“She would be glad to hear you out, for sure. I am certain that she will even willingly sit down and have a conversation with you, tell you the things that she can’t tell anyone over a wine.” She peeked at the old woman’s reaction.
The hall was then filled with joy, that halted them from getting deeper into their discussion. Eunice found herself at the corner, watching everyone celebrating in harmony.
‘Everyone, we succeeded,’ she stated inwardly. She took a lungful of air and breathes out; decided that she will not tell anyone the rest of the truth, as everything is already in peace.
—
The man glanced at the woman solely sitting in the corner of the hall, looking at everyone in front of her. He has never thought that she was the one who has given him Jaguar’s message without him noticing.
Detective Hudson stood up and went to her, and sat down on the vacant chair next to hers.
“You really surprised me, Miss Ventura,” he greeted.
The former Captain looked at him and smiled. “Sorry about that, I had to protect myself and everyone.”
“I understand.” The detective shifted back his gaze at his men, who are obviously delighted to have a day off. “I was informed by Jaguar that you had worked with Eagle, Fox, Chameleon, and Leopard as well. They were my most treasured teammates. I never knew, neither expected, that that meeting I had with them decades ago will be our last one. How I wish I had a night long catching up with them before sending them to the organization.”
“They had been so dedicated to their mission, Detective. I never even saw them wasted their time in a nonsense way.”
Soon after, she saw the other hired men as well. For a moment, a selfish thought crossed her mind: ‘What if she has found out the truth sooner, and had recognized Henry earlier? Will it change her mind and decided for a different plan instead?’
She threw a glance at the entirety of the place. Nil’s plan to convert it to a normal building, having his men and everyone who wants to work for them get hired, with no more touch of the organization’s unfairness, his name is clear from suspicions and mockery, and Rum finally living freely—it all happened.
Eunice walked towards the newly named Zoren Hepburn. All white and resembles the fallen man that much, there is no doubt that he is indeed him.
“Congratulations!”
“Had I known that a peaceful life is what he wanted all along, I would have let him live the way he wanted to do it,” the man commented.
“If that is what he really wanted, he could have easily had it. He wanted a peaceful life, not for him. But for you.”
She showed him the time; letting him know that he has celebrated much too off to her schedule.
“I see. Right, family day, of course. Go ahead. Thank you for dropping by.” He shakes her hand.
She left the scene, almost not seen by anyone. The roads are still noisy as usual, but she no longer feels any harm as she walked around. There are no more shadows tailing her wherever she goes. She doesn’t fear to be alone no more.
Her chest was filled with excitement when she saw the two persons she’s searching for: sitting on a bench, seems to be talking about something silly, giggling and would laugh afterwards.
Marco and Sofia waved at her as she entered the place where they agreed to meet. As time goes by, she has already gotten used to switching her personality. Guilt is still there, but her responsibilities are what always keep her reminded that she has to bear it.
“You are so late, Mommy.” The little girl pouted.
“Oh, am I?” She peeked at her wristwatch. “I think I am not, Sweetie. Look, I am actually eight minutes ahead of time.” She showed her.
“But on Daddy’s phone it shows that you are fifteen minutes late.” Sofia frowned in confusion, staring at the phone’s screen.
Eunice and Marco laughed, to which made her think that they are playing with her. She looked at them interchangeably, as if telling them to stop it already.
“What? My time is right. You should be questioning Daddy, it is his that need explanation.” She laughed.
“Well—” The man chuckled, even before he could defend himself. “You’ll understand when you grow up.” He pat her temple and shook his head.
—
“Do you think it is just right for us to let her do it?” Rum asked Jean, made sure that no one is eavesdropping to them.
“You know that I disagreed with this. It was her who insisted.” The woman shrugged and folded back the newspaper with the headline tackling the newfound planet, to which they don’t understand why the former Captain is so eager to know.
The man gulped the lump in his throat. “I thought she would be that one who would be the happiest once the organization got down. But witnessing every day how she truly wants to get involved in the exploration of this planet, I think she has never really moved on.”
“We can’t blame her. She loved her job that much. Look at these men, they are too. Who are we to stop them if that is what makes them feel better? Who knows, it might be just her way of coping up. Nonetheless, that is what we are here for. To aid her if things go wrong. Whatever her reasons are, we can trust that she has good ones.”
“I hope so, Jean. I truly hope so. I will take the guilt in my grave if something happens, and I am not able to do anything.”
Everyone shouted the man’s name, making him leave the woman’s side and go back to the middle of the crowd; meddle with their topics, like Nil used to do.
Jean turned around and headed to her former boss’ office, that has already been her comfort zone whenever she feels like she needs some comforting. His scent still lingers on his seat, as well as Finley’s on the sofa that he used to take whenever he is being called there. She faced to the busy street, at the side of the building.
Zoren has been a simple person, who gets contented by simple things that for some are boring stuff.
“Jean, if one day, I will be no longer here, what do you think will happen to this hideout of ours?”
“That is impossible, Sir. Who would dare to lay even a tip of his finger on Zoren Hepburn?”
“You can never tell.” He laughed and toast the coin in the air. “It is tail, Jean.”
“Oh, please.” Finley chuckled. “Signs—again!”
Their laughter echoed in the room, and that was the loudest they ever had since they are together.
“What is with the tail?” she inquired wonderingly.
“Ask him.” Fin nod his head to Nil’s way. “He’s been like that for a week now.”
Zoren remained silent, watching the people passing by the street. He threw the penny once more and catch it.
“Tell me, is it a head or tail?” He opened his palm, showing her which side is at the top.
“Tail, Sir.”
“I see. That is already the eight hundred and fifty-sixth time.” He sat down on his swivel chair and write down on his note.
She doesn’t know whether to get amazed by his patience, or should she laugh instead. She has never imagined the man that patient with nonsensical things!
“That is not funny. That is absurd,” she remarked.
“Is it? I am enjoying it, though.” He glanced at her, his eyes full of wonderment.
The woman frustratedly breathes out. All she thought she was called in there for a mission, but it dismayed her really big time to know that that is what she came there for hastily!
“Finley, I have something to discuss with you.” The man then put down his toy and leaned his back; eyeing on the ceiling as if he is thinking deeply.
“Should I leave?” the woman queried, pointing to herself.
“Sorry, but yes. You should.” He nodded smilingly.
Jean wiped her tears as that scene appeared in her memory again. There is no single day that it did not. And she thinks, it will never leave her for the rest of her life.
The coin Zoren used is still on his table, its tail on top. She whimpered as she realized that the more that she must not let anyone touch anything in there, for there will be no more the same person who can do the same memories in that office anymore.