Tim and Eva got back home. Eva got herself a shawarma on the way back; it was her go-to comfort food. Tim was concerned, but was lost in a sea of thoughts. The cold, calculated man always pondered about his next step.
"Mom, we are home!", Eva called out to Sera.
Sera came down to greet them, still visibly bothered in her own thoughts and conundrum.
"How are you, dear? What did the doctor say?", Sera asked Eva.
"I'm good, nothing much to worry, I guess. Dr. Schultz was cool as usual; he didn't talk much to me. You gotta ask pops for more", Eva replied.
"How about we sit first? My legs are killing me", Tim said.
Eva asked Tim with a sniveling smirk, "Leg day?"
"Yes, it was back, but at least I train them, chicken kicks", Tim said with a sarcastic tone.
Eva gave him a goofy smile as a reply as they all sat down in the living room.
Now, the attention was back on Sera.
"Tell me, how did your meeting go?", Tim asked Sera.
"Yeah, I want to know too; you look flushed out", Eva said.
"I noticed that too; what happened?", Tim also shared the same concern.
Sera didn't reply much.
She was still unable to make out what she had to do. Should she even tell them about it?
"It didn't go well. I don't really want to talk about it", Sera said.
Eva tried to lighten the mood. She hugged Sera.
"It's okay, mom. Sometimes it's not our day. Hard times make better people."
Even though she wasn't sure if Eva meant it, it still soothed Sera.
"Thanks, sweetie", Sera said, and she kissed Eva on the cheeks.
"I'll just change and come down for lunch,", Eva said.
And just as when she was about to leave, "Dad will tell you about what happened today, you better tell her the truth"
Tim just gave her a thumbs up.
Eva headed to her room, and it was clear for Tim to shoot his shot.
"What did he say?", Tim asked.
"I really don't know how to tell you this."
"Really? You can't tell it to me either? What happened? You got fired? You're not getting promoted? Or is it the stove?", Tim tried to get an answer from her.
"The stove?", Sera was confused.
"Never mind...."
"It's not the damn stove, Tim! Mr. Klaus wants me to attend some conference in Paris. I think you both can come to.", Sera said.
"Wait, isn't that a good thing?"
Sera raised her eyebrow.
"Are you kidding me?! That old sack of crap just gave us free tickets into his own den!", Tim said, elated.
Sera was overcome with emotions; she couldn't handle it anymore.
She let it out on Tim.
"Seriously? You want me to leave my daughter and go on a death mission?", Sera screamed back.
"Sera, why are you screaming? Eva could hear us!", Tim tried to calm her down.
"Oh wow, you're only concerned if she hears this, but you don't even mind if something happens to me or her?", Sera was now livid; she didn't care who heard her.
"You know how hard it is to work when you have a chip, nope, a damn boulder on your shoulder?! We have spent years right under their noses and now you want to get us involved in something that's way past anything we ever thought!"
"You said we could go too, so I'll do it. If that's what's bothering you, I'll handle it for you, like I always do.", Tim tried to reason.
"Tim, I don't think you get me. Keep Eva out of this!", Sera wasn't having it.
"Trust me, Eva won't know anything. All I need is to get some ideas about the hotel and its infrastructure. I'm not going to do anything; I'll just try getting some footage and we stay safe under his own nose."
"What if it goes wrong? What if you get caught? What if they get to us? Eva? Me? Do you have any concerns for us? Even by a bit?", Sera was still not convinced.
"I would burn this world down if something were to happen to both of you. I promise, I won't let anything happen to you or Eva. Nothing has happened yet, and nothing will happen", Tim assured Sera, holding her hands.
"How long do we wait until our luck runs out? We are not gods anymore, Tim!"
"Can you please stop saying that? It bothers me."
A sound interrupted their conversation.
Eva was coming out of her room.
"Guys, why are you fighting? Is it about me?"
Tim let out a silent sigh of relief. He was glad that Eva hadn't heard anything.
Eva came down, looking all upset.
"Sweetie, we weren't talking about you; we were talking about..."
"We are going to Paris"
Sera immediately turned to look at Tim, confusion and anger on her face.
Eva's eyes glowed after hearing that.
"Wait, really?!"
Tim had no clue what he was doing, but his mind gave him instructions that he couldn't refuse.
"Yup, that's where we are going", Tim said.
Sera couldn't speak a word, the last thing she needs is to disappoint Eva.
She immediately ran down the stairs and gave both of them a huge hug.
"This isn't a joke, right? Please don't give me false hope", Eva still hadn't registered it well.
Tim knew this was his shot, "Well, it all depends on your mom".
"What do you mean?", said Eva, as she turned towards Sera.
"Your mom's office wants your mom to go to Paris as part of her promotion. It's for some conference, and we can go too. But your mom doesn't want to go", Tim said.
"Why not mom? This is awesome! This could be a great family trip too!"
"Dear, it's a business trip, it's not-"
"But we could still come, right?", Eva asked before Sera could even finish.
It was too late to take it back. He knew Sera couldn't change his plans now; she couldn't disappoint Eva. It was an unintended but well-played move by Tim.
"Your mom is concerned about your health, so she said no."
Sera was still perplexed; she didn't even know how to respond to this. She knew Tim was playing the emotional blackmailing card, yet she could do nothing about it.
"Mom, come on, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; don't waste it. f it's because of me, I'm sorry I had to derail everything for you guys", Eva said, with tears in her eyes.
"No, please, don't say that", Sera said.
"Mom, I know how hard you both work so that I can get to be happy, but I'm just so sorry if I'm the one holding you back from everything"
Even though Tim leveraged Eva to do this, he also felt bad for playing with her feelings like this.
Before Sera could reply anything, Eva said, "Mom, please say yes. Please"
Sera was stuck in a huge dilemma. She was stuck in a tough spot.
Sera had to reply, "Okay, fine. I'll say yes to them."
Eva was jumping with happiness. "Thank you so much! I'm excited! Let's go!!"
Sera was fake-laughing, and Tim was happy at Eva's excitement.
"Wait, what about school? What about your job, dad?" Eva knew she was being too nosy, but she couldn't resist asking the important questions.
"We didn't tell you this earlier, but your mom talked to Principal Buck, and you are now on a small mental health break for 2 weeks. And once you go back to school, you've got to grind harder to get your grades up. Don't worry about my job, I'm bringing work with me", Tim replied.
Tim turned over to Sera and said, "So that's sorted too, right, hun?"
Sera was put in a tight spot; she had to reply. But she didn't know what to say. So instead, she just nodded.
"Mom, you don't look so well", Eva was concerned, as it was very visible that Sera wasn't happy.
"Oh, I'm okay. I'm just tired."
Tim wanted to change the subject.
"Okay, let's all just chill and get some rest. I need to take a quick nap. My legs hurt.", Tim didn't want Sera to speak and make things worse.
"Dad, I don't think I can get any rest. I'm already excited!"
Tim and Sera gave her a reassuring smile. That was enough for her to go to her room. Both of them gave Eva one more hug, and she went to her room.
Just as she noticed Eva was in her room, Sera punched Tim straight in the gut.
He barely flinched, but he got the idea.
"So that was your plan? Use her to blackmail me?!", Sera thought she was fooled.
"Actually, it was you who brought her down"
"Tim, this is not funny. You're risking our lives". Sera was immediately emotional.
"The last thing I need to happen is if they hurt you and Eva. We don't have to deal with this, we could still do better things from here."
Tim's demeanor changed a lot.
"Sera, please. Trust me, nothing will go wrong. I won't get into fights, and I will keep a low profile. I will just gather information, and we will leave the city soon after your meeting ends. She won't know anything."
Sera was still nervous, and Tim noticed this.
He hugged Sera, bringing her head close to his chest.
"I promise, as long as there is breath in my lungs, I will even eviscerate this world to keep you and Eva safe."
This was reassuring enough for Sera. She still had doubts, but she trusted Tim more than anyone. His words were soothing to her soul. They both embraced each other.
"I believe you, Tim. I always do", Sera replied softly.
.
.
.
.
.
In Eva's room.
Just as she entered her bedroom, Eva immediately picked up her phone and called Caden. She wanted to share her happiness with him.
"OMG CADEN! GUESS WHAT? I'M GOING TO PARIS THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW!"
"Oh, that's really awesome! I'm happy for you!", Caden said.
"I KNOW RIGHT! I'm so excited! I have never really left the country. This is my first time. And I'm going to Paris! I am so happy, Caden!"
Caden was very excited for Eva. "I'm so happy for you, Eva. You need this break. Enjoy it well!"
"I can't even stop thinking about it. I'm so excited!"
"How did it all happen? Why so sudden?"
"Well, it's part of my mom's promotion. I don't know much details", Eva replied.
Caden inquired, "When are you leaving for France?"
"In a few days. I think that's what dad said,", Eva replied.
"That means you should start packing your clothes already."
"Yeah, you are right. But I don't think I can get enough sleep. I'll be thinking about it the whole day. This is so unreal.", Eva was really stoked as she was talking to him.
"Haha, it really is. Oh, by the way, it's okay if you don't text me. Just take care of yourself,", Caden said, trying not to be a disturbance to Eva.
"Ahh, I'll text you plenty. And take care of yourself too, doofus. I'll text you later, okay?"
"Alright", Caden said.
She kept her phone away from her, still thinking about how she was going to enjoy that trip. She was thinking about all the fancy clothes, the fancy places, and even the fancier food. All these thoughts kept her awake.
But she wasn't alone; everyone was thinking about the trip to Paris.
Tim was thinking about how to take care of his family and also get his job done. Sera was thinking about the unwanted risks Tim was taking and was worried that anything would go wrong.
Eva, well, she was thinking about food and clothes!