Chapter 13
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka ScorpioGuest Role: Jessica Hsuan - Naja Lu
Erin ended up staying at Mia’s place that night, the two were so busy arguing about that secret crush Erin had on Brad that they did not come up with a plan. That next morning, Erin prepared to leave when Mia stopped her “Hey, what’s your plan to get him to talk?”
“MY plan?” Erin asked and then shook her head “Oh no…don’t push this on me. Dennis said for the two of us to do it. If you didn’t waste last night arguing about my problem, we would have this planned.”
“Whatever…” Mia sighed “So, what’s our plan?”
Erin shrugged “Say whatever comes along and do whatever we can…worse comes to worse, I’ll just beat the guy into ablyss.” Erin laughed when Mia widened her round shaped eyes in shock. She got to the orphanage and was surprised to see Darren’s car already there. Andrew was in the driver seat as usual. She nodded to him and entered the place. She walked down the east wing and saw Timmy’s door opened and inside was Naja and Darren talking in low voices.
“Where’s Timmy?” Erin asked, trying to set up the trap for him to step in.
Instead Darren let out a worried sigh “I’m not sure. He disappeared last night.”
Naja appeared to be crying “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault, I must have not locked the front door.” She felt guilty and it showed on her face.
Surprisingly Darren was comforting “It’s okay…” he knew it wasn’t her fault “Accidents happen.”
Erin’s eyes hardened “So what now?”
“We sent out a search party with the police, they haven’t found a clue yet.” Naja said while wiping her tears.
Darren shook his head “Well, we have to keep working. Stay in the front desk, maybe they’ll call with the news.” He patted Naja on the shoulder and she got up to leave. When he turned to Erin, his eyes darkened suddenly “What are you doing down here? Your office is over on the other side.”
“What is your problem with me?” she was tired of the cold stares and threatening words.
He shrugged “What’s your problem with me?”
“I asked you first.” Erin retorted.
“So?” he was playing the game all too well. Erin let out a frustrated grunt and returned to her place. Mia would be glad to know Darren knew which buttons to pushed.
Later that day when Naja was eating her lunch, Erin decided to sneak to the secret file room herself. She still had Timmy’s key in her pocket. Her eyes darted behind her to make sure no one was there. When the coast was clear, she pushed at the door and entered it. She knew which cabinet to look at as she searched the files, when she found it she pulled it out and shined her flashlight on it. She flipped through the pages and read some of the descriptions.
Erin was so into her discoveries that she didn’t hear the footsteps that were coming up. It wasn’t until she felt a cold circular object point at her temple that she realized it was too late “What the hell are you doing in here?” Darren’s voice was threatening.
Erin calmly put back the file as she got up and turned to face him, the gun was now pointing to her forehead “What are you doing keeping files of the orphans. Aren’t they suppose to be passed on to the parents that adopt them?”
Darren shook his head with a grin “You’re not getting away with this on a technicality point. Get out.” He pointed the pistol to the door “How in the world did you get in here?” he asked with a bit of surprise “No one has the key but me.”
“It was open.” Erin said coolly as she walked outside and heard the door closed behind Darren “What are you going to do? Kill me?” she was daring him.
“Maybe I will.” Darren smiled evilly.
“Darren! No!!” Mia’s voice broke into their battle. She rushed over to his side and pushed at his hand with the pistol down “What are you doing? It’s the orphanage, for goodness sakes.”
Darren turned to Mia with hardened eyes “This has nothing to do with you. I don’t want you to get involved. Leave, Mia.”
“Oh, so this is the ex girlfriend.” Erin said with a laugh “At least she made a good choice…to leave you.”
“What did you just say?” he pointed the gun at Erin again.
Mia shook her head as she begged him “Please Darren, don’t do this. You don’t want to go to jail for this, it’s not worth it. What did she do that was so horrible?”
“She was snooping…” Darren kept his eyes and pistol on Erin.
Erin let out a sigh “If you must know, I was only looking at my files. When I realized that they belonged to all the orphans that had stayed here, I wanted to see if mine was there so I can find my birth parents. I know they are still alive…they just left me on the doorstep, just like Jackie.” She said softly, while her eyes glossed over.
Darren pulled his hand down as he placed the gun back in his belt case “Come with me.” He ordered the girls.
Erin and Mia looked at each other with confused expressions as they eventually followed him. He took them to an office at the end of the west wing where he closed the door behind them and then locked it. The girls exchanged glances again, not knowing what he was up to. He pulled out a file in his drawer and handed it to Erin “What is it?”
He took a seat in his leather chair, much like the one in his corner office “Open it.”
She did as he told and found it was her personal file “But…how…”
“The one you saw in that room is only half. I’ve kept the correspondences from the day you were left here. I didn’t think you would ever find out how you got here. I guess secrets are not meant to be kept forever.” Darren appeared to be saddened.
“Can I ask you something?” Erin asked sincerely. Darren nodded after a moment of staring at her with intent eyes “Why do you care so much about this orphanage, surely it isn’t for the money.”
Darren leaned back in his chair as he gave a tired sigh “Because I was treated badly as a child. My father use to spank me whenever he was drunk…that was so often that my mom couldn’t even take it and she eventually left us. You would think such a rich family as mine would never be so dysfunctional as that. I hated my father but luckily in my later years, he was rarely home…always on a business trip. I had begged him to let me be in charge of the orphanage when I was a mere five years old. He laughed at that but somehow he agreed. I had promised myself to find all the kids a good home. A happy one…that’s why I learned all their backgrounds and names, because I want to make sure each one is taken care of.”
Mia smiled proudly “That is so sweet.”
He tilted his head with a smile that Erin has never seen before “So now you know.” He said to Mia “But I’m warning you both…if this secret spills out, I won’t let it go so easily.” Mia only smiled at him while Erin was dazing away again “What are you thinking about?” he asked with curiosity.
Erin looked up at him with a solemn expression “Nothing…I just feel a bit of pity for myself. For not having a family to grow up with.”
Darren nodded “I know what you mean, why did you think we worked so hard to find you a home…but even in your late teens you were the last one here. When you turned 18, you were legal to leave the orphanage and live on your own. I’ve always regret not putting more work into your file.”
“You couldn’t…because I didn’t want to leave.” Erin shook her head “I felt like a burden each time a family decided to adopt me. I didn’t want to be pitied and looked down on because I was an orphan…so I became the problem child. A family only gets one year to exchange a kid. That was the rule and that was my plan.”
“Everyone in this orphanage has been neglected by their families.” Darren commented wisely.
“Except for Naja.” Erin pointed out.
Darren turned to her with a confused expression “Naja? She’s an orphan too.”
Mia and Erin exchanged glances “What?” Erin shook her head “She told me her parents live in China.”
“Maybe her adopted parents. She was raised in this orphanage too…that’s why I hired her because she was also a victim. It’s the same reason why I hired you.” Darren pointed out “Actually, she was brought in with her sister, the two of them were placed here after their parents died in a vicious explosion. I was too small to know the details but I felt sorry for the girls and did all I could to get the a home together.” He shook his head sadly “Unfortunately, not everyone wanted two girls. They were eventually separated.”
“What’s her sister’s name?” Erin probed further.
Darren searched his brain but couldn’t think of her. He rubbed his temple and suddenly snapped his finger “Ah Jan…I remember vaguely but I’m pretty confident that was the name.” he looked at Erin earnestly “Do you remember her? She stayed in the room across from you.”
Erin shook her head “Not at all…I didn’t speak to anyone during my stay. I didn’t even remember you.” She was being honest.
“Yeah, the two of them stayed in one room, it was their request. They were inseparable and I knew it so I let them do what they wanted. It was pretty sad if you thought about their situation.” Darren smiled after a moment of silence “What’s wrong? I’m not as evil as you thought I was huh?”
Erin snickered “Please, a nice person doesn’t pull a gun out on another person.”
Darren chuckled with his head nodding. He pulled the gun out and threw it over to Erin who caught it perfectly “Check the barrel.”
She frowned and turned the weapon around until she was able to open the ammunition sockets, it was empty “You….” She turned to him.
Mia was smiling as she walked over to Darren and touched his shoulder “He may seem like a mad man, but he’s got a kind heart. This rough exterior is just to scare of the people that try to walk all over him.”
Darren stood up as he wrapped an arm around Mia’s shoulder “Only you know me best. I’m glad your on my side.” He gently pulled her in for a hug forgetting that Erin was standing there. Mia turned her head to look at Erin with a winning smile. Erin only turned to the side with a knowing grin, she would not hear the end of it from Mia now.
*************
After the conversation with Darren, Erin returned to work and Mia began to teach her class of students. After work, the girls did not see Darren around so they decided to carpool with each other instead. Mia was driving but she had on a goofy smile most of the ride back into town “Wipe that smirk off your face.” Erin scolded.
It only made Mia’s grin grow wider “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Erin rolled her eyes “Please, you’re practically gloating.”
“I am not!!” Mia argued with a pouty lip.
The girls were about to start their battle with words when Erin received a phone call on her cell. She picked up when it was Dennis “Hey, what’s up?”
“Bad news…” he only had to say those two words, Erin already knew.
“Timmy…” she faded away “We’re coming now.” She said after a moment of listening to Dennis “Okay.” She hung up her phone and turned to Mia “The headquarter has been broken into.”
“What?!” Mia was shocked at the news. She drover faster and within minutes they were parked in the back and quickening their pace to get into the place. When they entered, everyone was already there and each room was trashed not to mention their file room was torn apart, papers were thrown everywhere “Oh my God…” she muttered under her breath.
Erin bent down to pick up some files “They didn’t take them.” She said while shuffling through the papers.
Dennis nodded from the doorway “They didn’t want the files. They wanted Timmy….and they got him.”
“How did they find the secret room?” Erin asked.
Brad shook his head “The wall was blown up.”
“Reina!!” Mia suddenly forgot her friend was watching the kid.
“She’s okay.” Dennis assured “She was knocked unconscious, they apparently didn’t want to take her life.”
Erin looked around “Where’s Andrew?”
“He’s tending to her wounds.” Brad said casually.
“How sweet.” Mia said with sarcasm “I guess he’s ready to move on to the next girl.”
Erin laughed internally but smiled at her friend “What do you expect? He can’t wait around forever you know.”
Mia bounced her head “Hah! Well, he’ll have a hard time getting Reina, he’s definitely not her type.”
“Oh…if only you knew.” Erin whispered to herself. The four met up with Andrew and Reina in the secret room “Reina, are you okay?” she asked with concern when the girl had a huge bruise on her head and a few cuts on her arm.
She nodded with a smile “Strong as a rock.”
“You were lucky they didn’t want to kill anyone.” Dennis warned.
Reina sighed “I know, that’s because I put up a good fight. There were about five of them, all masked. But one guy dropped this…” she pulled out a chain from her pocket, the charm was identical to the one Timmy had, except it had the initials ‘DC’ on it.
“Darren Chiu.” Andrew pointed out.
Mia shook her head “No…it can’t be. I’ve never seen him wear one before. Anyways, DC can mean anything.” She refused to believe it.
“You’re in denial, Mia.” Andrew said calmly.
“No! I’m not, I’m very much alert. He wouldn’t do that…he even told me about his past as a child…ask Erin, she was there too.” She pointed to her friend and nodded at her for help.
Erin was hesitant as she stuttered slowly “Well…he is a good liar.”
“See!” Andrew smiled victoriously “Even Erin didn’t fall for that ‘feel sorry’ for me act. He’s the culprit.”
“You don’t have any proof!” Mia cried angrily. She threw Erin a disappointed look but she was avoiding her eyes.
Dennis put up his hands to silence the quarrel “Now, let’s all calm down. What did Darren tell you guys, exactly?” Mia was about to open her mouth when he pointed to her “No, I’ve had enough of your lip, let’s give Erin a chance.”
Erin began to pace the floor “He…he basically said a pity story about how he was treated unfairly as a kid. But it’s hard to swallow since he was raised in a rich family, how badly could someone be treated with a silver spoon in their mouth from the day they were born?”
Mia shook her head sadly as she gulped back the tears, she was shocked that Erin would interpret Darren’s heartfelt story into some sick joke “That’s not true and you know it!!” she cried angrily. The tears began to fall down her cheeks while her eyes dug into Erin’s.
“Mia…look at you….you’re so in love with this psycho that you can’t even see he is lying through his teeth.” Erin said sincerely. She shook her head sadly “What did he do to you?”
Mia began to back away towards the door while her head shook in disbelief “I can’t believe you would say that….You were there!” she tried again but when Erin turned away Mia looked at the rest of the group who gave her sympathetic looks “I don’t care what you say, he’s not bad!!!”
“Mia…” Brad reached out for her but she swung her hand at him.
“NO! I don’t need your pity. I’m not wrong.” She wiped the tears that were stinging her eyes with the back of her hand “I’m not!!” she blurted and rushed out of the room.
“Mia!!” Brad was about to chase her when Dennis called him back.
“Just let her have her peace. She’s not going to listen to anyone.” Dennis sighed as he turned to Erin and patted her on the shoulder “You did the right thing by telling the truth.”
She nodded, her eyes glanced upward at Andrew and Reina whom were staring into each other’s eyes. She felt a pang of envy when she turned to Brad who gave her a blank expression “What is it Erin?” Brad asked when her eyes looked at him earnestly.
Erin bit her lip to keep from screaming ‘I like you.’ She shook her head eventually but didn’t want to meet his eyes “Nothing.”
Chapter 14
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka ScorpioGuest Role: Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
After a while, Erin decided to go after Mia. She didn’t go far because she was sitting in the conference room by herself sitting on one broken swivel chair while the table was overturned and the other chairs were thrown aside “Mia…”
“Don’t talk to me” Mia said through gritted teeth.
“Listen to me.” Erin began.
She spun her head up with angry eyes “Why should I?? I’m shocked at you, Erin. Its so ironic how I’m always standing up for you when people said you had an ice heart. I said you were really fair and that you didn’t mean to be cold, you were just straightforward.” She shook her head sadly “I was so wrong.”
Erin looked down and then her head tilted to the left at the door “I mean well. I just don’t want you to be hooked up with this guy, while we don’t know the truth yet.”
Mia got up suddenly and rushed over to Erin as she grabbed her arm “So you’re saying you believe what he said is true?”
“No…” Erin shook her head “But I don’t doubt it.”
“I don’t understand.” Mia was confused.
Erin patted her on the shoulder “You’ll understand one day.”
“Hey, Mia…” Brad greeted her from the door “How are you?”
Mia shrugged “As good as I’ll get. I feel like I’ve been stabbed on the back.”
Erin frowned “You shouldn’t feel that way because it wasn’t meant to come out that way. I’m sorry.”
Mia smiled despite her mood “Its okay, I know you have something against Darren. Afterall, he did pull the gun on you.”
“He what?!!” Brad cried as he pulled at Erin’s arm with concern “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Wooh…what’s with the violence?” Mia nodded to his arm which was gripping on Erin’s elbow.
Brad quickly let go “Sorry…I was just concerned.”
Erin smiled “I know.”
“Gag me!!” Mia stuck a finger in her throat pretending to throw up “I’d love to stay and watch this movie but frankly, I hate romance.” She quickly dodged Erin’s hand which came flying at her head. “Too quick for you!” she laughed teasingly as she backed up and then turned “Ow!” she came crashing into the edge of the door.
Erin and Brad muffled their laughter while Mia turned and sneered at them. After she left Erin shook her head “She’s so fickle. One minute happy, the next she’s unhappy.”
“At least she’s better to read.” Brad hinted.
Erin’s smile faded “What do you mean by that?”
He shrugged with a crooked grin “You’re a smart girl, I’m sure you understand.” She turned away slowly trying to avoid his eyes again “Call me crazy, but I’m sensing something changing between us. Is there something wrong Erin? Have I done something to upset you because you’ve been really distant lately.”
She smiled to herself, at least he finally noticed. But it wasn’t the time to tell him yet. Erin turned and shook her head “Nothing. I’ve just felt like we haven’t spent enough time together. Remember when we were kids how you use to sneak into my room at the orphanage?”
Brad smiled at the reminisce “And living at the orphanage means no visitors. So I would had to sneak in to see you. But you know it was so hard what with all the eyeballs that kept staring at me whenever we were caught.” He laughed when he recalled a situation “Hey, do you remember that one girl who use to stand outside across the room from yours? She would always stare at me with these mean eyes.”
Erin looked up suddenly “You remember that girl?”
He nodded carefully “Yeah…of course, she was the one that always tattletale on you for having a boy in your room. I remembered because each time she saw me, she would run to tell the manager. My ear would be yanked upwards and it didn’t matter if I cried in pain she would always pull it until we were outside.”
“Yeah, I would lock myself in the room because I was upset.” Erin laughed with her head shaking “The good old times.”
“What happened to that girl?” Brad asked randomly.
Erin shook her head almost sadly “I’m not sure.” She turned towards the door to make sure no one was there “Come on.” She nodded at the door for him to follow her.
He frowned “Where to?”
She rolled her eyes “I’m not going to hurt you, just come with me.” She reached out and pulled his hand.
He let out a short laugh “Well, if you wanted to hold my hand, all you had to do was ask.” With that comment, Erin quickly let go and he stopped as he crossed his arms “Okay, there’s that strange behavior again. I know you’re hiding something.”
She shrugged “Maybe…maybe you’re just too sensitive.” She nodded towards the exit “I won’t hold your hand…just follow me.” Erin smiled when Brad put out his hand while his eyes turned up towards the sky with exaggeration. She reached out and took his hand as the two walked outside.
They were blocks away when Brad spoke up “Okay, now that we’re in the middle of the street, you going to tell me what’s going on?”
Erin peeked behind her shoulder and then looked up at Brad “Promise you won’t freak out.”
He nodded with a grim expression “You’re being too mysterious. What is so secretive?”
“You have to promise me.” She urged.
Brad smiled “I promise.”
“Good.” She let out a sigh “Let’s keep walking.” She wanted to distract the person just in case they were being followed. Erin told him of her discoveries and the talk she had with Darren. The bizarre coincidences that she could not explain. When she finished, he was shocked “No…I don’t believe it.”
“That’s what I said too. But the clues all point to this person.” She lowered her voice while darting her eyes around them in circles “You know my gut instincts are normally right.”
Brad shook his head “But you were wrong about him.”
Erin knew who he was talking about “He is guilty until proven innocent.”
“Isn’t it the opposite?” he smiled with admiration at her choice of words. She was always so smart in his eyes.
“Not in his case.” She snickered.
“We should get back.” Brad suggested.
She nodded reluctantly, it was the longest talk they’ve had in weeks. When they returned, the other four were gathered in the messy conference room Two empty chairs were pulled up for them “Well it’s about time!!” Mia retorted with a scolding tone in her voice. Reina and Andrew shook their heads with a smile.
“Sorry…we were just discussing the situation.” Brad covered up, but his hesitant words gave it away.
Mia pulled her legs up on the chair as she smiled at the two “I see…” she turned to Erin “So you finally had the guts to tell him?”
“Tell me what?” Brad asked innocently.
Mia rolled her eyes “Are you that naïve? After she confessed her love you still don’t understand???” she blurted out unexpectedly. Her smile faded when she saw Erin shaking her head with widened eyes.
“What??” Brad asked in shock. He turned to Erin, who shook her head blankly “What is Mia talking about?”
“I don’t know, she’s on drugs or something.” Erin said nervously.
Andrew looked at the three of them and then at Reina who was dodging his glance “Oh…I know what this is about.”
“Good, why don’t you tell me.” Brad proclaimed with frustration but Andrew only laughed with his head shaking. He turned to Dennis “Do you know too?”
Dennis tilted his head thoughtfully as his arms crossed “I could take a guess.”
Erin closed her eyes with her head shaking, how much she regret Mia finding out “I was just kidding!” Mia said with exaggeration, her eyes rolling “Gosh, you’re so gullible, Brad. We’re all in on the joke. Isn’t that right?” She widened her eyes at each and everyone.
The others nodded with knowing grins “Yeah…” they said randomly.
Brad scratched his head “You know I don’t take jokes too well.” He pulled the empty chair next to him and pointed to Erin “Let’s sit before I faint from all the thinking.”
Dennis cleared his throat “I put a call into the head, he said that this place will be as good as new in two days. But in the mean time, we need a place to meet. Anyone got any ideas?”
“How about I ask Darren…” Mia suggested, but when the eyes raised at her, she shook her head “Never mind.”
Reina suddenly raised her hand and Dennis smiled thoughtfully “This isn’t kindergarten, you don’t have to raise your hand to speak. Look at Mia…” he laughed when she whipped out her tongue at him.
“I don’t know where we can meet. But I have a request. Can I take a short break?” she asked while all eyes looked at her with shock, Andrew seemed to be the most surprised.
“Why?” Dennis asked calmly but he too was surprised.
Reina shrugged “I had a pretty good scare, I’m not sure if I’m ready for any active duties. I don’t want to slow us down either. My head is hurting really bad, it’s been throbbing since I woke up, I just didn’t want to scare you guys.”
Dennis nodded “That’s understandable, okay, you can take off a month.”
“Thanks Dennis.” Reina was grateful.
“Who will replace her?” Mia asked with concern.
Dennis smiled “I’m sure the head will find a good temporary for Reina.”
Andrew smiled at the group “Who ever he/she is, they’ll never take Reina’s place. Isn’t that right?”
“Kiss ass…” Mia muttered under her breath.
Erin looked at Mia and shook her head “Envious aren’t we?”
She rolled up her lip in disagreement “No.”
******************
The team could not figure out where to meet, so they decided to wait for two days while the head closed out the headquarters and they were built a new place miles from their old place. It was an identical replica of their place except it was more trickier to get inside. They all needed two codes, one is their fingerprint and two is their sliding identification cards.
Brad, Erin, Mia and Andrew were the there before Dennis, they wondered why he was not there yet. He was usually the first one there “Where do you suppose he is?” Andrew asked with curiosity.
Mia shrugged carelessly until she thought of the answer “Maybe he’s picking up the temp. Do you think it’s a guy or girl? I say it’s a girl…but I want it to be a guy.”
“Why?” Erin laughed at her friend’s perkiness.
“Because we’ll get more special treatment.” Mia said matter of factly.
Brad sat up straight when Dennis walked in “Hello, Sir.”
Dennis nodded at everyone as they stood up to greet the new guy, who stood behind Dennis “Guys, I want you to meet Ted Kwong, he will be taking Reina’s place for now. Why don’t you introduce yourself.” He ordered Ted.
Mia nudged Erin who stood next to her “He’s cute!!” she gushed.
Erin shook her head at her friend “Shh…” she looked up and saw Brad looking at the girls with curiosity.
Ted smiled and appeared a cute dimple on his right bottom chin “I’ve been with the police force for about 5 years. I was in the crime investigation department for about three years, the first two years were just patrol cop.”
“Nice to meet you.” Brad greeted him with a handshake “I’m Brad.”
“Andrew.” He reached out and shook Ted’s hand next.
Mia was grinning from ear to ear “I’m Mia…this is Erin.” She pushed at her friend with her elbow.
Erin turned to Mia “I can introduce myself thank you very much.” She laughed and shook Ted’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” His eyes dug into hers with interest.
Dennis nodded, glad of the welcoming smiles they brought around the table “Ted is going to be Libra.” Everyone nodded while Dennis continued “Brad is Leo, Andrew is Aries, Mia is Pisces and finally Erin is Scorpio.”
Ted raised his brows “Scorpio. That’s very interesting, they tend to be very quiet and secretive. I’ll be sure to stay on your good side because once a person hurts a Scorpio, they are doomed to be their enemies for life.”
Erin nodded, impressed by his knowledge of her sign “Hopefully, you won’t be scared by a Scorpio’s strong presence as a Libra normally is.”
He laughed comfortably “I assure you, I won’t be.”
Mia was enjoying the moment when she noticed how grim Brad’s expression was “Okay, don’t’ show off guys, some people might be a little slow to understand.” The group turned to Mia and she shook her head innocently “I wasn’t talking about myself.”
Chapter 15
Vivian Leung – Erin Yeung aka ScorpioGuest Star:
Jessica Hsuan – Naja Lu
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra
After learning Ted’s connection to the police data, Erin found him more interesting. But a normal person would misunderstand her intentions towards the new guy. For she had a deeper plan than anyone could imagine. The two would constantly be talking to each other whenever there was a break between meetings.
One morning when Brad was getting himself a cup of coffee, he couldn’t help but wonder why Erin’s sudden interest in this guy. He seemed like an average guy with five years in the force. Brad was busy staring at the two, who seemed to be enjoying each other’s company that he didn’t notice he was scooping too much sugar in his cup.
Mia walked in as she covered a tired yawn “Morning.” Brad muttered something incoherent and suddenly Mia stopped and stared at his hands “I didn’t know you liked that much sugar.” She commented. Brad quickly stopped as he closed the sugar jar while Mia followed his gaze out to Erin and Ted. “Oh…distracted?”
Brad laughed nervously “Of course not!” he took a sip of his coffee and made a face “I like it sweet.”
“You always cringe when you drink coffee?” Mia retorted with her arms crossed. She was enjoying the questioning too much.
“Yes.” Brad tried the last time to cover up “Come on, Dennis is calling us.”
Mia furrowed her brows as her ears arched up “Really? I don’t hear him…but if you want to check on the two new love birds, you don’t have to use Dennis as an excuse.” She teased openly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But his face was deceiving him, his cheeks were burning up.
Mia bit her lip to keep herself from pointing it out “Sure…of course you don’t.”
“Mia, Brad…breakfast is over, could you guys come join us?” Dennis called.
“See, I told you.” Brad said while Mia pushed her upper lip out at him.
When they all regrouped, Dennis quickly explained to everyone about his conversation with the head “Looks like we have to move this mission aside. I got a call in from the head, we’ve got a little problem.”
Brad wasn’t the only one that noticed Dennis was worried “Is it bad?”
He nodded “A few victims are being held hostage at the Cathay Bank downtown. Three of them are my family.”
The girls let out a gasp “Sir…are they okay?” Mia asked with genuine concern.
Dennis seemed distraught “I don’t know. But the police is trying to send in the negotiators. We need to get control of this situation, these guys are not amateurs. They are not kidding around, they want a getaway boat leading them towards Taiwan where Hong Kong police cannot get to them.”
“What do you want us to do?” Brad asked.
He shook his head “I’m not sure.” He let out a sigh “The last thing I heard, they took two hostages with them, both are my kids.”
Erin flinched, she felt his pain “We’ll do our best. Should we do like the last time?”
Mia widened her eyes while her head shook back and forth “No…no, don’t make me jump again. I’ll swim 30 miles, but don’t make me jump.”
Ted tilted his head “You’re afraid of heights?”
Erin smiled with a nod “More like a chicken.”
“Yes! I’m a chicken, I’m not afraid to admit it, don’t make me do it again.” She begged.
“You have to face your fears in order to conquer it.” Ted advised wisely.
Mia rolled her eyes “How profound of you. But YOU don’t have the fear of heights.” She pointed out.
Andrew laughed “She’s right about that.”
Ted shook his head “I did have that fear, but I learned to face it. It helps, trust me.”
Dennis put up his hand for their attention “Mia, you don’t have to worry, we will not be jumping out of any plane. You guys will be divided in two groups. Erin and Mia you two will go with Ted. Andrew and Brad, you two will take the second boat. We’ll meet them at the Hong Kong border.” His eyes darkened.
The five wore the normal uniforms and sunglasses. They drove together to the docks to take the boats which were set up for them. Ted jumped on the boat and pulled out his hands to help Erin and Mia on. Erin accidentally slipped when the boat moved, she fell directly into Ted’s hand. Her face blushed over as she quickly stood her ground “Sorry.”
Mia turned to where Brad was, it was obvious he was looking at them “What a gentleman!” she blurted out with a laugh causing Brad to turn away.
“You okay, man?” Andrew asked when he heard Mia’s comment.
Brad nodded hastily “Yeah. Let’s go.” He started the engine and drove off without waiting for the others.
“Woooh…easy there.” Andrew had to reach for the side bars to steady himself when Brad took off so quickly.
Mia got on the boat with Ted’s help and she turned up in time to see Brad’s boat flying off into the ocean “What’s his rush?” she muttered.
Erin shrugged “Come on. Sit tight guys.” She started the engine and drove off trying to catch up with Brad.
They got to the border in 30 minutes and stopped, from a distance, they could see the big boat coming towards them. The guys set up their suits and air tank as they nodded to each other on cue and dived into the ocean. Erin and Mia were to stop the robbers and distract them while the guys climbed on board. The girls exchanged glances when the boat came closer and it eventually slowed down. There were about five guys on board, they looked at them with pure suspicion “Who are you?”
“That’s not important. Let the hostages go, they’re just kids. Anyways, you guys are about to cross over to Taiwan waters. You’re free.” Erin instructed.
The guy with the beard laughed “We’re not letting them go until we are safe on ground.”
Mia took a step forward “You jerks! You’re going to kill them aren’t you?”
They looked at each other and laughed loudly “What if we are? They’re no use to us if we can get away.”
Erin narrowed her eyes behind her lenses when she saw Brad crawling up to the side of the boat, Andrew and Ted followed. She smiled at them “Looks like you guys won’t be so lucky this time.”
“What?” Before the guy had a chance to realize what was happening, Brad threw a rough punch on his face when he turned. In a second the fighting became intense when it was five against three.
Erin was aching to help them out but she had her orders. She wasn’t to leave their boat just in case the kidnappers got away, she was to chase them. Mia was concerned as her eyes moved from one fight to another. Two guys were on Brad while the other two guys were fighting with Ted and Andrew. The fifth guy was holding onto the kids “We can take him.” She pointed to the guy.
Erin shook her head “We have orders.”
“Ask him.” Mia urged as her eyes turned back to the fight.
Erin clicked a button on her ear piece “Capricorn, the guys are fighting with the kidnappers, there is one guy holding onto your children. Mia and I can take him. Could we try?”
“No, don’t do anything hasty. I don’t want them to get a chance to escape.” He let out a sigh “Even if it means my kids are in more danger.”
“Yes, Sir.” Erin turned to Mia and shook her head.
Mia balled her hands into a fist as she punched the side of the boat “I know we can make it.”
Erin looked around on the tiny boat as her eyes landed on a long and thick rope “How good is your roping?” she smiled when Mia’s face brightened.
The brawling were not distracted when the girls drifted slowly over to the end of the big boat where the guy was holding onto the kids while his eyes were glued to the three fights in front of him.
Mia was not the expert in roping, but she was better than Erin. She tied the end into a rope as she threw it over head as it spun in circles. When her aim was made, she threw it and it landed over the guy’s head. It would have gone further but he realized it all to quickly as he let a yank on his end causing Mia to fall forward. Erin quickly grabbed the rope with Mia and the girls gave a tough battle of tug and war.
Erin turned to Mia “On three. One, two…three!!” the girls grunted as they used their full force to yank at the rope. It worked like a charm when the guy tumbled over the edge of the boat and fell straight into the water. Erin took the rope on their end and tossed it into the waters. She shifted the boat closer to the back and put out her hands to the kids “Come on…jump.” She coaxed.
The kids were scared but Mia wasn’t about to let them be in anymore danger “I’ll catch you.” She brought out her hands. And slowly the older brother coaxed his younger sibling to jump. He did and Mia caught him with ease. The older kid smiled as he too prepared to jump when he was suddenly pulled back by a pair of arms. One of the other guy that was fighting with Brad had got away to get the kid.
“Gor!” the little girl cried with her arms stretched out.
Erin turned to Mia “Take the steering, I’m going up.” She shifted over and leaped upwards as she caught the bar on the ledge of the boat. Erin pulled herself up and planted her feet on the platform, she stood in her stance “Let him go.” She said warningly.
The guy backed away slowly with a crazy smile, his fingers gripping the kid’s tiny neck “You wish.”
Erin noticed behind her that Brad was winning and he eventually knocked the guy unconscious “Looks like your buddy is out.” She smiled. Her eyes met Brad’s, he already read her plan. She nodded behind the guy’s head “See for yourself.”
She inched her way closer while the guy turned his head back. Erin slid down on her knees against the waxed floor to move quicker, she grabbed the boy in one swift movement while Brad jumped over the guy and crashed him onto the floor of the boat. Erin hugged the kid in her arms as she watched Brad take over with ease. The two looked at each other and exchanged a smile.
Ted was the next to contain his attacker while Andrew finished last. He gave the guy a hard punch and turned to the rest, his face full of disappointment “You guys beat me?”
Brad and Ted laughed “Losing your touch huh?” Erin joked.
“Guys! The harbor police are coming!” Mia cried from below. They moved fast to bring Dennis’s older child onto their boat.
Erin was about to jump down when Ted stopped her “Let me go first, I’ll help you down.” He offered and twisted his body and jumped over the edge onto the tiny boat as it rocked slowly.
Mia smiled “I think we’re a little crowded, Erin why don’t you go with Brad and Andrew?”
For once, Erin felt like hugging Mia “Good idea.” She smiled gratefully as she joined Brad and Andrew. She pulled herself over the edge and jumped easily into Brad’s arms. She smiled up at him “Thanks.”
Andrew stood watching their lingering smiles “Should I go or give you guys some privacy?” he teased.
Brad quickly let got of Erin as he cleared his throat “Let’s go. Let Capricorn know.” He nodded. Because the guys had to go underwater, Erin was left in charge of contacting headquarters.
Erin nodded as she pushed her earpiece closer inside her ear “Capricorn, mission accomplished. Your children are safe.”
“Thank you.” He said with a sigh of relief “I never doubted you guys.”
The two speed boats made a round turn to dodge the patrol boats. They made it safely to land on the other side of the docks, their boat were hidden behind the large yachts. They snuck up on land and drove off in their car. They returned to headquarters where Dennis was impatiently waiting.
Mia and Erin’s eyes were wet when they carried in the kids and they slid down to rush over to their father’s open arms. Dennis had tears in his eyes as he held onto his two children tightly “Daddy’s here.” He hushed, he picked the kids up in his arms and stood up “Thank you team.” He nodded with a smile “I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Yes Sir.” The four of them saluted him while Ted looked over strangely.
“I didn’t know this was run like the military?” he asked questioningly.
Dennis laughed with his head shaking “It’s not, but these dorks like to act like it is. Maybe they want to be discipline.” He gave the four a wink of the eye and left.
Mia crossed her arms as she nudged Ted “It’s an inside joke.” She explained. He only smiled and nodded.
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