Love Don't Cost a Thing (13 page)

Bernice ran into Monica in the Briefing Room before they were shipped off to the airport.

“Hey, how are you two?”

“We’re OK. Just my body and mind are taking me on a trip I don’t want to go on. Most of the time I’m alright and some of the time I miss him terribly.”

A voice came over a speaker. “All agents get in line to retrieve your clearance cards and information for you assignments. Further instructions will be given to you once you board the aircraft at 4:00 hours.”

“We are the
Red Group
, so you listen out just in case they call us to line up.”

“Why me, Bernice? I’m sleepy too.”

“Because we’re talking and I don’t pay attention when I’m talking.”

“Oh, alright.”

“Have you seen daddy yet?”

“No, but do me a favor, don’t do that. That makes me long for him and I refuse to give in.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “Damn, these hormones! Sorry, not you little LB.”

Bernice looked around to see who Monica could’ve been talking to. “Who’s LB?”

Monica whispered, “Hello! I was talking to the baby. LB stands for London and Bradford. I don’t know what I’m having yet so that’s what I call him, him meaning figuratively speaking.”

“Aw, Moe, that’s so adorable. You know what, pregnancy becomes you. Look at you, you’re glowing.”

“Sh… don’t talk so loud. I don’t want anyone to know yet.”

“Oh no, Moe, the Director doesn’t know yet either? What if this assignment is dangerous? Well, all assignments can run a risk of being dangerous, but you need to confer with the Director, Moe.”

“Bernice, get a grip. I would never endanger my baby. We have been to these things dozens of times and they all turn out the same, boring as hell. When we return I will let him know then and go on light duty.”

“And talk to Colin too, right?”

Monica rolled her eyes. “You’re really pushing it now. I’m not ready to do that. We will work it out. Whether it’s before the baby is born is up to him.”

Bernice gave Monica a small nudge on the shoulder. “Moe! Staying away is not good for the baby or you. You know the baby can sense when its parents are bonding, therefore making it easier for it to enter the world.”

“Bernie, do you want a puddle of tears right here before us? Because if you keep going on about Colin you’re going to have me crying and carrying on hysterically in front of everyone!”

“Hell no! Really, I got the message. I’m sorry. I won’t say another word about that.”

“And I hear you too, Bernie. I know it’s up to the both of us.”

Monica couldn’t wait to get on the plane. She felt that at any moment Colin was going to come bursting into that Briefing Room riding on a Harley Davidson with a Clint Eastwood poncho on with an automatic shotgun over his shoulder. She had to go. She was one of eight chosen after twenty Agents volunteered for the special assignment as a translator for the Russian Diplomats. Her assignment was to work with, Boris Karl von Keyserling in Iraq at the U.S. Embassy. He came to work at the US Embassy in Bagdad, Iraq on special assignment to promote a World Peace Campaign. He wasn’t able to speak any English. So as a Linguist, she was immediately snatched for the job. Her fluency in multiple languages was one of her greatest assets.

Monica couldn’t help spending her down time thinking about Colin. She wondered if she had overreacted herself. Did she really want to or was she even capable of going through her pregnancy alone? She’d been gone for a couple of weeks without speaking or calling him. She was missing him dreadfully even though her blood boiled at the thought of his financial habits.

“I’ve talked to Neil. Do you want me to share?”

Monica acted as if she didn’t care. She waved her hand for Bernice to continue.

“Neil is fine.”

Monica looked at Bernice with a raised brow. “Really, Bernie!”

“Oh yeah, you only want to hear about Colin. Look, this is going to be a long flight and you’re looking all serious. I needed to add some humor.”

“Alright, ha, ha, that was real funny.”

“Moe, you’re getting mean and moody already. I won’t be around much if this is how it’s going to be.”

Monica tried to compensate Bernice for putting up with her craziness. “Hm, so what did Neil say? Is Colin alright?”

“Neil said he didn’t come to work for a week. So he stopped by and he said the house is a mess and Colin was out back cutting up all these logs.”

“That doesn’t sound like Colin.”

“There’s more. He didn’t take the vehicle back yet because he wouldn’t leave the house. He said he felt like he lost everything.”

“Wait. I don’t think I can handle this!”

A voice came over the intercom. “
Groups Red, Black, and Orange
get ready for departure.”

All the groups that were called were boarded and waiting for takeoff.

****

After the plane lifted in flight, the stewardess began to serve refreshments and drinks. Monica began to think about Colin again.

Hm, I did drop some awesome news on him and then turned around and snatched it away from him. All because I think he’s being irresponsible and overexploiting with his money. But he must learn and my hormones will not have their way with me.

Monica turned to Bernice to try and get more information about Colin without seeming obvious. “So how’re things going with you and Neil?”

“Surprisingly, we are doing better than I really expected. I think Neil wants to start getting serious, but at the same time he don’t want to rush things. We look at you and Colin and we don’t want to mess up.”

Bernice turned her head slightly to the side with a shocking expression as if she wished she could’ve retracted the words she just released from her mouth.

With a raised brow Monica refuted. “What are you trying to say, Bernie? You’re not being sympathetic at all.”

“Sorry, Moe. I shouldn’t have said that and I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

“No, say what you really mean. You all were Colin’s friends in the first place.”

“First of all, I’m both you and Colin’s friend. I love both you guys. But you too need to work this mess out before that baby gets here. You have an opportunity to be a beautiful family.”

Monica lost this round. Her emotions took full control and her eyes felt like faucets as the tears poured. She buried her face in her pocketbook to appear as if she was looking for something. There were some tissues in her bag were in hand-reach as if they were jumping to her aid and rescue.

Monica cleared her face and dried her eyes without being seen.

“Your right, Bernie! At least for the sake of our baby.”

“I mean I do understand what you’re trying to convey to him, but there has to be another way. Like I said maybe you guys can get some professional help with this issue.”

“No, I got this. I know exactly what I need to do. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”

Looking eager to know, Bernice leaned closer to get the details of Monica’s plan.

“Sorry, Bernie, this plan is only for Colin, especially since you and Neil are getting even closer now. I want to be the first to share my thoughts with Colin. No offence, love. I will say that a trip out of the country together may do Colin and me both some good.”

“None taken, girl, I’m just glad we’re trying to get back on track. Things aren’t the same without you guys.”

“Yeah, I know. I can’t wait now for this project to be over and we haven’t even started yet. We have two whole weeks of this shit and I can’t get in touch with Colin over here. I wonder if he’s given up on us.”

“I talked to Neil before we left and he said that he had just got off the phone with Colin. He said Colin told him that he took a special detail because he couldn’t stand being away from you and the baby. He needed something to occupy his mind as well.”

“Did you tell Neil where we were going?”

“No, because when I did talk to him it was just before we got our orders. Plus, you know we’re not supposed to, and I don’t want to find out they have been monitoring me to see if I’m comprising orders.”

“I know that’s right. Ugh! This is going to feel like a long assignment now!” Monica covered her face for a second to try to get a grip on her frame of mind and her emotions.

****

Colin arrived in Iraq on a different obligation, unaware that Monica was there as well. He had to do something to occupy his thoughts. It was the only way to take his mine off their problems, still not understanding what it was Monica wanted from him. He and his team were briefed, his orders were to stand guard on the inside and blend in undercover as an American Ambassador with the U.S. Embassy, while his team covered the various exist within the embassy. Colin’s post was the only one inside the round conference room.

His cover name was Ambassador Charles W. Howe, II. He wore a partial mask made to resemble human-like flesh to alter his appearance. The briefing entailed that a group of rebels were headed to the Embassy. His officials received word from intelligence that a sniper was placed inside the Embassy.

Agent Colin and his team had to identify the sniper, neutralize the threat within the Embassy, and dissolve any hostage situation.

Colin walked into the round conference room that seated up to twenty to fifty world leaders.

Oh god, no! This can’t be happening. I don’t believe this shit! What’s she doing here? How can I warn her without compromising my position? I can’t, oh god help me. I have to play this out.

Colin soon realized that Monica was assigned to the target in danger. There was no way to warn her without divulging himself. He interacted with other leaders as he introduced himself as Ambassador Charles W. Howe, II to carry out protocol to avoid bringing attention to himself. There was a hidden earpiece attached to the inside of his ear with the transmitter on his cuff link. Ambassador Charles W. Howe, II gave the appearance of an old Caucasian man well into his late fifties.

His hair was dark brown with streaks of grey, eyes looked beady due to the squeezing of the mask and the presence of his glasses. The attire he dressed in was no different from any other official there. They presented themselves professionally. He wore a grey, pinstriped three piece suite to display the image of an older gentleman.

While Agent Bradford mingled as an undercover spy/agent with his counterparts, he took the liberty to observe the room and everyone present to possibly locate the assassin. He took out a handkerchief to wipe his nose to inconspicuously give clearance of the meeting room under his breath.

“All’s well in the mother room. No action here. Clear.”

“Roger that, King Cobra,” his hidden correspondence replied.

Agent Bradford had hidden accomplices. They all surrounded the entire embassy inside and out, undercover. He couldn’t stop his gaze from shifting back to Monica, especially when she got up to get water for the Russian Diplomat, Boris Karl von Keyserling.

For the first time he had the opportunity to watch her at work. She was speaking Russian, and very fluently. Colin felt a smile of impressiveness forming, but he quickly regained his composure. How his member longed for her.

Damn, I just want to taste those sweet lips, and take her in my arms. If I could I would make love to right here and now. The very thought of her carrying my child is breathtaking!

Colin noticed Monica staring back at him. He tried to change the direction of his gaze, but it was too late. She bowed her head as if she was greeting him. He returned the gesture to avoid any further attention.

Hello, my love. I missed you so much. When this is all over I will come for you and we will work this shit out. I will never allow you to leave me again. You will be my wife and we will be a family. I will do whatever it takes to please you and our son or daughter. I promise you, I will!

He squeezed his fist tightly to his side out of frustration. As he continued to watch her from his peripheral view. He noticed that she was beginning to pick up a little weight. Joy overcame his heart because he knew it was due to the baby and he loved how he was able to detect such a small change.

Hours had passed and nothing had taken place. There were no threats or any commotion at all. It was about lunch time and Agent Bradford was beginning to feel uncomfortable in his disguise, but he knew he had to maintain his position.

Damn this shit is hot. But whatever it takes, I have to keep these people safe, including my family. I wish there was another way I could get them out of here, but there is no way without comprising the mission.

Agent Bradford stood fast. He noticed that there were some commotion going on at the entrance of the meeting room. When he looked he saw a Middle Eastern man that was dressed as a waiter or some kind of chef come in with several bags of food for all the members present in the room.

“Alright, I’m sure they did a clearance on him and a thorough search before they allowed him through,” he mumbled under his breath.

All the men cheered, ready to eat. The delivery man began to pass out the food. Each item was labeled with the Ambassador’s name on it to identify their orders. Everyone waited patiently. Monica and Ambassador Boris Karl von Keyserling were the last to be served. Agent Bradford, still posing as Ambassador Charles W. Howe, II, sat there as if he was waiting for his food too. As he watched the delivery man he began to take note of his appearance and behavior. The man was sweating profoundly. The building and the room was air conditioned. He also noticed his hands twitching a lot.

He acts as if he’s nervous about something. He’s been coming here regularly, why is he acting so strange? No, wait… that’s not…he’s the assassin! What is that device hanging out of his pocket? A detonator!

Before Agent Bradford could finish his thought, the delivery man pulled a gun and an unpinned, manmade hand grenade with a control-device bomb made into a sandwich out of the bag. He placed it in front Monica and Ambassador Boris Karl von Keyserling.

“No one move or we all will die right now!” The delivery man yelled with a strong Middle Eastern accent.

Colin jumped to his feet.