Fuck You, Captain.

Japheth

“What do you mean you found a better candidate? You already gave me this mission!” I yelled out in sheer frustration but the captain didn't budge one bit.

“Hand over the damn files, Jared. You know better than to give me a headache this fine morning.” He replied, stretching out his hand toward me and I ran my hand through my hair, finally understanding that the universe wasn't my best friend.

I took out the documents from my bag and threw them on the table instead of handing them to him, and the way the veins in his forehead bulged, I knew he wasn't impressed. But I didn't care anymore. He can go fuck himself.

He turned away from me with a dismissive wave, and I turned around, ready to walk away, but for reasons unknown to me, my legs wouldn't move. Was I disappointed? Angry? Frustrated? 

Hell yeah. 

Why do they all love to treat me like shit? Was I such a pushover? Someone they could use whenever they pleased and discard like a useless piece of shit? 

I've had enough.

With that thought, I turned toward the captain, and his eyes met mine, his expression questioning why I hadn't left his office yet. Without thinking, I said something I wouldn't have dared to say in my entire life.

“Fuck you, captain.” I spat in anger and his eyes widened in shock, like he wasn't expecting those words from me. Then his expression immediately contorted into anger and he shot up from his seat like it was burning his butt.

“How dare you—” 

His words were cut short when an officer barged into the office like he was being chased and I immediately got into a defensive position, looking out for any attacker. But to my surprise, there was none.

“I can't do it!” He yelled as he barged into the office and I straightened up, my brows raised in confusion and amusement.

“What do you mean you can't do it? You're the only person who can do this perfectly!” Captain retorted, his face red with anger as he slammed his palm on the table, and the officer shook his head in terror.

“You can fire me, Captain! But there's no way I'm going after the son of Don Martinez!” He yelled and it finally dawned on me that this was the candidate who was “supposedly” perfect for this job.

“What's so bad about his son?” I chirped in before the captain could speak and the officer turned to look at me like I had two horns on my head.

“Everyone knows how ruthless the Martinez’ are. They have no mercy on people and they kill like it's a normal daily activity!” He blurted before turning to look at the captain. “I only agreed to take this mission because I thought the suspect was a mediocre person. Not Aaron Martinez!” He yelled with pure horror written all over his face.

I stood by the side with a small smile on my face, watching the whole drama unfold like a high school play. Perfect candidate, my ass. Such a scaredy cat wasn't even fit to be a police officer.

Before the captain could try to counter his words, he dropped his badge on the desk, and without hesitation, he ran out of the office the same way he came in. Silence reigned for a moment and my lips curved into a small smile as I clutched my bag tightly.

“I'll take my leave now, captain,” I muttered and turned around but just as I expected, he called out to me, causing me to halt in my tracks.

“Jared, I was wrong. You are the only person worthy and perfect enough to take on this mission. How could I be so blind?” He muttered, his voice suddenly calm and smooth as silk, causing me to nearly let out a scoff of amusement.

“Oh no, captain,” I replied, turning to look at him with a solemn look on my face. “I already left the documents with you and you already have a perfect candidate for the job. What could a mere constable like me do?” I asked and an expression of panic formed on his face as he grabbed the documents before making his way to my side.

“Don't mind my dumb words, Jared. I just wanted to test you and see? You passed! This job was originally meant for you. No one else can do it as good as you—”

“You mean no one is as naive as I to take on the mission, right?” I interrupted him, and he froze, his left eye twitching in annoyance, but he quickly covered it up with a smile.

“Jared, the benefits that come with taking on this mission aren't something that you should pass over so easily. Why don't you give it a second thought?” He asked, placing his hand on my shoulder and I let out a scoff of disbelief.

“What benefits? Are they worth endangering my life?”

I was gonna take the mission without him trying to sugarcoat me, but if there were indeed benefits that came apart from getting promoted, it wouldn't hurt to play hard-to-get for now.

“Jared,” He sucked in a sharp breath and took out another document from the drawers of his desk before handing it to me. “Take a look at that.”

With my brows raised, I scanned the documents in front of me, and for a moment, I was confused. Until I finally registered what it meant. 

“You're not going on any mediocre mission. You're leaving this small city and moving to California. I'm assuming you already know this.” He explained and I blinked in confusion. I didn't realize that I had to leave Denver for California. 

I've never left this city before… And the adrenaline rush that suddenly coursed through me made me giddy with excitement.

“You'll be taking on a new identity. Everything you own from now on will be taken care of by the police department. We'll have eyes watching you over there so you won't be alone. You'll have a new life, Jared. And not a life of suffering.” Captain explained softly while my eyes were still glued to the paper I was clutching tightly.

A new identity. A new profession. A new house. A new car. A new city. It felt like I was starting my life over again. 

“But, captain—”

“Did I mention you'll be given a million dollars for this mission?” He interrupted and I choked on air instantly, my eyes widening at his words.