Falling for the enemy

Chapter 6: Beneath the surface

Chapter 6

Soon, they arrived at the Voss mansion. The military cars ahead rolled to a stop, and several men clad in uniform stepped out. Only two were armed. They took position on either side of the entrance, standing tall beside the Voss family's bodyguards.

The BMW carrying the Voss heirs pulled up moments later. The trio stepped out with practiced elegance and walked toward the house as a few maids came forward to take their luggage.

"Mom, big brother is here!!" Eva announced loudly, assuming the role of the butler—though no one had asked her to.

Evelyn stepped out of the kitchen, her hands at her back as she tried to undo her apron. She slipped it off and handed it to a maid, then walked straight to Kyle.

She pulled him into a hug. Kyle didn’t resist. He bent slightly and gently patted her back.

"I'm here now," he whispered.

Evelyn broke the hug, cupping his face in her hands.

"Look how much weight you've lost," she muttered softly, her expression melting—then sharpening.

"That damn military!" she barked.

"Come, come have dinner. I'll have it set out in no time," she said, tugging him toward the dining room as she hovered near the kitchen, clearly a little anxious.

"He looks fine to me," Alex muttered under his breath as he strolled toward the table, eyes on his phone.

"Mom... you don't have to do all this. Let the maids handle it," Kyle said gently, trying to persuade her.

"No, son. I have to do this myself. Go and sit down. It'll be ready in no time," Evelyn replied firmly, brushing him toward the dining area before hurrying back to the kitchen.

Kyle sat down at the table, defeated. His gaze remained distant—cold, but not completely void of emotion.

"Dad!" Eva suddenly called out loudly, her gaze fixed on the entrance.

Mr. Greg Voss patted Eva's head as he walked into the dining hall.

“Dad,” Kyle called out flatly.

“You're back, son,” Greg said as he turned to look at him—then at Alex, who was still too engrossed in his video game to notice anyone.

“Okay, everything’s ready. Let’s eat!” Evelyn announced cheerfully as she set the corned beef hash on the table and took her seat.

“Alex, no phones during dinner,” she added, but he didn’t hear her—headphones firmly in place.

“I’ll help you, Mom,” Eva said mischievously.

She lifted his headphones and screamed,

“No phones at dinner, Alex!”

Alex jolted, nearly dropping his phone. He yanked the headphones off, frowning deeply.

“Eva! What was that for?”

Eva just stuck her tongue out at him as she reached for the Chicken Riggies on the table.

Alex moved to pull her ears—

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Kyle’s flat voice interrupted him, freezing his hand mid-air.

“But Big brother—” Alex whined.

“You deserved it,” Kyle said, returning to his food.

Alex bit his lip, visibly betrayed, and silently began to eat.

“So, you’re done with the military. What’s your plan?” Greg asked, turning to Kyle.

“I would be grateful if you let me work in the company,” Kyle replied, sipping his soup.

“Of course! You can totally work at the company. When do you want to start?” Greg asked, clearly pleased.

“Tomorrow,” Kyle said, placing some Chicken Riggies on Alex’s plate, making him brighten up.

“What do you mean, tomorrow? Won’t you stay at home for a few days and let me take care of you?” Evelyn asked, putting down her spoon, worry filling her eyes.

“Mom, I’m fine. Okay, Dad—I’ll stay home tomorrow. Then I’ll start work the next day. Is that fine, Mom?” Kyle said warmly, compromising.

“No, it’s not,” Evelyn pouted. “A day makes no difference.”

She sighed, then added, “But fine. I’ll make sure to stuff you full in a day.”

Determination filled her eyes like she’d just found a new purpose in life.

---

Rivera Mansion:

At the Rivera mansion, Hazel stepped into her bathroom and turned on the tap. She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. It rang for several moments before the call connected.

“How is it going?” Hazel asked, straight to the point.

“Oh, Miss Hazel… Well, the case is a little difficult. It seems all records of it were purposely erased. Every route I try leads to a dead end, but I’ll keep trying,” Grayson’s voice answered from the other end.

“I wouldn’t ask you to investigate if it were that easy. I thought you were the best in town. Don’t let me down,” she said sharply, then ended the call.

She turned off the tap and stared at herself in the mirror.

“All details purposely erased,” she muttered slowly.

Then, the corners of her lips curled into a cold smile. She turned around and walked out of the bathroom.

Morning came quietly. Sunlight seeped cautiously through the windows.

Kyle opened his eyes and sat up — as if he hadn’t been asleep. His tousled morning hair and slightly parted robe revealed a chiseled chest. He was a walking male hormone.

His eyes swept the room, staring at nothing in particular. The decor was exquisite — all black, just like him. He rose and moved to the ceiling-to-floor window, parting the curtains slightly. He stood there, coldly overlooking the view before him.

Then, with a turn of his heel, he drew the curtains closed and strode into the bathroom.

Moments later, he emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, another in hand as he dried his hair. He made his way into the walk-in closet — a mini boutique of monochrome, offering everything as long as it came in black.

He tossed the towel over his neck and browsed his wardrobe before settling on a black polo and matching joggers. The fit highlighted his broad shoulders, his form both elegant and intimidating.

A comb through his hair, one last glance in the mirror, and he headed out.

Kyle descended the stairs with practiced grace.

“Where’s Mom and Eva?” he asked, stepping into the living room.

“Good morning, bro. Mom’s in the kitchen making something, and Eva’s gone to school,” Alex replied, glancing up from his movie.

“Bro, why can’t you ask of me? If it was Eva sitting here and you couldn’t find me, would you ask of me?” Alex added dramatically.

“Most definitely won’t,” Kyle replied, taking a seat on the couch.

“Tsk. I expected that,” Alex muttered, looking away.

“Why are you here? Aren’t you still in college?” Kyle asked lazily.

“I am, but I’ve got no classes today. And besides, Mom said she’s stuffing you with food today. How could I possibly miss that" Alex grinned, shameless.

“Glutton,” Kyle spat.

Hazel arrived at the company and walked straight to the elevator, heading for the Executive floor. She had been assigned as an assistant to one of the corporation’s Executive managers.

Her office—a small room adjoining the Executive's—was minimalist and pristine. She placed her bag on the desk and slowly walked forward, her fingers grazing the polished surface. Moving to the window, she drew the curtains aside, her expression unreadable as she stared out. Cold, composed, detached.

After a few quiet moments, she turned back. The sharp clicking of her heels was the only sound in the room. She sat down and calmly opened a few files, leafing through them without urgency.

Then she stood, walked to the Executive's office, and knocked lightly before pushing the door open.

"Good morning, sir. I'm Hazel, your new assistant. I'll be here whenever you need me," she said politely—though her gaze remained empty. Not cold, not warm. Just blank.

The Executive, Lucas, looked up.

"Hazel, right? Well, you're welcome. I don't have anything for you to do right now, but I hope we have a nice work relationship."

She bowed slightly and turned to leave.

Back in the hallway, Hazel walked tall, radiating an air of quiet authority.

A few employees passing by whispered: "Is she really an assistant?" one asked.

"She is, but she doesn't look like one. She's so intimidating," another replied, glancing back at her.

Hazel returned to her office, sat down, and began reviewing more files, scanning through them with an expression of boredom.

The telecom on her desk rang.

"Hello, Executive Lucas office" she said flatly.

"It's me, Assistant Hazel, please help me retrieve file no. 0833 from Executive Leon's office" Lucas instructed

"Yes sir" Hazel replied curtly before the call was disconnected.

"Leon's office, huh? Now that's interesting," she said as she stands up.