"Who the fuccck is Micheal and why is he asking you to think about the marriage proposal?!" George, my boyfriend, who also considers himself my soulmate, asks in a glaringly suspicious tone.
The last slice of sleep disappears from my eyes as I blink them open.
"What are you talking about?"
"This!" he shoves the phone close to my face, his skin already reddening with anger.
I swallow hard, thinking of the excuse to come up with, "I erm.."
"I'm listening."
"It's just work, okay?" I finally say, sighing in resignation.
"And you can't talk to me about it since it's a highly classified case." the finishes for me in a tone that screams sacarsm, instead of annoyance or disappointment.
If there is one thing George detests, it's secrets. But I can't help but to keep them due to the nature of my job. Most of the high profile cases I handle are classified. I just can't go about blabbing the details to my boyfriend, or whispering it to him during pillow talks.
"C'mon…" I try to bribe him with a lush kiss.
He backs away instead, flinging off the duvet and heading to the bathroom. I slump into the bed, hating that we will have to go through this vicious cycle all over again. Him being angry that I am keeping something important from him. And me having to apologize all day for it.
I head to work, determined to resign from the case. Even though getting Micheal to confess will be a big win for me, which will come with the promotion I crave for. I can't risk losing what I have with George. He means the world to me. The message Micheal sent me this morning has already put a dent on our relationship. And keeping it any further away from him will make me seem distrustful. Like I'm using work to cover up some mischievous acts.
The smile I get from Dave immediately as I step into his office takes me by surprise.
I greet him reluctantly, "Good morning, sir."
"How were you able to convince him? Didn't get that part in the audio."
"Convince him about what?" I ask, totally clueless about what he is talking about.
"About the marriage proposal. That's a good development!"
Blinking back from shock, I move closer to him, "You want me to marry him?"
"Why not?" he spreads his arms innocently like marrying a total stranger, who also happens to be a drug dealer, is the most natural thing in the world, "It'll make him trust you enough to leak his secret."
"This is supposed to be an undercover job, remember?"
"I know. But look at it this—"
"Don't you think we're going a bit extreme?"
"Think about that promotion. The badge will look good on you, Sarah." he finishes with a wink.
I storm out of the office, hating the fact that Dave is trying to manipulate me into marrying a drug dealer with a promotion. Who does that? I understand how important this case is to him, but does it have to entangle my love life with it?
The rest of the day passes in a blur. I couldn't even concentrate on working on some of the case files on my desk. My whole mind is hazy with Micheal's case. Each time I remember that Dave has somehow immersed me into a dilemma; to choose between my career and my love life, my eyes cloud with unshed tears.
Micheal's call interrupts my thoughts. When I finally pick it up after the second ring, the raspiness of his voice fills my head and pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Did you see the flowers I delivered to your place?"
"Not yet. I'm still at work."
"You have two jobs?"
The surprise in his voice jolts my brains to work. He must have thought I work as a sex worker full time, hence the surprise at my day job.
"S-sure, I do," I say between giggles, trying to cover any form of suspicion my voice must have given up, "I have a part-time job in a coffee shop down my street."
"Hmmm…"
That's all he says. I wonder what the murky response means. Have I fucked it all up? Is he suspecting me already? Dots of sweat begin forming on my forehead.
Then he says, "More reasons why you should marry a self made billionaire like me. It's a once in a lifetime offer, you know?"
I let out a heavy breath. I can't let my stupid mistakes destroy this job for Dave, even though I want it to end so bad.
It's my turn to say "hmm…" to him.
"Is that a yes?"
"I'll think about it."
I already know that my answer will be a no. But what fun is there if I let him know right away?
"Look Samantha, I fell in love with you the moment I set my eyes on you on that stage. You approaching me fucccking sealed the deal."
I start giggling because I don't know what to reply to him.
"Fate brought us together, let's get married baby."
Those last words stayed with me throughout the rest of the day. Even the loud music I intentionally tuned in to as I drive home didn't help in wiping it out of my head.
George didn't bother to spare me a second glance when I enter the apartment.
I sigh, "Are you still mad at me?"
"I'm just tired of the secrets. It's killing what we have."
"But you know I love you, right?"
"I'm beginning to doubt that." he says as he jumps to his feet. He glares hard at me, his gaze burning with so much rage. Then he storms to the front door and slams the door behind him.
The emptiness of the room matches how empty my soul feels right now. I slouch into the couch, muttering, "What am I gonna do?"
A valid question because I'm so clueless on how to continue with the undercover job without jeopardizing my personal life.