“I can’t believe you set all of this up while I was zonked out,” I said to Jack, as we walked over a bridge, while I admired the little offshoots of greenery and buildings that were planted smack in the middle of some of the crossings, as we made our march over the beautiful waterways interspersed throughout the city.

  “You’d be amazed at what a few local contacts can do,” Jack confirmed, eying me with a wry smile. “He’s a hard man to reach...until he’s not.”

  “Well, thank you,” I smiled. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.” I sneakily put my hand in his as we made it to the other side of the bridge and clenched it, while admiring the old world structures that emerged in all parts of the gorgeous city of Geneva. It made my heart bounce with romantic intentions. “Want me to introduce you to him?”

  Jack’s brow furrowed. “Uh,” he stumbled. “I’m not sure the circumstances are the best for meeting fathers right now," he coughed. "Ya know, all things considered.” His eyes turned down and away.

  I nodded slowly, taking it in, though slightly disappointed if I was honest. “Yeah.”

  “I’ll be nearby though, watching everything,” Jack followed up with quick reassurance. “I’ll meet him when we can get him somewhere safe, after he’s led us a little further.”

  I sighed, my eyes narrowing. “He’s not just an asset, Jack.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “I understand that,” Jack responded in hushed tones. “But if we want to dismantle EXODUS we need to learn more first and foremost. Then we can figure out how to respond to this whole speech he has planned.”

  “I guess,” I said. “I don’t even know what to say to him. It’s been a while since I’ve even seen him.”

  “Just say what you feel,” Jack said in earnest. “And do a little of that spy work you’ve been training up on, while you’re at it,” he winked.

  It drew a brimming grin from my face. “Alright, thank you.”

  Jack nodded with subdued warmth. “Sure.”

  Looking ahead, there was a five pointed intersection and a cafe with outdoor seating, large floral arrangements affixed to its signpost. ‘Pastel’ it was called. Fitting.

  “That’s it,” Jack said, tilting his head in the direction, before checking his watch. “It’s 12:30 now, he should be here in a few moments.” He looked to me with a smile. “Good luck, you’ll kill ‘em out there.” Embarrassment instantly washed over Jack’s face at the turn of the phrase.

  “Gosh, I hope not,” I remarked, grinning and waved back as I crossed the street.

  I approached a host at the front and asked for a table. I was quickly seated in busy outdoor area.

  Sitting for what felt like an eternity, I grew anxious, falling into dark thoughts. What would happen? What would I even say to him?

  I tried to take my mind off of things until he arrived, looking around and watching everyday life, while wondering where Jack was situated. Amazing food lay at the tables beside me, one of which had just vacated, an old man, who’d left after surely lingering for some time.

  Upon his table sat a newspaper, 'Tribune de Genève,' a French reading Swiss publication. The headline in bold 'Modèle Manquant.' I wondered what it meant. Then, I recognized a familiar face on the picture. A beautiful woman in a fancy cutting edge dress. Wait...Sansa Peguero?

  I instantly pulled out my phone to translate.

  “Honey?” A strained voice came out.

  I looked up to see the wrinkled brow under a thin slate of white hair, kind eyes, and a warm smile brandished beneath.

  “Dad!”