The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 12

As Frank was the only occupant of his apartment, he didn’t see the need for a formal dining room and took his meals on a folding tray he kept in the living room. As a student, he thought it to be frugal to save money and avoid what he believed to be luxuries. In his mind, the life of a student should be somewhat monastic to allow for complete focus on one's studies, and he did his best to maintain that life. The only exception was his bed. Knowing that a good night’s sleep was often the key to academic success, Frank spared no expense in purchasing the most comfortable bed he could find. Now, it would serve another purpose as well.

Again, showing Ava into his apartment, he tried to make her comfortable by offering a place on the couch while he took their meals to the kitchen. As he

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organized everything on plastic plates, Ava walked in and commented on something that should have been obvious at the time.

“Hey,” she began. “Did I imagine it, or did you speak fluent Arabic to the clerk?” While he wasn’t taking a class in Arabic, he was trying to learn a few phrases he could use during brief conversations.

“Oh, that,” he replied. “I’m trying to learn, but it’s hard when I’m taking classes, and right now there isn’t much room in my schedule for a language.” Rather than get into his additional interest in learning Russian, Frank changed the topic, hoping Ava wouldn’t ask why he was learning such an unusual language. But her interest was piqued. “Why Arabic?” she asked. “Not many people in this town speak that language.”

Frank needed an answer and didn’t want to reveal what he wanted for his future. So Frank lied. “Well,” he began. “I’m thinking that after I get my Master’s degree, I could work for the U.N. or maybe go into international law. But to do that, I’d probably have to learn a couple of languages.” Ava believed him, and sinking further into the conversation, she inquired as to what other languages he might be interested in. “Oh, I don’t know,” he replied. “It might be a bit too soon for that, but maybe Russian or Mandarin. Did you know that Mandarin is the most commonly spoken language in the world? It might not be a bad idea to learn it if I end up in international law.” Ava could now see how single-minded Frank was in developing his career, seeing him as someone whose aspirations knew no limits. She had also caught a

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glimpse of his intelligence, and it was this that attracted her more than his good looks.

They stayed up well into the night eating Arabic food and drinking beer, but at some point, Ava glanced at her watch.

“Shit,” she began. “It’s getting late. I have a curriculum to review.”

Having spent the night sitting on the floor, Ava got to her feet and immediately noticed the effect of the alcohol. She had consumed only two beers, but because of her small frame, the outcome was more noticeable than someone of larger size. Had he not been able to get to his feet as quickly as he did, Ava would certainly have tumbled to the floor. “I got you,” he said.

Ava looked into his eyes as though she had been rescued from the jaws of death, and while words of appreciation had escaped her slightly intoxicated mind, they did not escape her lips. With their arms around each other, only a brief moment of eye contact passed before they were caught up in a passionate kiss. But Frank, experiencing a moment of conscience, released her from his grip. “Look, you’re drunk,” he said. “I don’t think we should be doing anything. It wouldn’t feel right. But I can’t let you leave, not in this condition.” As little as he thought of people, he was surprised at his sudden expression of consideration, yet he could not bring himself to take advantage of someone he genuinely enjoyed being with. Ava was intelligent and beautiful. If he were to seek out a woman to spend time with, he would certainly look for these qualities. He waited briefly for a response, but when

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none was forthcoming, he looked down only to find Ava asleep. Frank anticipated a night of uninhibited passion, but he supposed it would wait, and if intimacy was never pursued beyond that night, then he would not be disappointed. After all, a relationship would only get in the way of his studies, and he could not allow that. Yet, if at another time Ava wanted a second date, Frank certainly would not turn her away.

Scooping her up in his arms, he took her to his bedroom and, removing her shoes and socks, tucked her in against the December cold. In the event she became sick, he turned her on her side to allow for an open airway. In the event he needed extra covers, Frank had purchased a sleeping bag and, retrieving it from the closet, carried it to the living room, where he spent the night on his couch. It wasn’t the most comfortable piece of furniture, but it made for a reasonable night’s sleep.