Vows and Bullets
Chapter 53: Honeymoon (Part 8)

Chapter 53: Honeymoon (Part 8)

***

[Back in their suite...]

An awkward silence welcomed us the moment we stepped back into our suite. I guess this sensitive partner of mine still thinks I’m angry with him for what he said yesterday. It was frustrating, yes, but it’s the truth, so I’m not that angry anymore. I still hope it won’t happen, but still, we never know. So basically, he was right when he said it’s better to be prepared.

Deciding to break the invisible wall between us, I spoke first.

"It’s good that you quickly caught what I was planning to do earlier."

He stopped walking and hesitantly turned to his side to look at me. We were in the living room at that time, and he was on his way to his room.

"Uhm... yes. I already thought of that as a backup plan, but I didn’t discuss it with you since I didn’t think it’s needed," he answered in a mellow tone. "The target should have been easy to manipulate, but I... haah," he sighed deeply. Continuing in a soft murmur, he said, "I lost focus."

"Why did you lose focus?"

He flinched, probably thinking I wouldn’t hear the last part. But sorry for him, I take pride in the perfectness and sharpness of all my five senses. He then turned his back on me and sighed again.

"It’s nothing."

Lies. It was easy to tell, though. He was probably still worried about what he said yesterday, which was weird. Since when did he care about my feelings? Hmm... Well, I guess he did care for them on several occasions already, but I always thought that he was only protecting me as a partner for the mission—which was something normal for partners or teammates to do. If so, why did he seem more upset than I was?

"If you’re worried about yesterday, you shouldn’t be. I’m okay now. Sorry for lashing out and crying about it. You’re right, and I accept that. That’s why I—"

"No. I was... wrong."

"Huh? I just said you were—"

"I shouldn’t have said that."

"I said I’m fine."

"But... you cried."

His voice trembled a bit as he said those words. Surprised, my eyes widened, and for some reason... I felt so happy hearing him say that.

’That’s weird. Why do I suddenly feel happy?’

Clearing my throat, my mischievous self decided to tease him a little. I walked past him, turned around, and faced him. I still didn’t understand why me crying shocked him so much when he enjoyed torturing me back when I took my rank-up test and fought him.

’Don’t tell me he’s beginning to warm up to me like a pet that’s been tamed? Woah. This is nice!’

"That’s right," I replied. "You DID make me cry yesterday. What you said hurts my feelings, so of course, I will cry."

His fists tightened, and he bit his lips while averting his gaze at me.

"I... ahm..."

His voice turned softer.

"Yes?"

Go on. Say it. Say that word people say when they realize they’re wrong.

And so, with much struggle, he finally said it.

"I... I’m... sorry."

...

...

...

’Awwww... Oh my goodness! Hearing him say that feels so nice! I don’t know why but I want to scream so badly. Woaaah!’

I tried to stop myself from smiling, but I was too late. My mouth already grinned from ear to ear.

"Ha-ha-ha! So you do know how to apologize, huh?"

"Urgh... Shut up."

"You should have seen yourself! You looked so cute—like a little boy saying sorry for the first time."

"Are you mocking me?"

His tone returned to normal, and he glared at me.

"Ha-ha-ha! No, I’m not. I just said you looked cute. That was a compliment!"

"No man will be happy hearing someone refer to him as cute. Are you insane?"

"Then, should I say... you looked handsome? Or hot?" I teased him further.

"I already know I’m both handsome and hot."

"Woah. Confident much, huh?"

"I’m only speaking facts. It’s not a matter of confidence."

"Pft! Fine, my very handsome and hot husband. Still, you looked cute saying sorry. Can you say that again? I just want to take a picture."

I pulled out my phone from my purse and aimed the camera at his face.

"Come on, say it again."

"NO! Are you pissing me off? Ugh. I shouldn’t have apologized. You look perfectly fine. You even have the energy to make fun of a person making a sincere apology."

"I did say I was fine. You’re the one who kept on pushing the issue."

"Ugh. Whatever. Let’s drop this."

"Wait! You still need to be punished."

"Huh?"

"You do something wrong, you pay for your crime. That’s normal, right?"

"Ugh. And what punishment will that be?"

My lips curved into an evil grin.

’It’s payback time!’

And so, for the rest of the day, I ordered Agent Helios around like what he did to me when I got punished by Mythos. I asked him to cook for me, buy me a lot of stuff, make me some drinks, get this and that for me, and so much more! And the best part was that he couldn’t complain about it! Ha-ha-ha!

"Ahhh... the sweet taste of revenge," I teased him more as I sipped on the fruit shake he made for me. "My heart is being healed."

I laid down on the couch in the living room, busy relaxing myself while I ordered him around.

"That’s great," Agent Helios replied. His suppressed anger was very evident in his tone. "Enjoy it while it lasts, my dear wife. I’m only allowing this today. But tomorrow, get ready for payback. I hope you’re not forgetting that I’m still in charge."

"Yes, yes. I remember. Let me savor this victory for now."

He grunted and rolled his eyes. But afterward, he chuckled.

"Alright. Savor it all you want."

Hours passed, and before I knew it, it was already midnight. I guess I enjoyed ordering him around too much.

"Your time is up," he said as soon as the clock struck twelve.

"Yeah. Too bad. I guess it’s time for me to sleep."

But my instincts suddenly gave me chills, followed by Agent Helios’ vengeful laughter.

"Ha-ha. Who said you’re sleeping tonight?"