Chapter 41

Avril had grown accustomed to reaching for Thomas every time she was beginning to wake up. Today was no different, she reached over to the other side, her hands blindly searching for his warmth but it wasn't there. She groaned in frustration, her eyes flew open and her mind flooded with awareness. His side of the bed empty and cold. For the last two weeks, Avril woke up to an empty bed. She didn't even know how she was able to sleep all alone now that Thomas was not around. She'd gotten so attached to his presence that she felt that she could barely function when he wasn't around.

She sighed, sat upright in bed, and looked around. Everything seemed so bland. She told herself not to be disheartened, Thomas did tell her he was busy with a current mission. She had to understand. There was nothing else she could do.

She threw her legs over the bed, mentally coaching herself that she too had other things to focus on. She was knee-deep in assignments already, not to mention she had a lot more class hours than before. She prayed that her schedule would keep her from missing him.

She rushed down to breakfast after getting ready. Trish was already waiting for her. Both Trish and Tobias came back a couple of weeks ago, Avril would be lying if she said she didn't miss Trish. Even after being back for a while, she hadn't gotten accustomed to her presence just yet. She still felt an overwhelming sense of happiness when she saw Trish.

It was unfair though, Thomas was gone and Trish was back. She wanted them both back at the same time. Although, she would have found it embarrassing to explain why Thomas was always in her room or vice versa.

"Good morning." Trish smiled as she sat next to Avril at the table. Avril reciprocated her greeting.

"How is this semester?" Trish asked sparking conversation. She knew Avril had been missing Thomas, she knew exactly how she felt. Trish had been experiencing the same worry and anxiety for years and while it hurt her to see Avril going through it as well, she was happy that Avril was giving Thomas a chance. He deserved to be happy, they both did and she had no doubt that he would do right by her.

***

"Is the meeting finally confirmed?" Austin directed at Tobias while Thomas finished up a phone call in the corner of the office. It took lots of preparation to carry out even the smallest of missions, that duty was tenfold when considering the gravity of the mission they were on. Everything had to be done meticulously, they were dealing with highly intelligent criminals.

Austin had already infiltrated the targeted organization, providing much-needed information not to mention an extra set of hands for the takedown. Whereas, Thomas planned to pose as a buyer, a clique move but effective nonetheless. However, before he could do that, he would have to conduct actual deals with them and other criminal organizations over a period of time to be able to access the core of their targeted organization's operation.

Until now he had managed to establish a disreputable alias for himself. The real hardships had yet to begin. One of which being the issue of their forced partner. They were yet to meet him or learn of his qualifications and as a result, their planning had some holes.

Over the past couple of weeks, they had to decide on a part for their so-called guest from the Manchester group. Thomas and Austin, apart from not knowing who or their skills, decided that they could not trust whoever the agent was with a highly independent part, at least one of them needed to keep an eye on the agent...just to be safe.

"Their agent will no longer be a secret by two this evening," Tobias responded to Austin's query.

"I think it's best they join me on my side of the mission, we can't afford any suspicion to befall Austin's alias," Thomas responded critically.

"Do you really have the patience, everyone knows that the brats there are more arrogant than competent." Austin teased. He knew Thomas had a hair-trigger temper and depending on who this agent was, Thomas may not have the patience to upload the treaty.

"Don't start," Thomas warned, rubbing circles into his temple. He'd been getting crankier progressively. He never thought he would see the day where he intentionally wanted to be done with work.

Austin checked his watch. "Thomas..."

"Not in the mood." Thomas drawled. Austin had a habit of drawing out his jokes but Thomas was not in the laughing mood.

"It's half eight, doesn't Avril leave for school in five minutes?" Austin questioned. Thomas had been in a foul mood as of late especially due to his withdrawal from Avril. It was lucky that their base of operations was closer to his home today. Given that most of their preparations were done Thomas had the chance to sneak away. He thought he was sly enough to hide his intentions but Austin had seen straight through it.

Thomas checked his watch instantly. His mood instantly shifting.

Fuck!

Without another word he was out of his study, his long legs making his distance shorter.

"You know about Avril as well?" Tobias turned to Austin after Thomas was out of sight.

"He isn't doing much to hide it," Austin observed smugly. It was nice to see Thomas more human. Avril took him out of his head and gave him something other than the job to focus on and Austin was too aware of how lonely this life was.

"He couldn't have been serious about a better person." Tobias sank down into a chair and gushed. " You know, her father is one of my closest friends, the family is already in my approval," Tobias said proudly, a self-satisfying smile hanging on his face.

Austin grinned. " From what I hear, her father is very stern." He gazed at Tobias. Tobias' features were unreadable. "I wonder how he would react knowing that his 'good' friend is allowing his son to spend unadulterated nights with his precious daughter. You have accommodated the very thing I assume he wanted to prevent." Austin teased, bursting out in laughter as Tobias' mouth hung open.

Tobias had never thought about his son and Avril having-- unadulterated nights before. He didn't want to think of her father's reaction when he finds out about the relationship.

Tobias had turned pale for all of two seconds. "Can't you think about anything better to say?" he complained. " Now you have ruined my mood."

Austin shrugged. He felt no remorse.

****
"Need a lift?" Thomas had snuck up behind Avril and breathed the words into her ear while she was packing up the dishes. Her body involuntary convulsed at the suddenness of his arrival.

"What are you doing here?" She couldn't help but feel a jolt of electricity course through her body. She wanted to jump into his arms and hold him but too many emotions was flicking through her that she didn't know how to react.

"I wanted to give you a ride." He paused, sinful images of Avril on top of him and naked making their way into his head. "To school that is." His eyes shining mischievously. Avril colored her cheeks as red as Tomatoes.

"You don't have to. I know you're busy." she wanted to be supportive, although the offer to spend time with him made her dizzy.

"That's exactly why I need to. I will be less and less available for the next three months, so I am making the most of the time I do have." He placed a kiss on her cheek.

*******

Avril stepped out of Thomas' car and waved him off as he drove away. She spun around to head to her faculty.

"Nate." She had almost walked directly into him. He stared at her as if he had been seeing her for the first time.

"Who was that?" He asked aggressively.

"Who?" Avril echoed in slow motion. His tone throwing her off.

"The guy that just dropped you off." He clarified, waiting for an answer.

Avril was silent. Her brain trying to understand what exactly was going on.

"He is just a guy." She responded. The last thing she needed was everyone she knew to know of her relationship with Thomas. She liked their little bubble, it was safe and comfortable.

"Seems that I was wrong about you." He said under his breath.

"Excuse me?" Avril felt her body stiffening.

He looked up at her. "Its just that, a guy older than you isn't going to be in an innocent relationship. I can't help but think I was wrong to set aside the attraction we had."

Avril scoffed. "Bite me." She spat with venom as she walked off.

***
Lilith stood in front of a very familiar house. She remembered the nights Thomas snuck her into this house, both of unable to control their desire for one another.

No one had ever made her tremble with longing the way Thomas did. If this was the last thing she did, she was sure to have him back with her.

She had defeated all of the candidates to be the one to assist in this mission. It was the perfect opportunity to get close to him again.

She stood at the front door now, her fingers lightly pushing down on the buzzer.

She heard footsteps coming up from behind her. Her instincts roaring to life.

"Are you looking for someone?"

The voice sounded familiar. She turned slightly to see Avril, books heavier that her stacked in her arms. The points of contact with her skin already changing colour to a red tint.

Lilith didn't understand what was so great about this girl. She was to fragile for someone like Thomas.

"Lilith."

"Avril." She responded with a sly smile. "I am here to see, Thomas. He is expecting me."

Avril didn't respond. She had no reason to interfere with whatever unfinished business they had. She had nothing to worry about, their past relationship was purely business-related. Of course Lilith was beautiful but considering the nature of her past relationship with Thomas, Avril felt it absurd to feel even a bit of jealousy. She had no reason to distrust Thomas.

"So Avril..."

Her words were interrupted when the door was pulled open. Austin saw Avril first, his features lightening and then his eyes fell on her.

"You have got to be kidding me." Austin pulled his fingers deep into his hair.