She knew her friend was likely to read too much into this and she didn't need that. She was doing that on her own.

"Let's get a drink." Avril tried to distract her. Avril pushed past Sarah and walked out of the bathroom. Sarah followed behind, her steps energetic.
"Avril! Sarah!"

Both girls turned to face the sound. It was Nate. A slender form taking residence beside him. Avril swallowed hard. She'd felt as if someone had punched her in the chest. Her hand instinctively rose to her chest.

"I want you guys to meet my girlfriend."

"The name's Star." She outstretched her hand towards them. Sarah just glared but Avril shook her hand, giving her a small smile.
Her name suited her, with her neat, straight blond hair, eyes that could paralyze a person with one look and a body made for sin. She truly was a star.