Vows and Bullets
Chapter 91: Back at Mythos

Chapter 91: Back at Mythos

"The invitation to little Tiffany’s birthday will arrive at your house in a few days. The rest of the details will be sent to your devices momentarily. If you have no more questions, you are dismissed."

And so, the meeting with Assistant Chief Athena concluded. Agent Helios and I left her office and decided to roam around Mythos for the time being since our excuse was that we were planning to go on a date.

We needed to get ourselves updated with the latest news in Mythos—gather new intel such as new weapons or gadgets that might have been developed and released while we were away, and catch up with the current Top Agent standing. After all, we couldn’t easily check that information when we’re outside Mythos. Certain information could only be accessible when we’re at the base to avoid any risk. Once we stepped outside, that information would be blocked by Mythos’ security system. Even our devices wouldn’t be able to access them unless we receive permission from the higher-ups.

While we were roaming around, I noticed how the other agents kept glancing in our direction—especially the women. Their gazes were different. Some gave curious glances, some eyed me from head to toe, some looked with envy, and the others would just roll their eyes. Just what did I do with these women? Good thing there were a few who kindly smiled at me or looked as if they were inspired by me?

I had always known that I was not the popular type, but to garner this much hate in just two months? Wow. It must have been because of the publicity stunt. Now that I think about it, Agent Helios seemed to be the Mr. Popular type. I remembered many girls squealing when he went up the stage during this year’s Agent Ranking Awards, where he stole my spot. Ugh. Just remembering it was enough to make my blood boil. I wouldn’t be taking this S-rank mission if it wasn’t because of him. And now, also because of him, I’m getting this much hate towards my fellow women!

’Oh, well. They can glare all they want. I don’t care about them anyway.’

Ugh. Who am I kidding? It’s irritating! Just a little more of this, and my blood would start to boil.

"Is there a scarcity of missions these days?" Agent Helios suddenly asked in a voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Or is it that the agents here are just lazy to the point that they have a lot of free time to stare and gawk at my wife?"

He then stopped walking, turned his body towards me, and pulled me in an embrace! With his hands, he pressed my head unto his chest and covered my ears.

’W-What the heck is he doing?!’

Since I couldn’t just push him away in front of these many people, I looked up to see his expression and tried to read what was on his mind. When I did, I saw him glaring at the people behind me.

’Ahh... Did he get angry for me? Because they kept giving the "eye" and all those rude gestures earlier?’

"I do hate it when people stare at what’s mine," Agent Helios continued, in a tone more stern and menacing than earlier. "All of you... GET LOST before I make you!"

At those words, everyone scurried out of the place. After all, who would dare cross the Top 1 Agent, right? Compared to him, they were a bunch of flies in a much lower caliber. Not to mention, I’m the Top 2 Agent—though that didn’t stop them from giving me the looks.

’Hah! Take that! Now, scram away, everyone! The party is over. Good job there, Agent Helios. I didn’t know a husband could come in handy at such times.’

Wait a minute. Did he just say "what’s mine" as if I belonged to him?

...

Ba-dump!

...

’No, no, no, heart. You don’t beat for something as silly as that! It was nice of him to defend you, yes, but not that part, okay? Also, you shouldn’t be pounding at something so cringe as that. That’s just like those dramas I watch with my mother when I’m at home! No way! Hm? But that drama just happened...

’Don’t tell me I’m actually living inside a drama?!

’Pft! What am I even thinking? I should eat. I’m starting to get weird thoughts.’

"Are you alright, my dear wife?" Agent Helios asked me while caressing my cheeks and looking at me straight in the eyes.

’Ugh. Sometimes his gaze is really... disturbing.’

I didn’t know why but I quickly averted my eyes from him.

"I’m good. You didn’t have to do that. I don’t really care about them anyway."

"But you look pissed earlier."

"Hm? I did?"

"Yes, you did."

"Oh. It’s probably just my usual poker face. I do look kinda angry when I—"

"Stop lying to me. I can read you like an open book," he chuckled and smirked at me. "I can also read that you’re feeling hungry, aren’t you?"

My eyes widened when he said that. The angry part, I could understand since it must have shown in my face earlier, but the "hungry" part? There’s no way that could have reflected in my face! How did he... well, it shouldn’t be hard to guess since we hadn’t had our breakfast yet. I almost got tricked.

"I could say the same for you."

"Alright, let’s say I’m the one who’s hungry," he shrugged. "What would you like to eat?"

Grinning, I immediately answered, "Lobster!"

"I should have known," he chuckled. "Unfortunately, that’s not on the menu for today’s meal in the cafeteria, but I can get the ingredients and cook for you in my quarters, or we can go out and eat it in a restaurant nearby. Which do you prefer?"

"Eh? But we haven’t visited the Firearms Department. We need to check if there’s any new weapon we can use and new gadgets."

"Alright. Then, let’s go to my quarters. My kitchen there is fully set up. I’ll just ask one of the staff to deliver the ingredients."

"Why YOUR quarters? Why can’t we use mine instead? It also has a kitchen."

"What’s wrong? Afraid of being inside a room with me?" he teased. "We’ve been sharing bedrooms for some time now and even sleep together."

"Ugh. Shut up. Besides, who’s afraid? I certainly am not. Why would I be afraid of you?"

"Because I might... attack you?" he teased again, smirking like the devil he was.

"Don’t you dare!" I snapped at him, though careful not to raise my voice too much. In a whisper, I added, "We’re at work—at Mythos! Just in case you’re forgetting!"

"Oh, I see," he whispered back. "Then it’s okay to attack you when we’re at home?"

"What?! No! You’re not attacking—no one’s attacking, UGH. Let’s drop this. I just want to eat. I don’t have the energy to play with you, please."

"Aw, my poor wife. Don’t worry. I’ll fill you up soon."

Seriously, this guy! He’s speaking in a way that could be easily misunderstood again! Wraaaaa! Fill me up my ass! How about I fill you up with bruises?!

I shot glares at him, and he finally stopped. Then, we went to his quarters, and I watched him cook the food in case he got any idea and tried to put something in it. Hmp! After that, we finally ate lunch, rested a little, then continued roaming around.

It was late in the afternoon when we finished and decided to go home. On our way back, Agent Helios contacted our stylists and instructed them to get ready for a masquerade ball—a Royal Masquerade ball, according to the details sent by Assistant Chief Athena, which just arrived. It seemed that little Tiffany was a fan of princes and princesses, so she wanted her 7th birthday to be with a royal theme. At least it was that. I couldn’t imagine how I would dress if it somehow ended up being a Barbie doll theme, or fairies, or other more girly stuff.

It was a few hours of drive from Mythos base to our home, so while Agent Helios was driving, I browsed through the pictures of clothes our stylists sent us. They worked really fast. Agent Helios just told them about the masquerade an hour ago, and they already sent us pictures of different ball gowns and princely outfits we could wear. What a productive way to kill time while traveling.

"They sent a lot as usual," I sighed. "What color would you like to wear?"

"Why don’t you pick? I’m good with any color."

"Umm... Black?"

"Pft! It’s a birthday party for a child. Why don’t you choose a friendlier or lighter tone?"

"Tsk. That’s why I’m asking you."

"Just browse through the designs and see which one you like."

"I’m really not good at this."

Because of that, I zoomed out all the pictures into a grid on my phone, closed my eyes, and just pointed at anywhere on my screen.

"I choose... this!"

I could hear Agent Helios laughing at what I was doing, but who cares? I’m not wasting time choosing what to wear.

And so, I opened my eyes to see where my finger landed.

But with my luck, my finger landed on a dress that was a little too... sexy.