Chapter 76 - A Decoy

Opening her eyes, Raine was greeted by the morning sunlight filtering into her room. She had a good night's sleep without having another erotic dream, though probably she wouldn't have minded having that kind of dream again. It was a good dream, far more preferable than having a nightmare of Nathaniel or Tyrone ending her life.

Stretching for a bit in her bed, she looked at the clock, immediately noting that she had overslept. Everybody from the group had probably left already. 

She heard footsteps coming from outside her room. Turning to look near the door, Tyrone was walking towards her with a paper bag and a cup of coffee in his hands. Raine gave him a sweet smile with her sheepish eyes. She did not know why, but it felt great seeing Tyrone's face the moment she opened her eyes like that.

"You're finally awake. Everyone had already left, and I informed them that I would drive you back to Capital City," Tyrone greeted. He then sighed before he dryly added, "I guess the rumor you spread about me batting for the other team has its advantages."

Raine chuckled, "Why do you look so displeased with that? Isn't it better that no woman will ever bug you? You should thank me since I just saved your ass from falling prey to the female specimen's dangerous moves and antics just to get a guy like you. Ah, and I hate sharing. I just want to keep you for myself."

Tyrone blushed at her words. Raine's teasing never failed to make his heart flutter. If only he could just figure out whenever she was serious or just goofing around... 

He shrugged his shoulders, trying to calm and clear his thoughts as he mumbled, "Yeah, but instead of women, male employees are trying to hit on me instead."

It was highly awkward. One gay doctor from the Department of Cardiology even winked at him this morning, not to mention another nurse who deliberately asked for his number and gave him an invitation to hang out with him.

Raine burst out in a fit of laughter as she sat on the bed. "Perhaps it's better that I spread a rumor that you're already taken by me. But then, that'll conflict with my image since I'm flirting with Xander and Rui," she pondered with faux interest. "Eh… I don't think so. It's better to just let the guys just drool over you instead. At least I won't worry about guys flirting with you since I know that you're a straight guy. Hehe." 

With a chuckle, Raine stretched her arms before completely getting out of bed. Tyrone didn't bother to comment on her teasing, since he had more important matters to discuss with Raine. Besides, he already admitted that he wouldn't be able to handle her boldness. Instead, he mentally shrugged as he placed her breakfast on the table, including her iPad, which he opened like it was his own. 

Raine keenly observed him. Tyrone looked focused as ever. "I instructed Dylan to tail Xander and not to let the man out of his sight. Gave him a bit of a casual threat that he'll die if anything bad happened to Xander. Lyne also called. You should watch the video she sent," Tyrone enumerated as he readied Raine's tablet.

"Ah, are you trying to impress me on your first day of being my right-hand man? Geez, discussing work before I eat breakfast," Raine complained as she formed a pout on her lips. He ignored her childish antics and only handed her a sandwich instead.

"Eat that while you watch the CCTV footage. We can't afford to waste any more time, so eat while you working," Tyrone instructed as he played the video.

The file played, showing the sight of a man as the center of attention in the footage.

"That's Nathaniel, returning the list to you. It turns out that the list was nothing but a decoy. What you need to look for is the Exordium Ledger," Tyrone explained the scene as it played out. 'That 'booklist' is just one among many lists meant to mislead whoever might be looking for the genuine list about Exordiums." 

Raine eyed the CCTV footage of the man wearing a black hoodie and a black mask, noting quickly that he had the same physique, hair, and eyes as Nathaniel… Almost exactly like Tyrone too.

"We don't call him Nathaniel… And we're not even sure if he's indeed that Nathaniel. I'd prefer if we called him Lollipop Boy since he likes lollipops around him," Raine murmured with an unreadable expression all over her beautiful face.

"Yeah, I suppose you'd prefer to call him Lollipop Boy. Lyne told me that, but it sounds awkward to me. I'd prefer mentioning his name, Nathaniel, since Lollipop Boy and Nathaniel are the same guys for you anyway," Tyrone stated. "I guess I now understand why you see that man in me. Let me be clear though. I am not him, so stop thinking about that possibility anymore." 

Raine glanced at Tyrone. She felt so frustrated that she couldn't read his thoughts as she could with others.

"It doesn't matter if those two are different or the same person so long as you're not connected with them, Tyrone," Raine whispered in a way that only she could hear her voice.

'But something inside me is just screaming for the opposite,' Raine wanted to add, but she chose not to. She would just have to keep her own speculations to herself for now.

"I'm sorry?" Tyrone asked her with knitted brows.

Raine sighed as she retorted, "This guy is so clever. He returned the booklist because he wanted me to look for that ledger instead. Then later, when I find the damn thing, he'd steal it from me like a vulture." She continued, "Also, who told you that the ledger's just a decoy? Did you even confirm that information? What if it's just another plot to mislead us?"

Tyrone replied, "Your daughter, Aire, told everything about it to Levi. I asked Levi for more details, but he didn't say a thing to me. He just told me that he'd report things to you directly since he doesn't trust me…" 

Raine sighed at the news, "Don't worry about Levi. He'll come around some time for sure. It won't be easy for my squad to just accept you like that, but I'm sure that once they see how loyal and dedicated you are, they'll eventually learn to trust you." 

She inwardly let out a scoff. She would have to talk to Levi later. The latter should learn to respect her decision.

There was a deafening silence as both of them ate their sandwich.. Raine was casually scrolling through other reports on her iPad when out of the blue, Tyrone suddenly uttered, "How's your sleep? I hope you didn't have a nightmare after I left."