Chapter Two

The sound of the buzzing alarm mixed with the rolling light of the watch tower made me excited. I was finally out of High Facility Correctional Center, a prison for top-notch criminals with huge bounties on their heads. I never thought I would end up here in the first place, but what can I say? It’s all in a day's work.

Annabel had made sure I was heavily guarded in the car. She had her doubts that I might try to escape; what a smart lady she was.

“When we arrive in Los Angeles, you will be taken to my house. That way you’ll be able to blend in. I still have a lot to teach you, but I’m sure you can impersonate characteristics due to your profession.” Annabel whispered into my ears.

“I’m only doing this for my freedom. Anything that isn’t boring as that facility is much better, I responded.

“We’ll have to get you a tattoo and work on your accent. I don’t want you messing things up when I’m gone.”.

“You wouldn’t have let me come over if you didn’t trust my abilities.”

“True. Just don’t go frolicking over my fiance or attempt to steal his money.”

“I’m not into guys; I don’t believe in the superstition called love. As for his money, I’ll think about it.” I grinned.

The flight from Morocco to Los Angeles took 18 hours. It was one filled with silence, just what I needed to get my mind off my thoughts. Annabel had hired a tattoo master to imprint her design on my shoulder.

No one ever told me that getting a tattoo took more endurance than hard labor.

“Remember, no matter what you do, don’t let anyone find out you’re not me. You know the consequences of failing this mission, and I’m sure you wouldn’t want that.” Annabel patted my shoulders as we landed at the Los Angeles international airport, LAX.

“I won’t fail you. I will ensure there’s no error during your absence.” I assured her.

She strutted back a little bit, waving her hair to the back in a show-off manner. The scent of roses filled the air as her hair finally settled at the other end of her shoulder.

“I call this the pirouette. This is my main signature; I’m sure you can do that and not get your hair in your mouth.”.

Waving my hair to the back with little force. “Yeah, I can do that.”

Our eyes made contact after my hair settled pretty on my right shoulder. I could tell how surprised she was from her widened eyes. She wasn’t expecting much from a wanted thief, I guess.

“Seems I made a good pick after all. You’ll receive your allowance and half payment of the contract money. Make good use of it for the mean time.” She brushed her hair backwards before walking towards the white limousine upfront.

“Miss Annabel, your ride awaits you,” Annabel’s butler Jerry reminded.

“Let’s go then.”.

As I was about to step into the car, I felt a hand land on my ass. I halted, clenching my fist gradually. With a smile, I turned backwards, searching for the man who was capable of such an atrocity.

An average-looking man in a black suit came to view. He was grinning, his gaze directly on my bosom.

“Why did you lay your hands on my ass?” I asked.

He chuckled, not giving me a reply.

“I’ll ask one more time, why did you lay your filthy hands on my ass?” My muscles tensed with the ways his eyes were accommodated on my bosom.

“What are you going to do about it, Annabel?” You know you can’t lay a finger on… “

I slammed my hands onto his face, halting his words before he could let out more nonsense.

“If you know you love your hands, keep them off me, would you?” I whispered into his ears.

“You’ll see, I’ll make you pay for all this.” He threatened, holding his face.

“I’d like to see you try,” I spat, making my way into the black Jeep.

“Let’s go,” I snapped at Jerry, who ignited the engine immediately.

Minutes after our departure, I could only think of the reason the young man had spanked my ass. I had let my anger get the best of me, and now I didn’t know if I had failed without even trying. My curiosity began to eat me up, and I had no choice but to ask Jerry.

“Who is he?” I questioned.

“What’s that?” his eyes not leaving the road.

“The young man who had the boldness to hit my ass.”

“Have you forgotten who he is?” His reply made me pinch the bridge of my nose. I had forgotten that he wasn’t affiliated with my contract with Annabel.

“That gentleman is the all and mighty Mr. Turner, a married man with two kids but with lustrous eyes for women. He’s your manager and also your ex-boyfriend.”

Ex-boyfriend? Manager? I was in for a whole lot of trouble. Maybe this mission was much more than my expectations.

“He really pissed me off tonight.”

“It’s nothing to worry about. You wouldn’t be seeing him any longer; you’ve been allocated a new manager by the corporation.”

“Such pleasant news.”

“I thought you hated corporation managers.”

“I changed my mind.”.

Did that work out well?

“I see you’ve changed a bit, Miss Annabel.”

“Much more than you know it.”.

The vehicle finally came to a halt in front of a mansion. According to Annabel, her house was painted pink, but this was much more white with touches of gold.

“Aren’t we supposed to be headed home?” I asked.

“Your fiancé claims he wants to see you tonight. We can cancel and just move on if you want to.”

The thought of canceling the schedule seemed much more appealing to me, but I wouldn’t want to make a scene if he makes physical contact with me.

“It’s fine. Let’s go in”.

“Miss Annabel has arrived, Master,” Jerry let out as we reached the main entrance.

“Come in,” a thick and domineering voice penetrated my ears. The doors opened with immediate effect.

I was about to walk in when I spotted him—my worst nightmare.