“Retiring again, huh?” Cigarette smoke filled the room as Winston smoked. The desk in front of him was large, made of a nice dark wood. The smile on Winston’s face was amusing, but it wasn’t mocking. In fact, he encouraged it. Despite John being the best Assassin there is, he needed it. He needed the break. He needed to live his life, especially after Helen’s death about a year ago.

John, sitting across from him in a comfy chair, doesn’t reply. He silently brings the glass of whiskey to his lips, taking a savory sip.

Winston huffs another chuckle, nodding his head. Smoke blows out of his mouth after taking a drag. “You’re doing it for that girl,” he concludes. Of course, he knows about the girl John had started dating. A librarian who seems to live her life in her book shop. It was a shock at first. Winston figured John would never love again after Helen. But here he is, retiring once more to be with a girl. “She’s a special girl, eh?”

It took John a moment to reply, his gaze down on the glass in his hands as he fidgeted. He wouldn’t say she’s special. No one could replace Helen. However, John can say he has felt his heart pattering against his chest whenever she smiles at him. And as awkward as he is, he’s surprised she said yes to going on a date with him. It as if he’s a teenager all over again, going on his first date. Well….if that were the case when he was that young. He didn’t get to live such a life.

“Maybe,” John finally replies. He likes to think the girl he is dating now is one he’s…trying out. Not in a rude way, of course. But he figured Helen wouldn’t want him to be alone. And, well, he’ll see how this goes.

The older man sitting at the desk nods, taking a sip of his own drink. “Well, I’ll be sure you wont get bothered. Until you ask for it,” he grins.

John nods, thinking for a moment before he stands up. “Thank you.”

———

Two days later….

The bell above the door of the book shop jungles loudly when John steps in. He looks around, seeing a few customers reading. Then, he sees you.