M

Maria was serious about that. She wasn't necessarily a jealous person, she was angry about Sarah for other reasons. She was angry that if this were the other way around, if Gareth had acted this way towards her, it would be classed as sexual harassment and Gareth would be pulled into HR so quickly.

"I really don't like her, and I tried to be nice to her, but I really don't like her and I wouldn't like to give her a compliment but you're right. She's smart. I don't know if she's smart enough to know I was going to walk in. Because wouldn't that just destroy your spirit, the one person who has your back 1000%, no matter what. Suddenly doesn't trust you anymore and is so distraught she can't or won't fight your corner." Maria mused the dipping of her soldier becoming slightly more aggressive. "I want to think she's just an infatuated woman, obsessed with you and this is all that. There's a part of me feeling a little paranoid after everything that's happened."

"I'm just worried about you, for you. I'm here. I've got you, got your back."

“You don’t have to worry about anything for me, I—he’s already dead, darling.” Gareth frowned, having watched Maria dunk the slice of toast into the egg more than enough. “I believe waterboarding is illegal in England.” He couldn’t help the chuckle, shaking his head, but it soon subsided again before he got serious. The topic at hand. They did need to discuss it, even if he wished they could just push it away for a little while longer. “If I had known who she was, I would have never let her take that job. What we had back then…it was nothing. I was drunk, I was mad, and…one thing led to another. Suddenly we were—well,” his brow rose, “we were doing it in the stables, but it didn’t even last for a minute before we were interrupted and punished. After that, I never spoke to her again, or just…perhaps briefly, perhaps a quick greeting in passing, if even.” But the woman had never mattered to him.

She grinned at him when he said it would be an honor to be her taste tester. “Good, I can think of a better authority to make sure they are authentic and taste as good as the ones you make or at least close enough.”

Then she felt her cheeks warm at his compliments following his agreeing to assist her by being her taste tester. She was used to trying out new recipes, but not often something that was authentic to an area she was unfamiliar with. “Thank you. I’m really happy to know you like what I know how to make already. The confidence you have in my ability helps me want to be adventurous.” She was still finding her footing and learning about a new country, trying to fit in. She found it was nice to have Gareth being supportive.

“It’s been a bit intimidating to start over in a new place so soon, especially with the differences between the US and the UK.” She said quietly as she worked to coat each warm cake in the sugar. She smiled at the collection of treats they were amassing on the plate. “You’ve made it a little easier.” Corinne added with a smile at Gareth. Words she would have never imagined saying after their first meeting. Staying in his home had changed it in a way she couldn’t have predicted. “This arrangement has made me feel a lot less homesick. Notwithstanding the reason I needed a place to stay in the first place, of course.” She added softly, placing another completed cake on the pile.

He put the last of the cakes into the pan and took a step back, smiling at Corinne. “My mother taught me. She was from Wales, so we often had Welsh meals on the table.” His brow rose. “Though…I probably have to be honest and tell you that I learned a lot more from my grandmother.” His childhood hadn’t exactly been heartless, but there had always been some sort of cold coming from his parents. His late older brother, Arthur, had been the love child.

james focus' slowly on the last image he has of mathilde & madeleine. two faces he'd never see again ( if he wanted to keep them alive ). every second spent in this goddamn office is a reminder. "i would have liked the truth in the beginning." it was too late now. if M expected james to try and help him save his job , he was going to be very disappointed. duty came with sacrifice , and bond had made far too many of those over the years. he had not been prepared to sacrifice seeing his daughter grow up.

" you were both in the wrong. it hardly matters who initiated the bloody thing! you still went ahead with it. you should have spoken up , said something." he recognises that he's never seen eye to eye with mallory but he has always respected him ( and a part of him still does ) - james takes no joy in refusing to speak on his behalf. "there's also the matter that i am legally dead , in case you've forgotten. it's not like i can waltz into a court room , singing your praises." NOR DOES HE WANT TO.

"i don't recall making you do anything." there's a slight harshness to bond's tone , piercing blue eyes that never leave mallory's face. "if anything , you've done this to yourself. i won't lie for you." THERE WAS A TIME JAMES MIGHT HAVE ; when the job had come before everything. "perhaps it's time to admit to your faults. herakles being one of many."