TRIGGET WARNING:
WORDS:AssassinationDeathSCENES: DescriptiveD***hTiara McKenzie's Point Of ViewI jolted when the sky suddenly roared. My glance shifted on the other side of the window where every drops of rain falls as free as they should be.I groaned and then rolled my eyes while I was putting my materials and my finished portfolio in my tote bag. Why does it have to rain this hard today?I wonder how far my feet would take me before I stumble down the stairs carrying my things along with this a million bucks worth of money canvas."Such a huge mansion and not even a single person present at the moment except for me. What a g... damn it! Is this a joke?" I mumbled as I struggle moving.Just as I was almost done settling everything on the backseat of my car, my phone buzzed twice for a second and thrice after a two.Really? Now?I gently shut the door after climbing onto the driver's seat.The text messages from an unknown number was filled with a series of numbers and a few letters I couldn't have guessed correctly if I am not involved with uhm...We can't call this an underground duty since it is not illegal? I mean killing sure is illegal but if it's under the supervision of someone from the government makes my sideline work exempted from the rules, right? Or not? Whatever.I heaved a deep breath and immediately sent a message to Eli saying the delivery of the painting might be over the time we talked about.I ran back into my room for a change of outfit. I won't be seen wearing basic clothes while performing an elegant assassination. If I ever get caught, at least I'd be pretty enough or look classy enough when they walk me to the police station... which is quite impossible to happen since I am pretty confident I'm doing my work as clean as possible.But, Eli caught me so... well, he's just sneaky enough. That's why. Yeah, that's why.I also brought two sets of change of clothes just in case I have to set this one on fire or if I have to bury it somewhere no one would ever dare to dig.I checked the time before stepping on to the engine and drove as fast as the law allows.I have two targets for today and thank goodness I have their schedules which definitely made this job a tad easier. And I still have an hour before class. I'll finish this in less than an hour in order to have quite some time to fabricate a believable story.As I was driving, I called Megan, an aquintance, to reserve one of her stores as I told her I wanted a peaceful shopping spree.I immediately sprinted in and grabbed whatever my hands lands on as while I was doing the honor of talking to the staffs as if my mind isn't loaded with tons of things to think off.I laughed and giggled while I was trying some pieces in front of them.10 minutes. Ten minutes and a former senate member will arrive at a hotel nearby."Gosh, these dresses are so pretty!" I giggled. "Though, it's quite tiring to keep on trying one on and asking you guys if it looks perfect on me," I pouted. "Can I have one, whole fitting room? I mean, you don't have to assist me any longer since I am quite shy and tired on walking around.""Are you sure, Miss McKenzie? It is fine with us but Miss Me-""Don't worry, girl. I got your back. And even if she does lash out, just tell her I wished no assistance from you and she'll shut up to confirm it," I smiled. "Besides, won't you guys get tired watching me try on these-" I pointed at the mountain on clothes hanging at the corner. "-Dresses?"Thank goodness I didn't have to lash out on them. 5 more minutes.I slipped into my clothes, that other set I brought with me, and then skillfully opened the vent. Gosh! It's so dirty in here!I crawled my way out of the store and blended with the ocean of people rushing to their destinations as the rain has not stopped yet."Excuse me, excuse me. Please, let me through, I'm going to be late," I kept on mumbling that phrase as I act as if was in panic.I was laughing. Laughing at the back of my mind when I arrived at the spot where I can snipe his head off without anyone noticing.3... 2... 1.His fucking Lamborghini rolled over just in time. His car is probably bulletproof so it would just be a waste of time to snipe his head off while he's in the car for an elegant surprise for his bodyguards.I blended into the shadows and the moment my target stepped out of the car, he was stunned for a moment as blood gushed out off the back of his head like a broken barrel filed with tasty wine.For the second time today, I blended with the crowd as if I was rushing to arrive on time.From a short distance, I could hear the screams and commotion in front the hotel the senate was supposed to sleep in.I gotta thank Hephaestus with this umbrella-like sniper. I love it a lot.It took me another ten minutes to get back into Megan's place.I wore one of their pieces, the most comfortable one, after making everthing a tad messier."Kim!" I called one of the staff.She smiled when she went in. "Are you done, Miss McKenzie?""Oh yes, Babe. I'm taking them all.""Lovely. I'm sure they'll look goof on you in every way.""I know, right?" I giggled. I undressed in front of her, leaving me with just my undies before putting back the clothes I was wearing when I got here. "Please, do me a favor. I'm quite in a hurry. Deliver these dresses to my condo. Here's the check. Please, notify me if that is not enough for all of this. I'm off!"Gosh! All I have now is 20 minutes. I wonder if I can do this on time."Iris! Oh gosh! It's been quite a while!" I greeted a friend with a kiss. "I'm so sorry for a short notice reservation. I have a lot ob my plate lately and I don't have enough time to cook something to eat."She chuckled. "That's fine, baby girl. I had your favorite spot reserved as well as your favorite dish almost ready.""Gee! Thanks a lot! So, how's life going?""Tough, really tough. I wish I hadn't grown.""That's pretty normal, I guess.""Yeah, but falling in love this hard? No, darling. It's not." She laughed."Ohhh! Sounds so much of a hassle. I swear I won't even want to be in love," I uttered and then rolled my eyes. "Quite cringey.""Hey! Watch out, Tia. I swear you're going to eat your own words sooner or later and I'll definitely cackle like a witch when that happens."I followed my target's movement from my peripherals. I'm so sorry, if I'm going to make a crime scene in your place, Iris."Whatever you say."I excused myself to go the washroom. The target's table was in a way so it's quite easier to put poison in his coffee especially that he's not paying any attention. And I could easily pass the blame to the one sitting across him. And of course, this area is one of the blind spots of this resto's CCTV cameras.I acted as if I was searching my bag for a sanitizer as if I did not just sprinkled poison on his coffee.When I went out of the washroom, police are already on the scene with a dead body lying on the ground and the main suspect being pinned against the wall.I expressed my horror by faking my trembling hands. "What's happening?" I asked Iris in a trembling voice."I'm so sorry for this, Tia."I heaved a deep breath and shook my head. "Maybe... maybe I'll eat here next time, Iris. I'm so sorry," I mumbled and then sprinted out of that place.Geez! I think I can earn money using my acting skills. I think I should sign up for drama class.Just when I was about to drive to school, I recieved a text from Eli.Come over, Tia. Skip your classes.08:56 AMWhy do you think Eli asked Tia to come over?
TIARA MCKENZIES' POINT OF VIEWShanghai's skyline pierced the clouds like blades of steel. Towering high-rises gleamed beneath a cloudy afternoon sun as my flight descended onto the tarmac. The transition through customs had been seamless. Just another perk of flying under an alias reinforced by layers of digital camouflage and legal paperwork. A black car waited for me at the arrivals gate, sleek and spotless. I offered only a brief nod to the driver before sliding into the back seat, my silicone mask warm against my skin, topped with a silk scarf and oversized tinted glasses.The ride through the city was a blur of glass towers, neon reflections, and electric signs. My coat was crisp and belted, my gloves tight. I played the part well. Power. Authority. Intimidation. The weight of it never lessened, no matter how many times I wore the armor.We pulled up to the hotel, one of the city's most opulent, shielded behind tall hedges and tinted windows. Inside, the concierge greeted me wit
SOLA FRITZ'S (TIARA MCKENZIE) POINT OF VIEWThe drive home was slow, the city lights of Manila blurring behind the tinted windows of the car. I sat in the backseat, my fingers tightening around the edge of my coat as thoughts spun violently in my head. I replayed every moment of the board meeting. Eli's voice still echoed in my ears. The way his gaze cut straight through the mask like a blade.How did his name escape my radar? I reviewed every board document. Every acquisition report. I signed off on every shareholder adjustment. Elijah Rivero's name had never once appeared until today. Had he hidden behind a proxy investor? Was he planted long before I even knew it? My grip on the coat twisted. That wasn't the only question clawing at me.Was he the one who left the message on Genesis's drawing? Was it a warning or a threat? And if it was him, what was he trying to do? If he was truly hunting the remaining Irenic members, what did he want with us? Closure? Revenge? Justice? Or was I
TIARA MCKENZIES' POINT OF VIEWThe Manila sunset bled gold across my office windows, spilling over the endless sea of blueprints and investment reports stacked on my desk. I sipped from my now-lukewarm mug of coffee, the bitter taste grounding me as I flipped through fabric samples, market trend reports, and investment proposals for the upcoming spring collection under Sola Fritz. Every detail needed to be perfect. The fabric texture, stitching quality, logistics partnerships, marketing rollout schedules. I cross-referenced financial statements with supplier quotes, making quick annotations with a red pen, muttering corrections under my breath. There was a steady rhythm to it: review, correct, approve, repeat. My fingers flew over the keyboard, cross-referencing supplier invoices with updated logistical contracts. Digital swatches flickered across the screen, projected beside real samples laid out meticulously across my desk. I glanced up briefly at the spreadsheet pinned on the wall,
TIARA (SOLA'S) POINT OF VIEWThree years had passed.The shadows of the past still lingered, but time had carved out a peaceful life far away from the bloodshed. In a private, tucked-away neighborhood in Manila, surrounded by swaying mango trees and bougainvillea-draped fences, we found something we never thought we'd have again.Peace.It wasn't the flashy kind, or the kind that came with security details and steel walls. No, it was simpler than that. It was the smell of breakfast drifting from the kitchen. The distant laughter of children playing down the street. The soft clink of coffee mugs on ceramic tiles. The morning radio buzzing with upbeat tunes and gossiping anchors.I stood on the balcony of our modest, modern house. The sun warmed my skin, and the wind ruffled my loose white shirt as I sipped on hot tea. Behind me, I could hear the gentle hum of life inside. Somewhere, tucked into a quiet corner of the house, she was probably coloring with Cameron, her little giggles brig
TIARA MCKENZIES' POINT OF VIEWI stood frozen outside his office, my fingers trembling as I clutched the folder of documents I never intended to open in front of him. The hallway felt colder than I remembered, sterile and distant, like every second I stood there chipped away at my nerve. I'd begged Eli's secretary, something I never thought I'd do, but she barely hesitated. She recognized me instantly, offered a polite smile, and buzzed me through without a word.Everyone still thought we were fine. But I was about to break whatever illusion was left.As the door clicked shut behind me, my throat dried out, and all the rehearsed words dissolved like smoke. My palms were damp, my chest tight.Eli stood by the tall office window, dark suit pristine, back straight, gaze distant as the city skyline framed him like a painting. For one agonizing second, I saw the boy I used to know. And then he turned.Now, I wasn't sure if I had the right to remember it at all.His expression didn't waver.
TIARA MCKENZIE'S POINT OF VIEWThe city's skyline remained veiled in the hush of pre-dawn darkness as the final operation commenced. A dense fog pressed low to the ground, softening the sharp glint of streetlamps and casting the streets in a spectral luminescence. Silence reigned, but it was a fragile illusion. Beneath it surged a thousand synchronized heartbeats, each one tuned to urgency and resolve. Drones whispered overhead, their sensors sweeping for heat signatures. Clad in black, the operatives moved like shadows, slipping through alleyways with phantom precision. No sirens pierced the night. No warnings echoed through the air. Only silence, coiled, tense, and ready to snap.Aveline had vanished into the smoke after triggering the final wave of charges meant to scatter the Irenic. But we held our ground. Eli and I had moved as one through the chaos, until a sudden detonation collapsed a stairwell and forced us apart. I saw him vanish behind a cascade of rubble and fire, his sho