When I woke up the next morning, both Castiel and Raphael had already left. I went to work along with Judy as usual.

After I settled in my place, I stared blankly on the files in front of me. I grabbed my phone. Should I call Raphael? Did Castiel tell him? I really needed to know if my suspicions were true. Just then, I received a message from Eli.

Eli 10:30 am

I am at the Wellsworth Hospital for an interview with a victim. Happened to see Castiel and some of his friends around there. Do you know what he's up to?

Deciding that it was too long and complicated to explain over text, I told her no.

At least I knew what he was up to. I needed to get the information later. Or right now!

If only I had his num-

Wait. I grabbed my phone. I had used his phone to call mine before. Hehe, how convenient.

I called him. After a few seconds, he picked up.

"I'm working, Haelyn," were his first words.

"...how did you know it was me?"

"You had used my phone to call yours, remember?"

"And you didn't delete it but instead saved it?"

There was a pause.

"Well, I feel so special," I laughed.

"What. Do. You. Want?"

"Where are you?" I asked, getting back onto the subject.

"I know what you want to know. I'll tell you afterwards," I heard and he ended the call.

Ughh, so frustrating!

I returned my attention to my files. I needed to do it all faster, so I could go home early.

Five hours later, I gathered the stack of files and headed to Attorney Kim's office. With a loud bang, all files landed on his table.

I breathed heavily and wiped the sweat on my forehead. "Can I go now?" I asked, sounding desperate.

Attorney Kim looked at the files, seemingly impressed.

Then he looked at my hopeful eyes and pointed his finger to another stack of files.

I almost roared. You. Tasteless. Rancid. Kimchi.

"I will do those at home," I said patiently with a fake smile and gathered all the files which reached till my chin.

☆☆☆

Back in my room, I dropped the stack of files on the bed and ran outside again.

I almost slammed against Castiel's door. I took a deep intake of breath and calmed myself down. I tried to look as civilised as I could be and knocked. After two seconds, I ran out of any civilised manners.

"Open, damn it!" I slammed my palm against his door.

The door opened within a few seconds, and before I could say anything, a hand grabbed mine and dragged me inside, shutting the door behind us.

"Be civilised, Carter. There are other people that live here."

"So what did you do at the hospital?" I asked, leaning against the door. Then I looked down.

"Oh, Lord! Put a shirt on!" I exclaimed, turning around almost kissing the door.

"If you had a bit more patience, maybe I would have had time to put one on. But no, someone had to go acting like a lunatic," a sarcastic reply came.

"Okay, sorry. Go," I gestured for him to move forward and put one on.

He walked away, but instead of putting a shirt on, he sat on the sofa. "This is my place. I don't need to put one on actually," he said, smirking.

I rolled my eyes and sat down. "So start explaining. What did you do today?" I demanded while admiring the ceiling. It was plain white but at least it was a view that kept me sane.

"I just spread some words around."

"What do you mean?" My head snapped back to his and returned to the ceiling.

"If Dr Sullivan really is the suspect, then we have to find some evidence. So some team members and I went to the hospital and spread the rumour that we will be investigating all the doctors and other hospital staff. If there is more than one who is guilty, then they'll start showing it. They will start worrying and may meet up again. Some of us are keeping tabs on them, especially Dr Sullivan."

"So, there is no investigation whatsoever?" I confirmed.

"None. Right now it is not needed. It's just to push the necessary people out of their hiding."

"Okay," I said, standing up and looking at the door now, "Call me when my suspicions are confirmed true."

I started walking towards the door. Just then, Castiel's phone rang. My walking became slower.

"Where did you follow him to?" I heard him ask.

I made a swift turn and went to Castiel's side, glueing my ear to the other side of his phone. I heard something about a restaurant and waiting.

When the call ended, I asked, "What happened?"

"Dr Sullivan is meeting up with someone at a restaurant."

"Can I go?" I asked, with a cringey pouting face.

"No," Castiel said with a grimace at my face, moving about grabbing a shirt, putting it on.

"Think about it. I could identify whoever will be meeting him," I attempted, trying my best to sound convincing.

Castiel paused for a while, considering it.

"And anyway, I'll be by your side. Safe," I added.

He sighed and nodded. I did a silent yippee and headed outside, waiting for him. In only one minute, Castiel joined me, with a buttoned-up shirt, tie and suit. I nodded approvingly at him. He's got skills.

"Let's go," he said, heading to the elevator.

☆☆☆

Castiel navigated through the busy evening traffic of the London streets and reached the restaurant in thirty minutes.

Still in the parking lot, we got out of the car and I spotted two familiar friends.

"Cooky! Shooky!" I yelled, waving wildly at them to get their attention. I didn't miss the facepalming Castiel did beside me, but I chose to ignore it as I went ahead.

"It's Lucio, Miss Carter," Shooky said when I approached him.

"And I'm Damian, not Cooky," Cooky said as he shivered with disgust at the beautiful name I gave him.

"And no one cares, Cooky and Shooky. So, what's the plan?" I asked grinning.

Castiel joined us. "We should split into two groups and go in there. We will avoid suspicion that way," Castiel said as he joined us.

"Okay," chorused Cooky and Shooky who quickly turned around and left.

"We decided who will pair with who so fast," I nodded, impressed at our team skills.

"Don't be dumb. They obviously don't want to be with you. Let's go fast. Dr Sullivan is already inside."

I followed behind, rolling my eyes at him. As soon as I stepped in, I looked around. It seemed like a nice restaurant, giving a comfortable vibe.

I was going to walk beside Castiel when he stopped me. He took my hand and pushed me behind him. "Just stay behind me for now." He dragged me behind him to some people and talked about reservations. Damn it, we never made any reservations!

After a minute of discussion, Castiel led me to a table as we sat down beside each other near the window. The waiter approached us and handed us a menu.

Castiel quickly picked something and handed his menu back.

"And what would your girlfriend like, sir?"

"Oh, I'm not-"

I got cut off by Castiel who picked my menu. He scanned the menu, picked a random item and sent the waiter away.

"You could have let me decide," I glared at him.

"We are not here to eat."

"Yes, but food is food. It's as important," I said.

"My job first. Sullivan is sitting with a man two tables behind, to your left," Castiel replied.

Curious, I turned around to look at him when Castiel lifted his arm, wrapping it around my shoulders and pushed my face to his chest.

"Pff, what are you doing?" I tried to ask as my face crashed against his chest. "Let me go!" I fumed, trying to push him.

"Stop," he said firmly. I dropped my hands as I leaned my head on his shoulder instead.

"What are you trying to do?" I whispered harshly.

"I should be the one asking you this. Those men could be those who are trying to kill you. Are you that stupid to show your face, exposing yourself and me as well?"

"Oh, I didn't realise. Curiosity got the best of me. But can you let go of me?"

"No, we are posing as a couple right now. I can't risk you blowing our cover."

"I never got informed of having to act as a couple."

"It's an on-the-spot decision."

"But I need to see..." I drawled and got an idea. I took my phone out of my purse.

I grinned. "Since we are a lovey-dovey couple of a date, let's take a selfie," I declared.

I wrapped my arms around Castiel's shoulder, drawing him closer. I think I almost choked him. Ha, revenge is so sweet!

I smiled and took the selfie. I analysed the photo. How did he look good even while being expressionless?

I zoomed in on the other people I got in the photo. Geez, I wasn't able to get the right people.

"Another one," I sighed.

I positioned my phone a bit farther away to include those behind us. As I was about to click, I saw another person approaching Dr Sullivan's table. My phone slipped out of my hand and fell on my lap. I froze.

"What? What is it?" Castiel asked carefully.

Ignoring his earlier words, I turned around and looked at Dr Sullivan's table to make sure I saw correctly. Castiel swiftly turned me back again.

"What, Haelyn?" Castiel asked, irritatedly.

"I'm not sure if I saw clearly, but the person that just joined the table greatly resembles Argus, Argan Gregore's brother," I said softly, frowning.

"Are you sure?"

"I just said I'm not! I only met him once. Though I did think I saw him another time but I ignored my doubts because right now, he is supposed to be in Italy," I explained.

"We'll confirm it later then. Let me take the photo again."

While Castiel took some photos, my thoughts kept running over and over. I looked at Castiel.

"Don't look at me. You're right in their front sight. They'll notice you."

I turned to the window, looking outside. "But it does not make sense! If that's really him, what would he be doing with Dr Sullivan out of all people? We are suspecting these people for the murder of his own brother! Or are we wrong?" I started saying.

Soon, the waiter came with the food. I remained quiet and waited for him to leave.

I nudged Castiel with my elbow. "What do you think?"

"There may be things we are unaware of but I am not wrong, that I know," he said confidently. Ughh, that ego of his! I hoped one day I could prove him wrong.

"What if I walk up to them and say hi?" I asked.

"No, you definitely won't do anything as such when I'm around. Let them be. Lucio and Damian will stay here a bit longer. Continue eating and then we leave," Castiel said.

I sighed. After eating, Castiel paid and made us leave through the backdoor instead of the front one. He said that I could get easily noticed if I passed in front of them.

We walked back to the car and waited for Cooky and Shooky.

"That was a very boring undercover mission," I commented.

"Only because you were there. I can't risk exposing you to them. I mean then, I'll get in trouble with the organization," Castiel remarked.

"Whatever, don't blame me for your lack of strategies and skills," I said, crossing my arms. "You must have played many roles while doing an undercover operation right?" I asked curiously.

"Hmm, what about it?"

"How many times you played couple with others? I'm just curious, don't misunderstand," I said.

I looked at Castiel out of the corner of my eyes. He was smirking.

"So?"

He shrugged.

"Is that a no? Or you don't remember?"

He shrugged again.

Persisting would only make me look desperate. So I didn't say anything afterwards and instead, continued looking outside waiting for Cooky and Shooky.

☆☆☆

It was my day off. Finally.

I decided to go to a new cafe that opened a week ago. Cafes were my second home. It was my field of expertise. I visited almost all the cafes in London, close or far, it didn't matter.

This one was a bit far so I took the bus, alone. I told Judy to tag along afterwards because I needed some time alone.

The bus ride was almost an hour long. I arrived at the cafe at lunchtime. Who goes to a cafe for lunch, really? Yup, that's me.

I entered the cafe. There were very few people. Unlike others, my free day was usually on Monday. So wherever I went during my free days, it was always less crowded.

I sat down, looking at the large menu charts of the wall. Hmm, how many should I eat there and how many should I take home? I should buy a cake for Eli as well. But then, Raphael would maybe like one too. He bought a cheesecake for me some days ago. And Castiel...he likes cupcakes. Should I-

"Haelyn Carter?" I heard a surprised voice.

My train of thought got interrupted. I looked up from my seat.

Argus.

Before I could say anything, he spoke up. "I returned from Italy two days ago. I had to take care of an emergency there so I was gone for a while."

"Sure...," I drawled, not knowing what to say.

Argus looked around hesitantly and spoke again. "I wanted to know about my brother. I wanted to contact you before but I lost the contact card you gave me."

"Sure," I nodded and bit my lip in thought, "you can sit down." I gestured to the seat in front of me.

"I am a bit uncomfortable talking about my brother's death so publicly. I'm staying in the apartment right across this cafe," he said, pointing to the building across the road. "I would appreciate it if we could have a talk there. For only a few minutes," he added.

"Okay, sure. Lead the way," I said, standing up.

Argus breathed in relief and gave me a polite smile. We left the cafe and I followed him to his apartment which was on the third floor.

He opened the door and gestured for me to step in. He kicked the door shut and told me to sit on the chair nearby. "Wait here. I'll bring a glass of water for you," he said.

I nodded and sat down, looking around. It seemed very empty. I heard Argus speaking. Oh, he must be speaking on the phone.

I waited and waited. I was about to turn around and check when I felt something sharp pressing against my neck.

"Don't move," I heard a calm voice.

"What are you doing?" I asked in a harsh startled tone as I felt ropes sliding around my waist, pressing me against the chair. Both of my hands were dragged behind, tightened together by the rope. I tried to move and kicked the chair with my free legs. Wrong move.

The next thing I knew was my legs being tied to the chair as well. This couldn't be happening! This was so fucked up!

I opened my mouth to speak again when I saw the knife near my face. I closed my mouth.

I looked up to meet Argus' non-smiling and blank face, analysing my state.

Seeing that it was all good, he went to the door and locked it.