the Unexpected Heir

Precipice

Chapter Eight: Precipice

Apart from the top directors in the intelligence agency, only his parents knew the truth, not even his siblings were privy.

His parents were made aware because of their status and influence around the world. If that information was hidden from them, their response to the incident would have triggered an avalanche of commotion.

As for his siblings, Samantha— his sister, was only 17 and Dane—his brother; 14. They were too young so they were spared the complexities of the facts.

Felix sighed as he remembered how he had to remain undercover even after that particular mission ended almost four years ago.

Only the intelligence chiefs knew Felix was still active. The other agency personnel believed he was actually dead.

The agency needed to neutralize the mole that compromised its agents from within, and completely exterminate the organization they were working with. The mole was eventually apprehended and neutralized.

The drone operation he just coordinated was the final operation on that organization and the threat had now been totally eliminated.

But prior to all that, over the years while the agency had been working to deal with the threat, he needed to stay overseas to function as an oversight for his country's counterintelligence.

He was also tasked with training new agents to take over his role after his retirement. He was still undercover, but not actively in the field.

So for the past four years, Cadbury county became his new base.

Cadbury was a place were he could have a shot at a semi-normal life while still maintaining his cover. He could oversee some convert missions from there and also put new recruits through their paces as discretely as possible.

A small county in a foreign land with little or no media buzz was the perfect location to keep him outside the radar.

He decided to go by the name Cruz and had chosen 'Lane' as his surname. He wanted an alias that would keep him conscious of his identity.

It was in Cadbury he had met Lesley. Apart from his marriage to her being a perfect suit for his disguise, he had fallen in love with her and had planned to bring her into his real world when the time was right but that was now looking unlikely.

The mission he had just overseen was his last. He was now 28 and the 10 years were over.

Being separated from his family had been the hardest part of his job over the years. But now that his contract with the agency had ended, he would get to be Felix Lane Archer once again.

Regaining his former identity wasn't going to happen overnight. The agency needed to create the perfect cover story of how the Archer's heir survived the helicopter crash of 8 years ago, and why he was just getting to reunite with his family. The story needed to be air-tight

It would still take a few weeks for all the plots to sync, so he still needed to be Cruz, at least to everyone else for a little more time.

The plane suddenly started a descent at the beautiful city of CrestForte.

Eight years had passed by and in a couple of minutes he would see his parents again.

——

Meanwhile at the Bill's residence, the Armstrongs were saying goodnight to the Pipers.

As soon as they entered the Rolls-Royce Phantom Stretch that was sandwiched by two Ford SUVs occupied by security details, Penelope scolded Gerald who sat adjacent to her and Phillip.

"Try not to screw this up, okay!...cos you were really faltering"

"Mother!" Tsk. Gerald scoffed and looked away.

Penelope charged on. "I'm not playing, Gerald! Mess this up.. and that is it. We are done fixing you."

Alarmed, Gerald's eyes widened. "Done...?" he jeered and looked at his father who remained silent.

"Dad...!" He called out to Philip for some support.

Phillip kept a blank face while instructing the driver to close the privacy partition. Once their privacy was assured, Phillip said Sternly.

"Boy! this is the last we swing for you. Screw this up and we'll leave you to your device...float or sink, your choice!"

Gerald was stunned. He had never seen his parents so firm with him. It was like he was being featured in a thriller movie. He opened his mouth to protest but words were scarce.

He shut his eyes in disbelief, sighed and shook his head. He knew he had reached a precipice.

The convoy exited the mansion in quick acceleration.

The security lights in the mansion illuminated the compound and created an aesthetic night view. The time was about 10pm.

Lesley observed as the vehicles veered off. She heaved a huge sigh of relief. Those were some moments she didn't want replicated, she reasoned.

Cruz might not have an influential background but he does have an enjoyable personality, she acknowledged.

Margaret cleared her throat from behind her.

"Are you coming inside or you're just gonna stand there?" She said to Lesley, trying to interfere with the young lady's thought. She knew too well Lesley was dismissing Gerald in her mind.

Lesley rolled her eyes and was about to turn towards the house when she sighted someone snuck into the compound as the automated gate slid shut.

Her first instinct was to alert Bill and Margaret but she quickly noticed it was someone familiar. So she stayed quiet.

She made a movement like she was following behind Margaret but hesitated when Margaret stepped onto the front porch.

She retrieved her steps, headed for the gate and approached the intruder.

"Hey... Burner's Cupcake!" A haggard looking middle-aged man with a discolored set of teeth beamed at Lesley. He extended his hand for a hug

Lesley who was hit by a liquor stench as she drew close, stepped back with her fingers pressed against her nose.

"C'mon, don't do me like that, girl!" the man chided.