👱🏻♀️
"Avery, your uncle is here now!"
When I heard my mom shout from the living room, I quickly grabbed my things and rushed downstairs. I saw my uncle at the doorstep, chatting with my mom.
My uncle and my mom looked my way when they saw me going downstairs.
"Are you ready, Avery?" Uncle said with a hint of worry in his voice.
I just nodded at him and turned to my mom, who looked so worried.
"Always take care of yourself, Athena Avery Allegra." I smiled, knowing how much my mom cared for me. I know she's worried again because she mentioned my whole name. She knows I have another mission.
"Yes, Mom. You should, too." I said and hugged her before I rode in my uncle's car. He did not let me use my car for security and undercover concerns. He also used a car he wasn't using much so as not to be recognized by people who know us.
I waved goodbye to my mom before I closed the side windows. Uncle started the engine, and we drove out of the house.
We were just silent while on the road. But after a few minutes of silence, I decided to break the ice.
"Uncle, you said yesterday that they already knew that you assigned a woman for this mission. Why did they agree easily if they don't like women to work?" I probed.
Uncle looked at me in his front mirror and smiled like he was proud of himself. Don't tell me, he's overpraising me again?
"It was not easy, but after multiple attempts to convince him, I finally succeeded. But he had one condition. He will add more bodyguards to his son's house for his son's safety and yours." He answered.
I rolled my eyes at what he said.
"It means he did not trust me at all." I slumped my body in the car seat. Uncle just laughed at my reaction.
"I agreed to his terms since I also want you to be safe while you're on this mission," he said.
"You know I can protect myself from harm, right? You don't need to be worried about me. I underwent harsh training just to be here in this position."
"I know you're very capable, Avy. But no matter how capable you are, you are not invincible. You are still a human who can get hurt and die. We're just worried about you."
I fell silent after my uncle because he had a point. And I know that his worries stem from the memory of his wife's death, who was also a police officer, after a mission.
"Oh, we're here!"
I watched as the massive gate opened. My eyes widened when I saw the mansion. It was grand and intimidating, a stark contrast to the humble surroundings I was used to. The guards are all around the parts of the mansion. They really don't trust me, yes?
"Avery, get out of the car now."
I snapped back to reality when I heard my uncle tap on my window. I didn't realize we were already in front of the mansion. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves as I stepped out of the car, ready to begin my new mission.
Two men in black opened the doors to the mansion. We went inside, and I switched to professional mode. I resisted looking around in amazement to not appear unprofessional.
There in the living room are two men in suits looking at us. It seems they were waiting for us to arrive.
The first man looks like he's in his late 40s, and the man next to him looks like he's in his mid-20s— Wait…D*mn it!
"You!" The guy in his mid-20s and I exclaimed, pointing directly at each other. Why is he here?
We just stared at each other in disbelief. Lucas Axworthy, the male chauvinist pig, is here!
If looks could kill, the pig and I would both be dead by now.
I can't believe that he's the one I should protect. But duty calls, and I must fulfill it. Even if his attitude is unbearable, I need to resist the urge to walk away. Why did our paths cross again with this pig?! Shit!
Be professional, Athena.
"It's great that you already knew each other, officer." My uncle spoke up during the tension.
I looked away first to reply to my uncle. "Indeed, Chief. What a small world it is." I smiled politely, trying to hide my sarcasm.
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"You knew each other, Lucas?" Dad asked, surprised beside me.
I didn't know that I would meet this annoying tomboy woman again. If I knew she was the one tasked with protecting me, I wouldn't accept it, even if it meant risking my own safety.
"Just a girl I met in a bar," I replied with a bored tone. I won't let my dad know that I lost my cool over a girl like this.
"A girl who saved his ass." The tomboy responded with a smirk. I glared at her. This woman sure is annoying.
"I was drunk! And in the first place, I never asked to be saved by you!" I retorted. Whenever I talk with this woman, I easily lose my cool.
Her sarcastic grin widens, and that made me totally lose my composure. This devil!
"Just accept that you were saved by A WOMAN. Tch."
That's it! I gave up being patient with this woman.
"Shut up, tomboy!"
I saw her gasp at what I called her. I smirked when I saw her get affected by it. It's like an achievement to get back at her.
"You shut up, pig!"
What did she call me?! This woman wants a war, huh?
"Shut up, both of you! You're no longer children; you're both professionals. Act like one."
We immediately stopped arguing and got silent when we heard my dad's intimidating voice echoing in the room. I can't believe the tomboy got intimidated by it, too. I thought this woman was like a wild animal.
"I'm very sorry for the trouble, Mr. Axworthy." And she knows how to say sorry, too.
"I'm sorry, Dad. It's because she's—" Before I finished my sentence, Dad cut me off.
"Stop this nonsense and please cooperate, Lucas. Don't be hardheaded for once." I nodded and apologized. Dad is kind but is also intimidating when he's angry.
"Officer, this is unbecoming of you. Don't make our department lose its reputable status."
The tomboy immediately straightened her posture and saluted. So she knows how to obey, too? It would be good if she just acted like a real woman should. She would be perfect.
Wait. Why did I say that?! She's not attractive at all.