The fresh air and a refreshing walk around his stunning garden was exactly what I needed along with the support and care from the stranger who I apparently yearn for. He had been by my side all the way around each corner and tree as he explained all the names and growing season for each plant that took my interest. Not that I care for plants but...

It was a nice distraction.

And one I needed even though it only helped a little bit. Most of that time I couldn't help but think about what he said. That I was right. So if that's the case, what's his plan now? Are we still going to run away once I've got my little girl or will he still conjure u a plan to run the agency to the ground? It's certainly something I wouldn't mind seeing happen but not if it means stooping to their level. I made a plan to try and find out as much as I can about August so I can distinguish his deeper views and what he really plans to do.

It was already getting into the afternoon when we left to the gardens after that little scene about the lunch so when we returned to the house after our walk, the butler had finished preparing dinner which happened to basically be what was prepared for lunch. The thought of pasta still makes me feel a little nauseous because of earlier but I'm so hungry I fight past that feeling.

We're now sat quietly eating around his dining table set for six people despite the fact it's only the two of us eating. The butler has apparently already eaten and says he has other things to do. August and I sit opposite each other, him at one end and I at the other. I stare at my plate while knowing he's staring at me. I finally look up.

"Who's bedroom is that one along the end of the first hallway?" I suddenly blurt because aside from all the other thoughts that had been plaguing me today, this one had made me increasingly curious. Was it because I wanted to know if there was a girl in his life? Possibly.

Probably.

I really don't know anymore.

It breaks the silence but then its filled with the distressing sound of choking as August's fork goes flying from his hand as he whacks at his chest. I just sit like a lemon and panic for a second but then jump into action, flying to his side of the table and tapping hard on his back until he finally stops coughing. When he does eventually calm down and takes a large gulp of water I find myself sinking to the floor as the adrenaline wears away and the pain in my ankle flares up. I cry out in pain, the ache worse than ever before when each time I put strain on it, it becomes worse. It's never hurt quite this bad till now, not even yesterday when I first broke it.

He lowers down to my side on the floor and brings me back up, my foot not resting one the floor now, it hurts too much. "Thank you." I mutter.

He helps me back to my chair and places me down. "After dinner, I'll patch that up again for you but better. I should've done it already." He sighs as he takes a seat on his chair.

I go back to eating the meal but I don't really want it, I'm just shoving it down because I know I need to eat.

"Are you okay?" I ask when he remains silent.

"Yeah, fine now." He pats his chest. "Death by pasta! Can you imagine that after everything we've been through?" He adds with a chuckle to lighten the mood but I don't feel like laughing. I become suspicious, wondering if he's trying to change the subject. When I don't laugh with him, he stops. After clearing his throat he says, "sorry, that joke may have been a little... distasteful."

I shrug lightly and force myself to take another bite of the dinner. "Are you going to answer my question?"

His smile falters a little as his fork pauses on the way to his mouth. He'd decided to eat the meal he despised so much earlier after all when I made an extra dish of tomatoes, bacon and cheese to go on the side. It was the last of the food he kept but I figured I'd just brave and head to the shops tomorrow.

I will not allow fear to break who I am.

"I did, remember? I said I'm okay." He says clearing his throat again. He seems to do that when he's nervous, I note. For someone trained as a D.A.R.E member and then being qualified enough to join one of the most prestigious spy agencies in the country, granted only as a guard but still, he doesn't hide his true feelings all that well.

"I don't mean that question, August." I say blankly, taking what felt like my hundredth bite but it's actually only my third. "And you know it."

"Do you want me to choke again?" He jokes after taking another swing of water so he doesn't have to answer straight away. I ensure not to show any trace of humor despite feeling the urge to smile at that.

"No, why does the question stumble you so much?" I ask curiously. I watch him carefully but with a vacant expression so as to make him any more uncomfortable.

"Quite honestly?" He says with hesitant nods after wiping his mouth with a napkin a little too harshly. He sits up straight in his chair, seemingly preparing himself. I watch him even more closely, waiting in anticipation. "The answer to your question isn't something I can freely talk about. I trust you for various reasons. Some.. you don't even know about yet." What is that supposed to mean? I shoot him a small frown. "But I don't trust you enough."

"It would make you more vulnerable." I say voicing the thought he has but doesn't want to say. He nods heavily once, a little relieved that I understand. "It's a situation I've been in more than just a few times."

He takes another bite of the meal, much more relaxed than before.

"Fair enough then, I suppose I'll just have to let my imagination get carried away for the time being." I say with a very slight chuckle. I feel a little bad for being so hard on him about something he obviously doesn't want to talk about. It sort of confirms a suspicion though, there is another girl of some sort. Why would he not be able to talk about a room decorated for a girl unless it belongs to someone he cares for?

He has the most strange gaze when I meet his eyes, almost in awe as he smiles slightly. "Once we're done with dinner, I'll show you to your room. I've been very rude really, I should have taken you there the minute you arrived." He says a little shamefully. I just nod and smile.

We finish dinner after a bit of small talk and by that I mean anything other than the fall of our agency like the weather and our favorite places, my motive being to get his general view on things. He seems to care a lot for things that to other people wouldn't be such a big deal. So far one trait has become obvious, that he puts the world on his shoulders and carries it around so that fewer other people have to.

An admirable quality for sure. But it's also one that eventually crushes you.

He's doing well holding it up for now but it's only a matter of time. Perhaps that's why he helped me and took my problems on, so he could have someone to bear it with him.

I can't know for sure yet and when he trusts me more I will find out why he even helped me in the first place. Why I'm still here now and why he's being so nice to me.

When we are getting up from the table, August collects the dishes and takes them to the kitchen while I remain in the room gazing upon a large abstract painting of red that matches the curtains. The only form of decoration in this house is paintings and even they are devoid of emotion, being only random swirls and splatters.

Someone enters the room but I'm still staring at the painting when they approach. The slight creaking of the old wooden floor beneath their feet is a slightly irregular as if they're stumbling. I turn to them, curious because I something tells me it's not August.

I gasp loudly as I face them, expecting to meet another face but am instead greeted by a large bottle of alcohol being swung towards my face. Agent instincts kick in and I quickly maneuver into action and swing out my hand, pain searing up my arm as it connects with the bottle, it shattering and flying everywhere.

I then, before anything else can happen, throw out my leg in the person's direction and they go crashing to the ground with a thud. That'll stop them getting away. A voice sounds out from the kitchen confirming that it's not August who attacked me.

"Willow? What's going on?" His footsteps loudly and clearly sound out as he runs into the room to find me stood pensively over the butler who's groaning in agony. He stops near by and frowns at both of us. "What just happened?"

I'm still a little out of breath from the shock when I pant, "he... attacked me."

"John, what's the meaning of this?" He demands to know, storming over to him. He grabs a hold of one of his hands and hauls him up to his feet where he sways a little.

Either I hit him a tad too hard or he's under another influence.

"Are you drunk?" August gapes in disbelief. John lethargically shakes his head but the stench of alcohol now noticeably present makes it obvious he is. "Why man, why?"

"Forgive me, it's been... it's been a bad day." He says in such a confused and innocent voice that I scoff. "I though there was an intruder..." he trails off peering at me very puzzled indeed almost like he can't believe what he did. I can't tell if he really is a disoriented drunk or not.

"You could have killed me!" I exclaim steadily. Such a blow of a hard substance to the skull with enough force would have done me some serious damage.

He looks away from me almost in disgust, whether it's directed at me or himself I can't tell. "Sorry." He mutters with a slur.

Somehow I don't believe him.

"We only left you half an hour ago!" August's muses distantly in disbelief as he then takes a strong hold of John and they leave the room together, I presume to Johns room so he can lie down.

I'm left alone with the aftermath of that incident and I stare down at the remains of the bottle. The label is still intact as I crouch down, careful to avoid the broken glass and I pick it up. It's a very strong whiskey.

And not much has been left in the bottle.

I inspect my arm after that and all thats been done is a few slightly deep cuts. The least of my worries for now especially seeing as they'll heal pretty quick.

Now I need to worry about the butler and if he has any dodgy motives directed at me. Looks like my gut instincts are right, whether he meant to hurt me or not I couldn't know for sure but either way he was capable of some stuff.

It seems nowhere is safe at the moment.