Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (books to get back into reading TXT) 📕

I recover quickly… really, I do,” he reassured me. “We can talk through video chat whenever you’re alone. Just make sure you have ear buds in.”

I pouted. “All right, but tell me your middle name.”

He cocked his head to one side, surprised by my request. “That’s random. It’s Eric, why?”

“Well, when I was fuming at you and called you by your full name I realized I didn’t know your middle name. So, next time we have a disagreement I will have your entire name and I’ll be able to castigate you properly.” I winked at him, grinning. “Oh, and promise me one more thing.”

“Anything, baby,” he answered with his boyish grin.

“Call your mother.”

He let his head drop, then peeked up at me through his eyelashes. “I’ll call her tonight before I call you. That way I can give you a full report.”

“That works for me,” I chimed with a smile. I helped him to the door and opened it for him.

He looked in Ben’s direction, nodding at him as if letting him know the coast was clear. I watched them leave out the back way, hoping and praying we would see each other soon. This is only temporary, this is only temporary, I kept repeating in my head. And time flies, I added.

23

I glanced in Ben’s direction and it looked like he was still busy in Pam’s office with Conny. I returned to my desk, already missing my beautiful Adonis. Some of the grogginess was starting to dissipate but I still needed and wanted that latté. I hoped my mother and Belín would get here soon.

I finally finished with all my paperwork and started setting up an automatic email reply for whoever sent me an email, letting them know I would be out next week. And just as luck would have it, in strode my mother with six very large lattés, Belín carrying four of them. A strange man was following closely behind, his eyes scanning the floor. I was assuming he was the agent Ben called to babysit Belín until he could be with her without worrying about me. My eyes lit up and I was delighted to see everyone. I needed a break and some caffeine.

“Mom,” I chimed excitedly, “Thank goodness you’re here! I need my latté.”

“Yes, that is what Joshua texted but he added that I had to make sure it had plenty of caffeine? Such a curious text,” she added. “Something about how he found you asleep at your desk and was concerned?’

I laughed. “Yes, it’s all accurate. I don’t remember falling asleep but I did and he woke me up. I guess he started to get worried when I was having trouble waking from my stupor.” I reached for one of the cups.

“Hold on, honey. I bought you a special latté.” She placed the drink carrier with the coffees on my desk and picked up the one that had my name on it. “Now, if it’s too strong and you can’t get to sleep tonight you can thank him.”

I took a sip and was instantly grateful for my mother who totally got me. She bought me a skinny hazelnut latté, my favorite. “Mom, who are the other coffees for?”

“I got one for Ben, of course, he probably needs a pick-me-up, as well, and I bought one for Vanessa, your receptionist. She’s such a sweet girl. And one extra for whoever wants it. These two are for me and Belín.” She grabbed two and took one over to the couch where Belín had made herself at home, typing on her laptop. My mother picked up one more latté and headed to the receptionist’s desk.

I sat next to Belín and started reading what she was typing. Crap! It was all in Spanish and I was so slow reading in Spanish it was ridiculous. I really had to start buying all my books in Spanish so I could practice my reading. I managed to read the first two paragraphs before she started complaining.

“Isa, don’t, please. I don’t want anyone to read this until I know I’m happy with the article,” she said. “Besides, I have to send this rough draft to my boss in Madrid because he’s been asking for something since I left Kosovo. I hope I don’t disappoint.”

“From what I managed to read, I promise you, he won’t be disappointed.”

“Really? You think so? I hope you are correct, Isabel.” She shook her head in disbelief. “My boss is ultra-picky and critical.”

I leaned back and looked out into the hallway at the receptionist area. My mother was monopolizing Vanessa’s time and being very animated with her but it seemed as though Vanessa was happy to talk. My gaze then turned in the direction of Pam’s office… no sign of Pam or Conny, just Ben. He strode back to us looking stone-faced as always. I could never tell if he was pensive or if he just received some disturbing news. Honestly, it was always just business with him. Jeez! Would a little smile kill him?

Ben walked in, only glancing at Belín and headed directly to the new agent. No doubt to discuss secret FBI business that he never wanted to share, regardless if we were working on the same case. Honestly, I just didn’t understand why Ben couldn’t share just a little information with me. I was, after all, mixed up in all the mess. I started to wake up more and feel a little bit more like myself. Belín closed her laptop and leaned back against the loveseat, sipping her coffee.

Her purse caught my eye. “I love your purse. I don’t remember seeing that one this morning. Did you and my mother go shopping?”

“No, actually, it’s yours.” She smiled, looking sheepish.

“Well, no wonder I like it. I guess I forgot I had it.”

“I saw it in your closet and