ANMELDENLAILA’S POVThe room felt too small. Not physically, no. The walls were wide enough, the ceiling high, the air conditioned to perfection. But somehow, it still felt suffocating. I stood by the desk, staring at the matte-black device Lina had sent, as if it might suddenly come alive again and give me better answers. But, it didn’t. The screen remained black, lifeless. Just like I was trying so hard to remain calm, my mind replayed everything all over again.“Who does Fort really think he’s?”“I won’t tremble at his command, either will I worship his feet.”My mind drifted from Fort to Lina.Her face on the screen of the black-matte device.Her offer.Her mission.Everything felt like the world was spinning around me.I let out a dry laugh, folding my arms across my chest.How amusing.Somehow, despite trying to walk away from all of this, life had dragged me right back to the center of hell.Then there was the hypocrite Dimitri.His expression when he walked into my room earlier
Laila's POV "Complete this important assignment...and you're finally in."I let out a soft laugh at the expensive joke. How on earth would she expect me to do such a thing. "You think I want back in, right? Why not ask me instead of assuming.""Well, for me, you really never left. Your position is still vacant, awaiting your return."I ignored it like I didn't hear her.""And what about Chen?" I asked randomly."What do you want to know about him?""Us he the one offering this to me?" I asked her, "or do I take it that this is you going rogue all over again?"She smiled, but it wasn't an appealing smile. It was dangerous, and I could see it all over. "I wouldn't go as low as insulting you with something that small."From this, that means that Chen knew about the arrangement. Or if I may put it this way, it was approved by Chen himself. This made me hold told the device more tighter, without even knowing it. "What's this mission that you are talking about?' I finally summon med th
Laila's POV "Who sent this?" The guard who was standing by the door, moved uncomfortably, as I questioned him. Oh, I remember now. He once landed in trouble for receiving a package without name. But this one seemed different. "There was no return name, ma'am," he replied. "It's just marked for you."I took it from him, weighing it in my hands to be sure it doesn't contain anything dangerous. It seemed too light to have anything harmful. And with the way it was wrapped, that's too deliberate to be a random delivery. "Was there anything else?" I asked him, but he shook his head."I noticed that it came through a secured channel." If that's the case, then it was sent to you by someone with access. Or someone very experienced in bypassing. "Alright then," I said. "You can take your leave."He waited for a few seconds, like he was interested in knowing what was inside, before he finally left. What a weird human being. The moment the door finally shut behind him, a voice startled me.
Laila's POV "You're late again.""I wasn't aware you had me monitored."Dimitri didn't look up when I entered. At least, it wasn't immediately. It took him finally marking something in the file before him, before he finally turned to me. I crossed my arms, as I was already getting impatient. "Still with the pretense if not being curious?" I asked him. That kind of got his attention, because he lifted his eyes to assess me. "I don't do pretence," she replied. "I only wait for the right time.""That's still the same thing," I muttered. We stayed silent for sometime, before I moved closer to him."I have something to tell you. I hope it helps in your research." I told him calmly. Dimitri immediately abandoned what he was doing, leaning slightly in his chair, his full attention now on me. "About what?" He asked. "It's about Lina."The name sounded familiar to him. If course, I had mentioned her one or two times in a passing to him. For clarity, I decided to explain better. "She wa
Elon's POV "You're stirring nothing."I blinked, coming back to present, then I looked doiat the cup in my hand, which was still untouched."Oh, this," I replied lightly, as I forced a smile. "That's right."Lina...no, it wasn't Lina. Focus. I tried to make myself concentrate on my surrounding. Dimitri's second skin had already passed me more than twice, and on each occasion, I hadn't noticed. That was too bad, as I don't do careless. Of course everyone in that mansion knew about them, but unfortunately, they thought they were still a secret, hiding behind doors, in dark corners, when they should be doing their thing openly. But I hope Fort won't take it in a bad way."Is there something on your mind you would love to share?" A voice interrupted me smoothly. I didn't need glancing up to know who it was. Who else if not the busy body; Laila. I wonder what brought her to my side this time. I lifted my head to look at her, and there it was. This time, the look on her face wasn't that
Laila's POV "She's a woman, right?" I asked no one, and still got no answer. "If she happens to be a lady, then why...." I murmured. "...why is everyone referring to him as Elon, instead of Elena?" Tomme, the name was more masculine than feminine. The more I thought about it, the more I couldn't help but wonder if Fort knew about it, if it's that should bring concern, if he's not here as a spy. Even Dimitri didn't make any effort to correct it too. The confusion didn't allow me concentrate on anything, and I made up my mind that I would investigate. There should be no guessing, especially when lives are involved. And if there's more to it, I shouldn't be the only one in the dark. I'm sure if what I noticed, there was no carelessness, or coincidences. As I moved close to the hallway, I noticed it was more quiet than it should be. There were fewer staff around, but all were moving in a controlled efficient and silent pattern, almost as if they were invisible. I know Fort to be th
Fort’s POVThe moment the lights went out, something in me shifted.It was the knowledge that something or someone a lot more dangerous than we can assume, wanted that package desperate enough to play dirty.An emo
Fort’s POVThirty minutes, My eyes flicked to my watch again.It had been Thirty Minutes.My jaw clenched slightly as I lowered my wrist, forcing my facial expression to remain neutral as another guest passed by me with a polite smile I didn&
Fort’s POVThe mansion had returned to its regular silence.Except the distant movement of guards clearing debris, the faint scrape of furniture being dragged back into place, quiet voices exchanging orders in the corridors.But the chaos was
Elon's POV "I've heard through reliable sources that you have informations that I might find valuable in your possession. But if you must know, I don't ask for free...I offer entertainment in exchange for whatever you might be offering..."The moment I said that, Chen's eyes narrowed sharply, this







