"How do you feel?" Luke enquired as he observed the MRI results. He wore a serious veil over his usually smiling face, making him seem more professional than usual. "Anything new?"

I shook my head gently while lying on the hospital bed. My eyes tore from him and fixed their concentration on the light fixed on the ceiling. "My insomnia hasn't improved at all. You said I'd get better after-"

"We both know the cause of that insomnia Annie. This battle is taking a toll on you from all angles. I may recommend total bedrest if you keep ignoring your health. Don't forget that things have changed. Your body is no longer yours alone," he offered a reminder as he walked closer, towering over the bed.

We shared a slight gaze of understanding but I looked away first. I knew, deep down, that his words were true. To find Jack, I was going above and beyond, using all resources available. And even involving myself directly in questioning Zack.
If I failed to pause and take a moment to myself, I would risk the baby's health.

"Luke?"

"Hm?"

"What...what kind of surgery did Zack have? You know, his brain..."

Following my question, he released a long sigh that spoke of the uncertainty in the answer he was trying to construct.
"A brain surgery. One which I have never read or heard of. It looks complex from the scans we've conducted."

I frowned at the ceiling. Why would WSG perform a strange brain surgery on their own minion?
"Can...can brain surgery affect a person's personality?"

Luke chuckled, lessening the tension gripping the room. "Yes, Annie. Why do you ask? Are you feeling different from before?"

Oh, right.
I had also undergone surgery to remove the microchip that had been planted in my brain. But mine was different from the round scar on Zack's head.
It looked as if his entire scalp had been removed.
"No, not me. Zack. Somehow, I feel as if I'm not interacting with the Zack I had met months ago."

"Oh, him? Well, his odd surgery has had me interested. I've never seen anything like it. We haven't had any luck finding out exactly why he needed such surgery."

"Oh!"

"But don't worry too much, or at all. Once I find anything, you'll be the first to know. I can start by questioning that girl."

I turned my head towards his direction, my brows furrowing.
"How? These two won't give anything up. Not forgetting about the microchip in her brain."

Luke smiled before stretching his open palm at me. I slid my hand in his and he slowly helped me sit up.
"Leave her to me. I've developed a truth serum over the past year. It's already been tested on three people."

Hearing his revelation, I quickly pinched his arm. "How dare you tell me this now? Why not have me use it on Zack?"

Luke chuckled pulling me to my feet before picking up my coat which was hanging from the chair he had sat on. Carefully, he helped me put it on, even sliding my hair from under the fabric as gently as possible.
His green eyes shone at me as he tried to evade my question.
"Come on, don't be mad at me. I wanted to surprise you a few days ago after its successful testing but you got a little busy."

I knocked his hands away from me, letting him know I was upset with him.
"I would have saved a lot of time and energy dealing with Zack."

Luke chuckled taking a step away from me.
"I knew you would suggest this. But hear me out..."

I darted him a sharp scowl. So he knew it was an option?
"The drug has a heavy impact on the brain. As we both know, Zack's health, especially his brain isn't stable. His brain is in a delicate stage. One wrong move could turn him into a vegetative state."

I rolled my eyes dismissively.
"As if I care."

"Yes, you do. After all, he could be useful to you."

My gaze fell on him once more questioningly. "Useful?"

Luke nodded, then sighed exaggeratedly.
"Aih!" He exclaimed dramatically while moving his gaze to the wall. "I work so hard as a doctor, and now I've become your advisor. Don't I deserve an extra pay?"

I stomped on his left foot and he instantly let out a painful grunt hopping backward.
"You're so mean!"

I flashed him an 'I'll-murder-you-if-you-don't-speak' grin which vanished just as fast as it had appeared.

"Okay, okay... Zack looks like Jack, right?"

"Obviously."

"You said Angel's Heart refused to close the deal just because Jack was absent, right?"

He needed to say no more. I immediately understood his mind before he could spill the rest. My heart made a small leap of happiness. Why hadn't I thought of such a brilliant idea?
"But... Zack is a scumbag. How will he cooperate with us? If he makes a mistake, it'll cost me millions of dollars."

A sly grin spread on Luke's lips.
And just like before, I could read his mind.
"You have a way don't you?"

"Of course. I'm not your advisor for just my doctor skills."

I smiled giving him a thumbs up.
"You're the most smart and skilled advisor I've ever had," I praised honestly.

*************************
*************************

In the next five days, Zack and I didn't meet. He had been taken away by Luke for the 'special training' as he had called it.
But I was sure it'd involve some degree of pain.
I had my team set up a meeting with Angel's Heart, which would be a small party held in Canada. This was to show my sincerity in the cooperation to come.

I wanted them to allow my organization to operate in Canada without both of us having to go to war. In a way, I was humbling myself even though I had more power than them.
Argh! The underworld was a tough place to thrive. Making friends was harder, but what was harder was finding loyal friends.

The day finally came when Luke returned Zack to me.
I was anxious and afraid at the same time.
He had been quite vague about the information he gave me regarding the training.

*************************

My heels squeaked on the tiles as I made my way into the lounge from the hallway.
Inside, I found Luke seated so comfortably, and with a big smile planted on his lips.
Next to him, stood Zack in a gray suit. His hair was neatly done. But it was more than his hair that felt different. His expression was void of any emotion.
I felt as if I was about to meet an empty vessel of the villain.
Well that wouldn't be fun anymore.

"Here you are." Luke's smile was now directed to me as soon as he caught me walking in.
Like a gentleman, he got off the chair and straightened the coat of his black suit.
He was also accompanying us to Canada, hence needed to look his best for the party.
But we would still get changed after arriving there after our flight.

"Mm!" I nodded, showing more interest in the man standing next to him. "How is-"

"Hello, Annie," Zack spoke. Suddenly, the expressionless face had shifted to a more loving one. His now blue eyes shone with life, and the smile on his lips appeared genuine and affectionate.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between us before gathering me in his arms.

My jaw was one second away from dislocating from the sheer shock blasting inside me.
Had Luke broken him?
"Za-"

He leaned down till his lips were brushing on my ear. His next words sent deathly chills through my veins and straight to my heart.
"I'll enjoy this shit show darling," he whispered, before pecking my neck and moving away from me entirely.