Chapter 6

Geraldine’s Point of View

One month later…

My eyes fluttered open, and I realized with a groan that I had dozed off inside the bathtub. “Ugh…” I muttered, stretching a little as the faint vibration of my phone startled me. I reached for it, blinking away the drowsiness, and saw Chief’s name flashing on the screen. Without hesitation, I swiped to answer.

“Hello, Chief!” I greeted, trying to sound more awake than I felt.

“Enjoyed your month off?” His voice carried that familiar mix of authority and dry humor. “Where are you now?”

“I’m in the city of love,” I replied casually.

“What? Iloilo?”

I rolled my eyes. “Chief, since when did you become so slow? Paris, obviously. There's no Iloilo in europe.”

“Then say Paris. Don’t confuse me with that ‘city of love’ nonsense.”

I smirked and teased, “Do you have your period, Chief?”

He sighed loudly. “Seriously?"

"Fine. I’ll calm down. You’re flying back tomorrow, right?”

“Yes. Is my mission ready?”

“Of course. Excited?”

“More than excited. This one feels exclusive… I bet the subject’s someone big. Come on, give me a hint.”

“Fine,” he said, his tone suddenly serious. “A mafia boss.”

My eyes widened, and an involuntary grin spread across my face.

“Haven’t had one of those in a while,” I murmured.

“And you’ve always managed to clean up every mission. That’s why this one’s for you.”

“Good to know you still trust me, Chief.” I stepped out of the tub, wrapped myself in a towel, and padded toward the balcony. The cool night air brushed against my damp skin as I gazed at the glittering city below, the Eiffel Tower standing proud against the velvet sky.

“See you tomorrow, Chief.”

“See you tomorrow, Agent Astraea.”

The line went dead, but his last words lingered in my mind. Astraea.

That name was given to me years ago when I first entered this world. In Greek mythology, Astraea meant star-maiden or starry night. She was the goddess of justice, innocence, purity… symbols of hope and fairness. Chief once told me that was how he saw me, even when I was just ten years old—just a child, chosen among many, groomed to be a weapon for the future.

The training was brutal. Fifty of us started, but only five survived. I was one of them. Skyler, too. We became family, forged by fire, blood, and secrets. And yet, despite surviving together, our identities remained hidden, even from most of our colleagues. To the outside world, we didn’t exist.

I sighed, dragging my suitcase out of the corner. It was time to pack. My flight was only a few hours away.

---

Forward…

The moment I landed back in the Philippines, Skyler was already waiting for me at arrivals.

“Welcome back, our Gerry,” he said with a teasing grin.

I raised an eyebrow at his choice of words, then burst out laughing. “Our Gerry? Since when did you own me?”

“Of course. I’ll handle your luggage.”

“Fine, fine.” I handed him my bag, amused at how he carefully tucked it into the trunk of his car.

“Got me any gifts?” he asked, eyes gleaming with mock expectation.

“Hmm?” I pretended to think. “None. Forgot all about you.”

His shoulders sagged, and his face fell dramatically, making me laugh. “Relax, I’m just kidding. Of course, I didn’t forget. And besides, I wouldn’t dare—not with you and the other three ready to cry about it.”

“But you love me more than them,” he challenged.

“Always,” I teased, ruffling his hair.

Skyler wasn’t just a comrade. He was a brother. All four of them were. They could be childish and clingy around me, but on the battlefield, they were feared—dangerous, precise, lethal. I was the youngest, yet somehow, I was the one who thought the most like an adult.

“Where are they, anyway?” I asked, scanning the crowd. “Didn’t they want to see me?”

His face clouded with hesitation, and I frowned.

Before he could answer, a sleek car pulled up. Out stepped Ethan, Ezekiel, and Xavier—dressed to the nines like they had just walked off a K-drama set.

“Sorry we’re late, Gerry!” Ethan called, giving me a sheepish smile. “Can you forgive us?”

“There was traffic, and Chief asked us to run a quick errand,” Ezekiel added.

Xavier winked. “We’ll make it up to you. Dinner’s on us.”

“Now that’s more like it.” I grinned, already imagining food. “And drinks, too.”

“Absolutely not,” Skyler cut in sharply. “You’re meeting Chief tonight. Mission starts tomorrow. No drinking. Haven’t you had enough of that abroad?”

I pouted. “Nope. I got used to those European cocktails. Besides, I know how to handle my liquor.”

All four of them exchanged looks and sighed in unison.

“I think you should cut back,” Ezekiel said gently. “Your liver won’t survive at this rate.”

“Fine,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Just a little then.”

They all groaned, and I couldn’t help laughing. Handing my keys to Skyler’s driver, I gave quick instructions. “Please take my things to my apartment. We’ll grab dinner first.”

Then I tugged my brothers-in-arms toward the car, their exasperated chuckles following me.

---

3rd Person’s Point of View

Mike emerged from the airport’s VIP exit, John at his side. They had just returned from a meeting in Italy, exhaustion shadowing their sharp features. As they waited for their car, Mike’s gaze snagged on a scene unfolding a few steps away.

A luxury vehicle had just pulled up. A young woman stood there, speaking animatedly with four men before ushering them inside. Something about her—the confidence in her stance, the sparkle in her eyes—made his chest tighten.

“Where’s our car?” Mike asked John, though his attention was fixed on her.

“It’s here, Boss,” John replied, signaling to their driver.

As their luggage was stowed away, Mike’s phone buzzed. A security guard leaned closer.

“Excuse me, Boss. Mrs. Muller has just arrived in the Philippines.”

Mike’s lips curved into a knowing smile, his eyes never leaving the road where her car had just disappeared.

“Follow her,” he ordered quietly. “Wherever she goes. Sooner or later, our paths will cross.”

“Yes, Boss.”

And with that, the chase began.

*****

LMCD22