Define Valentine- sequel to Define Spy (semi-long hiatus)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

As we exited the doors of the airport, I felt my shoulders tense up as my whole body became still. I took in all of London, which was not considerably busy late at night. As we shuffled into a black car that was parked humbly two blocks away from the airport, I let out a breath of air that I didn't know I was holding in since we landed.

I felt Parker put his hand on my shoulder, and turned as he gave me a pointed look. I forced a smile that would hopefully relieve him.

"Home sweet home." I said through gritted teeth, adjusting my backpack so I wasn't squished between Johanna and Tilly. The rest of my team looked half asleep as Johanna would blink a little longer for over a second and Parker's eyes were rimmed with dark rings. Tilly yawned every half a minute and Cameron's eyes were closed as he was engulfed into the music blasting through his headphones. We had survived a ten hour flight, and yet still had to pay a visit to the ICI headquarters in London. And here I was, desperately fantasizing about my hotel room.

As I had started to drift off like the rest of my teammates, I was abruptly shook awake. Fazed, I did not notice that my hand had connected with the face above me, a bad reflex that I really needed to stop.

"Really, Serena?" I opened my eyes to see Cameron's annoyed expression, and instantly hopped out of the car. I had punched in right in his left socket, as it was reddening around his eye. He indeed looked ticked off, but too exhausted to care. I muffled my childish laugh.

"Sorry, reflexes." I sheepishly stated as my excuse as Cameron just groaned and turned to walk in towards ICI headquarters.

Maybe it was from the lack of sleep and changing time zones, but the headquarters were undeniably and creepily similar to the one in Los Angeles as we entered through the glass doors. The lights were dimmer and the building was nearly deserted, except for a few agents who were just starting to leave their own offices. A man in a dark gray suit approached us with a firm smile on his face with his hand out in front of him, along with a young lady at his side. She looked about our age, despite her mature stature as she wore a black pencil skirt and a white blouse.

"Hello, agents! You must be team Valentine. I'm Mr. Watson." the man greeted us as we all exchanged hand shakes. "As you already know, Mr. Collins assigned me as your temporary boss during your time in England."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Watson." I smile politely at our temporary adviser. He was no younger than Mr. Collins, maybe a few years. His hair was brown, but starting to gray at the roots. He wore a slick plated tie and had broad shoulders. He was, in fact, an intimidating man, but seemed cheery than any agent or ICI official I've ever met (discarding Tilly).

"I've seen all of your records, and may I say, I'm impressed." he smiled, revealing straight white teeth. I glanced to Cameron who stood next to me, one eyebrow slightly rose in curiosity. Mr. Watson was probably the only official of the ICI who showed such an overrated amount of praise.

"Thank you," Parker kindly replies for all of us.

"Anyways, this is Elaine Clarke." Mr. Watson gestures towards the girl next to him, who had been standing still with a smile that looked too painted on the whole time. Her chocolate brown hair was tied into a slick pony tail and she wore sharp black eyeliner than outlined her piercing eyes. "She's an office agent here at ICI, and she will be sort of like your guide here in England.

All of us exchanged handshakes with Elaine. I wasn't sure why we needed a 'guide' while we were at England, considering Parker and I have lived here for more than ten years. But I went along with it, not because I was completely exhausted (which I was) but also because this was Mr. Collins doing, and I trusted him.