"Tell me you got it," was the first thing Sage said when she walked into her apartment.

She slid off her shoes and glanced over at him to see Sage lying on the couch with a blanket wrapped around him and fuzzy socks covering his feet. Solace envied how comfortable he looked while her feet were sore from her loafers and the tip of her nose was cold from the short walk from the parking lot to the complex.

"I got it," she confirmed, holding the invitation between her two fingers.

Sage beamed, rolling off the sofa and shuffling towards her. He grabbed it from her hand and inspected the invitation. "Senator Samuel Moore and Collette Moore cordially invite you to join us on December 31, 2020, to celebrate the new year." He chuckled, lightly smacking the envelope on her head. "Nice job, SoSo."

She scowled, rubbing the spot he hit. "I don't get a plus one, though. We have to figure out a way to get you in."

He shrugged. "As long as you're inside, I'm not too worried."

"What's that?" wondered Emi as she popped into the living room wearing grey trousers and a sweater. Her bangs were freshly curled, and there was the slightest bit of make-up on her face. Interesting.

"I just got invited to Moore's New Year's Eve party," explained Solace with a grin.

Emi gaped in surprise as she threw on a trench coat and boots. "I thought interns weren't invited."

"Remember the job Sage and I went on yesterday? We stalked Harrison Davis to find out he's a cheating loser." Solace slumped against the back of the couch. "I gave the photos to Moore, and as a thank you, I got an invitation."

Her mouth opened even further until laughter built up in her throat. "Damn, you two are savage. Do either of you feel bad for destroying his marriage?" she wondered with a snort.

"Nah. How about you, SoSo?" nudged Sage with a smirk.

She considered her question. Solace did just hand over ammunition to end Davis's marriage and deface his political platform. His wife was going to be in for a shock when pictures of his husband and his mistress headlined the news and social media once campaigning for the next election rolled in. She felt bad for his wife, but it was best she knew. Sure, it would have been nice to discover your husband was a cheating scumbag in private and not in front of millions of people, but we all can't get what we want.

"Nope. He had it coming," she agreed with her matching smirk.

"Sage, I think you're corrupting our sweet Solace," joked Emi.

He scoffed. "She's always been cutthroat."

She turned her gaze to him, a strange glimmer in his eyes and his voice almost admiring. Solace took what she wanted when she knew she deserved it. She destroyed obstacles – except when those obstacles were her – and never thought twice. If she wasn't the one who grabbed life by its metaphorical throat, no one would. It never involved hurting others, but this time, she would allow it.

"Anyway," Solace started, "where are you going all dressed up?"

Emi's cheeks dusted in pink, and it wasn't just from her delicately placed blush. "I'm meeting with Amos to work on my video game. It's strictly school related," she said firmly, but her flushed expression betrayed her words.

Sage 'ooed.' "Does Emi have a little date?" he teased.

She fidgeted, and a smile tugged at her lips. "It's not a date. They are simply a friend."

"A friend that you want to kiss," poked Solace with a knowing smile and wiggle of her brows.

"And hold hands and do indecent things with," added Sage with a snicker.

Emi shook her head, her face as red as candied cherries. She fumbled with her bag and opened the door. "I'm leaving. You two try not to do any indecent things," she shouted as she walked out.

Solace grimaced, heat flaring up in her cheeks. She spared a quick look at Sage, who scratched the side of his head, pink flourishing in his face. He met her eyes, and she thought her skin would turn to dust with the way his eyes shimmered. Her legs were going weak, his stare mingling with the thoughts Emi left in her mind. Sage's slender fingers brushing her skin, his body flushed against hers like two days ago as he whispered her name.

"I'm going to go shower," she muttered as she stumbled to her room.

She exhaled loudly once she was in her safe quarters. Her brain was finally allowed access to the much-needed oxygen. Those thoughts were simply her mind hallucinating and going crazy from the lack of sleep and food. Solace would rather peel off her fingernails than allow those deviant images to come to life.

What she needed was to change out of her clothes and shower. Hot steaming water would surely wash away the ridiculous notion of Sage. She would scrub her brain if she could.

Solace quickly pulled out a sweatshirt and pajama pants, speed walking into the bathroom to avoid the boy who was undoubtedly snacking in her kitchen. She stretched out the time of her shower, the hot water rolling down her bare skin and fogging the windows. Her feet burned from the sudden change from cold to warm, and her eyes felt heavy with the heat. The bathtub was a close second to her bedroom. It was quiet, and it smelled like coconut butter. It was the perfect place to cry. One could not tell their tears from the water. It did not count as crying if you did it in the shower.

Until her fingers turned to prunes, the day's worries vanished into the fog, and her bones felt lighter, she stepped out and changed speedily, only slowing down to remove her hair cap. She would relax and watch an episode or two of a sitcom and study afterward. Her finals were coming up at the end of the week and she needed to get in some revision without Sage and his antics. All she could hope for was him sitting in front of the television, entranced by the pretty colors on the screen, and not bother her.

But when she stepped out of the bathroom, she quickly understood that there would be no unwinding or tranquility.

"Look who decided to visit," exclaimed Sage with a strained smile.

This boy was designed to stress her out. Solace pulled at the bottom of her sweatshirt as she walked over to the living room where the man in all black and metal boots sat. His posture was impeccable, and he looked as if he never knew comfort.

"Hello, Kane. Nice of you to drop by," she greeted, disguising her displeasure with a smile.

He nodded curtly. "I would have called, but Sage does not have a cellphone. That reminds me," he faltered, patting his cargo pants as he pulled out a phone and handed it to Sage. "Keep this with you from now on."

"Sure thing," he promised stiffly. He inspected it momentarily until he shoved it in the pockets of his sweatpants.

Solace tentatively perched on the edge of the couch beside Sage, thankful that Emi wasn't here. She was all too aware of how he shifted closer to her, and when he looked up at her, she saw the worrisome thoughts floating. He had said Kane was harmless unless he was provoked or given orders from their so-called boss. All they had to do was keep him happy and assure everything was running smoothly.

"Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" she asked cordially. Solace was certain they were out of hot chocolate thanks to Sage, and their array of juices were running low. There had to be some tea hidden in the back of the cabinets.

"Any hot drinks will do."

"I believe we have some tea," said Solace. She stood up, rushing to put as much distance between her and Kane as possible.

"I'll go get some cookies," she heard Sage say. "Here's the remote. There are some Christmas movies playing."

"I do love the Hallmark holiday movies," remarked Kane thoughtfully.

Sage's laughter was over the top as he clambered to the kitchen. She didn't say a word to him as she put a kettle on the oven with too much ferocity. All her movements translated the aversion she wouldn't dare speak of in Kane's presence. It seemed that Sage was tiptoeing around her as he peered at her cautiously, biting his fist as if he was deciding what words to say next. Solace paid him no attention as she swung open the cabinet, her eyes flickering to find the tea bags.

"They're at the top," murmured Sage. "I'll get them."

"No," she snapped as she pulled herself up on the counter. "I got it." Solace gingerly placed her legs on top and pushed up with her feet. Behind her, Sage grumbled something that sounded a lot like she was going to fall face first onto the hot oven top. She ignored him and scanned the contents to see the box of teabags. Solace grabbed it and slowly turned around to be met with an irritated look.

"Let me help you down," sighed Sage, raising his arms to circle her waist.

Solace had no desire for his hands to be around her. She had erased and expunged the horrifying images of him, and the last thing she wanted was for them to be swimming in her mind once again. "I don't need your help," she said quietly.

But abruptly, the kettle whistled, and she jumped on instinct. The damn thing always scared her with its loud sounds, and steam crying to be let out. Solace didn't have the chance to process the ordeal when Sage's arms yanked her by the waist into his chest. A strangled noise left her lips, her heart battering against her chest with his body pressed firmly against hers. She had a fleeting thought of this exact position, and it was now coming to life.

His arms were wrapped strongly around her and hers intuitively around his neck. She hoped he couldn't feel the thumping in her chest or see the glaze in her eyes as the tips of their noses touched. He was so warm. She felt she would never be cold again if his hands were forever on her. Forever. That was a terrifying concept.

"Why are you always so difficult?" whispered Sage. His breath tickled her lips, and her mind went into a frenzy.

She bet his mouth was as hot as his hands.

The striking revelation woke her from her reverie. "Let go," she said, despising how meek her voice sounded. "I have to make the tea."

"Of course," he muttered. But he held on for six more seconds. She counted with bated breath. With a final squeeze around her waist, he gently placed her back on the ground.

Her body raged with warmth, and she thanked her skin for not giving away how he fazed her. She turned around, her body going from hot to cold. It was blazing from how close he was just mere moments ago, but cold from his lack of hands around her body. A paradox, indeed.

But with Kane switching through the channels was enough to remind her that an assassin was sitting only a few feet away as he awaited his tea. Solace swallowed away the rush of emotions and prepared the drink in a mug she got from Disneyland years ago. On the island, Sage rustled with the cookies, throwing a bunch on a plate, and following behind her to the living room. She settled it in front of him and reclaimed her seat, but this time, sitting as far on the couch as the armrest allowed her.

"Thank you," said Kane as he gracefully picked up the cup and took a sip. A delighted hum left his mouth as he drank out of the seven dwarfs' mug.

"Not a problem," she assured. But it really was. That tea was more trouble than it was worth.

Sage cleared his throat, and it seemed he had the same idea as he sat far away from her. "Is there a reason you dropped by, Kane?"

He took a bite of the biscuit, the crunch discernible in the room. It sounded a lot like the cracking of bones. "Boss is getting impatient. You haven't made any progress in your job, and he needs the painting."

Sage visibly paled. "I have until the 31st," he reminded desperately.

"That you do. But he's worried you're slacking off. This isn't a vacation, Sage," warned Kane.

"Trust me," interjected Solace. "Getting you the painting is our priority. I promise you that we are not slacking off."

Sage nodded in agreement. "I know where the painting is held, and I have a plan. He'll have it on New Year's Eve."

"Consider it a late Christmas gift," she added with an awkward smile.

Kane took a large gulp. His eyes were analytical, and this man still looked intimidating as he bit into a lemon crinkle cookie. "Very well. I will pass on the message."

Solace assumed this was his cue to leave. He had finished his tea and wiped the crumbs on his pants. But instead, Kane leaned back in his seat and folded his arms.

"So, what's for dinner?"

***

Author's Note:

Hi everyone!

I still thankfully have time to write. Even if it's once a week, so there will be no plans for putting SIAAF on hiatus.

Have a great week

Until next time - m.k.t