Chapter Seven

Later that evening, Lance unwillingly drove Katrina to her office. He wasn’t planning to drive her home like she requested but the chief Agent’s invitation to his house prompted a change of heart. Katrina giggled like a child; hovering on cloud nine when Lance opened the door of the car for her.

“Thank you.” She chirped expectantly but Lance’s attention was somewhere else. He scrutinized his superior’s house like an agent he was; taking time to admire the beautiful flower gardens that surrounded the entire yard.

“My grandfather and I planted these.” Katrina said; noticing that Lance was admiring the flowers.

“How old were you?” Lance asked sincerely.

“Thirteen, i think.” Katrina chuckled. “Why do you ask?”

“I was just thinking about how adorable you must have been...” Lance replied before walking on ahead of her.

“Is that a compliment?” Katrina chortled merrily.

“It depends on you.” Lance smirked sarcastically.

“I will take it as your first compliment.” Katrina said cheerfully.

“First and last. There won't be any compliments going forward.” Lance told her as they climbed the steps to the front door. Katrina shrugged and shoulders and walked on ahead of Lance, opening the door.

“Mum! Dad! We are home.” Katrina’s voice filled the vacuum and soon, the Chief Agent and his wife Sarah came out to meet them.

“Welcome to my home, son.” the Chief Agent said; pulling Lance in for a light hug. “This is my wife, Sarah.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sarah spoke in an elegant tone as she shook Lance’s hand. “I have heard a lot about you from both father and daughter.”

“I hope I am worth the description…” Lance chuckled.

“Looking at you, I feel that they underrated you.” Sarah said smilingly.  “Please do come in and feel at home.”

“Thank you.” Lance smirked as the Chief Agent placed his hand on his shoulder, directing him to the Lounge. Meanwhile, Sarah took her daughter to the kitchen to help her set the table for dinner.

“….beautiful house.” Lance complimented his superior as they both took a seat.

“My wife did most of the deco and modeling. You know I suck at chores.” The Chief said, cackling afterwards as he poured some wine into two glasses, giving one to Lance. Despite not wanting to take anything, Lance took the glass and sipped from it because he would be considered as rude if he didn’t accept it.

“Yours are case files and firearms.” Lance said smilingly.

“I called you here to discuss about your relationship with my daughter.” The chief went straight to the point.

“Relationship?” Lance was astonished that he almost spat the wine in his mouth.

“Don’t be shy. Everyone is talking about it.” The Chief said; bellowing with laughter.

“There must be a misunderstanding.” Lance said, placing the glass on the table. “Katrina and I are just workmates.”

“But you’re considering a change…” the Chief added obstinately.

“No, I'm not. No love relationships between agents; NBCI policy, remember?” Lance said, reminding his superior of the rules.

“Come on, Lance. We are talking about my daughter here. I'm ready to bend the rules especially since you two are my favourite people.” The chief smirked mischievously.

“Sadly, I don’t have any intimate feelings for your daughter.” Lance replied; standing up immediately. “Now that I have cleared the air, I must leave immediately.”

“Running away, are we? Such an act of cowardice..” The chief said as he stood up, eyeing Lance menacingly.

“Your house is my house but I have to go to work at the moment. There is new information on Pavel, you see.” Lance lied to his superior.

“You are so obsessed with that case that you won’t even eat while working on it. Stay and have dinner before you go.” The chief Agent softened as he patted Lance’s back.

“I appreciate your concern, Sir but Vivian and James are waiting for me at the office.” Lance said, clearly not giving in to the demands of his boss.

“Alright then, Lance. Let’s have dinner some other time.” The chief agreed disappointedly.

“Absolutely. Goodbye for now.” Lance said as he walked himself to the door. Hearing the sound of a jolting door, Katrina rushed to the lounge where she met her infuriated father, pouting. His smile was gone; clearly jolted out by Lance’s rejection. Lance had unknowingly bruised his superior’s ego because he had not only rejected his daughter but the entire family as well.

Where is Lance?” Katrina asked despite knowing the truth.

“In my room.” The man answered in a sarcastic tone; making his daughter chuckle.

“Relax father.” She said, hugging him playfully. “I know you want him to be your son-in-law as much i do. So, don’t worry. He will be back.”

“How are you so sure?” The Chief asked her curiously.

“I am your daughter, aren’t I? Please trust me.” Katrina said before kissing her father’s cheek, making him smile.

“Is dinner is ready? I am hungry.” the man chortled merrily.

“Your hunger is right on time!” Katrina said as she playfully dragged her father to the dining hall.

***

Two weeks after denying Katrina, Lance would receive the worst news. He was napping after taking a day off from work when his phone rang and looking at his phone screen, he noticed that Katrina was the one calling him, prompting him to ignore the call. After two missed calls, total silence enveloped Lance’s room. He thanked his stars and tried to sleep once again but a heavy pound on his door waked him up instantaneously.

“Lance! Open the door. I know you are in there.” Katrina cried out.

“Dear Lord, what happened now?” Lance complained as he got off the bed and went to open the door for Katrina. “For Christ’s sake, don’t break my door, Katrina. Besides, there is a doorbell. Why can’t you abuse it instead?”

“I tried to call you.” Katrina said as she stormed into the house and threw herself on the couch worriedly. “I have a problem.”

“Okay, but why are you here?” Lance asked, furrowing his brow.

“What do you mean?” Katrina eyed him menacingly.

“I get  that you have a problem but why come here? This is clearly not your father’s house.” Lance blurted out.

“Of course, since I was impregnated by my father, right?” Katrina said sarcastically.

“Wait, what?” Lance’s mouth fell open with shock.

“We are pregnant, Lance.” Katrina said.

“…And I am supposed to believe you without evidence. I am not gullible.” Lance said, chuckling.

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me so I brought the evidence.” Katrina said, placing some test results on the table. “I have already told my father about it. You should expect a call from him.”

“Now I understand what you did, Katrina. Well-played.” Lance said, clapping his hands.

“Don’t pin this on me.” Katrina sneered. “Sure you were drunk but we still made love.”

“We had sex, Katrina!” Lance snapped.

“Shouting won’t solve your problem.” Katrina smirked. “I am going to be the mother of your first child not that Gabriella.”

“Don’t even mention her name here. You are a conniving wicked woman. You are nothing like her.” Lance shouted at her.

“But I’m the one who is pregnant.” Katrina said, laughing heartily.

“That doesn’t mean anything. You and I will never be together. I will make sure that your dream doesn’t come true.” Lance said before dragging Katrina out of his house. He slammed the door on her and went to his bedroom. He picked up Gabriella’s photo and sat down on the floor, grumbling as tears threatened to fall down his cheeks while he looked at her still picture. She was wearing a beautiful smile and just like him, her cat-like eyes glistened with joy and charm.

“Please forgive me, Gabriella.” Lance said as tears finally streamed down his face; crying himself to sleep.

***

John knocked rang the bell on Lance’s door before he decided to pound on it heavily. He had been waiting at the front porch for half an hour and it was becoming worrisome since Lance was not picking up his calls or answering the doorbell. The former was about to break down his friend’s door when it was suddenly opened from inside, giving john a near fall experience.

“Easy, man.” Lance said; laughing profusely as John fell into his arms.

“You had me worried for a moment there.” John also joined in the laughter as they walked into the house and sat down in the lounge.

“I came as soon as I heard.” John said, going straight to the point. “Everyone is saying that Katrina is pregnant for you.”

“That is what she said.” Lance said, frowning.

“Forget about what she said and tell how that is possible.” John said, clearly unhappy with the news.

“I  went to relax at club ‘elite’ two weeks ago. I was so drunk that Katrina took advantage of me; and because I am a man, no one will believe me. It’s her word against mine.” Lance said, sighing deeply.

“She finally has you where she wanted you to be. There are no two ways about it.” John said, sighing deeply as well.

“What will happen now?” Lance asked his friend worriedly.

“Her father will threaten your job since you both broke the code of conduct and later give you a way out…” John meticulously said after thinking hard.

“Which is?” Lance asked, raising his eyebrow nervously.

“Marry his daughter, Lance. The way I see it, he loves the idea of you becoming his son-in-law. That is the only way you will be saved.”

“What if I can prove that she lured me to bed?” Lance snapped his fingers cheerfully.

“Do you have witnesses?” John asked hopefully.

“There is a hooker that Katrina mentioned. What was her name? Yes, Amanda.” Lance said happily.

“Dude, every girl at club elite is Amanda. That is their code name.” John said disappointedly.

“Then, I am done for.” Lance cupped his head in his hands. “If Kedade was here. She wouldn’t have let Katrina into the house.”

“Your sister is dead, Lance. You need to accept that.” John said sorrowfully.

“Look who’s talking. You tell me to forget when you haven’t. You even vowed never to love again because of her.” Lance said apologetically.

“Why are our lives so messed up, Lance?” John asked, teary-eyed.

“I would like to believe that a brighter day is coming.” Lance said, patting his friend’s shoulder.

“It’s funny. I came to comfort you but you are comforting me.” John said; laughing heartily.

“Just grab a beer and let’s make a toast to trouble.” Lance said as he joined in the laughter.

‘Right. Trouble our friend, now and forever!” John said as he walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of beer, placing them on the table. Lance opened one and gave it to John before opening the other bottle.

“To trouble!” He said and before John could reply, Lance’s phone rang. The Chief Agent was calling. Lance picked up his call, knowing what the man was going to say.

“Can we have dinner tonight, Lance?” the Chief asked him merrily.

“No, chief. I have to work but I know why you are calling. Katrina and I already discussed the issue and I am ready to marry her.” Lance said inconsiderately.

“You sound as if you are doing my daughter a favor.” The chief was no longer happy.

“I have no way to prove it but your daughter took advantage of my drunken state to carry out her scheme  so yes, I am doing her a favor.” Lance replied angrily.

“You are also doing your job a favor; always remember that, Lance.” the chief said and disconnected the call immediately.