Chương 24: Unexpected discovery
Vincent's phone buzzed on the table while he was sitting in his makeshift office at Zancudo Lake Bunker. He had spent the entire afternoon going over the details of his next operation, but something about the number on the screen caught his attention. It was Sophie.
"What's up, Sophie?" Vincent answered, his tone always relaxed but with a hint of curiosity. It was rare for her to call out of the blue.
"Hey, Vincent! What are you doing tonight?" Sophie asked with an energy that immediately told him she had something in mind.
"Not much. Why?"
"I'm going to a party with some co-workers. It's at a bar near downtown. I thought you might want to join me. I don't want to go alone, and it'd be more fun with you there." Her tone was casual, but there was a hint of anticipation in her words.
Vincent smiled to himself. The idea of a party sounded nice, although he couldn't shake a slight sense of unease. He always had to keep a low profile, even around Sophie. He never spoke about his real profession or his past. But one night at a bar didn't seem too risky.
"Sure, sounds good. What time?" he replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"In about an hour. I'll send you the address."
Vincent hung up and stared at his phone for a moment. Something about the way Sophie had invited him made him wonder if she wanted more than just company. But, as always, he had to be prepared for anything.
He changed quickly, opting for something sharp but not too formal: a black shirt and a dark jacket, always projecting an image of control. In no time, he was in his car, heading to the bar where Sophie was waiting.
When he arrived, music blared from inside, and the atmosphere seemed lively, with laughter and conversations blending with the background tunes. Vincent entered and quickly spotted Sophie, who waved at him from a table surrounded by several people.
"Vincent!" Sophie called out, clearly happy to see him. She wore a simple yet elegant dress, exuding her usual confidence. "Come, I want you to meet some friends."
Vincent approached the table, and one by one, Sophie introduced him to her co-workers. Apparently, they all worked together, though they didn't immediately specify in what capacity. The conversations were light, filled with jokes about work and office anecdotes.
As the night progressed, Vincent started to notice something that made him slightly uneasy. Several of Sophie's friends seemed unusually cautious about what they said and did, avoiding certain topics whenever he was near. Even when others approached the group, they greeted each other with a respect that went beyond simple friendship.
Suddenly, one of them made a comment that caught Vincent off guard. "Sophie, I can't believe you brought your guy here, surrounded by so much 'blue'."
Vincent furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of it. "Blue? What do you mean?"
Sophie froze for a moment, but then let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, you know, work stuff. It's nothing important."
But the tension in her laugh didn't go unnoticed by Vincent. "Blue" was a term he often heard on the streets, referring to the police. He decided to stay calm but was now more alert than ever. Was Sophie a cop? Had he been that close to danger without realizing it?
"So, you all work together?" Vincent asked with an innocent smile, trying to gather more information without raising suspicions.
One of Sophie's friends nodded. "Yeah, at the station. Sophie's one of the best, always watching our backs during operations."
Vincent maintained his composure, but internally, his mind was racing. Operations? Station? The reality hit him like a wave: Sophie was a police officer.
"Ah, interesting," Vincent said, keeping his emotions under control. He couldn't afford to show even a hint of surprise or concern.
Sophie looked at him with slight discomfort, as if she was waiting for his reaction. "I didn't mention it before because, well, it's not exactly something you bring up right away."
Vincent forced a smile and nodded. "I understand. It must be a tough job."
The conversation drifted to other topics, but Vincent couldn't stop thinking about what he had just discovered. If Sophie was a cop, his relationship with her was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. Still, he couldn't afford to pull away suddenly; that would raise too many questions. He'd have to handle this situation with extreme caution.
The night continued, but Vincent felt as though he was walking a tightrope. Every word he spoke was measured, every movement calculated. He couldn't let Sophie, or anyone else at the table, suspect that he wasn't just a regular guy, but someone with a much darker past.
When the party finally started winding down, Sophie accompanied him to the door of the bar.
"Thanks for coming tonight. I know it's not easy being around… people like my colleagues," she said with a small smile.
Vincent smiled, though his mind was still working at full speed. "Don't worry. I had a good time."
"I'm glad to hear that. Hey, if what I do ever bothers you, you don't have to feel obligated to go out with me."
Vincent looked into her eyes, knowing he had to choose his words carefully. "What you do doesn't bother me at all, Sophie. As long as it's you, I'm okay with it."
Sophie smiled, and for a moment, the atmosphere felt genuine. But Vincent knew that things had changed. He had learned something about Sophie that made things much more dangerous, yet pulling away too quickly would only make things worse.
As they stood there, she hesitated for a second before stepping closer. Without warning, she leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. It wasn't a long kiss, just enough to surprise him, but not enough to let him react fully.
"Good night, Vincent," Sophie said softly, her face still close to his, her smile playful.
Vincent was momentarily caught off guard, but his mind quickly adapted. He smiled back, his usual calm demeanor returning. "Good night, Sophie."
With a quick wave, she turned and walked away, leaving Vincent standing there, watching her disappear into the night. He knew he was treading dangerous waters, but one thing was certain: no matter what happened, he could never reveal his true profession or his past to Sophie. He'd have to continue playing the role of the normal, carefree man, all while keeping his true identity hidden from her watchful eyes.
As he got into his car and drove away, the city lights flickered in the distance. This new phase with Sophie was filled with risks, and every step would have to be taken with caution. One wrong move could cost him everything.
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