Chapter 4

Silent Night was playing softly in the background. She felt safe, finally. For three years the insecurity was driving her mad. But now she was safe, she was protected. The strong arms that were wrapped around her would protect her.

He felt safe, too. Now that his woman was in his arms, he felt a sense of security. His heart was at rest. He knew that he would never have to suffer emotional pain anymore, for her presence alone always made all the pain go away.

 

The fire crackled, as if celebrating the return of its master; its mistress didn’t have to spend special days washing her face with tears.

 

“I have something for you,” He said, finally breaking the silence. He pulled out the present, and put it before her eyes. Reluctantly, she broke free from the embrace and opened the present.

 

“Its beautiful,” she breathed.

 

He kissed her forehead, the first time in three years.

 

“Promise me it would be the last time.” She looked into his eyes. He knew what she was referring to.

 

“With my life,” He assured her. She smiled and they cuddled on the couch, reminiscing.

 

***

 

10 a.m. It had been two hours since he opened his inbox. 3 years worth of emails had finally been cleared. His eyes were hurting as much as his fingers did, from all that typing and clicking.

 

One last one, he thought.

 

From: J.A (johnauk.platonco.com)

To: The Hit man (kenwhite.platonco.com)

Subject: Welcome back

 

Hey Ken. Heard you broke out last night, pretty good job there.

 

Things got pretty screwed up ever since you left, I need you back here to clear things up for me.

 

Meet me at Frankie’s Burritos, 11.30 a.m. Lunch’s on me, let’s celebrate your return.

 

J.A

 

His heart stopped beating for a fraction of a second. J.A had a job for him. He turned his head, and looked at Jenny. I can’t let her know, he thought.

 

He put his laptop on the side-table, and got out of bed with minimal noise. Five minutes in the shower had him in his Levi’s, a black shirt and the leather jacket Jenny got him 3 Christmases ago. On the way out, he stopped to take a look at Jenny, and his lips met her forehead.

 

“I’m sorry.”

***

 

He stepped into Frankie’s Burritos, the bells whistling brightly against the Christmas wreath. He looked around, searching for J.A. He frowned, for it was indeed a weird place to discuss a murder plot. Finally, he spotted the cigar-smoking man.

 

“J.A.”

 

“Ah, David.” J.A said cheerfully. He winced, and failed at hiding his dislike for the name. J.A chuckled merrily. Though in his mid-forties, J.A was still like a little child. In fact, sometimes he had even wondered how he became Top Man in the first place.

 

“Still the old self, eh? Really, you should learn to accept it...your name...Well sit down!”

 

“You know very well-” He said, sitting down.

 

“If I don’t, then who does?” J.A smiled even wider now.

 

He frowned. “Is there something wrong?”

 

J.A laughed. “David, David. It’s Christmas!”

 

He widened his eyes. Christmas. December 25th. He had totally forgotten about it, Christmas. He felt so dumb, how could he forget. He looked up, and saw his foster father smiling down kindly at him.

 

“Merry Christmas, Dad.”

 

J.A giggled like a little child who had just been given a lollipop. “Oh, David. I was waiting, you know. Seems ages ago since you called me Dad...Oh well, Merry Christmas!”

 

“So the job- what is it about?” Suddenly realising he had forgot to turn off his laptop, he needed to get it done before Jenny woke up.

 

J.A. was no longer smiling. He put down his cigar and sighed.

 

“David, I want you to promise me that no matter what, what I am going to say must remain confidential. Under no circumstance must it be leaked out. Can you do that?” J.A.’s tone was no longer full of the Noel spirit. He looked deep into his eyes, and his face was so solemn, he was convinced that his foster father was dead serious.

 

“Even if I have to perish along with it.” He replied.

 

***

 

When he returned, he was surprised to find her awake. He had to remain calm. He knew if she asked, he would never be able to deceive her. He headed for the stairs, but she stopped him.

 

“What did he say?” She knows.

 

He slowly made his way to the living room. Jenny White. The only woman- or rather, person he was afraid of.

 

“Nothing.”

 

She stood up, and turned to face him. He forced himself to look into her eyes.

 

“David-” She started.

 

“Jen, it was really nothing,” he went to her and caressed her face. “J.A. merely wanted to meet his foster son for a little Christmas lunch.”

 

“Baby, I don’t know if you are on another job, but if you are, promise me, after this, it would really be no more. I don’t want this kind of life anymore.” She pleaded.

 

“Trust me,” He said, holding her in his arms. “It really is, one last time.”