Chapter 5 If Only

As if you cared in the first place, Sophie". The wrinkled lines on her father's temple and his grey hairline highlighted his dark skin making him look younger than his formal age, his voice and aura of a commander never left him as he was still ever poise and attentive. Smith, a retired commander of the military who had many favours of the states and country was now betrayed by his own body, yet that never stopped him from training every day as if he was still a soldier.

"Your opinion about family is one thing that should be considered as insolence, but I won't tolerate such character displayed by my very own daughter".

"My apologies, my commander'', she tried to get on his good side as fast as possible or the topic would not rest till the next morning.

"Okay, if you guys are better now, I would like to eat. I was forced here without consent", Daniel nagged as much as he needed to get his point across.

They all walked into a large dining table full of luxurious delicacies as if it were meant to be a feast for a village. The maids all stood in wait as they opened each dish for their masters, Daniel was the oddball, he didn't have his father's poise or sister's rigid attitude, he was more of a rogue vampire, taking life with each turn, already gawking at the meal he went first hand while others watched him.

"So how's the agency going, I heard you are on a case in the country this time?", her dad inquired

"So you are now spying on me", she replied

"Guilty as charged but, I was just being safe since you have refused to listen to me about being an agent", her dad said with his eyes full of concern, he never liked the idea of her being on the field, but she was just as stubborn as he was, disobeyed all orders and went on to apply for the academy after that, she left the house for her training and since then been travelling from one mission to another and turning her to a valued asset of her agency.

And yet am still on the same field", she looks up to see her father's reaction.

As am still your father, so... who's the victim this time around''

It's someone you know but I can't share that information, it's agency code", Mr. Smith broke out a slight chuckle as he nodded at her.

Still lost in the pleasures of food, Daniel searched around in search for his father's right-hand man, Yin Jin, he wanted a small duel with him to either burn down his calories or have fun.

Your partner is outside, in the garden, Daniel. Their father aids after seeing him checking around for something in particular

Daniel laughs, as he has been caught again, he excused himself and left the father-daughter union for the garden.

Marking out sticks in different colours, Yin Jin already had his shirt removed and his bare chest was visible to the maids who were left in a daze by his physique

"I knew you won't forget the drill, are you ready?", Yin Jiin said as throws on a stick to Daniel and took a stance.

They both hit off fearlessly without holding back as each of them tried to strike the other, the battle scars on YinJin gave him more advantage as he was the teacher.

On top and under each other, the maids cheered for Daniel as he got his colour marked on Yin Jin's body in victory

"Can you fight even when stabbed in the back?", Daniel smirked at his opponent

"Yes, if I had someone left to fight"., Yin Jin points at Daniel's body as he has marked various spots at his neck and sides.

A gunshot from the balcony interrupted their whole fight as Sophia shot the stick of Yin Jin's hands in a flash.

Do you think a knife can beat a bullet? This is how people are fighting these days. The Master asks for the Young Master to be present and that includes you".

That doesn't mean that this is far from over yet, I want another fight", Daniel asks as he walks back with Yin Jin.

"Anytime, Young Master". They both walked into the house.

Sophia joined her father in the study as he instructed earlier on; "So you are on to the Young Alexander Royce now"

"And since when have you known my target", Sophia had a feeling her dad knew about it when he asked her in the dining room. There was little to nothing that could be left hidden from him.

"Not quite long before you were in his building", he replied as he poured his favourite poison into a glass and served her instead. She shies away from alcohol, as she cannot control her mouth after a cup.

''He is as they say ruthless and also rude but the agency tags him as a hardened criminal that needs to face the metal bars of prison".

She watched her dad take several sips and wondered how he still stood alert with his gun hidden behind his coat, he could never have departed with that fine piece of death at his grasp.

Daniel later joined them and talks of each other endeavours were made known till the dusk of the evening.

Sophia later spent the night, she laid in bed with her hair down her back, making ripples down her shoulder as she went through the info Mark had sent her about Alexander's whereabouts. He had left that morning for Spain and left his assistant to take care of the company till he returned, she knew his trip would have a hidden motive, she just hoped it wouldn't be too late before they found out.

The next morning, Daniel Had rushed out of the house before she had woken up, the scene left their dad surprised as his son was never one to wake early. She left for the office and left Roxy with her dad.

"Good morning Yu Chen", she as she walks into her office holding some files and a cup of coffee.

"I could use a cup of whatever you are holding right now, the boss is about to arrive and I don't have the required documents for him, I'm so dead''. Nate laments to Sophia as she stares at him horrified, she has never met a man who could display such character and yet be so tough.

"I will get you a cup", Sophia turned back to leave but was curious about the sudden appearance of Alexander, who was supposed to be in Spain. As she makes the coffee, she tries to call Mark on her phone but to no avail.

As she rushes to make it to the elevator, she bumps into Alexander's driver, Lucas, he tries to stop her to tell her something but without waiting she ignores him, entering the elevator.

"Another rush hour or are you dying for speed", she frowns as she hears the voice she is now accustomed to get her riled up.

"Are you after death or just tired of life itself" she replies staring at his jawline that lines up to his ear, as he turns to face her, she gets a view of an eagle tattoo right beneath his right ear.

"I'm just after the sky in one person's eye", he said with a straight face.

Sophia returned her gaze towards him, her expression was still peaceful, so peaceful that it made Alex's eyes squint.

She met his intense gaze and moved closer to him; "Yet yours hides dark secrets'', he leaned closer to her and his lips met her ear

"If only you knew how dark they are".