What the fuck was that?

He just committed murder right in front of my eyes. God, if I could turn him in right now I would.

He's insane.

What I can't get my mind off of is what the guy said before Niccolo shot him. The part where Mr. Arthur talked to him. He never told me about that and it seems like it was only a few days ago.

I slept on it. Well, I didn't really sleep at all. But the point is, I just can't stop thinking about it.

I put down the glass of water and pick up my phone. I have to call him. I need to ask him about all this.

After a few rings, someone picks up the phone. "This is Mr. Arthur's assistant speaking. He is currently busy, please call at another time," she says.

This is the excuse she makes when Mr. Arthur is in a bad mood. It doesn't work for me.

"It's Azaría, put me through," I sigh. "Oops, sorry Azaría," she laughs before changing the line.

I clear my throat as I wait for Mr. Arthur to pick up. I don't know why but I'm nervous to hear his answer.

"Something wrong, Azaría?" he asks and by his voice, I can tell he's definitely not in a good mood.

"Yesterday, Niccolo found a guy who was apparently a snitch. Did you hear the was? Because Niccolo killed him," I state.

"He's a killer," Mr. Arthur replies, "we already know this, why are you shocked?"

"That's not what shocked me, sir," I tell him and he hums, indicating me to continue. "Before he died he said he met with an agent and described him, it seemed a lot like you."

"Ah," he sighs. "Well, about that."

"What?" I mumble in confusion.

"You being new into the group, they'd immediately think you're the snitch. I had to deter them so I went to the guy's house and put out the word that he's planning on leaving the mafia," he explains.

That guy? He had a name. I know I'm going to have to see many deaths on this mission but this one was unfair. Mr. Arthur is the reason for his death.

"Niccolo killed him," I repeat. Does that mean nothing to him? I get killing people that deserved it but Ricky was set up.

"Azaría," he lets out a deep breath of frustration, "in missions, there will always be collateral damage. Ricky was just that."

I stay silent as I try to process his words. "Nothing can mess up this mission and I mean nothing, Azaría," he adds.

"I understand," I reply. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Listen we don't hurt civilians but he wasn't a civilian, he worked for Niccolo and he obviously has blood on his hands," he tells me. "It wasn't an innocent person that died."

I guess, in some way he's right. No one in that mafia is innocent.

"That's all," I clear my throat, "sorry to bother you, sir."

"You never bother me, Azaría," he laughs. "You know you're my favourite."

I let out a chuckle. Everyone knows I'm his favourite. It's been like that ever since I was just a kid.

"By the way, James and Aaliyah are on their way," he mentions.

Good. I need them to tell me the office gossip so I can get my mind off of this.

"Thank you, Mr. Arthur," I reply. "I'll hopefully see you soon. Goodbye, Azaría," he says before ending the call.

I turn around and put my focus back onto the pink sauce pasta I'm making. It's my comfort food. I make a very concerning amount a week.

I think him telling me that James and Aaliyah were coming ruined their surprise because they never mentioned anything about visiting me today.

I'm just going to pretend I didn't know 'cause I'd rather not ruin it for them, you know? I'd feel bad.

I always feel bad. I'm not sure that's a good thing. Even if they aren't in my control, I can't help but feel bad.

I quickly go on my phone and turn on my playlist. I love singing. Now, singing and cooking? Even better.

To my luck, 'My Mine' by Jhene Aiko is the first song to play. I love it even if I don't relate to it at all.

"All of the time, tried to forget you," I sing along with her. Girl, there's no one on your lonely ass mind. I can pretend. Shush.

But I'd rather not have someone on my mind. I've seen my friends get consumed by the guy they can't stop thinking about, always worrying about what they think of them and nothing else, cutting off their friends, letting that one man control their mental health. That's not love.

Love is supposed to be beautiful. Supposed to consume you in a good way. Like the thought of missing them and the next time you'll see them. It's supposed to make you feel butterflies every time you see them even if you have been together for years. You'd want to kill just to be with them. When I get that feeling, then I'll know I'm in love.

Just as I turn the heat off, the doorbell rings. Perfect timing, they can eat with me. They call my food average but when they're done, they practically lick the whole plate.

Cooking and baking was my mum's specialty, her love language. I grew up in the kitchen with her. She taught me everything I know and I'm grateful I got to spend that time with her when I had the chance. But I still think back to those moments where I was too tired so I'd pass up on the offer to cook with her and I just feel so bad.

Ugh. See what I mean when I say I always feel bad?

I open the door to see James and Aaliyah with big smiles on their faces. I let out a gasp followed by a chuckle. "I didn't expect you guys, what the hell?"

"I missed you," Aaliyah huffs, pulling me into a hug. I swear she can't survive a week without me.

"Marry me at this point," I tease, pulling away with a smile matching hers.

"We missed you," James corrects, glaring at Aaliyah. Their love-hate friendship will always be funny.

"I know, dummy," I roll my eyes, grabbing both their hands and pulling them into the penthouse.

"Exactly, Aaliyah," he scoffs. In return, she mimics him and I have to say it was quite accurate.

"I made my famous pink sauce pasta," I tell them as I walk to the kitchen. Watch them eat all of it.

"Say no more," James immediately grins, ruffling my hair and I quickly push him away from me.

I hate when anyone touches my hair. He knows that. Ugh.

I watch as he opens one of the cupboards and gets out a plate. They've been to my place so many times they know exactly where everything is.

"So any updates?" Aaliyah asks as she sits down on the island. So many. I know for a fact Mr. Arthur wouldn't be happy if I told them the little trick he pulled so I won't.

"They found out there's a mole," I say and shock immediately hits their faces. "They found this guy who worked at the warehouse and was planning on trying to leave the mafia so they thought it was him."

"What happened?" James asks, his brows furrowed. "You know," I reply, taking a seat by Aaliyah.

"What the fuck," she mutters under her breath. If only she knew about what Mr. Arthur did, she'd be even more shocked.

"Anyways," I sigh, wanting to change the conversation, "put me a plate please, Jamesy boy."

He lowers his head with a smile at my words before just handing me his plate and getting another one for himself.

"Okay, back to what you were saying," Aaliyah speaks up and I let out a groan of annoyance. I guess we aren't changing the conversation.

"What is his inner circle like?" she asks and James hums, telling me he wants to know as well.

"Well, Pietro is -to be honest- funny. He never really takes anything seriously. Stefan is the serious one though and that's because he wants to protect his sister Gia. And Gia just reminds me of you."

"She does?" she mutters with her brows furrowed. I know. It's weird. I really thought they'd all be so different. But in reality, they're just like us.

"Except that she's the best sniper in the mafia," I add. "And that you will forever be my favourite and no one compares to you."

"Good," she rolls her eyes, turning to face James. "Go on, tell her about the thing."

Thing? Excuse me, what thing? "Fuck you, Aaliyah," he scoffs.

"Tell me right now," I warn. If he says never mind I'm going to kill him because I will stay up all night thinking about what it could be.

"You know Mr. Arthur's assistant?" he asks and I nod my head. Of course, I do, dumbass. "Well, she asked me out."

My jaw immediately drops. "You're joking."

She's beautiful, she really is, and everyone likes her but she's like five years older than him. She just seems like the type to go for older guys.

"He's not, I was there," Aaliyah laughs and in return, she gets a glare from James.

"So, what did you say?" I ask. James doesn't really do the whole dating thing. Especially if it's from someone at work.

"I told her I'd think about it," he shrugs. "I'm not sure if it would work out with her so what's the point in trying."

"Why wouldn't it?" I ask and he shrugs again, turning around to get a glass from the cupboard.

"Because you're on his mind instead," Aaliyah whispers just for me to hear.

I seriously think she needs to drop that. We're friends and nothing more. I've made that so clear to him. He shouldn't stop his love life because of me, he shouldn't wait for me.

"Let's continue Dexter, I'm on season three," I say as I get up. I'd rather not talk about that anymore so watching Netflix it is.

"You need to hurry up and get to season four, Azaría," James tells me as he sits down on the couch.

"Shh, don't spoil anything," I huff.

He's watched all of it already and Aaliyah and I are watching it at the same time. We do this a lot, watching shows together.

We're somewhat like a family, you know? I wouldn't want to ruin that by getting with James.

The thing is, I don't like him. I never have. He's always been just a friend to me.

Will he understand that though?



ugh i didn't know what to write so just a filler chapter 😓😓

also... thoughtsssss??

word count | 1834