Chapter Three

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Tokyo to New York. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes.” The captain's voice echoed in the first-class wing.

I sat down, fastened my seatbelt, and opened my laptop.

A few seconds later, another announcement was made, “We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments.” 

Sighing, I took a moment to gaze out the window before clicking on the file Linda sent me, concerning the new mission.

Another announcement came through a second later, “We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones.”

“Seriously,” I mumbled, switching off my laptop before safely stowing it.

The last announcement came a second later, “Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing ROB Airlines. Enjoy your flight.” 

“And thank you for ruining my mood,” I whispered, leaning back in my seat.

After take-off was over and the plane was in the sky, I took out my laptop and opened the file.

“Atlas Sharpe, a multibillion-dollar heir, and the only child of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe, a wealthy couple who died in a tragic accident when Altas was eight,” I mumbled, focusing on the words on the screen.

“Excuse me, miss. Would you prefer a signature fruit and cheese platter or ham and egg breakfast?” A soft lady's voice flowed into my ears.

So I stared away from the laptop, and my gaze rested on the air hostess and the trolley.

“I will have the fruit and cheese platter,” I said, smiling brightly at the food.

I had to hop on a plane early this morning because of my new mission and I'm starving.

The moment she set the bowl on the table, I opened the lid and munched on the grapes.

“Soda, juice, freshly brewed Starbucks Coffee, or Teavana Tea?” The flight attendant asked, chuckling softly.

“Teavana Tea,” I replied, biting into the cheese.

After placing the cup on the table, she rolled the trolley away, and I focused back on the laptop screen.

“Atlas Sharpe’s bodyguard recently died in a tragic accident. He is in search of a new guard, and your task is to get the position.” I said out loud, feeling annoyed.

'I'm not a babysitter, I'm an assassin, why would the organization want me to protect some rich jerk.' I thought, pressing my fingers against my lips.

My anger went on for a while before I realized that there were two files. I took a deep breath to get my emotions under control before clicking on the second file.

“Death list,” I mumbled, staring at the long list of names, and all of them had Sharpe as their last name, but Atlas Sharpe wasn't among them.

After sitting in my seat for hours, I heard, “On behalf of ROB airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us o this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again shortly. Have a nice stay!”

The moment I arrived outside of the airport a few minutes later, a black SUV was waiting on me.

I got into the backseat of the vehicle, relaxed, and closed my eyes when I felt the car moving.

“Lilith, we are here.” 

I slowly raised my eyelids and stared at the driver, gazing at me.

He knew my name, but I didn't know him, yet that didn't bother me, since only top personnel had access to our identity, which meant he was sent to protect me, not only drive me to my destination.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stared out the open window, at a blue skyscraper.

“Why are we here. Shouldn't I be at my hotel, waiting on Linda's order?” I mumbled, yawning the last bit of sleep out of my system.

“She told me that this mission was too important, so she would be briefing you on it herself.” The driver replied.

“Linda is in there?”

“Yes. Everyone is already expecting you, so all you have to do is walk in.”

“This is one of the headquarters, right?”

“Yes.”

After staring at the building for a moment, I got out of the car and headed in.

The organization had hundreds of headquarters and I haven't been to most of them since I'm a field agent.

“Lilith,” A lady called out while approaching me.

I stopped and waited for her to come closer. Then I stared into her eyes and asked, “You are?”

“Linda.” She replied with a straight face.

“It's nice meeting you in person.” 

“Likewise. Now follow me.”

As Linda began walking, I stayed close by her, and she led me into an office and locked the door.

“I guess you read the basics about the mission,” Linda said, sitting on the edge of the desk.

“Yes, I did. So the organization wants me to kill almost all of this guy's relatives?” I asked, feeling a bit nervous just thinking about it.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Why?”

Silence fell between us, and it dragged on for a while then Linda crossed her arms and let out a sigh.

“Atlas Sharpe's parents knew that their lives were in danger and who all were going to be involved in their death because of an information that got linked to them by an unknown person.” She said, waking up from the desk.

Then she turned on the projector, and a list of names appeared on the whiteboard.

“These are the people who plotted against the couple and had them killed,” Linda uttered, staring away from the board and focusing on me.

“That's a lot,” I mumbled.

“Atlas was under maximum security after his parent's death, but now that he's about to turn twenty-five years old, he wants to take over his parents' companies.” 

“They are going to chew him alive.”

“You are right. The accident his bodyguard died in was meant for him. That wasn't the first attempt on his life and it certainly wouldn't be the last. That's why we need you to protect him.”

The organization doesn't care about someone's warfare except there was something in it for them, so I knew there was more to this mission than Linda was letting out.

“What's in it for us?” I asked, gazing directly into her eyes.

“2.5 billion. His parents made this deposit to us when they were still alive with an order, and one billion for you after accomplishing the kill list.” Linda said, staring back at the whiteboard.

“What's the order?”

“If Atlas ever takes over the companies, we should make sure there are no obstacles in his way, meaning wiped out half of the entire Sharpe family except Atlas Sharpe.”

I have accomplished a lot of missions, but this one sent chills through my bones.

“Does he knows that almost half of his family members want him dead?” I asked, feeling a tightness in my chest.

“No, and his parents want it to stay that way. They don't wish for him to spill blood or live with hate in his heart. That's why he can never know your real identity or find out about your mission.” Linda replied.

“Okay. I understand.”

“On this mission, your uncovered identity is Aria, you serve in the military for two years, and are left to take care of your sick mother. After she died, you joined a protective service agency and became a bodyguard.”

This was nothing strange to me since every mission I went on, I had to use a fake identity and personality.

“Clear,” I mumbled.

When Linda gazed back at me, she's had a deadpan expression, and as she walked towards me, I feel tension building up in my body.

“Tonight is his twenty-five birthday party and everyone on this list is going to be there, so you have to attend,” Linda said without losing her expression.

“I understand,” I replied, focusing on the space between us since her stare had become too cold for my comfort.

“One last thing. Why you are protecting Atlas, there can not be any sexual or emotional relationship between you guys. Break this rule and we will swipe you for another agent and you lose a billion dollars. Understand?”

“Yes. I do.”