Chapter 12

  “Andrew?”

  I quickly opened my eyes… damn, I must have fallen asleep. I rubbed my eyes and looked around, I saw that Oliver had just gotten home, and I waved at him. On the opposite sofa sat Nadia and Aisling, smiling gloriously.

  I scratched the back of my head, “Sorry… the pain pills must have knocked me out.” I looked around, “Where’s Michael?”

  AI spoke from the TV, “He went out. He said he had urgent business, and I can confirm that. He said that he would be back maybe tonight, but definitely tomorrow morning.”

  I nodded, fair enough, he was still an agent after all. I looked around again, Ashley wasn’t present either. Without Michael or Ashley, my mind thought for a moment about my safety… but my safety wasn’t a concern, the Black Roses were no doubt everywhere around us, protecting the Angels and me.

  Oliver walked up to me, “Andrew, I'm also heading out, ok?”

  I looked at him surprised, “Oh?”

  He smiled, “I’m visiting someone.”

  I quickly read his body language… right, he was off to meet a lady for the night, fair enough.

  I yawned and gently stretched, “See you later, mate.”

  I looked at the two Angels sitting there. I needed to find a way to get Aisling alone. I thought for a second as I watched Oliver leave the apartment. I glanced at the front door before Oliver shut it and saw the Black Rose guards standing there in the passageway.

  I had an idea as I suddenly patted my hoodie and my jeans.

  I whispered, “Oh shit… my cards!”

  Nadia leaned forward, “What’s wrong?”

  I looked at her, “I think I dropped my cards! It must have fallen when Michael took me out of the car! Shit!”

  I did another frantic pat down of myself, as I reached into my inner pocket and shook my head, “Nadia, I can’t stand or walk! Could you please go see if I dropped it in the car park?”

  She looked a bit panicked, “I’ll get the Black Roses to get it.”

  I put my hand out, “No, those cards are precious to me! I need someone I can trust to find them, please!”

  She nodded, stood up, quickly walked out the room and to the front door. I heard her quickly speak with the Black Roses, “I need to go find something lost, at the car park, come with me please.” The soldiers walked forward instantly, as she shut the door behind them.

  Aisling looked at me worried, “I hope they find them; those cards mean so much to you!”

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out the sack of cards. I gently placed them on the table, so that Aisling could clearly see them.

  She was very confused, “Wait… you did have them?”

  I leaned forward and stared straight into her eyes. I had at most five to ten minutes, so I needed to do it quickly.

  I spoke quickly, “Aisling, why are you hiding that you’re a lesbian?”

  She jolted in surprise. Her eyes widened as she took a few breaths before speaking, “What? I’m not-”

  I shook my head, “Don’t lie to me.”

  She stared at me quietly, as her eyes went sad.

  AI appeared on the TV, “Why am I not surprised that you worked it out effortlessly.”

  I ignored AI, “I don’t understand, Aisling. It’s not illegal… in fact, it’s not even frowned upon anymore. I might have thought it was you acting professionally… but this is not a corporation or government entity. The Roses don’t care about people's private lives, and they don’t prevent sex or relationships. So, it isn’t about professionalism…”

  Aisling shook her head; her eyes were sad as she looked away.

  She quietly said, “Nadia.”

  I leaned forward, “Nadia? What about Nadia?”

  She slowly explained, “She told me that her family is religious and strongly against homosexuality…”

  I nodded, “Ah right, what is her opinion though?”

  She shook her head, “I don’t know, but I assume it’s the same as her family’s…”

  I breathed out in annoyance, “Right… well, you know what they say about assumptions right-”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  The front door opened, and Nadia quickly walked in. Her face was frustrated as she clearly had no luck finding the cards.

  She started explaining, “I looked everywhere-” … She then noticed the cards on the table.

  I put my hands in the air, “I’m so sorry. I realised that I left them on the counter… I actually didn’t take them with me today… stupid me, please forgive me?”

  She smiled and nodded as she took a seat, “Thank goodness, I was panicking about all your hard work being lost.”

  Nadia looked at Aisling and noticed she was deeply sad, “What’s wrong, Ash?”

  Aisling looked away, “Nothing…”

  Nadia leaned slightly closer, “No, come on, talk to me, what’s the matter?”

  Aisling just shook her head. After a few moments, Nadia looked at me confused. I folded my arms and looked at her.

  I leaned forward, “Nadia, let’s talk, you and me. I have some questions to ask you… would you please answer them for me?”

  She looked around confused, “Um, sure, but what about Aisling?”

  I quickly glanced at Aisling, “She’s still the focus, don’t worry. May I ask you some questions?”

  She softly answered, “Ok…” She looked at over at Aisling, but Aisling was still intentionally looking away.

  I leaned forward, “You are of Indian descent, am I right?”

  She turned to me slightly irritated, “Yes, obviously.”

  I nodded, “Is your family traditional?”

  She instantly responded, “Yes…?”

  I looked her in the eyes, “So, they’re religious?”

  She breathed out, “Yes, Andrew, they practise Hinduism.”

  I stared at her for a long moment, “Do you share their beliefs?”

  She immediately shook her head, “No, I’m agnostic.”

  Aisling took a surprised breath. I was confused though, as I didn’t know what that word meant.

  I looked at the TV, “AI, sorry to bother you… what is an agnostic please?”

  AI spoke, “A person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God.”

  I leaned my head sideways, “What the hell does that mean?”

  AI smiled, “It means they believe in a greater meaning, but they do not subscribe to any religions.”

  I nodded as I thought about it, “Ah, right, I never knew that was a thing, cool.”

  Nadia looked very confused as she was waiting for some clarity.

  I looked back at Nadia, “Ok Nadia, tell me… do your family traditions affect you in… personal matters?”

  She looked at me confused, “Personal matters?”

  I breathed out, “Um… you know… like what team do you bat for?”

  She realised what I meant, “Oh! No, I'm bisexual, my family knows that, even though it annoys them.”

  That solved that. I leaned back to let the truth sit for a second. I knew what was coming next… as Aisling started crying. I imagined that her relief was immense.

  Nadia turned to Aisling with a worried face, “Honey, talk to me, what’s wrong! I can’t stand to see you cry!”

  Aisling leaned on Nadia's shoulder, “I thought you would despise me!”

  “Why would I possibly-” She froze as she connected the dots.

  Nadia smiled as she hugged Aisling, “I never knew you were bi as well. Why would I care about that?”

  Aisling sniffed, “I’m not bi…”

  Nadia kept smiling as she nodded, “So you’re into ladies only? I still don’t care, as long as you’re happy, Ash…”

  Aisling kept crying as Nadia gently stroked her hair. After a while, Aisling finally recovered herself. She gently escaped the hug, as she wiped her tears from her eyes.

  Her face was sad, “I thought you would hate gay people like your family did…”

  Nadia shook her head, “I only realised my family disliked gays when I came out to them. They were only half angry, because they think I’m half gay.” She chuckled.

  Aisling looked her in the eye, “So… you don’t mind that I’m…”

  Nadia beamed a glorious smile, “Not even the slightest.”

  Aisling stared into the distance, “All this time… I was hiding it from you…”

  Nadia nodded, “You hid it so well, I never would have thought…”

  Aisling leaned her head gently on her friend's shoulder… and her smile was so pure. I could only imagine how much happier she must have been, that she didn’t have to hide who she was. I knew how that felt, to hide. A couple days ago, I was trying to hide my past, to save my pride. We all have things we’re too afraid to share.

  AI had her arms crossed and her face was frustrated, “Andrew… I asked you to let it go.”

  I looked at her, “I know AI, but this was important.”

  She shook her head, “Are you going to constantly ignore people's privacy, on your own personal measurements of what is important?”

  I gestured to the Angels, “This is the leadership of the Roses we are talking about. Their happiness directly affects their ability to perform their role! Do you not think Aisling was struggling to be hopeful, when she was hiding herself from her own best friend?”

  AI’s voice was firm, “It was personal, Andrew, you crossed the line.”

  I breathed out sadly, “Yes, it was personal, and I did cross the line. Throw shame on me, call me reckless, disrespectful and toss me into the mud with the pigs! I see the relief and happiness on Aisling's face… I respect the closure this gave her… I regret nothing.”

  Aisling gently spoke, “AI… it’s alright… his intentions were good.”

  AI frowned, “Andrew, you will not always guess right. One day, you will guess wrong, interfere… and ruin a relationship. Please, I implore you… apply maximum caution.”

  I nodded, “I promise, AI. I would never interfere for the sake of drama, and I only act, when success is certain.”

  She smiled at me, “Good. Then I will say no more on the matter.”

  I sat there feeling quite odd and I wasn’t sure why, as I thought about it. I realised something.

  I looked at the coffee table, “AI… this was our first argument, did you know that?”

  She nodded, “Indeed. It was inevitable that we would disagree at some stage.”

  I looked at her thoughtfully, “Of course, but I feel closer to you now. I want you to always be honest with me, like you were now, ok?”

  She beamed her magnificent smile, “Certainly, I was always going to, either way.”

  Nadia and Aisling laughed, and I couldn’t lie… if I could have laughed, I would have also. It was funny hearing AI speak so… casually.

  Aisling smiled at me, “Thank you, Andrew.”

  I glanced between the both of them, “Your friendship with each other is precious. Don’t keep secrets, don’t hide who you are. Life is too short, to pretend with the people you care for.”

  She looked at me curiously, “How did you realise I was lesbian, Andrew?”

  I nodded, “Oh, because of how awkward you were with Ruth.”

  She looked at me, “Ruth?”

  I explained, “Yes, I introduced you and you kind of rushed away.”

  She tilted her head sideways, “Right… I don’t know where you are going with this?”

  I leaned forward, “Well… aren’t you… with her?”

  She leaned back, “What?! No!”

  I sat still as I looked at her confused. Did I… misread? No, surely not, even AI was on the same wavelength as me.

  I tilted my head sideways, “I’m so confused now, I could have sworn you were reacting to Ruth… AI, even you thought what I thought, didn’t you?”

  AI looked at me shaking her head, “No, Andrew. I will not tell you, because I respect people's privacy.”

  I shook my head, “Oof, ok… so, I guessed you were a lesbian, by a false flag. I guess you were right, AI, I did screw up, I just got lucky in my stupid guess…”

  Aisling looked at me with a serious face, “Andrew, it was Ashley who made me uncomfortable. That’s why I left.”

  I looked at her and nodded, “Yeah, she was so angry with me, I don’t blame you for feeling uncomfortable.”

  Her face became intense, “No, Andrew… Ashley…”

  I looked at her confused, “Ashley made you uncomfortable for another reason?”

  She snickered, “Andrew, bless you… your current mental state is blinding you to the obvious answer. I’m a lesbian… and Ashley made me feel uncomfortable.”

  I looked away, “Maybe I’m still half asleep because- OH!” I bounced a bit on the sofa as the realisation hit me like a truck.

  I covered my face in shame. How on earth did I not catch that implication? My sex drive was clearly shot to hell. I shook my head as I looked down at the floor, disappointed in myself. Nadia and Aisling both laughed at my reaction.

  I spoke through my hands, “Right… so, you and Ashley… gotcha.”

  She shook her head, “No, we’re not… in a relationship.”

  I fell back into the sofa in frustration, “Jesus… you people give me a headache with the way you talk! On the street, we spoke so much more directly.”

  She looked fascinated, “Ok, Andrew… How would they say this on the streets?”

  I sat back up, “You’re fucking. That’s what we’d say, easy peasy.”

  Nadia laughed, “You have to admit… that does perfectly describe it…”

  Aisling chuckled, “I suppose it does… out of curiosity, what do they say when you are in a romantic relationship?”

  I immediately answered, “We’d say a couple are smitten.”

  She nodded, “That’s pretty straight forward. Now I want to ask about a lot of terms actually…”

  I leaned back, “Maybe another time… I need to go to sleep now, I’m really struggling to focus… sorry.”

  Aisling and Nadia got up, as they said thanks again and left. It was a good outcome and that was the most important point. I tried standing up and suddenly remembered that I couldn’t walk, oops. I guessed that I was sleeping on the sofa that night… but I had slept in far worse conditions than that… that was luxury.