The Boldness: A 'The Gentlemen' Fan-fiction

Unintentional

Arial wished she could unhear Raymond's words before he left her to set herself free. She knew better not to overthink it. After untangling the ropes from her limbs, she observed the mess. The bed had slanted and its bedsheet in disarray, just to retrieve a pocketknife from her haversack. Unbothered, Arial went for the door. She figured she would deal with the mess later. It was time for her to update Raymond for passing his bondage test. In search of him, she tried the kitchen and found him busy working on his laptop at the table. A porcelain tea set accompanied him on the side. The sight was an on the mark representation of deception. A civil servant looking consigliere of a drug lord. Oh, what a juxtaposition. Arial approached him as he sipped his steaming tea before placing it back on the saucer.

"What's next?"

Raymond closed his laptop and rose from his seat, casually slipping both hands into his trouser pockets.

"Arilesse Vivian Jackson. You've earned yourself a Green Beret. Served the country for three years..."

A second's pause between the pronunciation of Arial's first, middle and last name sounded like he had addressed three persons. Arial froze, her heart pulsating in angst. Unaware of her mien, he articulated the facts as if reading off the terms and conditions to a contract.

"How did you-"

Arial attempted to stop him but to no avail.

"Been to quite a number of deployments in Afghanistan, which I believe explicitly explains the crime scene you left back at Michael's mansion. I reckon your knowledge in weaponry is based on this fact, isn't it? The fact that you were a commando?"

Raymond removed a hand from his pocket to retrieve two military dog tags. He held on to its chains, allowing the dog tags to hang drop.

"I didn't inquire much about Pamela Sacks, though. Apart from the fact that both of you shared the same regiment."

Arial held in her discontent as Raymond extended his arm to return her the dog tags presumably taken from her haversack. She clenched her jaw as she ambled towards the table, stopping in front of him. She allowed the moment of silence to fuel her hostility before mustering some courage to speak.

"Are you done? Good, 'cause putting me on trial doesn't mean you have the right to rummage my belongings, especially without my permission."

A lump formed in her throat and she tried her best to suppress her emotions. She snatched the dog tags from him and held it in her fist.

"And don't ever, mention her name again."

She pointed a finger at him over the table.

"Arilesse, I didn't mea-"

Arial spun on her heel before striding directly to her room. Highly aware that she had ignored whatever he was about to say.

Raymond heard her door slammed shut. His body tensed by the implication of her resentment. He clearly wasn't expecting his words could act as a trigger. It failed to cross his mind that exposing one's true identity was explosive. It had worked on junkies back then. Namely, Brown and Power. This time round Raymond realised it was not a strategy across the board. He sighed and removed his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. His omniscience apparently did not serve him well this time.

"Is she off her rocker, Raymond?"

Fletcher, who was probably eavesdropping since the start of their conversation, seized Arial's outburst as an excuse to discontinue his mopping.

"Yes, she is, Fletcher."

Raymond placed his glasses back on and felt the cup of his tea. No longer warm, he refilled his cup from the tea kettle.

"Aren't you going to talk to her, Raymond?"

At this point, Fletcher was pestering him. Raymond dropped a cube of sugar, dissolving it with the stir of a teaspoon.

"I'm giving her some time to let off her steam. Now Fletcher, aren't you supposed to be keeping the area spick and span?"

"Oh-of course, darling."

Fletcher continued to mop the floor. Meanwhile, Raymond heaved another sigh and loosened his tie. With no other agenda in mind, he forced himself to wait. His evening could not get any better.