"Are you alright, Dave?" someone asked jotting him out of his thoughts. He looked up to see his colleague and girlfriend staring at him with worry written all over her face.
His eyes dilated in surprise and face grew pale, as he never expected to see her in California. She was meant to be on a vacation, which would last for two months.
"Woah Nad what a surprise"he said all smiles, though his voice cracked.He didn't want her to notice that he zoned out and was unaware of her presence.
"Dave that doesn't work on me anymore,you zoned out and I've been standing here for sometime now"she intercepted,her arms akimbo .She stared deeply into his eyes which were filled with uneasiness.
"I'm sorry Nad just went back memory lanes you know"he smiled, but his eyes said otherwise .
"Doc, is it about your bro? I've told you that it's not your fault and everything will be alright".
She held him in her bossom and his shoulders relaxed in her embrace . She had been his solace right from the first day they met and through out his moments of weakness.
"So babe can we talk about the reason why you returned from Singapore so fast when you planned on spending your vacation with your bro"he changed the topic as he didn't want to bore her with the same old story.
"Well, I decided to return because, I heard of the new case my honey is handling with the police, and felt interested."she replied, caressing his hands.
Hearing this,his heart beat skyrocketed as he couldn't help, but wonder why she was suddenly interested in serial cases.
She had always been against him working with the police and only wished he would stop one day, though she never interfered or tried stopping him.
"You were never interested in these things, why now?"he couldn't t help but ask.
"I just wanted to help you find your brother's killer quickly so that you will stop getting involved in these cases. ".She flatly stated, her eyes still radiant as usual.
"Babe this is dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt". He found his voice almost failing him as he started palpitating.
Looking at her reminded him of his younger self, so innocent and ignorant of the dangers lurking at the every corner. He didn't want her to pass through the emotional trauma he has been facing.
"I will always be safe,you have nothing to worry about "she chuckled,her face turned stern afterwards .
"Fine I give up"he breathed out before giving her a peck on the cheek, which made her giggle like a kid.
" Let's grab some lunch"he said,yawned a couple of time, before rising to his feet. He held her hands firmly as they left the office .
💚At the restaurant 💚
"Naddy while we wait for our meals,how is your bro Fred and what exactly made you return this early?"he asked looking deeply into her eyes. "Ow he's fine and sends his regards.About my returning before schedule, Fred travelled so I had to come back"she said, but the look she gave him and the pause in between her sentence, made him realize that something was off and she wasn't telling him the truth.
"Okay, if you say so"he replied knowing fully well that she would open up to him sooner or later and it was of no use trying to force out words from her mouth.
"Mmm tell me about this case".she chipped in as she took a bite from her sandwich.
"I'll let you have a first hand take on what we're up against. At the autopsy room there's a dead guy and all evidence points to the guy that murdered my brother.So I think we might get him this time"he breathed out quietly.
"I'll see it tomorrow then"she mumbled,her hands fidgeting with her napkin.