Zak's Pov:

It's been a few days, but I'm still processing the fact that Darryl basically confessed his love to me. He didn't even let me respond or react to his confession- he just left immediately. Did he just know that I wouldn't know how to respond to that?  Because I didn't. Not in the moment, at least. And I still don't. Is he just expecting me to give him an answer once I have collected all my thoughts and feelings? I guess so. Because after that day, we've kept having little hangouts like normal, and he hasn't mentioned his feelings for me since then. So, I'm guessing that he's just going to wait until I have an answer for him. Who knows when that will be...

If I'm being honest, it's possible that I may never have an answer for him. I have complicated feelings over even the thought of falling for someone or having a lover. I honestly thought that it wasn't possible for anyone to fall for someone as useless as me. Maybe that's why Darryl claims he loves me. Because he hasn't caught onto all my flaws yet... I accepted the fact that nobody would love me, therefore leaving me alone for the rest of my life. But knowing now that someone has those kinds of feelings for me... it leaves me in a position that I never thought that I would be in.

Having to decide how I truly feel about him is... complicated, especially since the thought of loving someone romantically and having those feelings reciprocated has never crossed my mind. The thought even seems foreign to me. But I now have to come into terms in how I feel sooner or later. But right now, I don't want to think about it. Especially now that I'm back in another mission as Zoe. Since I'm now going to continue on the kinds of missions that I'm used to, it seems like everything is back to normal. Other than the fact that a TDO agent and I know each other's identities but haven't exposed each other since we're friends in the public, along with that that friend actually has feelings for me that aren't platonic... no pressure at all. Absolutely nothing could go wrong there... (Can you notice the sarcasm?)

I'm currently at another party as Zoe, and like usual, I'm at a table with the girls. But this time, I'm explaining to them what happened last time since they didn't see me after I 'went to the bathroom' at the last party that I was here. (If you don't remember, he's talking about the time when a TDO agent was accusing him of being Skeppy and Sapnap 'saved' him by keeping up the act that Zoe isn't Skeppy.) I have only been telling them what I can since they can't know about the existence of the spy agencies and that I'm an agent.

I have told them that a mad man pulled me aside once I was away enough from the party to basically harass me and threaten me of something that I didn't really understand. I said that I was saved by another man, and I passed out from the shock and how overwhelmed I was from the whole situation. Once I was done explaining, Audrey asked, "What happened after that? Where were you when you woke up?"

I simply said, "I woke up back at home in my room. I'm guessing the man contacted authorities, which then ended up contacting my family, therefore getting me home safely."

After the girls gave me their comforting words and questions of how I'm doing now, the party continued as normal. After a while of chatting, Odelia then came up with an idea. She says, "Hey girls! What if we all agreed on a day to meet up outside of these events to just have a day to ourselves and go shopping? That would be so much fun!"

Jocelyn says, "Oh my gosh, yes! That's such a good idea. It would be amazing!"

Audrey then says, "I know, right? It's been so long since the last time that we have gone all shopping together."

Lily says confused, "Wait- there has been a last time? I don't remember this."

Allison tells Lily, "That's because you weren't part of the group yet when it happened."

Sadly, Lily says, "Oh, I see..."

She must feel sad since she hasn't been around as long as the rest of us. Noticing Lily's sad tone, Odelia says, "Oh, don't feel sad about it, Lily. You and Zoe are kind of on the same boat here. She actually wasn't able to join us the last time we all went out."

All the girls turn to look at me and I suddenly feel a wave of nervousness. Don't just expose me like that Odelia... Lucretia then says, "Oh, that's right! You said that you were busy."

I chuckle and say, "You all know me. I get busy easily with my family's business. Attending these events are practically the only times when I have free time and am able to take a break from work."

Lily looks at me sadly and asks, "So does this mean that you won't be able to join us?"

I sigh and say, "Sadly, yes."

Honestly, I'm never really busy, but Zoe's character is. I use Zoe's character as an excuse so that I don't have to attend any kind of events that aren't missions, and so that it isn't suspicious that I don't attend all of these big parties and events when I'm not given a mission for that event, or I just have a different cover. Jocelyn then says, "Oh, come on, Zoe! Can't you make time to join us this time? You can't always be busy outside of these big events. I'm sure your parents will understand if you just take one day off. It's not like you own the business yet or anything, you're just helping out your family and learning how to run the business, right? It'll be so much more fun if you also attend!"

The other girls then join in with pleas and begs to convince me to join them shopping. I just- can't agree to this. If I say yes, then I'll have to bother the agency with borrowing what I need to dress up as Zoe again, and with no specific directions as to what I'm supposed to do since I technically planned this and not the agency. But these girls just won't give up. But on the other hand... if I agree to this hang out, then I'll have an even bigger alibi as to why Zoe isn't Skeppy, just in case that an enemy agency grows their suspicion on me again. Since agents never bother to go as far as dressing up as someone and doing a cover that they only use on missions in the public since it's normally just a waste of time. You know what... maybe I should do this. I finally say, "You know what? Fine. I'll be there. Just give me the day, time, and location, and I'll see what I can do to clear my schedule. Just for you girls."

The other girls immediately gasp and squeal with delight at the news. They soon start talking about plans on the hang out and where we should go shopping and such. In the end, we agree on a date and the day is actually not too soon. A few weeks from now, which should give me enough time to talk with the agency about these plans and to make a request to wear the cosmetics needed to dress up as Zoe for a day. God, this will be a hassle...

(Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! 😁)