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Chapter 5: The woman of the Hour

last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-03 03:07:24

Washington DC, United States.

9:00 am.

Agent Calista Bloom arrived at her workplace; the Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters. As she walked in, the hum of activity momentarily ceased. The room was filled with rows of sleek, modern desks, each equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Agents and officers tapped away at their keyboards or pored over files, their faces a mix of concentration and curiosity.

The walls were adorned with screens displaying real-time surveillance footage, maps, and data analytics. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of hushed conversations.

But as soon as her boss saw her, he made it her moment.

“There she is! The woman of the hour!” Announced Chief Director Sylvester Peckham with a clap, commandeering the attention of the officers and agents at their desks. All heads turned towards the entrance as Calista sauntered in with a flattered smile.

The veil of a seductress had been removed. She was now dressed in her usual work attire. A simple black turtleneck blouse tucked in an ash tailored trousers, cinched at her waist by a black belt. Her curly hair bounced on her shoulders as she walked in her black high boots. She carried a black tote bag that accentuated her outfits perfectly and then the briefcase which she had changed the outer layer for security purposes.

Calista's colleagues erupted into applause as she made her way through the room, their faces split with smiles and admiration. Her aura filled the room, commanding respect from both genders. Some of the men couldn't help but steal a second glance, their eyes lingering on her athletic yet feminine physique.

Chief Director Peckham stepped forward, a broad smile on his face. “You've done it again Agent Bloom!”

The applause grew louder, and Calista's cheeks flushed with pride as she made her way to the front of the room. She exchanged a brief smile with her boss before turning to face her colleagues, her eyes shining with a sense of accomplishment and belonging.

As the applause continued, Chief Director Peckham nodded in satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with pride. Calista met him where he stood. “Thank you, Chief.” She said firmly, before handing over the briefcase to him. “It contains his thumbprint too.” She added.

“I'm proud of you,” He replied like a proud father and collected the case. “You are allowed a week off-duty.” He whispered. “You've been at this for three months, you deserve all the rest and relaxation you can get.”

Calista's expression remained stoic, but a hint of gratitude flickered in her eyes. “Thank you.” She whispered back with a gentle smile. Although she knew she didn't need it.

The covert operation had taken three months of meticulous planning and undercover, gathering Intels and infiltrating the riskiest ring. Yet, she never got caught. Her skills and experience always proved her abilities.

Calista's life had been a never-ending nightmare since her mother's tragic death. Her father, a monster disguised as a parent, had made her life a living hell. The memories of his abuse still haunted her, until that fateful night, when 13-year-old Calista found the courage to fight back.

The aftermath was a blur. She was taken into custody, tried in court, and eventually released on grounds of self-defense. But the emotional scars ran deep. The loss of her mother, who had died under suspicious circumstances, was still fresh. But Calista knew her father was responsible, but he had manipulated the truth, making it seem like an accident, and then goaded her into never speaking up with severe consequences.

With no one left to care for her, Calista was forced into the cold, unforgiving world of orphanages and foster homes. But she refused to be broken. Instead, she channeled her pain into a burning desire for justice.

Years passed, and Calista grew into a striking, fearless woman. Her beauty was a testament to her mother's legacy, but it was her tenacity and determination that defined her. She was a man hater, driven by a hatred for men like her father, men who preyed on the innocent.

At 18, Calista's passion led her to the CIA, where she underwent rigorous training to become an undercover agent. Her talent for deception and ability to think on her feet made her a natural. She took on mission after mission, always pushing herself to the limit.

As her reputation grew, so did her legend. Calista became known as the best in her field, a ghostly figure who could infiltrate even the most secure organizations. Her name was whispered in fear by those who knew her, and her exploits were the stuff of legend.

But Calista knew the truth. She was still the scared, vulnerable girl who had fought back against her father all those years ago. The only difference was that now she had a badge, a gun, and a fierce determination to protect the innocent and bring justice to those who had escaped it for far too long.

However, as Calista settled into her desk, she was greeted by the familiar faces of her best friends, Rita and Tom. Rita, with her bright smile and bubbly personality, was chatting animatedly about her latest dating disaster, while Tom, with his impeccable style and sharp wit, was offering his usual sage advice.

Calista laughed and joked with her friends, feeling a sense of comfort and camaraderie that only came with being around people who truly understood her. But just as they were getting into the conversation, Calista's phone rang, shrill and insistent.

"Sorry, guys, I've got to take this," Calista said, picking up the receiver. "Agent Bloom."

"Agent Bloom, this is Karen from the chief director's office," a crisp, efficient voice said on the other end of the line. "Chief Director Peckham would like to see you in his office immediately."

Calista's curiosity was piqued. She had just been praised by the chief director for her successful mission, and she couldn't think of what else he might want to discuss with her. That too plus she was given a one-week off. What could be so urgent? Her anticipation grew.

"Okay, I'm on my way," Calista said, already standing up and gathering her things.

"Hey, what's up?" Rita asked, noticing the sudden change in Calista's demeanor.

"I've got to go see Chief.” Calista replied, her mind already racing with possibilities.

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Sounds serious. Do you think it's about another mission?"

Calista shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm about to find out."

With a nod to her friends, Calista headed out of the room, her heart beating just a little bit faster with anticipation. What did the chief director want to see her about? And why did she get the feeling that her life was about to get a whole lot more complicated?

Welp! Only one way to find out.

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 6: The ‘Prince Charming’

    Milan, Italy.3:15 pm. She stepped off the train and onto the bustling platform of Milan's Central Station. The soft, indirect light of the Milanese afternoon spilled into the terminal, casting a warm glow over the bustling crowds. Her eyes briefly shut, she inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet scent of ripe citrus fruits and the subtle hint of freshly baked pastries that wafted through the air from the terminal cafe.‘New city, new identity,’ she muttered to herself with a subtle sly smile. She could feel the thrill of her new mission pulsating through her veins. Her past had been buried, but not forgotten. Her new name was Serena Lopez. A name fitting her personality and agenda.Even her outfit was that of an Italian lady boss. Exuding class and elegance in simplicity. She wore a simple white long-sleeve collared blouse, with a wide-leg style pants that were both flattering and comfortable. Her purse was a black Hermes handbag, and her feet were adorned by Channel scarpin heels.

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 7: What happened to ‘Callie’ Bloom?

    9 years ago After the prosecution of her father's death, young Callie spent the first three months of her new life in the St. Rita's Orphanage home, Virginia. The First month, the little girl was numb —literally, emotionally. She barely spoke one word a day. But she always gave a cold, deathly stare to the kids who dared to taunt her, bully her and say her name; ‘Callie’. It was a name that now happened to terrify her memories, and send cold shivers all over her skin.Her late mother never called her Callie, she called her her own name instead —Serena. Her late father made sure of that. In his words, “No one calls her Callie but me! She's mine!” His grave voice still thundered in the back of her head, a haunting testament to the misery she endured in his hands. He was possessive of her. He dictated every aspect of her life, including her education, which meant she was strictly homeschooled. He’d locked her indoors for weeks without letting her see the sun. “The world is full of ev

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 8: What happened to ‘Callie’ Bloom? Part 2

    Calista was then punished for two weeks. She was forced to atone for her odious sins by locking her up in the chapel room just like how her father would lock her up in her room. She spiraled and crashed out, yelling and screaming day after day, begging to be freed.But the only comfort that was brought to her was the news of Roger being confirmed blind in his right eye.No remorse. No empathy. “He deserves it.” She thought passionlessly. At the end of the third month, she was suddenly adopted by a wealthy family. The Sinclairs. In six months, she found out their secret; They were adopting kids, feeding them, and nursing them to good health. Then trade them as a pet to wealthier child abusers. Traffic them as slaves to masters and mistresses, and mules to drug dealers.However, Mr. Sinclair decided to keep Calista for himself. “She is priceless. She is mine.” He once said to a high bidder who wanted her as her pet.On Mr. Sinclair’s very first sexual attempt on Calista, she stabbed

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 9: The Black Box

    Present Day Like a thunderous bolt shattering the stillness, the alarm clock blasted off at 4: 00 am, stirring its owner wide awake. With a frustrated groan, Serena rolled over to the edge of the bed. She planted her feet firmly on the ground and staggered to the bathroom a few feet from her bed, where she searched and groped in the dark for the screaming alarm clock.She found it where she had left it, blaring with a jarring sound, and killed it with a violent slap. The early morning became instantly still as it once was.She stood in the dark for a moment, breathless, terrified, her heart pounding rapidly —but it wasn't from a nightmare. Serena never had nightmares. Rather, she didn't dream or she never remembers them.It was from the cardiac arrest she flirted with each morning at the time when the thing erupted. Staring at the fluorescent numbers that glowed from the alarm clock, she realized how much she hated it —its piercing sound could wake the dead.Yet she took it with her

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 10: The Game of Pawns

    Gently, Serena placed the gun on the bed, next to the mysterious box. Her fingers barely trembled as she began to untie the red bow, the anticipation building up inside her like a ticking time bomb. The bow came undone, revealing a layer of white parchment paper wrapped around the contents, adorned with the elegant imprints of Zara —the brand. She carefully removed the paper, her eyes widening as the dress came into view. The vibrant cherry-red color seemed to leap out at her, drawing her in like a siren's call. The fabric felt luxurious to the touch, and she couldn't help but run her fingers over the intricate patterns, her senses tingling with pleasure. “This is...wow,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.“But, how?” The question lingered. Regret for choosing to live in plain sight as a casual Milanese to avoid suspicion started to evade her senses. Because that was the only way he could have found her. Probably bribed her tour guide into giving him her room inform

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 11: The Search for the Devil

    Serena refocused her senses, sharpening them to get back to the crucial matters at hand. There was a much bigger fish to fry, compared to the game of cat and mouse Stefan was initiating. She had to get back to business. She needed to find Stefano De Ricco. The Ghost Italian Mafia kingpin. She needed to find the devil.She first drew her curtain blinds, and turned on the air conditioner. Then put on jazz music to play. Putting on her blutech glasses, she tied her hair in a disheveled bun before settling on the seat.She booted up her laptop and cracked her knuckles, ready to dig in. "Time to go old school," she muttered to herself. She needed to find something, anything, on Stefano De Rico. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she started searching, logging into the dark web — a website off limits to 70% percent of the people in the world. First, she tried his full name, but the results were a dead end. No Data found on ‘Stefano De Rico.’ Next, she attempted "Stefano, the mafia" a

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 12: The Dinner With The Devil

    After a steam bath, she stepped out of the bathroom, a white towel wrapped loosely around her chest. “Honeysuckle Rose” by Anita O’Day, an old vintage and mellifluous tune, was playing in the background.It was 5:40 pm now. If Stefan, or rather Stefano, kept to time, then she had exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare for the ‘dinner.’ She hummed along to the sweet tune as she swayed her hips to the bass, sauntering to the closet.Despite her self-disgust at falling for the devil she'd been sent to slay, Serena was intrigued to see how his intricate game of cat and mouse would unfold. She relished the opportunity to play the role of the unsuspecting pawn, to pretend to be the vulnerable prey. But beneath the surface, she would be a cunning adversary, a sly fox, eager to outmaneuver him. Serena was determined to play his game, but with a twist – she'd emerge as the mastermind, outsmarting him at every turn. She would make him fall for her, then she'd learn his secrets, and in the

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 13: The Deception Game

    Still at the restaurant.The waitress appeared to take their order, greeting them with a cheerful "Buon giorno, signori, signorina.” She nodded curtly at Stefano then Serena. "Cosa desidera la dea per antipasto?" In translation: What would the goddess like for an appetizer? She asked, her eyes sparkling with warmth.Serena's eyes widened slightly as she processed the question and the unexpected term of endearment – goddess. A gentle smile spread across her face as she refocused on the menu, her gaze scanning the black and gold-embossed card. Stefano remained silent, allowing her to make her selection.With over 20 appetizer options to choose from, Serena opted for the "Carpaccio di Manzo" (thinly sliced raw beef), a dish she had seen in a movie and heard rave reviews about. Stefano's smile grew as she made her choice."E il vino?” (And wine ?”) The waitress enquired.Serena scanned the menu again, looking for which wine to choose. There she found the De Rico wine. Perfect! She though

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  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 50: Power Plays

    Stefano.The air in the room was thick with cigar smoke and tension.Stefano De Ricco sat at the head of a long, obsidian conference table inside his private suite above a Roman financial institution no outsider would dare suspect was his. Every inch of the room dripped with wealth. Glass chandeliers glittered above them like a constellation of knives, walls paneled with centuries-old mahogany, and security systems so advanced they could detect a heartbeat shift. The entire building was a fortress, hidden behind centuries of old money and new technology.Six men surrounded him. Titans in their own rights. And devils in tailored suits.To his right sat Senator Emilio Pirelli, a corrupt Italian politician with deep pockets and deeper secrets. Next to him, Yuri Baranov, a Russian oil magnate and arms trafficker with ties to every conflict east of Berlin. Alfonso Vega, the Madrid cartel boss, swirled a glass of red wine like he hadn’t ordered three assassinations that morning. Beside him

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 49: Lust or Forgiveness

    Marco and Serena.Serena straightened up, the air in the armory pressing heavy on her chest. She took a step closer to Marco, her expression unreadable, eyes fixed on the biometric vault at the end of the corridor."I'm being serious," she said softly, her voice no longer laced with sarcasm. “I need to know how deep this goes.”Marco turned to her, his usual cocky smirk faltering as he caught the hard edge in her tone. His brow furrowed, eyes narrowing with suspicion.“Okay,” he said, crossing his arms slowly. “What do you want to know?”Serena exhaled through her nose, steadying herself. “How dark and messy this… all of this… can be. Is it just weapons? Just the occasional betrayal and bullet holes? Or is there something else I should know?”Marco didn’t answer right away.Instead, silence fell between them again—this time heavier, darker, more intimate.He looked at her, really looked at her. And something twisted deep in his chest.She was asking about Stefano.Not him.The realiz

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 48: The Frenemies

    MarcoSitting alone in the car garage, Marco leaned back against the hood of the black Maserati and stared at the cracked white ceiling for a while, his mind running circles around itself.What the hell was Stefano thinking?Entrusting delicate, multi-million-dollar business to a woman he'd only just brought into the fold? A woman who was gorgeous enough to scramble any man’s brain at twenty paces—and who, Marco knew, wasn’t just the shy, sweet little thing she pretended to be.No. Serena was something else entirely.Smart. Sharp. Dangerous, if she wanted to be. He could sense it.And Stefano—the damn fool—had paired them together.Trouble. It spelled trouble for him. Big, flashing neon kind.Marco scrubbed a hand down his face, letting out a long sigh. He already knew the fight ahead wasn’t just about recovering the stolen RH-57s. No, his real battle was going to be keeping his eyes—and his damn hands—off her.Focus. Just focus.Maybe...maybe he could make her forgive him. Maybe they

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 47: The Empty House with Heavy Secrets

    Still in the diner room.The clink of cutlery and the low hum of morning faded quickly once Stefano left. He kissed Serena goodbye like she was porcelain, with whispered promises he’d be back the next day—just needed to “smooth out some tension” with an associate in Palermo.Translation: Someone would either end up dead, paid off, or buried beneath wine barrels.Marco watched the entire thing from behind his coffee, silent. When Stefano left, the entire manor felt like it exhaled with him.Susan had taken the car to the market. The guards, as always, weren’t allowed to linger in the estate when Stefano wasn’t home. That left her and Marco. Alone. In a house too damn big, too damn quiet, and too full of unspoken history.Serena stood up from the dining table first, scooping up their empty plates and heading toward the kitchen. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she clenched them tight until the trembling stopped.Behind her, she heard Marco push back his chair slowly. The long scrape o

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 46: A Dangerous Alliance

    The lovebirds went back to the countryside—Stefano’s hidden territory. Neverland looked the same. Quiet, dreamy and deceptively innocent.But Serena was a mess inside.As Stefano’s car curved around the final bend to his secret decadent abode, she stared out at the endless, rolling green hills. They looked so serene it made her want to scream. Like the universe itself was mocking her—beautiful, peaceful, while inside her chest, a hurricane was tearing her apart.She pressed her forehead to the glass, watching droplets of last night’s rain race across it.God. What was she doing?It wasn't just the intense sexual attraction anymore. Honestly, it never had been, but thats if she'll admit itFalling madly in love with Stefano De Ricco had not been part of the mission objectives. It hadn’t even been in the fine print. And yet here she was: heart dangling like a bloody carcass, right over the mouth of a wolf."Talk to me," Stefano broke the silence, his voice low, pulling her from her spir

  • The Lie that Binds    Chapter 45: The De Ricco Club

    The third one was next.They were leaving the countryside now. The city shimmered in the late evening light, buildings painted gold by the setting sun. Stefano’s car cut through the streets like a sleek panther, and Serena’s heart beat with an odd blend of anticipation and adrenaline. The farther they got from the countryside, the more she sensed a shift in his energy. He was less guarded now, more primal.It seemed like he tended to enjoy the silence more during the drive. Because he still didn’t speak much, but his hand rested on her thigh, thumb brushing slow circles over the fabric of her dress. Possessive. Teasing. As though silently reminding her who she belonged to.After what seemed like forever, they pulled up in front of a building with mirrored glass windows and black marble walls. “De Ricco Noir,” the silver sign above read. The entrance was velvet-roped and guarded, but as soon as Stefano stepped out, doors opened and heads bowed.This club was nothing like the one they’d

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 44: The De Ricco Armoury

    Off to another one.The car sped down a gravel path carved into the mountain's edge, flanked by olive trees and thick wild grass, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze as the wheels kicked up small rocks and dust. The scenery was peaceful—deceivingly so. Serena sat in the passenger seat as usual, trying to still her hands in her lap. The flower Stefano had bought her earlier still lay on the dashboard, its petals soft and delicate against the cold reality of where they were headed next.Stefano had said little since they left the winery. But the look in his eyes—the way it had burned when he showed her that hidden world below the vineyard—had stayed with her. A part of her wondered if she had seen too much. But another part… wanted more.About ten minutes later. "We’re here," Stefano said, his voice slicing through the quiet.They pulled up to what looked like an abandoned stone chapel nestled into a clearing, its rustic facade blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 43: The Wine That Bleeds Red

    Stefano and Serena. The duo got into the car and embarked on a journey to see the source of Stefano's wealth and power—his ‘establishments.’ Legitimate and Illicit included. It was the most delicate moment of Serena’s mission. Any slip, one wrong look, or one misplaced word, would make him suspicious, crumbling everything immediately.The air between them was thick,tense yet intimate, charged with everything left unsaid. Stefano said nothing, his fingers tapping the wheel in quiet rhythm, his presence a force on its own.Serena sat composed, but inside, her heart raced each time his gaze lingered. The silence, broken only by the hum of the engine, only deepened the pull between them.This silence was no awkward accident. It was more like a warning and a promise that what was to come was dangerous. The winding road eventually opened up to a sweeping estate nestled between the gentle rise of vineyards. Row upon row of lush, deep-green vines stretched across the horizon like veins p

  • The Lie that Binds   Chapter 44: The De Ricco Armoury

    Off to another one.The car sped down a gravel path carved into the mountain's edge, flanked by olive trees and thick wild grass, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze as the wheels kicked up small rocks and dust. The scenery was peaceful—deceivingly so. Serena sat in the passenger seat as usual, trying to still her hands in her lap. The flower Stefano had bought her earlier still lay on the dashboard, its petals soft and delicate against the cold reality of where they were headed next.Stefano had said little since they left the winery. But the look in his eyes—the way it had burned when he showed her that hidden world below the vineyard—had stayed with her. A part of her wondered if she had seen too much. But another part… wanted more.About ten minutes later. "We’re here," Stefano said, his voice slicing through the quiet.They pulled up to what looked like an abandoned stone chapel nestled into a clearing, its rustic facade blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.

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