Chapter 3: Rivalry Ignited

Edith's heart raced as she received Marcus's instructions through her earpiece. "Remember, Edith, your goal is to get in and out without any distractions. That includes fighting with Agent C," he reminded her firmly.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Oh, come on, Marcus. What's a little fight between rivals?" she retorted, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

Zain listened to instructions from his father, Austin Callahan. "Remember, Zain, this mission is crucial. You must retrieve the information at all costs," his father's voice echoed in his ear.

Zain's jaw clenched. He knew what was at stake. But when he caught sight of Edith across the room, a flicker of defiance ignited within him. "You're on," he replied, a determined glint in his eyes.

The two agents squared off, circling each other like predators circling their prey. In the dimly lit hallway, their silhouettes danced, the tension crackling between them.

Without warning, Edith lunged forward, aiming a swift kick at Zain's abdomen. He dodged, countering with a well-aimed punch. Edith stumbled backward but quickly regained her footing.

Their fight was intense, each move calculated and precise. They exchanged blows, neither willing to back down. Edith landed a solid punch to Zain's jaw, but he retaliated with a swift kick to her ribs.

Breathing heavily, they found themselves locked in a stalemate, inches apart. Their eyes locked, sparks flying between them in the darkness.

"You're good, Wood," Zain admitted, his voice low.

Edith smirked. "Not bad yourself, Callahan."

But before either of them could make another move, Marcus's voice interrupted through the earpiece. "Edith, get out of there now!"

Reluctantly, Edith backed away, grabbing the information from Zain's hand as she did. Zain reached out after her, but she slipped from his grasp, flipping him over her head and onto the ground.

As Zain grumbled and picked himself up, Edith made her escape, a triumphant smile on her face.

---

Returning to his father's office empty-handed, Zain braced himself for the disappointment he knew was coming.

Austin Callahan's expression was like a stone as he looked at his son. "You failed, Zain. Again."

Zain's fists clenched at his sides, but he said nothing. He knew better than to argue with his father.

As Zain turned to leave, Austin's hand shot out, delivering a stinging slap to his cheek. "You're a disgrace, Zain," he spat. "You are supposed to be my heir, and you can't complete a simple mission?"

Zain gritted his teeth, his anger simmering beneath the surface, "You could've told me Wood was going to be there because you know that changes everything!"

His father glared at him disapprovingly, "Where did I go wrong?" He grumbled, "When did you learn that it was okay to talk back to me like that?" Austin continued his anger bubbling to the surface.

"Why does it matter? I'm an adult! I should be able to live how I want to without my dad controlling everything." Zain replied eyes locked with determination onto his father's. 

At this, his father bristled, "Get out." his father spat, pointing to the door. With a resigned sigh, he left the office, the weight of his father's anger on his shoulders. If he had just shut up then his dad wouldn't be mad at him, if he had just listened to the lecture like normal, he wouldn't have to go back to those classes. 'I mean what changed? Why would he talk back now?' he wondered.

His footsteps were silent as he walked through the city, making his way back to his apartment. As he reached his door, his fingers shook as he jumbled his keys. Zain pushed the door open with more force than necessary, frustration swirling inside him like a dark storm. He tossed his keys on the table, his mind replaying the scene in his father's office. It wasn't just about Wood being there, though that was aggravating enough. It was about what her presence represented – a reminder of their bitter rivalry, their conflicting ideologies, and his father's favoritism towards her even though she wasn't even his agent!

He stalked into the living room, his steps heavy with the weight of his thoughts. His gaze fell on the framed picture on the shelf – him and Edith, fresh-faced and smiling, receiving awards side by side. Back then, he hadn't minded her presence much. But as time passed, their rivalry had deepened, sharpened by their differing approaches to their shared profession.

Zain sank into the couch, his mind running through the endless clashes with Edith. She always seemed so composed, so perfect, with her polished demeanor and calculated moves. It grated on him, the way she played by the rules, always within the boundaries. Unlike his father, who believed in getting their hands dirty if it meant getting results. So why would he admire her so much?

Tonight, something had shifted. Wood's presence had unsettled him more than usual. Maybe it was the way she looked at him with that smug superiority as if she had already won the battle before it had even begun. Or perhaps it was the way she effortlessly charmed his father, earning his approval with every word.

He rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the frustration. This wasn't just about Wood being a thorn in his side anymore. It was about his father's expectations and the constant comparisons between him and her. It was about feeling like he was always fighting an uphill battle, trying to prove himself while she basked in the glow of admiration across the espionage world.

With a heavy sigh, Zain leaned back into the cushions, the weight of his exhaustion pressing down on him. He couldn't keep going on like this, locked in a never-ending struggle with Edith and his father. But he didn't know how to break free from it either. All he knew was that things had changed tonight, and not for the better.

-

Edith returned to their safehouse after she scuffled with Zain, Markus was already waiting for her, concern etched on his features.

"Edith, what happened?" Markus exclaimed as he rushed to her side.

Edith winced as she gingerly touched her ribs, feeling the sharp pain shooting through her side. "Just a little run-in with Agent C. Nothing I couldn't handle," she replied, trying to brush it off.

Markus shook his head, his expression exasperated. "You and your unnecessary risks. When will you learn to listen to orders?" he muttered.

Edith rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile. Markus had been like an older brother to her since they first met at CJA, always looking out for her, though she would never admit that.

He guided her to a nearby chair and gently lifted her shirt to assess the damage. Edith hissed as he probed the bruised area, the black and blue hues blossoming on her skin a stark contrast to her complexion.

Markus sighed, shaking his head. "You're lucky it's just bruising and not broken ribs," he remarked, his tone tinged with relief.

"I can handle it," Edith insisted, though the pain was evident in her voice.

Markus shot her a pointed look. "That's what you always say, but I'm the one who has to patch you up every time," he retorted, his frustration clear.

Edith's smile softened as she met his gaze. "I know, Markus. And I appreciate it, most of the time at least.” she teased.

Markus chuckled, a hint of warmth returning to his eyes. "Yeah, well, someone's got to keep you in line," he replied, his tone fond.

As he carefully wrapped bandages around her ribs, Edith's thoughts drifted to Zain. She couldn't deny the thrill of their encounters, even if they often ended in bruises and scraped pride. But she couldn't let herself get distracted. Not when there was still so much at stake.

"So, what about Agent C?" Markus asked, breaking the silence.

Edith sighed, her mind returning to the mission at hand. "He's a formidable opponent, that's for sure. But I won't let him get in the way of our objectives," she replied, determination flashing in her eyes.

Markus nodded, finishing up the bandaging. "Good. Because we've got a lot riding on this mission, Edith. And I don't want to see you getting hurt again," he said, his tone serious.

Edith nodded in agreement. "I'll be more careful, I promise," she assured him, though she knew it was a promise she might not be able to keep.

As they prepared to continue with their mission, Edith couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. She knew that her encounters with Zain were far from over, and she couldn't help but wonder what other challenges lay ahead.

K.M Strunk