A week before my flight to Las Vegas, I was summoned to the HQ.
I had just finished digesting the information Fox sent me when the Director said he wanted to see me for an important matter. I went there midday, my head already swarming with ideas of the said important matter. Ever since I was appointed in the elites unit, I have always been given fairly dangerous missions. Although this might be my most dangerous one yet, the Director has never asked to see me before I went to any of the past missions. This would be the first.
The last time I visited the HQ was a few days ago already when I sought after Fox for information. Today, it was the usual environment. Buzzing voices busy with cases, known figures of the government going in and out of the building probably visiting for some investigation, and of course, the commotions every now and then whenever significant information about a major case is freshly received. The usual FBI HQ at the heart of the Big Apple, Manhattan.
I went straight to the top floor, where his office is, and knocked quietly. I heard a faint ‘Come in’, and I twisted the knob. The Director’s office was spacious, with his desk space elevated by a few steps and a small sofa set on the remaining space that wasn’t elevated. I saw him sitting behind his desk and signing paperwork when he raised his head in my direction.
Director Morris Hammington, one of the top figures of the US government, is a middle-aged man with a bald spot on top of his head as well as a fairly chubby body. Nonetheless, he’s a terrifyingly powerful man.
“Hawk,” he addressed me by my codename. Our unit’s direct boss is the Director, and so we’re quite acquainted with him – I’m just not on good terms with him.
“Have a seat,” he motioned to the couch.
Our eyes met and we were quiet for some time, until he finally started, “The success of this mission lies solely on your shoulders, as I’m sure you’re aware. The organization you’re about to bring down has been reigning supreme underground for decades, and its legacy passed from generation to generation. How do you plan to execute this?”
His strained, grumbly voice and flat tone rang in my ears. Aside from his title and reputation, the Director also has terrifying similarities with my late father. Probably because they’ve been comrades before or because they’re great rivals, I don’t know.
Regardless, I hate seeing him because he reminds me of my father.
“I’d like to keep my plan for myself until I’m certain it will succeed, Director,” I replied, relaxing my shoulders.
“May I know of this important matter your message mentioned?”
He nodded and pursed his lips, irritation flickering in his eyes. I know that I, too, remind him of my father.
“Of course. Because this mission is of the highest importance, we cannot afford to make any mistakes. So, I personally request you to use your real identity and leave it to us to remake your IDs. This is to ensure the Rios group believes your background. They’re highly secured and it is near impossible to infiltrate their base.”
My real identity? I frowned. I didn’t think I needed to use this level of cautiousness for this mission, but he does have a point.
“This order is only for you. Jaguar and Leo are free to use one of their fake identities because they’re only doing supporting tasks. You, however, need to be careful with every move you make,” he continued, clamping his hands together. “Don’t worry. We will ask for your opinions on the minor information we can change.”
“So, I’ll use my family’s name? And my birth name? Don’t you think that’s more of a risk?”
“Fallon Ravestreen. Orphaned at 16. Those are the only real ones we’ll have you use. The rest will be faked. But you’ll keep your appearance. Do not use fake lenses or wigs or you’ll have a high chance of being caught. This is another long-term mission; you’ll have to settle with your true appearance because faking every day for months will be hard.”
“But, Director—“
“This is a personal order from me, Hawk. Were you just about to decline it?” He cut me off and raised a brow. I bit my tongue.
“Do not act like this is your first time on a solo mission, Hawk. You should know the most about flunking important missions.”
I gulped, remembering the number of solo missions I accomplished. That feat has become one of my remarkable achievements and to ruin them would be the death of me.
This work is my life. And what am I so afraid of? I don’t have a family that would be in danger should my birth name be hunted down. My family is the agency. I have more life as Hawk than as Fallon Ravestreen, and to use it like a fake identity is nothing…But that was the last I had of my parents.
I looked back at Director Morris, whose challenging gaze struck my pride. I raised my chin, “I’ll do it, Director. Is that all?”
He nodded and looked back down on his paperwork. “That is all. You may go.”
I didn’t find the will to bid him goodbye. Taunting me just because I’m a living reminder of his horrible past, how childish. But I’m thankful for how he pushed me to surpass my limits by assigning the most dangerous missions to me, even though that wasn’t his objective. He was helping me without realizing it.
As I left Director Morris’ floor, I came across Leo and Jaguar talking by the vending machine. I stopped in my tracks.
I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but I did see Jaguar hand Leo a can of cola. She scrunched her nose and shook her head, pointing to a juice bottle in the vending machine probably saying she prefers that one over the cola. He followed where she pointed and slightly smirked. He said something that made Leo smack his shoulder, pissed.
I turned on my heels and went the other way.
My palm unconsciously landed on my chest, and I felt my heart racing. Leo is a petite girl with average height and a bright personality. Although she’s also an orphan, that didn’t stop her from grinning widely every day and treating everyone kindly. Her big, pure heart was probably what caught Jaguar’s.
I bit my lower lip, willing my heart to calm down. I’ve always envied Leo and her tendency to charm all the guys. I never paid attention to that until she charmed the only man I’ve always seen in a different light.
Maybe during this mission, I will forget the unrequited infatuation with him. I’ll leave with a broken heart and hopefully, return with a healed one.
I counted down the days until I started my mission.The three with the supporting tasks were told to move two days after I infiltrated the Rios Mafia. Until the day before my flight came, I was already itching to get myself to the airport.I had packed only a handful of clothing that was thrifted to make sure I looked like the new Fallon I had created for this mission – the frail, penniless, and desperate Fallon Ravestreen. Orphaned at 16, worked as a club maintenance for ten years to make a living, and now fired, forced to come as a girl-for-hire at an auction house. Now, 28 years old and still penniless, I’m supposed to feel defeated by the world and have given up on life, surrendering my pride to the auction. It’s a good story, and it’s not entirely lies. I found out about the new Rios head looking for a wife when Fox found out about his mother’s fortune’s terms.The young Boss, Jett Rios, was eligible for all the terms but one – where he was required to be marrie
No one expects an angel to set the world on fire.That was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about the character of the Fallon that would ensure me an entry to the Rios Mafia. A frail girl fortunate enough to be sold to a millionaire. Some might suspect me, but I’ll make sure to be consistent with my personality and just wait until they give up their suspicions on me. But in front of this man, Jett Rios, I find it hard to pretend to be weak when his stare is burning my soul. Not dangerous, just intense. It makes me uneasy, and the inner Hawk doesn’t want to back down to the stare and fight back but I’m not someone who has a large ego and a tall pride. So I bit my lower lip as if preventing it from trembling and lowered my gaze. “Didn’t you hear me?” He spoke again and lightly chuckled. “Did I accidentally purchase a deaf girl? I knew you were homeless but I didn’t know you were impaired too.”I looked back at him and muttered in a quiet voice, “I-I hea
I figured some time ago that this is like a game. A dangerous game of chess. Where Jett Rios is the Queen of the enemy piece, and I...my position in this game is yet to be revealed. Either I'm a loyal knight or bishop to my Queen or a mere pawn. Everyone playing a role in this game is individually dangerous and takes every move with thorough planning.After we discussed our deal, I was led to the west wing of this mansion by a housemaid, while Jett's colleagues who were waiting outside came back in. Just before I turned a corner, I heard a familiar loud, baritone laugh echo from the room I came from. That was probably him. I maintained my vigilant expression, my sneer almost surfacing. What a loud man.His childish attitude replayed in my mind. It didn't seem like a façade, nor did it seem genuine. Was that how he irked his opponents? Purposely getting under their skin by throwing backhanded compliments and subtle threats while maintaining a casual tone? Even his grins are like double
My wedding, I heard, was today.My first day in Casa Rios and it's already my wedding. He didn't want to waste time, it appears. Of course. They've been planning on welcoming their master's wife for so long, that they've already prepared the wedding. Like I was the last missing key to finish this all."The mansion's garden has been prepared for this special event, Madame. I have arranged everything nearly to perfection that any bride would find this wedding dreamy," said Linda as we made our way to the event place.It didn't surprise me at all that they chose the garden, not a church. Their rivals might take advantage of this peaceful event and ruin it—either by attempting to assassinate Jett or me. The floral pink dress I wore had a sheer pink veil over it that ended at my waist, with a wreath on top of my head. This is a very feminine dress, although not extravagant.As we reached the glass double doors to the garden, the mellow orchestra reached my ears. I almost winced. A servant
The celebration lasted all day. I was tired from the intense partying and was bewildered beyond belief by the childish party games they played. Linda, who was standing at a safe distance from me was the one to inform me of what they were doing. She said they were mostly traditional party games of the Hispanic culture. When she said that, realization dawned upon me. They were a very traditional sort."That's Veo Veo, Madame," said Linda. "Similar to the game 'I Spy'."I nodded understandingly. The jerk was the one in the middle, looking around, while his subordinates were the ones that are to look for what he said. He was saying something Spanish, although there was a repetitive phrase he said every time.Another game was similar to fencing. But, they used real swords. Probably a more dangerous rendition of the game befitting their organization."We call that La Verdadera Destreza. It is the true art and skill of Spanish swordsmanship.""I see. They're good with words too." Not just gu
Old Barry left shortly after that, saying he'll retire for the night. Ross stayed by my side, even teasing Old Barry for his bedtime. Then, Ross turned to me and shyly scratched the back of his head."Your impression of us might've been tainted by Old Barry. Don't worry, Fall, he has the worst attitude! The rest of us are kind!" He beamed.He acts like a child...but I guess nothing can surpass that jerk's childishness because Ross is more tolerable than his boss.I attempted a smile, which might or might not have just appeared as a wince. He took a sip of wine, silence lingering around us. He must've felt my uneasiness because he also left shortly after Old Barry.When I was alone at the table again, my thoughts went to the events after tonight. Will the environment remain as bright as tonight? I highly doubt it.And what of their carefree, jolly attitudes? Will they return to their usual cold, ruthless personalities like the rumors? That, I believe will be the case.They're cold-bloo
The following day, Linda informed me early on about the schedule as well as my role. She was a bit nonchalant this morning, probably because I didn't sleep with her master, but I pretended to be unaware."You'll be making your first appearance today, Madame Fallon. So I prepared this dress for you." She showed me an ivory satin knee-length wrap dress, with elbow-long sleeves and a bit of embroidered handiwork at the shoulder blades. "I hope the Madame doesn't mind sultry dresses like this. It was the master's order to get you a dress that would leave an impression. However, I didn't want the Madame's scars to be revealed, so I kept it as conservative as I could.""N-No...It's beautiful." I gulped. "Thank you, Linda."She bowed her head gratefully. "It is nothing, Madame Fallon. Would you like me to help you get dressed?""Yes, please. Is it...Will the gathering continue even after sunset?"She nodded. "It is a formal business gathering in the casino's ballroom. You can just stay besid
The building, I confirmed, was a golf club. It was a joint project by the casino owners of Las Vegas, Jett being one of them, and it's an exclusive club. We are to greet and play with the co-owners, as Ross informed me. He has been looking at me weirdly ever since I left the van. Probably because of whatever transpired inside, I came out as a completely different person. I started the act the jerk ordered me to be as soon as I left."Are you alright, Fall?" Finally, Ross asked the question he's been itching to ask."Yes, perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern," I replied with a controlled voice, my tone well-modulated. His gaze only became more suspicious, but thankfully he did not push it. The jerk, the person whose side I was supposed to be on, was out asking for a golf cart and his equipment that was stored in his office. He was talking with staff in the distance, so I stayed with Ross. His grumpy mood was still there. Really, he's a man of a lot of questionable personality sid