Outside a residential house in a high end location AEGIS is masked again scouting BOSS' house. He removes from his jacket what looks like a blue print and returns it again. Just as he is about to sneak in through the fence ,a hand grabs him and he quickly turns ready to fight. He pauses
BELLE
"Are you just about to break a law...with a witness present?"
AEGIS surprised and relieved
"What are you doing here, how did you know I was here?"
BELLE
"Do you really have to ask that...I tracked you...how it could be your phone, your jacket which you always wear on these mysterious missions or maybe I made you swallow something at the beach we never know?...as for what am doing here first I was bored so I was looking for an adventure secondly, I don't want you coming to my house in the middle of the night on the brink of death...and.."
AEGIS interrupts
"This is none of your business, you should get back home"
BELLE
"You know very well you made it my business that night you showed up half dead at my door step..."
AEGIS ignores her and he starts to climb the wall
BELLE shouts
"Someone is climbing the wall..."
AEGIS climbs down fast and covers her mouth
by now he is angry
BELLE unmasks him and puts his cap in her jacket pocket just as the security team from the gate walks to where they are standing
BELLE
"quickly pretend like you are drunk"
AEGIS
"Why..."
BELLE moves closer and punches him painfully
BELLE leaning down holding the now wincing AEGIS
"ooh honey...don't vomit here..."
The guys pause in their steps ...
BELLE
"ooh could you help me carry him up the bus top? be careful he doesn't vomit on you..."
The guys refuse
BELLE
"honey can you walk?
AEGIS still in pain face all red
"...I will try..."
they walk away from the guys with him leaning down
ONCE they get a short distance away
AEGIS angry
"Why did you interrupt?"
BELLE
"There's a food fest tonight...I came to pick my partner"
AEGIS scoffs angrily
" there is something called timing! Everything's a joke to you? you think I want to be out here doing this? you know nothing! stay out of my business from now on!"
he angrily walks away and leaves her behind.
She sighs and walks to where she packed her truck and drives away
AEGIS storms into his apartment angry... just then he receives a call from SCARED BOY
SCARED BOY
Hi..
AEGIS responds SCARED BOY sighs relived
SCARED BOY
"thank heavens you didn't go"
AEGIS
"I went but...wait why?"
SCARED BOY
"Our inside guy was discovered and he had been used to lure you into a trap...had you shown up you would have been ....(he pauses.)..dead by now..."
AEGIS
" What!...what are you talking about?"
SCARED BOY
" You remember how he insisted that you must show up tonight or else we loose our window?"
AEGIS
"mmh"
SCARED BOY
"Well its because it was a set up.... he was discovered and was promised that the only way he was to get out alive was if he brought you to boss."
AEGIS sighs
"Wait how did you know..."
SCARED BOY
On my way to work I received an anonymous video from a rider and it clearly showed him being tortured and the plan to capture you...
AEGIS
"A rider...how did they look like"
SCARED BOY
" I couldn't tell they were all dressed in black and happened so fast seemed like they were waiting for me"
AEGIS In a rush.
..I need to rush somewhere ...I will call you later...
He hangs up and runs back outside
Speaking to himself
'So that is why she prevented me from going in... even the punch was so that I could look down just incase my face had been made...She was protecting me...shit!'
He rushes and drives off in a crazy speed while calling her number
'Why isn't she picking!? knowing her probably she is still waiting there in case I go back there..'
Suddenly she picks he sighs relieved,but then fear dashes across his face when a man answers instead
MAN ON PHONE
"If you are looking for the owner of this phone she is busy now"
AEGISin a shaken voice
"Who are you"
MAN ON PHONE
"And who are you.."
AEGIS desperate
"Where are you"
MAN ON THE PHONE
"OOh you are the one who the one who she said would call...am sending you he pin location"
AEGIS frantically checks his phone
'how long does it take to send a message!' he yells desperately
Finally he receives the message and does a sharp turn you would think fast and furious was shooting a scene on the road that day. He follows the pin panicking
"What did I do"
Finally he gets to the amusement park barely parking and jumps out so fast
AEGIS to himself again
'The best place for a crime the noise and screams are masked by the real screams of people enjoying themselves'
He calls her phone again... she doesn't answer he walks to the exact point the pin had been sent from. He bends holding onto his knees for support and exhales relieved. There she was next to the punching machine surrounded by men who were trying so hard to match her record with no success.
He stands up straight again and looks at his hands he realizes they are trembling uncontrollably.
To himself again
' I guess all the fear and anger I had suppressed within my body is trying to escape now that my body is feeling safe.' He holds one hand on top of the other to control the trembling
BELLE spots him and walks towards him excited
BELLE
"You are here....I told..."
He grabs her and hugs her tight with relief on his face
BELLE
"What is wrong with you..."
he hugs her tighter... BELLE continues
"please don't cry I wouldn't know what to do with a grown man crying...people will think I am dumping you.."
he chuckles and lets go
BELLE
"Is everything okay..."
AEGIS
"How did you know?"
BELLE
"Sometimes it helps to be nosy..."
AEGIS
"But how?..."
BELLE smiling
"a magician never reveals her secrets...speaking of magicians..."
she drags him to a tent where a performance is taking place. He looks at her, a grown woman enjoying and amazed by a magic performance like a child who is seeing it for the first time...he utters under his breath... "beautiful"
BELLE amidst the cheering of the crowd
"What?"
AEGIS
"I said thanks...for everything"
BELLE still looking at the performance
"No need to thank me...am adding it to the list of things you owe me..."
AEGIS shakes his head and continues to enjoy the show with her...staring at her more than the show.
Later that week ....
That evening BELLE rushes to the lifts excitedly. When she gets to the reception she finds her sister at the reception, she hugs her tightly. She then proceeds to greet BELLE'S boyfriend with a slight bow.
BELLA
"Are you ready to get off?...you need to help me pick a dress.."
BELLE
"Just a few moment am waiting for the guys to come back from the assignment... they should be...oh there they are"
Just then the Boys get in from the assignment...They walk towards BELLE and her sister...
AEGIS to SCARED BOY
"what are you doing here"
BELLA to AEGIS
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
AEGIS responding fast
"No.!"
BELLA recalling
"Pajama guy!?"
SCARED BOY & THE BOYS
"Pajama guy?"
AEGIS Anxious hoping BELLA would stop speaking
"What are you doing here..."
he looks at scared boy questioningly
SCARED BOY
"Am here to see my girlfriend?"
AEGIS turns to look at BELLE who is the only one with a face without questions
BELLA
"I am his girlfriend"
AEGIS sighs relieved
BELLE
"Why was that sigh so loud...you don't want me dating people you know or you want me for yourself?"'
BELLA and SCARED BOY are amused while AEGIS scoffs
AEGIS to SCARED BOY
"Wait...how...of all the families... you said she had a sweet young little sister..." he releases the loudest scoff ever
BELLE and BELLA shoot him a look he pauses mid statement
BELLE to her sister
"I will be back... shortly"
She walks to the lifts with the Boys
AEGIS TO SCARED BOY
'I will call you in the evening we will talk"
BELLE as they walk together towards the lift
"If that relationship is jeopardized because of you..."
AEGIS
"What? complete the threat'
BELLE in a threatening voice
"No it will be a surprise..."
AEGIS defensively
"What if they break up because of natural reasons that kill relationships?..."
BELLE
"from this moment on you are a natural threat to that relationship"
They enter he lifts with the other Boys amused
After the debrief, BELLE leaves with her sister and SCARED BOY to go shopping while the boys stay behind and finalize on reports
ALLURE to AEGIS slightly amused
"fate...fate has brought this woman to your life"
AEGIS
"No such thing"
ALLURE
"What are the odds that her sister is dating the one person you consider your brother?"
AUGER
"ALLURE is right the two of you are destined, even if she ever leaves the company you are still going to see her..."
HEAD
"You have got one feisty sister in law"
AEGIS hisses
Watch it....!don't say things like that hey might come true
HEAD
"But I heard them say they are going to pick a dress...I mean a normal dress wouldn't require her sisters input...its definitely a wedding dress.."
AEGIS
"No she didn't say that.."
ALLURE
"She did"
AEGIS picks his jacket in a hurry
ALLURE amused
"Its not like you can do anything or you want to help your sister in law with the dress?'
AEGIS sighs exhausted
AUGER
"Also stop pretending...why are you called pajama guy"
The other Boys all stop working and look at AEGIS who looks up surprised to find the boys are waiting for an answer
AEGIS
"I will tell you later...very long story..."
He rushes out not giving them a chance to ask more questions.
Towards the end of the week AEGIS walks into BELLE'S office
AEGIS
"I would like to invite you somewhere tonight"
BELLE
"Where"
AEGIS
"Its an adventure...the kind you like"
BELLE now excited
"Are we back on the dates?"
AEGIS
"No!"
BELLE pouts and asks grumpily
"Will there be food"
AEGIS
"no.."
BELLE sighs and responds with finality
"no...am not going"
AEGIS
"I will buy you food afterwards..."
BELLE
"I will think about it"
Later that evening she is still finalizing on work. She checks the clock...
'look at the time'
She tilts her head
'I should go and get me free food'
she drives fast to the venue AEGIS had described to her. She walks to room behind a club where a cage fight is going on...
The room is mostly filled with men and some whistle as she walks in unbothered. She then spots AEGIS in the cage being pummeled mercilessly. She winces on his behalf and walks all the way to the front where she meets SCARED BOY who is surprised to see her there.
BELLE to SCARED BOY
"He invited me...though am not sure in what capacity, I should have carried my first aid kit had I known he was going to be beaten this bad"
The fight takes a small break
AEGIS panting and pleased to see BELLE
"You came"
BELLE inspects him
"And on time...you look like you have never stepped in a ring before...why are you distracted?"
She then proceeds to give him pointers as she wipes the blood off his face
He stares at her
she hold him by the shoulders and turns into mama bear
"AEGIS win, I will give you one thing on me"
AEGIS
"You are way too excited for this...what if I die in there"
BELLE folding her shirt and tying her hair in a bun .At this point even SCARED BOY has a scared look on his face
"You better not...or else I will resurrect you and kill you personally...make me proud..."
She pats him and he heads back to the fight amused
AEGIS gets into the cage and his opponent lands more punches
BELLE worked up
"After all the pep talk I gave him"
SCARED BOY side eyes her.
She moves even closer to the ring and shouts AEGIS finally manages to get control, he lands a punch she jumps delighted and screams, the room is looking at her at this point however she is unbothered and engulfed in the fight. AEGIS wins she is exhilarated. finally he leaves the ring
AEGIS wincing in pain and holding onto BELLE as they walk away to the changing rooms with SCARED boy following behind
AEGIS
"Everyone here thinks you are my girlfriend"
BELLE
"Imagine if you would have lost how embarrassing it would have been for me...dating a loser boyfriend thank you for preserving both our reputations"
AEGIS chuckles and winces in pain...
AEGIS
"You care about me that much"
BELLE scoffs
"No...imagine if you ended up in hospital and I was with you...everyone would think I did it...plus you promised to buy me food afterwards... if you were hospitalized how would I ask for my food?."
AEGIS walks into the changing room with SCARED BOY and comes back out shortly after.
Once outside the building
BELLE
"I will leave you to it...you winning the fight is reward enough...go home and get some rest"
As she leaves
AEGIS
"No...wait"
BELLE
"mmh?"
AEGIS whispering
"I need a favor"
BELLE looks at him but doesn't speak
AEGIS
"could you check and see if something is broken...I don't feel too well"
BELLE
"go to the hospital the last time I checked you were all curious about your secrets.."
AEGIS scoffs and continues
"But I prefer you to do it as you know what to look out for...."
BELLE
"Why are you so eager to go to my place?...do you want to plant a bug"
AEGIS
"Please... I will leaave shortly after"
SCARED BOY starts to follow them AEGIS shoots him a warning look he walks the other way
BELLE to SCARED BOY
"Where are you going?"
SCARED BOY
"I have just remembered there's something I need to pick...for your ..sister..." he rushes off before she could answer
They get into BELLES vehicle and she drives them to her place.
Once inside her apartment BELLE drags him to the bathroom and without warning runs cold water on him he gasps
BELLE
"I need you to stay awake "
AEGIS
"Now What am I supposed to wear on my way from here..."
BELLE
"I have an assortment of pajamas don't you worry"
She manages to clean his wounds .She then finds him some dry clothes and leaves the room for him to change. They eat cup noodles and AEGIS thanks her for everything
BELLE
"Just add it to that list"
AEGIS
"I feel like am making a deal with the devil"
BELLE
"Its not a feeling...its a fact...I will come to collect one day...with interest"
AEGIS looks at her scared and thinks to himself
'who was the girl at the amusement park the other day? she definitely has multiple personalities'
AEGIS thanks her once again then heads for the door
BELLE
"And where do you think you are going at his hour in that condition?"
AEGIS
I can get home…am fine …thanks again
BELLE glares at him
"If you walk out of that door in that condition I will finish whatever…"
She uses her hand to gesture his body
He meekly sits on the couch.
AEGIS
"I will sleep on the couch…"
BELLE
"I don't have extra blankets"
He looks at her unbelievably
BELLE
"Really… last time you didn't seem to mind"
AEGIS holds his chest like someone who is violated.
BELLE scoffs
"as I told you last time I need to sleep next to you in case your condition worsens and honestly AEGIS unless you have feelings for me you shouldn't be uncomfortable"
AEGIS stands up and rushes into her bedroom. BELLE smiles and follows him in
She finds him standing by the bed waiting for her she signals with her hands for him to get in bed or do you need help? she volunteers and he jumps in bed before she could assist.
She switches off the lights and joins him in bed. AEGIS puts a pillow in between them
BELLE removes the pillow separating them and throws it on the floor.
BELLE
"Move closer"
AEGIS scoffs ... She scoffs too and scoots closer to him
BELLE
"You are an adult get over yourself, I need you to sleep closer to me so that if you get a fever it will be easier to tell if your body is touching mine"
BELLE touches his face and chest and quickly turns on the lamp beside the bed.
BELLE
"You see! this is what I was talking about...Your body is hot… why is your face so red…I think you have a fever…"
She rushes to get some icepacks
AEGIS to himself...
'I don't have a fever…How can she just…bring her body …that close ...to me without warning… exhales...this woman…'
Just then BELLE puts some icepack on his face and lifts his T shirt…
AEGIS Stammering and exhaling
"No… I will do it…"
She slaps his hands off...
"Since when are you the doctor?
she touches his head again..
"mmmh...it doesn't seem like a fever"
She takes away the icepacks and turns off the light. She then scoots closer again…
AEGIS Exhaling…
"Please stop doing that?"
BELLE
"Relax, am not trying to do anything besides you have no strength … have you forgotten what you told me about a man's reputation?"
AEGIS scoffs
BELLE drifts to sleep
AEGIS Looking at her,
"How can she fall asleep so fast…"
He stays awake for a while occasionally staring at her and finally drifts to sleep as well.
BELLE is woken up by AEGIS experiencing nightmares he seems to be fighting someone in his dream. Quickly she turns on the night lamp; jumps on his stomach and pins both his hands on the bed. The pain of her siting on him wakes him up…surprised to her sitting on top of him
AEGIS In an accusatory tone
Wha..t what are you doing?
BELLE Scoffs
"You were throwing high kicks and fists in the air... If you had fought like that in the cage you wouldn't even have a single bruise on you... but you preserved all the good moves for the bed...pfft...It's a good thing am a light sleeper you could have....broken my jaw ..."
She touches her face delicately and continues
"I was holding you so that you don't hurt me, or yourself"
AEGIS looks at her still sitting on him…
BELLE
"Oooh…"
she then gets off him and goes back to her side of the bed…
BELLE in a serious tone
"Your PTSD is off the roof for you to be having such kinds of realistic nightmares…"
She slips into the sheets, not forgetting to scoot closer to him. She then switches off the night lamp.
BELLE
"If you need to talk…I can recommend someone"
He scoffs again
BELLE
"Am serious ...plus at this rate you will never date anyone...imagine scaring a young receptionist like this in the middle of the night...because unless someone has been to war they could never understand what is going on..."
AEGIS doesn't respond
BELLE turning on he lights abruptly
"don't tell me it already happened!"
he turns to look the other side she walks to that side
"...tell me did you break her jaw?"
AEGIS
"You have a very vivid imagination"
BELLE amused
"Poor girl...I know she is scared to date ,I bet she asks guys what they do for a living before dating them you gave her PTSD as well..."
AEGIS
"We need to sleep enough with your stories"
Still BELLE not letting go of the story
"I too should check on careers before dating...imagine a chef or a butcher wielding knives while we sleep..."
she turns off the light
"But seriously I will leave the contact with you...when you are ready think about it…"
She then drifts to sleep again.
AEGIS to himself again
'How does she do that? …Yes, we are trained to sleep in the military but this one seems strange.'
The next day BELLE wakes up to him gone and a thank you note left on the lamp beside the bed.
BELLE
'I hope he is okay.'
She then prepares and leaves for work.