"Tomas, we need to talk."

Aila stood with a determined look in her eye and said those words without daring to blink.

Tomas chuckled and stated, "Of course, milady. Communication is a vital component in a relationship."

As smooth and charming as he was on the outside, his demeanor was a cover for what he felt inside. His thoughts turned towards the worst possible outcome-she wanted to break up with him, what else could provoke light-hearted Aila to speak those horrid words out loud?

Even though he had not shown it, Lauren had sparked fear in his heart during that fateful Thanksgiving dinner and now, it seemed his greatest fear was about to come true.

She would reject him outright and that would be that. No more would Tomas dally with a gorgeous dame by his side, rather he would sit on that blasted university garden bench alone with no partner or companion to regale with tales or share the afternoon silence with.

For too long, he had hoped she would accept his proposal, but he saw that it was all for naught.

His life was but an opera and he was but a scorned lover.

"I have to go back to Scotland, Tomas.", she told him.

Phew. Was that all? There was no need for worry after all.

Tomas stood up from his bench and grinned, placing his arms around his date, he whispered into her ear, "Is it my turn to talk now?"

Aila shrugged off his arms from her shoulders and looked square into his eyes all the while ignoring the feeling of elation she received when he touched her. She was a spy on a mission and nothing could distract her.

Not even her attractive boyfriend, especially not him. She would end this charade once and for all. Last night had been the worst night of her life so far and she would not waste a second on saying farewell to this man.

Unfortunately, Tomas had other plans. While she brooded last night, he took the opportunity and set up dinner for two and wrote a speech up to recite to Aila. He could not mess this up if he was to marry her.

She was definitely the one. No one else could even compare in his mind.

He was utterly in love with her and reason would not prevent him from proposing to her as soon as the time was right.

Aila swallowed nervously. How would he take the news?

Please, as if how he took the news mattered to her. Oh God, she was dying out here. Did the heat suddenly increase? Why was she sweating so much? Like her father said, he was just a way to acquire information for the mission. She did not care for him at all...

Suddenly, Aila burst into tears and embraced Tomas.

"What's wrong, sweetie? Is everything alright, darling?", he cooed.

No, your uncle is an evil mastermind and I work for a covert intelligence organization, she thought. However, that is not what came out of her mouth.

"My visa expires soon."

She pulled away and stared at him, hoping to see a reaction.

"What?", he asked.

"My student visa...it expires after graduation. I'll have to go back to Scotland.", she responded back.

"Haven't you searched for work here?", he inquired, baffled at the fact he had forgotten she was not an American citizen.

"Yes, but I have not found any companies willing to take foreigners without an American passport here in the States." Not that I've tried hard, she muttered under her breath.

"What will you do then? What's your plan after graduating?"

"I'll move back to Scotland..."

"So you're going just like that? When were you planning on telling me?"

She was speechless at the moment, so Tomas continued.

"I was thinking of applying to jobs in the US but say the word and I'll find a firm based in Edinburgh, Scotland or London, England if you prefer. Your happiness is my number one concern. Who knows? There are a few firms there who have openings for communications assistant positions. I can work my way up and you can also work at the same time..."

"Tomas, I'm not going back to Scotland to work. I have an uncle with dementia who needs in-house care and help."

"But I'll be there with you, right?"

"I can't ask you to give up your whole livelihood here. You have worked too much already to get your foot in the door as an accountant to throw it all away on the chance you might get a position in Great Britain.", she answered.

"Then, I'll visit you often as much as I can anyhow and call you everyday.", he pleaded.

"Can you afford the costs of international calls with the money you have currently?"

Aila was attempting to use logic to end their relationship, but he was providing objections to her every reason.

"No. However, once I have a career as an accountant, I can.", he replied.

"Are you even listening to what you are sayin', Tomas!", she screeched and pulled at her hair in frustration.

"Honey, I know flights and calls are expensive..."

You got that right, she muttered. Every time she phoned her father, she had to resort to the staple allowance she had been given in advance for mission expenses. Aila could only afford to go back to Scotland this summer with the remainder of the money and her commander was the one paying for her flight home in April.

"Tomas, I'm trying to be reasonable, but you're making this harder than it has to be."

Tomas furrowed his brows and appeared incredulous of what was happening.

"We can't work, Tomas. Its not you, its me.", she explained.

"I don't follow what you're getting at..."

"I'm being serious right now, Tomas. Please don't interrupt."

She smoothed out her skirt and breathed out the words.

"I'm leaving. Tomas, I love you, but I can't do this..."

"Don't go."