TWENTY: LATIN SPICE
There were times where she said these words. Words that become comfort for a long time before she finally broke that comfort. Still, time could predict her motives. The self she hid, was allowed to reveal themselves. Dark, yet so beautiful. Riley, Slash, whoever you wanted to call her, had her last scream. She yelled so loud, that for a long time, that was all Cameron could hear—what he could remember even within sleep.
In fact, it was such a long song that everyone chose to ignore except him. He couldn't ignore it. Which is why he spent years trying to find her. All this time, he was the only one trying to save her. He smiled warmly at her as her name left his lips. Such a sweet, vibrant sound left a warmness in her heart. Without even knowing, her tears started to flow, and he brought into his embrace. "What's the matter, love? Emotional again?"
She chuckled lightly. "Thank you..."
His brows furrowed. "What are you thanking me for? You okay?"
She smiled, hugging him tighter. "For everything. For being the only one who heard me when no one else did."
Gently, he kissed her forehead. "Don't thank me just yet, love. We still have him to deal with." He then took her hand. "Now come on, we have a mission to tend in Spain and we fly out in the next hour."
"What if she doesn't recognize me? What if—"
"A mother knows her child, love. Besides, I'll be right by you if things go south, okay?" he reassured her.
She nodded. "Let's do this."
***
As they traveled across the world, the spotlight was on the united states. The country was holding a secret and right now it was being exposed. The FBI's chairman and the director were smeared all over the screen. Whilst on the plane, Riley and Cameron watched the news. Everyone in the plane was finding out the truth about the FBI. Everyone was getting to know how sketchy the FBI truly is.
Cameron smiled a little seeing the director and the chairman having to be bombarded by the press. "This shouldn't be as fun as it is right now."
Riley chuckled. "It already is. So, we can't do anything about it. Besides, karma has been waiting a long time."
Cameron laughed lightly as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "It most certainly has my love."
***
They arrived in warmth. The trees swaying against the wind, beautiful music along the streets. Loudly and proud, the people of Spain smile and sing together. The glorious aroma of food danced across their noses as they took in the gorgeous scenery. Not long after, they reached their accommodation. A gorgeous beige-colored villa sitting near a private beach surrounded smaller homes nearby.
"How do you find these places, Cameron?" Riley asked in awe. "Its beautiful."
Cameron chuckled hugging Riley to his side. Leaning near her ear, his smooth he whispered. "What if I told you I own the place, hmm?"
She chuckled, distancing herself from him. "Then I would ask how many places you actually own?"
"And I would answer by saying, Maybe too many. Though it saves a lot of money instead of staying in an expensive hotel with stale food."
She laughed as he led her inside of the place. Although the outside was breathtaking, the inside truly took her breath away. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. A fountain against the winding staircase. Beige and brown furniture decorated to perfection. Everything inside screamed a modern take on Spain's authentic Latin culture and its bright flair.
While she was looking around in awe, unable to move from her spot, Cameron set their bags by the stairs and slipped behind her. Hugging her from behind, he took in her scent. "Care for a tour, love?"
"Sure, I guess. Make it quick since we have a meeting soon." she told him.
He smiled a little. "Don't worry, we'll make it to the meeting in time."
"Follow me, love."
The tour then began. Cameron started with the first floor, the main floor where they were located. To the left of the staircase, was the living room. More like a movie theater room. A large beige couch sat in the middle toward the back, a white rug shaped like a bear on the rich, dark wooden floor. White coffee table in the center and beige loveseats on both the right and left side. Ahead of them was a large flatscreen tv right above the white marble fireplace. Behind the living room, was a gorgeous seating area. Bookshelves on one side painted white to compliment the theme of the living room, two beige seats set in front of a bay window. They moved toward the right to find the kitchen. To say that she was blown away would be an understatement. Everything about the villa was a dream. Riley thought she was walking through a prince's castle.
But the dream wasn't over yet. The dream continued running on. She was running in the fields of a beautiful white rose garden perhaps searching for the prince. Instead, she was running with the prince. Him, Cameron. Hand in hand, he guided her throughout the house showing her all of its attributes. Everything it had to offer. Already, it started to feel like home even though it wasn't. He was the home. Her home.
After the tour ended, They found their way back to their shared room for the two days they would be staying here. Cameron had gone to the bathroom to freshen up leaving Riley to herself deep in thought. Fiddling with her fingers, she began to wonder if this meeting would go well. How will her mother react to seeing her after nearly ten years?
"She'll be happy to see you," Cameron said, grabbing her attention.
Looking up at him, she chuckled, not surprised that he knew what she was thinking. "I hate that you know exactly what I'm thinking."
He gently squeezed her shoulder. "You've got nothing to be worried about, love. You'll be fine. I'll be by your side the whole time."
"I know, but this is my mother. I haven't seen her since I was taken almost ten years ago. What if she doesn't recognize me? What if she doesn't remember me? What if I snap?" she expressed. "What if-"
Cameron took her hands in his and kissed them. "Baby, nothing is going to happen, alright? I'll be right next to you. If you feel like you're going to snap, just signal me, okay?"
"Okay..."
***
The moment finally came. Hands clammy and sweaty, she took a deep breath beneath her mask and exhaled whilst Cameron gave her hand comforting squeeze. He smiled as a sign of reassurance for her and opened the door. There she was, the woman they came to meet. FBI agent West sat in the chair at the head of the table, dressed in a rich red suit. Hair tied back exposing her face that had uncanny resemblence to Riley.
Cameron and Riley joined her at the table. Silence being welcomed in a setting fit for business. Agent West had an expectant smile on her face as she eyed them both. Looking back, her men were another story. Fear was exposed, set deep into their eyes as they met them. It seemed they knew exactly who Cameron and Riley were. However, Agent West was left clueless.
"Let's get things started, shall we?" Agent West implied.
"We shall," Cameron answered.
"I must say. When I asked the chairman for reinforcements on this investigation, I didn't think he'd ask the CIA to send two children." she snickered. "Considering your resume however, I'm impressed."
Cameron chuckled. "That's quite condescending coming from a fellow agent. Our age doesn't define how good we are at what we do."
Agent glanced at him. "Rogue, am I right?"
"You are. It's an honor to meet you, Agent West."
"The pleasure is all mine. And who might this be? Your Partner?"
Cameron smirked, noticing her men. Their colorless skin, widened eyes.
"My resume is enough to identify me, Agent West," Riley told her, cheekily. "I'm sure you've heard my name around here before."
"Cocky, much? dear?" Agent West gave her a cheeky smile. "Agent Carson, care to turn the tv for the investigation, please?"
"O-of c-course, ma'am." The agent named Carson turned the tv on, but the minute he did, that's when their meeting went downhill.
Riley's picture of her and her father hugging on the screen. The chairman and the director on the screen. The FBI itself was completely exposed. Agent West and her team were shocked. In fact, shock couldn't be the right to describe what they were feeling. Cameron, on the other hand, was amused. Whilst the other agents kept their eyes on the screen, Agent West turned to see Riley's unmasked face glaring daggers into her soul.
"Hi...mother."
Lost for words, Agent West could barely keep her cool fascuade. She couldn't believe what she was seeing to the point where she had to look at the screen again just to be sure of herself. That glass then broke when her eyes became filled with tears. "All of you, get out."
"What about the investigation, ma'am?" Agent Carson asked.
"Reschedule it to tomorrow."
Without another word, the other agents left.
"T-they said you were dead..." Agent West approached her. "They told me you died."
"Typical of you to believe them, really. I'm not surprised you work for them." Riley said casually.
Agent West went to touch her, but Riley gently pushed her hands away. "How are you alive? How did you-"
"How did I survive, mom? Is that what you want to ask?" Riley interrupted her. "To answer your question, a lot of fighting. Anyway, that doesn't matter."
"Riley. I-"
"It's okay, mom. It's in the past. All that matters is that I'm still alive and I haven't snapped yet," Riley smirked, stepping back.
Agent West's brows furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Cameron chuckled. "Agent West. We're not here to help you with your investigation. We're here because you have some explaining to do."
A/N:
She's here! New chapter!
Whew! This took me so long to write, but while writing it I had make sure things flow. I had sure you guys get some tea and some wigs are about to be snatched in the next one because the story is truly come full circle. ARE YOU GUYS READY?!
As you now can tell, the story is closing in on its end. Don't worry though, there's more coming. I can't give anything just yet but trust me when I say things are going to get crazy.
Thanks for reading!
-trnsporting_.