Winning My Ex-Crush

Fenella’s POV

“You’re good?” Laird asked me.

“Uh huh,” I replied with a quick nod.

I adjusted the receiver in my ear once again. The receiver was silver with crystals on the outside. Designed to deceive others, it resembled a full earring that was fitted around the entire edge of the ear.

The earring was paired with a matching pendulum choker necklace because they were a set of receivers and voice recorders. Laird was also wearing the same receiver, but his model was rigid and plain black.

“Test.” A woman’s voice sounded faintly in my ear.

“Yes, I heard,” I answered. “Can you hear me?” I asked in reply.

“Yes, I heard.” The woman at the other end of the receiver replied.

“Can you hear it clearly?” Laird asked again to confirm.

“Yes. I’m ready.” I answered with a long sigh.

“Do you remember the safe word?” Laird asked.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Whitehill Academy.”

“Ok.” Laird then sighed in relief again. His face was tense, with his lips slightly parted without a smile. I knew he was nervous, but I was determined to try until our mission tonight succeeded.

“Ok, peeps, everyone to your positions. My scout had spotted Alan in a black limousine, and he had turned four blocks away from here. Laird, Matthew, and Jessy, you can join our surveillance team in van number 1. The rest should stay alert in van number 2 with me and Mr. Golden,” said the FBI unit leader.

Everyone rushed out of my house quickly. Laird cupped my cheeks and then kissed my lips quickly.

“Break a leg, Fenella. Whenever you mention that safe word, I’ll come running to help you.” His eyes sparkled with determination, and I then squeezed his hand tightly for a moment.

“Yes, Laird. We can do this.” I nodded firmly.

“I’ll always keep an eye on you from afar and pray for you, dear,” Jessy said, squeezing both my shoulders.

“Yeah, Jessy. I’m going to be fine.” I chuckled softly.

“After this, we’ll set up your acting classes, and I’ll pitch you to all the producers in Hollywood.”

“Looking forward to it.” I could only nod again with a small smile.

“You got this girl!” Matthew raised his fist in front of my face.

Then they all left the house and closed the door tightly, fearing that Alan might get closer to my house to pick me up. My mother then stood beside me and held my hand. She then kissed my clenched fist slowly.

“You had all my blessings. Please come back home safely.” She looked at me while squeezing my hand.

“Yes, Mom. Please rest assured. I will come back once the charity foundation is free of those corruptors.”

My mother gently stroked my head for a moment. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at every corner of my face. Then she whispered.

“Thank you, Fenella. Thank you for being born into this glum world and being my daughter.”

“Oh, come here. You sounded like we were never going to meet again.”

I hugged my mother tightly. Though my chest felt tight, I controlled myself not to cry. After sharing a warm hug, I took a step back.

“How did I look?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips with my chin slightly raised to show my confidence.

The formal sleeveless black jumpsuit studded with sparkling white beads along the plunging neckline and half-open back was my choice of outfit this time. I didn’t end up wearing the dress Alan bought for me. Instead, I bought my own outfit without feeling pressured by Alan. I thought pants would make it easier for me, just in case I had to run.

My blonde hair was tied back tightly in a sleek ponytail. My appearance resembled a runway style favored by fashion designers. I was confident they wouldn’t suspect my preparations made it easier for me to move later.

“You looked gorgeous. I am your biggest fan.” My mother chuckled, which brought a similar amused smile to my lips.

“Alan had arrived.” The voice of a woman from the FBI team interrupted our light laughter.

“He had arrived, Mom,” I said to my mother. She nodded and handed me my small black shoulder bag.

Just then, the doorbell rang loudly. I kissed my mother’s cheeks and then walked to greet the guest. Of course, I didn’t need to peek through the door anymore because it was clear that the guest ringing the bell was Alan.

When I opened the door, I found Alan standing in front of me. He looked caught off guard when he saw me. His eyes dilated, and his mouth fell open. He was speechless until I greeted him first.

“Good evening, Alan.”

“Oh, yeah, good evening, Milady.” He cleared his throat lightly. “Sorry, I was mesmerized by your beauty.”

“You should start getting used to this, Alan.” I gave him a lopsided smile.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Alan chuckled softly.

“Are you leaving now?” my mother asked from behind me.

“Yes, Mrs. Baxter. I hope you don’t mind letting me take your daughter far away.” Alan smiled widely in a friendly manner.

“Just be careful.” My mother advised us. Alan and I nodded.

“Bye, Mom. Close the door tight.” Then I closed the front door.

I’d be back, I promised.

“Shall we?” Alan placed his hand on my waist and guided me to the side of the glittering black limousine.

“Wow. A limousine with a driver?” I sighed in amazement when I saw the car.

“Wait until you see the inside.” Alan smiled proudly as he opened the door for me.

“I felt like a celebrity now,” I said with a small laugh.

“You are, my love.”

Then he closed the door, jogged around the car, and also got in.

Throughout the journey, we chatted, but even though I tried to steer the conversation towards financial matters or business networks, Alan would deflect. He seemed to know I was looking for acknowledgment from him. Of course, he didn’t know about my mission, right?

Gradually, I started to worry he might get suspicious, so I stopped questioning him about it.

***

We returned to the same house as last week. It was quite bold of us to come back to this house after the previous commotion. It was even more ironic that Peter and Amy still invited us even though Amy had kicked us out the last time we met.

“Do you think Amy isn’t mad at us anymore?” I asked Alan as our car queued to stop in front of the house.

“Well, who knows? At least we came as an important part of the family, and of course, people would be suspicious if we didn’t show up.”

“So you mean this is all just for Amy’s image?” I pressed again.

“Fenella, please, just behave for tonight. After this, we’ll be free.”

“How so?” I asked, blinking my eyes.

“As I told you a few days ago. We’ll be going far away from Peter, Laird, and Amy.” Alan smiled, showing enthusiasm for his plan.

“How far?” I asked with a slightly trembling voice, holding back the nervousness that came from a bad premonition.

“So far, I could guarantee you that we would be happily ever after together alone.”