•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

2.6k words

"Tell a lie once, and all your truths becomes questionable."

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

The Next Morning

"As of yet, have you heard or seen anything that may help us narrow down what Anakin is doing behind closed doors?" Obi-Wan asked through the phone and I felt an uncomfortable twist in my gut.

The day I broke into the club and hid under Anakin's desk, I heard him and Piett mention choosing between Sweetie and Gerald. The bank that was robbed was on Sweetie street, and after doing some late night research I found out that there is another global bank on Gerald street just a couple miles away.

Coincidence? Doubtful.

Then there's Anakin's injured knuckles, which I strongly believe is linked to the injured guard. And from what I found out, it was a single punch — apparently only one was needed since the guard was out like a light in seconds. But he had no serious injuries other than a broken nose, thankfully.

Lastly to add to my theory; the Sunday events.

It makes sense to me now why they have them on Sundays. While these parties are going on, no one is paying attention to them, even the authorities are too focused on the party itself and it's meaning more than anything else — take me for example. So it makes it easier for them to slip away unnoticed. And banks are closed on Sundays, so it's easier to get in and out without issues if you have blueprints, which I know I saw on his desk at some point.

It's still a working theory since everything should be considered and treated as a theory until solid proof is given, but it all just makes sense. And after more research, I have come to learn that this isn't the first time this has happened. I looked into every robbery that has taken place on a Sunday throughout the past couple of years, and about a dozen of them line-up with the clubs special event nights.

So I've come to the conclusion that Anakin and Piett, and whoever else he has working for him have been robbing banks. That is how they are accumulating large sums of money to launder, and I don't have any doubts about it.

"Darling, are you still there?" Obi-Wan's voice tugged me away from my thoughts.

"Yes I am sorry, you were cutting off a little bit, what was the question?"

"Have you learned anything of value?" He repeated.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, "No sir, not yet." I lied, slightly surprising myself.

I kept wondering if I was going to lie to him or tell him the truth. It seems I got my answer. And what's funny too, is I didn't feel as guilty as I thought I would for lying.

He breathed a disappointed sigh, "I figured you hadn't. It has only been two weeks," He reminded himself, "But are you doing okay? Do you need anything?"

A divorce lawyer would be nice, I just know it's going to be ugly.

"No," I sighed as well, "I'm okay for now." I rubbed my tired eyes with my free hand. I didn't get a single second of sleep last night and I already have to start getting ready for my shift at the club tonight. Ahsoka should be here in a little over an hour to pick me up.

"Alright then I'll call you again in a few days, but oh—there is one thing I wanted to ask you," He added right when I was getting ready to end the call. I paused and waited for him to continue, "You and Anakin, how is all of that going?" For a brief moment I felt like I had forgotten the ability to speak. My mouth was open, but nothing was coming out.

I quickly formed what to say in my head before he translated my silence into the truth, "Somewhat," I said, trying hard to push away the mental image of him giving me this hickey on my neck, and there may or may not be one on my chest too, "It's still a work in progress, but I do believe he's beginning to trust me more." I closed my eyes again — I felt guilty because that part is true and all I am is a liar, I'm lying to everyone in my life at this point. Never did I think this job would turn into such a mess.

Obi-Wan made sure to let me know he was pleased with my answer before ending the call, and now I was free of him and his questions for at least a few days.

I tossed the phone on my nightstand and leaned the back of my head against the headboard. My eyes drifted to the bathroom door where I knew a shower was waiting for me, but I felt too exhausted to start the process of getting up.

My phone then started to ring and I lazily answered it without remembering to check the Caller ID, "Hello?"

"Hello gorgeous, are you home?"

Instantly, I sat up with a racing heart when I recognized the voice. Then I smiled, "Yes I'm home, why, are you trying to come over?" I joked.

Anakin chuckled, "Maybe." Moments later I heard knocking on my front door.

My eyes widened, "Don't tell me that's you," I said in disbelief as I suddenly had a burst of energy and hopped off the bed. I was already at the door and unlocking it before he could give me a response.

I pulled it open and felt an instant jolt of happiness in my chest when I met his ocean eyes, "Hey," He said causally with a smile as he dropped his phone down and placed it in his pocket. Then he held out a gift I didn't notice he had until now, "I know you don't like gifts, but I love giving them so please accept these." He held in front of me some of the most beautiful roses I had ever seen. The red was so vibrant and I couldn't see a single discoloration, they were perfect.

I set my phone down on the small table I have next to the door and took the dozen roses from him, "I love them Ani, thank you, and please come in." I smiled wide as I turned and walked to the kitchen to place them in a water-filled vase. I heard him close the door and follow me, "And not that I'm not happy to see you—I am—but why are you here?" I asked, setting the roses on the counter and getting a vase from under the sink.

When I stood up, I saw him leaning in the doorway of the kitchen, watching me with a sly smile, "I wanted to see you," He rested his head against the doorframe, his eyes following me as I walked around the kitchen to put water in the vase and grab the roses.

My heart skipped a small beat after being caressed by his words, "So I take you missed me?"

He eyed me up and down slowly before strutting closer to me as I adjusted the bouquet in its vase, "Understatement," He ran his fingers along my counter top as he got closer to me, "You look adorable in your pajamas by the way," He smirked when he reached me, and on instinct I wrapped my arms around his neck while he grabbed my waist.

"You're being kind, I look like hell," I rolled my eyes. I had no form of makeup on, nor has my hair been brushed.

He tightened his hold around my waist, pulling me more into his body, "No, you look as perfect as always," He kissed my forehead.

For a moment I completely forgot everything I learned last night. Then I looked up into his eyes and realized something, what I learned hasn't changed anything — I feel the exact same way I did before I knew.

"I missed you too," I admitted as I leaned forward and kissed his lips, making my heart race even faster when he kissed me back.

The embrace only lasted for a few seconds before we broke apart for air, and he pressed his forehead to mine, "Come spend the day with me." He offered with a smile.

I knitted my brows, "What about the club-"

"Neither of us are going to work today and I'm the boss so what I say goes," He shrugged, "So please, come and spend the day with me. It's already a good time for lunch and we can have whatever you want." He gripped my hips and picked me up so I was sitting on the counter.

I kept my arms around his neck, "Anything?" I raised a brow.

He subtly licked his lips, knowing I was teasing him, "Don't," He placed his finger on my lips, "Tease me — unless you want another one of these," He dragged his finger down my jaw until he touched the hickey on my neck.

I chuckled and my laugh made him smile wider, "How about you live up to that promise of cooking for me." Plus going out in public is not something I wanted to do right now, I didn't want to risk running into anyone. Not Connor and not Obi-Wan, I wanted to enjoy this new feeling I have without it being tainted by them. And I wanted to keep our closeness a secret for as long as possible.

He nodded, seeming to like my suggestion, "I think that is a wonderful idea, is there anything in particular you want?"

I shrugged, "Surprise me."

He bit his thumb nail for a moment as he thought. I was still on the corner and as he has been before, he was in between my legs with his body pressing against mine, his other hand was resting on my thigh. Then after a few moments, he met my gaze, "Will you come to the store with me?"

I wanted to, but at the same time, I knew it would be risky. I glanced down at my clothes and glanced back up, "But I haven't showered." I tried to use that as an excuse.

"I don't mind waiting," He began to lean closer, "I can even help wash too, if you'd like." He smirked as his hand on my thigh was very close to the sensitive part of my body. The same part that has been asking for him since that night in his backyard... but I wasn't ready for that step. I didn't want to do that until I knew for a fact that he was going to be my choice. And I have yet to figure that out yet, my career has always been important to me and turning my back on it for anything would be a difficult decision.

I took a deep breath and swallowed down my desires, "I'll go with you to the store," I felt like if I didn't agree to go, he would only persist. Besides I wasn't in my hometown, nor was I in the town Obi-Wan lived in, so what are the odds of running into any of them at a local grocery store at noon on a Monday? "But I will be showering first, alone," I playfully rolled my eyes as I hopped off the counter with him helping me.

He breathed a soft laugh, "Fine, I'll wait for you in your living room." He nudged his head towards my living space which was connected to the kitchen by a wide archway.

"The TV is all yours-" I began to tell him as he started to walk towards the couch, but I froze when I remembered what was there.

My open laptop regarding the news from last night and my notes, files, and pictures involving him were scattered across the coffee table.

I instantly panicked and looked around the kitchen before an idea came to mind. "Wait," I stopped him when he was halfway there and he turned around to see what I wanted. I walked over to him and cupped his cheeks before kissing him. He didn't respond for a moment, like he was confused or caught off guard, but eventually he was kissing me back with as much passion as I was giving.

As I knew he would, he walked me backwards until my back was pressing into the edge of the counter, and I used this opportunity to turn him around so it was him against the counter. He moaned when he slammed into it and kissed me with more urgency.

I dragged my hands down from his face and caressed his clothed chest before resting my palms on the counter. Anakin had one of his hands on my waist while the other was on the back of my head, and he quickly moved his lips against mine. I knew why I was doing this right now, but that didn't stop the butterflies or the racing of my heart.

Everyday I was digging myself into a deeper hole by indulging in moments like these, but I still couldn't stop myself from partaking in them. It felt too good not to.

Once I allowed myself to dwell in the moment, I moved my left hand further down the counter until I found what I knew was there. In a swift motion, I swiped my finger along the blade of the knife and cut through the skin.

I hissed and backed away from the case before looking at the blood that was seeping from the wound, "What happened?" He asked out of breath.

"I accidentally cut myself, again, how embarrassing." I laughed it off as I went to the sink and turned it on.

"You are so clumsy," He shook his head with a light laugh as he gently grabbed my hand, and inspected it before I could place it under the running water.

I nodded in agreement, "Do you think you can get my first aid for me please? It's down the hall in my bathroom inside one of the drawers."

"Of course," He brought my hand to the sink and put it under the water for me, "Clean it with soap and I'll be back."

"Thank you," I smiled as I watched him walk away.

The second he was no longer in my view, I ran as quietly as I could to the living room. I slammed my laptop shut and grabbed all of the notes and files from the floor, leaving blood trail on them, before shoving them underneath the couch. Not the best hiding place, but I only had a small amount of time to work with.

Once everything looked good, I rushed back to the kitchen and put my finger under the sink. Seconds later, he came into the room with my red first aid kit in his hands, "Sorry I took so long, it wasn't in any of your drawers, it was in your cabinet." He set it down and opened it.

"Oh," I chuckled, "I'm so sorry, I forgot I moved it." No I didn't.

"It's alright," He responded with his usual sweet smile as he pulled out ointment and a bandaid, "Now let me see that finger."

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
Hope you liked it ❤️
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•