Clandestine (To Love or To Kill)

ALL the trainees were given a one-day pass. Shari was elated because, after almost two months, she could finally see the outside world. She wanted to go home to see her family, but it was far from the training camp. Her day off would only be consumed on travel.

Sharis lips twitched and formed a smile when she found her fiancé, Renzo, waiting outside the training camp. He looked gorgeous in his gray shirt and jeans. And as usual, he maintained his clean-cut hair. He could pass as a model if he didn choose to be a man in uniform. She was glad that he proposed a few months ago.

”Babe! ” Her eyes sparkled with so much joy.

Renzo spread his arms wide. Shari ran toward him and immediately gave him a warm hug. A familiar feeling of being at peace filled her body. Finally, she could hold him like this. She missed him so much.

”I miss you! ” Shari looked up at him, and he gave her a quick peck on her lips.

Shari had seen Levis black pickup truck going out the gate. But she didn mind even if that bastard saw her being touchy with Renzo. It was her way of making him realize that despite her current look, someone genuinely loved her.

Shari hurriedly went inside Renzos car after the pickup truck was out of her sight. They planned to eat together at their favorite Korean restaurant in the city.

”I missed you so much, Sha. ” Rezo did not let go of her hand while he was driving. He kissed the back of her palm from time to time.

”I can wait to get my badge so we can work together. ” She was smiling ear to ear. A little more to endure, and the badge would be near her reach.

They reached their destination in the city. Renzo parked his car and entered the two-story building while holding each others hands. After being seated at the restaurants far end, he immediately ordered their food.

The food came immediately. It was the popular Samgyupsal.

”Hows your life inside? ” Renzo asked while putting some lettuce on her plate. They were grilling barbeque and preparing a hotpot.

”Its hell, but I can manage. ” She smiled. She started to flip the bacon-sliced pork.

”Just a little patience, and youll be free. Better enjoy the training. Youll miss it once its done. ”

Shari kept blabbering and told him everything that happened inside the training camp, only that she did not mention Levi.

Renzo was the possessive type and would not like it, especially since Levi was also good-looking.

”I only have one day pass. Lets spend the whole day together. ” Shari said with dreamy eyes. She longed to be with Renzo, and the days she did not see him were torture.

”I would love that! ” Renzos face beamed.

”By the way, hows your son? ” she suddenly asked.

Renzo almost choked. ”Hes fine. ”

Shari accepted the fact that he had a son with his ex-girlfriend. The kid was in his mothers custody. It did not matter because he loved him dearly. Renzo never failed to give Shari his time while being a good father to his son.

”Good to hear that. How about the mother of the child? ” her one brow raised. She just wanted to make sure that Renzo was hers alone.

Renzo averted his gaze. ”I don know. Maybe shes busy with her boyfriend. ”

They consumed their food in silence. The day was perfect for Shari. She couldn wait to be alone with her man. But little did she know, a brewing problem was about to come.

Sharis phone rang. It was given to her after the announcement of the passes. Fridas name popped up on the screen, which she quickly answered. It was the time when she immediately regretted doing so because her cousin had brought a piece of terrible news.

”What happened? ” Renzo was worried.

”Something came up. I guess I can be with you this day. I need to see Frida. ” She started fixing her things because she had lost her appetite. Shari tried to conceal the loud thud of her chest.

”Emergency? Come on, tell me. ” Renzo urged.

Shari let out a deep sigh and glanced down. ”I can tell you now. Its a family thing. ”

Renzo nodded. ”Okay, I respect that. Ill drive you to Fridas house. ”

”Sure. ” They hurriedly went out to the restaurant.

”LOOK, whos here! My lady killer cousin. ” Levis eyes broadened when he recognized his visitor at home. It was Hadwin, his first cousin from her mothers side. He was a pilot and is currently based in Israel. He would stay here for a few days because he accompanied his boss for a site inspection on one of the proposed airports in the province. Hadwin had called and notified him that he would drop by to see him.

”Levi! ” Hadwin hugged him for a moment.

”Im glad you
e back. ” They exchanged a light punch on their arms. It was their customary greeting.

”How have you been? ” Hadwin asked.

”As usual, Im awesome. What about you? When will you go back to Israel? ”

”Oh, come on! Ive just arrived, and you are asking me to leave? ” Hadwin laughed and added, ”Ill stay here for a week. Then Im going to visit Mom and Dad in Manila. You want to come with me? ”

”Im afraid I can . I have a hectic schedule at work. ” He hardly shook his head. He also wanted to see his aunt and uncle but could not leave his duty.

Levi guided his cousin going to the living room. Hadwin was seated comfortably on the leather couch.

”I don understand why you wanted to be a police officer. No offense meant. But you can claim your position as CEO of Hirsch Holdings here in the Philippines anytime. ”

Levi scoffed. ”Thankfully, Im still sane. I will never do that. ”

”Your brother had recognized you already. Why are you still involved in this dangerous job? ” Hadwin was worried. It was evident in the way his forehead creased, ”Eitan contacted me asking for help to persuade you. ”

”Leave it. Ill never be acquainted with Hirsch Holdings over my dead body. ” He clicked his tongue. Eitan Hirsch was his older half-brother. They shared the same father—Samuel Hirsch, the infamous Israeli billionaire who sired his mother. He hated the man for abandoning him, and he grew up just fine with his mother.

”Ill tell Eitan I tried. ” Hadwin did not bring the topic anymore.

”Stay here. Ill get us a beer, ” Levi said.

Hadwin nodded. He fetched the latest issue of a business magazine from the center table and waited for Levi.

”By the way, how are you and Zeb? ” Levi asked when he handed him the icy canned beer. Hadwin was three years older, and his parents pressured him to settle down.

”We
e doing well. I plan to propose anytime soon, although we are not in a hurry. What about you and Ingrid? ”

Levi remained quiet and only shook his shoulders. ”We broke up. ”

”Holy shit, for real? But you
e twenty-seven already. You should have a stable relationship by now. ”

”Im over her. It simply didn work out. Besides, with the nature of my job, its hard to find a woman who can understand me. ” He raised his hand and chugged his beer.

Hadwin drank his beer. ”You should look for a girl in the same field. Problem solved! ”

Levi found himself grinning mischievously at his cousin. ”I will try. ”

”Cheers on your love life! ” Hadwin lifted his beer.