This Michel just assassinated his target in seconds.

He strangled someone's life as if it had no meaning.


Oh, she wished she could just forget what happened and move on.

But she could never get rid of the images burning in her head.

Eventually, Fanny's cries turned into gasps as exhaustion overtook her.


Opening her burning eyes, she suddenly realized that she wasn't really alone in the room. Andy was right there, sitting on the sofa, eyes closed as he seemed to be sleeping.

Without thinking, she crawled over to the sofa and grabbed his arm.


With a start, Andy turned her head to find Fanny burying her face in the fabric of his shirt while she cried silently.

"Fanny! When do you wake up? How are you?"

But she didn't answer.

As if she suddenly remembered who he was, not only a friend but also a killer - like Michel - she pulled away and started crying as she shook her head back and forth as if she were trying to comfort herself.

Carefully, Andy reached out and wrapped his arms around her, trying to hug her as she cried.

He knows what happened - Charles has filled him up - so he doesn't want to scare her more.

Although, to his surprise, she actually let him comfort her, allowing him to gently hold her against him as he gently stroked the back of her head.

"Short Legs. I'm so sorry..."

But Fanny just tried to shake her head.

She wants to stand her ground and be strong.

She wants to keep her spirit the same way she was raised.

In the end, however, Fanny can't ignore the cold truths that are telling her that no matter what she can't help seeing, Andy is still her dear friend who protects her and is there for her.

And worst of all, Michel is still the person she can't be without all these feelings.

Well, the cold truth made it clear.

She doesn't just love Michel.

Fanny fell in love with a ruthless killer.

When her tears and sobs finally subsided, Andy felt his body slowly sag as she finally relaxed and her eyes began to close.

—

She didn't come to his room to read for three weeks after that.

Michel doesn't know if he should count his blessings for the wonderful time since Vengo and Audrey decided to go to America for a while alone, or if should he blame the absence of the given team leader. Allow Fanny not to leave her room.

He knows that Andy has told Carlos and Gwen that she's just taking classes online and busy studying, but with the new information Charles has given him, Michel doesn't know if Gwen actually bought it or knows what happened through her sources.

Either way, by the end of the third week, he was starting to feel like he was an absolute wreck.

Touching was one thing but he wasn't used to not being able to at least look at Fanny during breakfast and dinner.

Several times, he was seconds away from reaching her room to finally give him some peace, but the reality of what Charles had pointed out to him was what prevented him from doing so.

Michel knows he needs to accept the fact that his mere presence will actually put her in more danger.

In his head, it all makes sense, but in reality, Michel is anything but happy.

Shouldn't he welcome the fact that she wasn't looking for him? That she voluntarily stayed away?

Just as he had finished smoking a cigarette, Michel heard the door open, causing him to turn his head to see Andy come in, confidently walking in and sitting down on one of his sofas.

"What do you want?" Michel asked, not appreciative that his mafia brother had just burst in without knocking.

"Just wanted to check how you are."

"Bullshit. What do you want, Andy."

Andy stared at Michel silently before getting up from his place to go to one of the shelves he knew contained Michel's expensive wine.

Choosing scotch, he poured two glasses and went to give one to the second commander.

"Here. Drink."

Michel was speechless, took the drink, and drank, avoiding any eye contact with Andy.

Part of the reason why he's been away from Fanny for the past few weeks is because he knows he's the only one with Fanny.

As a result, he doesn't really want to end up asking Andy questions that are burning in his mind like how she is or whether she's mentioned him at all.

"So..." Andy began, pausing as he took a sip of his wine and winced because he didn't like scotch.

Michel frowned curiously at him, waiting for him to come to the point.

"What."

Andy sighed as he returned to the couch he was sitting on earlier, continuing his previous position.

"Are you going to see her or not?"

Instead of answering, Michel turned away and decided to look out the window.

He doesn't want to risk showing any emotions that might show how conflicted he is.

But to his dismay, Andy did not overlook this easy subject.

"Don't you think you owe her the least to check on how she's doing?"

Michel let out a scornful laugh, hoping to be as untouched and indifferent as possible.

"I owe no one. You should know this by now."

Andy stared at the back of Michel's head as he put his drink away, leaving it on the coffee table as he stood up.

"Oh, you don't have?"

"Are not."

"Okay then. I'll go now."

"Yes, it should be."

"Good."

Stumbling toward the door, Andy was almost halfway there when he heard Michel's voice, causing him to stop and turn around.

"Is she okay?"

Andy hesitated.

Part of Andy is angry at Michel, not wanting to make it easy for him by just giving him what he wants.

But a bigger part feels sorry for his mafia brother because he knows exactly that Michel is staying away for a reason.

In the end, he decided to just tell Michel.

"I really don't know..." He sighed, keeping Michel's gaze before slowly turning around, closing the door behind him.

---

It seemed to be another night where sleep didn't want to come easily to her.

It's not a real surprise after having spent three horrible weeks of sleep.