After closing from work that evening, I stop at a convenience store to get some things Elias asks me for and some needed utilities on my way home.
Then, a notification pings: naming a kill.
Tonight: target is an accountant—a pathetic, flabby, greedy fool. A traitor to the Cisco family who sold secrets to the De Lunas. He's hiding out in a rented penthouse in Queens under a fake name. I've been told to send a message: Leave a body. Make it cruel.
After getting home, I meet Elias in the sitting room.
"Welcome, sis, how was work today?" He asks casually.
Since when has he gotten this mature? Sis?
"Work is fine. How was school today? Are they treating you nicely?" I say, moving towards him.
He stands, walking out of the room. "Hmm, they are doing their best."
What's going on here? Is he avoiding me?
"Look what I got you, Elias."
"I've homework. I will look at it tomorrow, thank you though, Sis."
Something is definitely wrong.
"Wait up, Elias, what's up?" I ask, catching up to him.
But he slams his door in my face.
What's wrong? We definitely need to talk tomorrow. I thought, walking towards my room to make preparations for the mission later tonight. After two hours of preparation—I'm dressed in all black—combat boots, tight jeans, a matte leather jacket. My hair is pinned up neatly, nothing loose to grab, and a mask covers only my eyes.
On getting to the location at exactly midnight, I knock on the door.
He opens the door groggy, squinting through his glasses. "Who the f—"
I slam my blade into his throat before he finishes the question. He stumbles back, hand clamping down over the wound, gurgling.
"It's midnight already and you opened your door with no hesitation. Perhaps, you were expecting someone, Sir?" I wondered out loud.
Then I step in, and close the door behind me, watching him writhe.
"Did you think you wouldn't be found? Or did you, by chance, forget the family you were working for?" I ask softly, wiping the blade against his shirt. "Or you thought my father was bluffing?"
He tries to crawl toward the hallway, which appears quite adorable.
"I always find it fascinating," I continue, squatting beside him, "how quickly people try to live once they know they're dying." I roll him onto his back and straddle his chest.
There's panic in his eyes now—yes. That's what I want, it's been so long, I've imprinted fear into someone.
He tries to scream, but the blood chokes him.
I stab his left knee. Twisting my blade in it, before yanking it out.
"So, what did you sell to De Luna?"
He tries to speak, mumbling nonsense, choking on his blood.
"You aren't crying enough, fool. If you want to cry, cry well at least, stop making noise. Or did you swallow a stone that's holding your screams?"
I pull a second knife from my thigh holster and slide it slowly into his stomach.
He jerks. Twitches. Breathes in wet rattles.
"Shh," I whisper, running my fingers through his thinning hair. "Don't waste your last breath on noise."
The gurgle becomes a sob.
I slice again—across his ribs, his thigh, then his cheek. Not deep enough to kill but enough to hurt him.
What's the point of asking him? Not that he can speak now. I have to finish quickly and get home, Elias's attitude is bugging me.
I lean in close. "When you close your eyes, I want the last thing you see to be the face of the girl who ended you."
His sobbing increases.
I twist the blade once more, deep into his heart.
His eyes freeze open. Blood bubbles from his lips.
And then—nothing.
I sit back on my heels, drenched in red, panting like I've just come, the bloods in my vibes running fast.
God, this's better than sex.
The cleanup takes ten minutes.
I leave a message on the mirror in lipstick: tell De Luna his time is coming.
It's childish, I know. But it's going to be effective.
It'll hit Sinveer's paranoia. He'll think the sender is emboldened.
In taunting Sinveer
And I will watch as his frustration keeps increasing.
*
"Wow, you made my favorite!" He exclaims excitedly.
He's back to his usual self.
The moment I got home after the kill, I sent a success mission to Papa then took a bath. To wake up early to make my baby's favourite before going to work today and talk with him about yesterday.
"Eli, are you okay because yesterd—."
He cuts me off. "I'm fine," he says, smiling.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah! Stop worrying too much," he walks over from the dining table, hugging me. "I've to go prepare for school now, so I won't be late."
I glance at the wall clock; it is 6 AM. Late?
Okay, he's giving me more reasons to be suspicious.
"Go on then. I will pack your food bag while I go prepare for work."
I won't press further since he doesn't want to talk about it. I can easily ask Dave to look into it for me.
"Okay, thanks, Liach."
But I'm not sure if Elias will be happy with me spying on him. I think I should wait untill he's ready to tell me.
I walk into my closet to pick a dress. Today I'll be dressing in a slate blue long-sleeve v-neckline tailored blazer mini gown, cinched at the waist, with the blazer flaring out slightly, ornamented with four gold buttons and matching stiletto heels, and a medium-sized bag. With a tough of a light makeup.
I arrived at the office at 7:30. I already finished arranging today's schedules, when Sinveer walks in with Marek flanking him, both of them stone-faced.
They've heard about the accountant. That's fast.
"Lock the west sector," Sinveer says quietly. "Double patrol. And get me surveillance footage of every access point around that building."
"Yes, sir."
His eyes land on me.
"What are you smiling at?" he asks.
Shit! I hadn't realized I was.
"Nothing, Sir. I receive a message: a close relative of mine has given birth," I lie sweetly.
He stares a moment longer, wanting to say more. But he doesn't, proceeding into his office.
Phew. That was close, what happened to face card? I'll be more careful moving forward, he seems to be an attentive person.
Later that afternoon, after numerous meetings and readjusted plans, he calls me into his office.
I walk in, posture perfect, face composed.
"Close the door," he says.
Click. I shut it
He leans back in his chair, watching me with that stillness that's more dangerous than rage.
"Sit."
I do.
"I've been thinking about that night," he says.
I keep my expression neutral. "What night?"
I tilt my head, feigning innocence. "The attempted assassination?"
If I say I don't know, it'll be more suspicious. How can it be my dream to work here and I don't know or didn't do enough research to know about this. I've to know this much to pull the prestige schools and top student roles.
His eyes narrow. "How did you know that? I thought you went to school in Switzerland?" He says, lifting an eyebrow.
"Yes, Sir, I did, but I did my research before coming here, Sir."
"That still won't give you this information."
Look at him trying to make me waver.
"Sir, I study at Arcanum. Such information like this is trivial."
"Oh, really."
"Yes, Sir," I say, smiling sheepishly.
"You're right, I am referring to that one," he continues.
"Why are you asking me this Sir? Still no idea who it was? Do you need my help finding her by chance?"
"No, I haven't find her and know I don't need your help for that" he lies.
Haven't you killed her at your party? If I should say that out loud, he'll come to know that I was there.
But I remain silent.
"I remember something strange," he murmurs. "A scent. Not perfume. Something… sharp, fresh and warm at the same time and blood." He says it like a question.
"I wear vanilla and white roses, Sir," I answer softly.
Then another beat of silence.
He leans forward slightly. "Do you believe in instinct, Ms. Liach?"
I meet his gaze evenly. "I believe in logic. And consequences."
He chuckles, dark and low. "That is nice. Exactly what my assistant must be. You can return now."
"Thank you, Sir."