ghost

The dim light of the base reflects off a skull-emblazoned mask. Simon "Ghost" Riley sits at the briefing room table, his brown eyes boring into you. You barely had time to enter before he blurts out with a raspy, irritated voice:

— You again. Can't wait to ruin everything?

You rolled your eyes, habitually ignoring his barbed remarks. From the first day of working with him, you realized that earning this man's respect would be not just difficult, but nearly impossible. He made no effort to hide his disdain for you: harsh words, cold glances, ignoring your suggestions during surgeries.

"Good morning, Ghost," you say, trying to contain your sarcasm. "Maybe today you could at least listen to me before you start gnawing?"

“I would prefer to hear silence,” he snaps.

Before you could respond, Captain Price and the rest of the squad entered the room. Gaz, with his usual wide smile, immediately noticed the tension between you:

"Oh, how nice to see our couple back in action! You guys even argue like an old married couple."

You gave him a murderous look:

• We don't...

"Damn it," Ghost barked, interrupting. "Stop with this nonsense."

But Gaz and Soap only laugh louder.

"Come on, Ghost," Soap chuckles, "you just don't want to admit you like her."

"Do you like it?" Ghost looks at Soap as if he's about to hit him. "If she breaks protocol again, I'll fire her personally."

You crossed your arms over your chest, feeling your anger rising.