章 35: Chapter 8.4
The quietness continued for a moment as Melanie extracted herself off Jason, a guilty expression on her face.
"Sorry," she said. "I didn't -"
Jason shook his head to indicate his understanding before leaving to look for Alina. He found her on a leather cushioned bench with her head down still down. Seatings like these were available all over the store but were usually for men exhausted from shopping with their woman for hours on end.
"You ok, kid?" Jason asked as he sat down beside her. He raised his hand causing a formless barrier to gather around them, giving them both some privacy.
"I'm fine," Alina said as she slightly shifted away from him. "Never been better."
"Hmm," Jason said nothing but looked at her before stroking her head. "You never liked anyone getting close to me other than ... why?"
"It's nothing," replied Alina while lifting her legs upwards and hugging her knees. "I just don't like the girls you pick, that's all."
"You're a terrible liar," grinned Jason. "You always avoid looking at me and you have this cute wrinkle on your nose and your eyebrows scrunch up whenever you lie."
Alina rolled eyes and turned her head away from him, but Jason put an arm around her and pulled her closer to him.
"C'mon, talk to me. We're family," Jason said as he started stroking her head again.
"Are we? We're not even real siblings," Alina said tearfully. "How do I know you won't leave me too?"
"That won't happen," Jason said firmly. "Not unless I die. Or you die. Or I end up going insane. Huh, I'd better shut up."
"I'm scared," Alina whispered into her knees, ignoring Jason's horrendous attempt at lightening the mood. "I'm just scared of things changing. Between us, between you and … whoever it is. What if you like her more than me? What if you start hating me?"
Jason laughed as he hugged her tighter before gently kissing her on the head. He then leaned his head on her, and they sat together like that for a moment.
"I'll admit, I'm a terrible brother," Jason said after a while. "I haven't been spending as much time with you as I should but that doesn't change the fact that I love you. And I always will, Alle."
"Yeah, you really are terrible," laughed Alina while shaking him off. "I still remember the first cake you tried baking for my birthday. Or was it a big cookie?"
"It was supposed to be crunchy like that!" Jason argued defensively. "It was a new kinda cookie-like cake! Cakie!"
Alina continued laughing as she stood up, stretching herself before looking at Jason again.
"Thanks, big bro," she said while smiling.
"Anytime sis," he replied as he stood up too and ruffled her hair again. "So, ready to join the others?"
"Nah, I'm gonna stay here and check out some hoodies. And I still don't like Melanie, there's something up with her," Alina grumbled.
"Very perceptive," Jason said as he lowered the barrier. "She's just like me."
"You mean-" Alina froze and turned to look at him in shock while he nodded at her.
"Yes, she's a hunter like me. Her codename is Viperess," Jason confirmed as he sent a private message to Alina's holo-lens.
The message, a file with Melanie's information, appeared on Alina's irises, ensuring that no one else could read it. Alina's eyes widened as she skimmed through the briefing:
Melanie Sofia da Pérez: Designated: Sigma - 02, Spectere Class Assassin, codenamed: Viperess.
"And she's probably here to monitor Alice," Jason added.
"So what do we do then?" asked Alina as she furrowed her brows. They both looked over at the others who had all gathered near Alice, each fawning over the blue ruffled dress she was wearing.
"Relax," Jason said smoothly and his eyes narrowed when he saw Alice. "If she tries anything, I'll tie her up and all."
"Why do I get the feeling that's what you're really after?" Alina looked at Jason with suspicion in her eyes.
"It's a coincidence is all," replied Jason while waving his arms.
"Right… nothing to do with you wanting to punish her sexually?"
"A coincidence,"
"Yeah huh, a coincidence…"
"Yep. That's right."
"You're an asshole,"
"I love you too, kid."
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