The Zetta Sonic
Call

Caitlin left the reservoir at about eight. He got permission to go home and pick up some stuff. Nadira gave it two hours, no more, no less. All this time, he was able to keep up with it precisely. Today, he hopes his time can be extended. Maybe he was intentionally late. At most, he would only be able to verbal reprimands. He needs time to calm down.

The fight with Jayden last night still made his blood boil.

Caitlin sat alone by the window of the coffee shop near the house. He stopped there before returning home. With the ancient phone in his hand, he was looking forward to the connecting tone turning into a voice that he was clearly familiar with.

[Hello?] A heavy and soft voice sounded.

“Hai, babe.”

[Cait? Hiya! What the hell's going on? Is this your new number or has something happened?]

Caitlin sighs. His eyes were watching the tavern that tended to be quiet. No one sat near him. He did choose the most end of the place, not wanting to be bothered by anyone. His fingers along the edge of a paper glass containing cafe au lait. “There were some things happening last night. You may have seen it on the news.”

[Casino owner De Penguin arrested for embezzlement? Don't tell me it was you. The news was in all the newspapers this morning. I see it as a trending topic on the internet as well.]

“Yups. It was his first debut.” Caitlin found her own voice trembling as she spoke. Jayden was right when he said he was the most excited. Sure oes. If he is not excited, he will not wait and fight during tiu.

[Who? Sonic Zetta?]

Caitlin nodded despite knowing her fiance, Baron, could not see. In public places like where it is currently located it is not safe to mention the name ICPA or Zetta Sonic. “Yes. First mission.”

[Are you okay? Oh, whoa. Of course you're not okay. Where are you? Let me pick.]

Caitlin laughed at hearing that. Tears flowed from the end of his eyes. “Hey, we're thousands of kilometers apart, remember? Anyway, I'm stuck with this job. I can't possibly meet now. I only had two hours to get home and pick things up. Clothes, make up, such personal things.”

[Hey, you need me more than that, ‘right?]

“I wish you were here.”

[I'll kidnap you if I have to.]

“Stop joking!” Despite speaking so, Caitlin kept laughing at the end of her sentence. “Your colleagues will catch you if they dare to approach me. This is not a good time, baby.  Not until the child is more stable.”

[You said you were leaving this job soon.]

“Yes, that's my plan. Jayden ruined everything. Alex seizes my chance ...” said Caitlin lirih. He did not care if both names were heard by others. In reality, he was indeed annoyed at the two.

[Why Jayden? She's as knowable as ever?]

“Worse. He knows I call you often. It's my fault.” Caitlin paused for a moment. “I didn't think he hacked my phone and read text messages. He knows everything. It's my fault.” Caitlin repeated the sentence. He knew he was breaking the rules. On the one hand, he was grateful that Jayden didn't report it. On the other hand, he was upset that Jayden had already stolen his privacy.

[Is that why you called with a new number?]

“Burner. I didn't expect to wear it for you.” Caitlin raised her shoulders. Since joining ICPA, he has always had a backup burner phone. Cheap phones for temporary use.

[Where are you now? It doesn't seem to be at home. I heard a slow jazz sound behind you. When did you become a jazz fan?]

“I'm at the cafe. Cafe across the park. We've been there a few times.”

Caitlin also chuckled, again. “I kangen. I want to talk to you a lot.” He began to sob. “If I could tell you everything from the beginning.”

[I'll fly to your place tonight. Wait for me-]

“Do not be stupid! I still can't leave that place. They need me. I mean, I have to help the professor. Now, all his hard work depends on Alex, whether the boy will survive or not.”

[And .. You need me. Fine, fine. I understand the situation. Maybe now is not a good time to meet. What can I do for you? You want me to talk to Jayden?]

“Neg. Don'tdon't. Making her upset is like letting Nadira know about me always calling you. I don't want Nadira to know. Not now.”

[We're getting married soon. I want to be with you but I also don't want you to get into trouble let alone danger. To be honest, I was more at ease when I found out that Alex took that chance from you.]

“What!?” Caitlin raised her tone.

The baron hastily chimed in. [You know me, ‘kan? You know I never agreed with your work at ICPA. I also never supported your actions as a volunteer experiment what that is. It's only natural that I'm relieved to hear that someone else is replacing you. Your project is dangerous. You know that yourself.]

Caitlin fell silent, not wanting to answer. The Baron's voice sounded so soft. All of her fiance's words had a point. Despite the annoyance of admitting, Caitlin was so pleased with Baron's attention to her.

[I also know when you say you're leaving this job, it's not going to happen easily. If you volunteer, you will never leave the ICPA. Even so, I want you to be yourself. If it is your happiness, I will support even the weight. It's just, I made a promise to your late father.]

Caitlin could not hold back her tears. His hands hurriedly rubbed every drop of falling grain soaked his cheeks.

[I promise to always take care of you. Therefore, maybe you can consider reducing my burden a little.]

Hearing that, Caitlin smiled. “A good time to stop?” the question came out with a trembling voice.

[Yes, maybe it's a good time to stop.]

Caitlin was silent for a moment. He calms himself. The baron across there showered him with various words of comfort. They have been in a relationship for the past seven years. Caitlin initially suspected that Baron was just a male playboy-like man trying to get close to her all along. As his time and ability at the ICPA grew, he investigated the Baron and found that the Baron was indeed loyal to him. He was lucky to have that guy. Real lucky.

The man proposed to her last year before her father died. He asked the baron to wait. Baron agreed. Caitlin herself does not understand why she can stay with the ICPA rather than the Baron. If his friends knew, they would call him stupid. He himself realized that.

Caitlin finally spoke, “Alright. Maybe you're right. It's a good opportunity. I'll talk to the professor and the chairman to leave the place as soon as possible.”

[That sounds like a good plan to me.]

“Of course.” Caitlin smiled knot. “Perhaps before going out, I can prank Jayden and Alex.” Caitlin laughed at her own jokes. “I'm just kidding.”

[I know. You won't be that bad.]

“Thank you, baby. I feel better after talking to you.”

[I wish I could see your smile.]

“Perhaps if I threaten Jayden with a gun, he'll stop spying on me.” Caitlin laughed again while playing her paper cup. It's already inexplicable, but it doesn't matter to him. Her hot heart had died down. He can concentrate better on helping Alex.

Yeah, it should be.