Niccolò trusts me.

He told me about his father who we -as in the whole world, including MI6- thought was dead. Instead, he's alive but has no recollection of who he was.

Niccolò told me about that. He told me about his worries about becoming like him. And I told him about what happened to my parents.

That's a topic I never discuss or even bring up, but at that time I did. I had to. To get him to trust me more.

It was almost like we were somewhat bonding... connecting, you know? So I guess my mission has been going well so far.

Not to mention the day we went to the mall. He indicated that we would be going to the upcoming winter ball together just like we went to the masquerade event together. The only difference is that we had to go with each other due to the guess list putting us as a married couple but this time there's no actual reason.

This is good for me though. At the start, I thought it would be absolutely impossible to even get somewhat close to him but it's happening. I am.

I know what I'm doing. I'm lying. I'm deceiving. I secretly record his private conversations if there's any mention of something illegal.

I could be doing anything, for example like right now I'm reading a book on my bed, and for a second, I'll think I'm a bad person for all the lying I'm doing. Only for a second though. Because then I remember that Niccolò is a killer, a criminal, and I have to stop him. No matter how charming he may be, he's terrorised lots of people and their families just for the mafia's benefit.

My thoughts immediately stop once I feel something buzzing under the mattress. The secret phone. Shit. I really need a better hiding spot for it.

I make sure to lock my bedroom door before lifting up the mattress and picking the phone up.

"Hello?" I mutter as I step into the bathroom. I open the sink tap, letting the water flow so no one will be able to listen to my conversation.

"You're the one who put glue on James' seat which made his ass get stuck," the familiar voice quickly replies.

"What the fuck, Aaliyah," I huff but can't help laughing. "I said a secret so you know it's me, dummy," she replies and I can imagine her rolling her eyes like usual.

"Who else would be calling me?" I ask but before she can respond, I continue, "Also what the fuck? You guys really ruined the mission I told you about? You know what, forget about the part where you came in guns blazing, let's focus on when James bloody Palmer almost blew my cover!"

She winces at my tone of voice. "Listen... he feels bad about it but you know, you're his friend so when he saw you and Niccolò he kind of lost it."

"What happened to professionalism?" I scoff, shaking my head. "I don't need his jealously getting in the way of my mission."

"He got in trouble with Mr. Arthur," Aaliyah tells me. "Trust, he got what he deserved, babes."

"Speaking of Mr. Arthur, have you guys received all the recordings?" I ask and I hear her hum over the phone. "Okay, good."

"But..." she trails off and my brows immediately furrow. Oh no. "But what?" I ask nervously.

"Yes, James got in trouble but he told his worries to Mr. Arthur so now he wants to talk to you," she tells me.

"Worries?" I repeat, my teeth gritted. "What worries, Aaliyah? What is he trying to do? It's like he wants me to fail at this."

I don't feel his support at all. Not like how I did at the start. I have no idea what he told Mr. Arthur but I know it put some doubt in him that I won't be able to continue this mission.

"I don't know what he's trying to do either but it's not that," she sighs. "He feels really bad about the whole thing."

"Then why can't he tell me that himself?" I don't like when guys get others to apologise for them and I don't like it when they can't even manage to apologise properly. That's acting like a boy, not a man.

"You know what he's like," she mutters in response and I can't help but let out a dry chuckle. I do.

Before I can reply, I hear shuffling and then the sound of my boss. Oh, Lord. She could have at least given me a warning before she handed the phone over to him.

"Azaría," he starts. His tone sounds lighter than I expected. "I apologise for not giving you a head up about infiltrating the masquerade event."

"It's alright, boss," I tell him. No, it's not. "I maintained my cover, even with the whole James situation."

"He's learnt his lesson, Azaría. I can assure you that," Mr. Arthur responds. I hope so. "I've listened to his concerns however and feel like I need to talk with you."

"Please don't tell me you believe the nonsense that came out his mouth," I sigh, not realising how unprofessional that sounds.

"I do not," he replies bluntly. "I do believe in taking precautions though and there is something important I would like to discuss with you."

Literally what every boss says before firing their employees. I'm not getting fired though. Right? "What is it?"

"When your parents died in that fire," he says, immediately catching my attention, "it was no accident."

What? My whole life I've been told it had something to do with the oven being turned on. Someone deliberately tried to kill my parents? And succeeded?

"It was the Italian mafia," he sighs. "I'm sorry I've never told you but this is just a reminder that they are bad people. Terrible ones at that. Getting close with Niccolò is good, Azaría, keep that up but always keep your head in the game. He's a killer, never forget that."

What the fuck is going on? He just told me my parents -and almost me- were murdered now he's telling me this straight after?

I clear my throat, trying to shake off the thoughts flying in my mind. "I understand, boss."

"Good," he replies. "Keep up the good work, Azaría. Goodbye." Not waiting for my response, he ends the call.

The Italians. They killed my parents. Apparently. I mean, there's no reason for me not to believe him but my gut is telling me something else.

I only remember bits and pieces of that night. I've never wanted to recover my memories... well, until now.



boring ass chapter ik guys😣but i just needed something to publish

IK I HAVENT BEEN UPDATING A LOT ON THID BOOK AND ONE PROMISE BUT GUYS for some reason im like back into my writing block😣😣

anyways hope you lot have a good day/night and voteee

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