Mask of Desires

Chapter 6

"Chapter 5: A Message from the Shadows

Ariella’s mind was racing. She had spent the entire morning lost in the surreal silence of the luxurious hotel suite, the quiet looming over her like a heavy shroud. Paris had a way of dazzling and distracting, but Ariella’s focus remained anchored to the mission. She knew she couldn’t let herself be swayed by the lingering tenderness of Victor’s absence. The mission was the priority, and she had to remain vigilant.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sharp buzz of her phone, a reminder of the world outside the cocoon of Victor’s absence. She picked it up without hesitation, knowing exactly who it would be.

“Mara,” Ariella muttered into the phone, her voice steady.

“Mara here,” came the clipped response, always business-like, cold as steel. “I trust you’ve had time to settle in.”

Ariella glanced at the bed where the note from Victor still rested, its words still fresh in her mind. “Yes,” she replied, her voice even. “But I need answers. Victor’s gone. He left the wedding unexpectedly. I need to know why.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Mara’s voice came again, low and deliberate. “Victor’s gone because his empire is under attack. His syndicate was targeted last night. It’s not the work of our organization. We have no part in this.”

Ariella’s heart skipped a beat. The syndicate. The criminal empire that Victor had built over the years, a network so vast it stretched through cities, corrupt businesses, and even some members of law enforcement. This was bigger than just a small turf war.

“Who attacked him?” Ariella’s voice was taut, her mind spinning. She couldn’t afford distractions, not when she was supposed to be learning about Victor’s empire — not when she was supposed to kill him. But something about the urgency in Mara’s voice had caught her attention.

“We don’t know yet. The attack wasn’t planned by us — it wasn’t any of our allies or affiliates. It’s someone external, someone powerful.” Mara’s voice grew sharper, the urgency clear. “Victor’s enemies are many, but this one is different. It’s dangerous.”

Ariella absorbed the information with a sharp breath. ""So, he's gone to handle this... alone?""

“Yes. Victor believes this attack is personal. Someone is targeting him directly, trying to destabilize his entire operation. He’s left for a short time to handle it. I’m sure he’ll return once things are settled.”

Ariella’s fingers clenched around the phone. This wasn't just a petty attack. If Victor's empire was in danger, it meant he was still a target — his vulnerability was exposed, and that made him even more dangerous.

“And you’re telling me none of this has to do with the organization?” Ariella’s voice remained steady, but inside, doubt stirred. She had already learned that the world she inhabited was rarely black and white.

Mara’s response was sharp, a hint of frustration in her tone. “Of course not. The mission still stands, Ariella. You’re to continue your infiltration. Gather the intel. Learn his secrets. We need everything about how his operation works, who his allies are, and what plans he’s made. You can finish this while he’s away. His absence gives you the perfect opportunity.”

Ariella paused, weighing the situation. On one hand, Victor was gone, leaving her with an opportunity to gather more information, to move forward with the plan. But on the other hand, this change in his circumstances could complicate things. She had expected him to stay distracted with their honeymoon — but now his empire was at risk, and he would likely return more guarded and focused.

“I understand,” Ariella replied, forcing a calmness into her voice that she didn’t quite feel. “I’ll keep moving forward. But if this isn’t one of our enemies... then who could be after him? And why now?”

Mara’s voice softened, as though she were contemplating something, before she responded. “That’s what we need to figure out. If it’s someone outside our circle, we’ll need to track them. For now, focus on your task, Ariella. Don’t let anything distract you. Victor’s absence should work in your favor.”

Ariella ended the call, her thoughts swirling. Who could have attacked Victor’s empire without the knowledge or approval of their organization? And more importantly, what did this mean for her mission?

The Organization: “The Collective”

Ariella’s organization, known as The Collective, is an enigmatic and highly secretive network of skilled operatives, assassins, spies, and strategists, working for various goals, depending on the contract. The Collective operates in the shadows, with its agents working independently from one another, under strict protocols that prioritize efficiency and discretion. It has no official name to the outside world, and its leadership is fragmented, making it a ghostly entity in the underworld — feared, but largely unknown.

The Collective takes on jobs ranging from targeted eliminations to strategic infiltrations, but its members are united by a shared objective: control, power, and ultimate influence over global criminal empires. Every member is highly trained and has a particular set of skills, whether it’s infiltration, intelligence gathering, or close-quarters combat. The leaders of The Collective operate with absolute secrecy, and their plans are executed with precision and calculated coldness.

Ariella sat in silence for a moment, processing Mara’s words. Victor’s enemies were many, but someone had moved in on him with precision, someone who wanted to destroy everything he had built. The very fact that The Collective wasn’t involved made her question everything she thought she knew about Victor’s operation.

But she couldn’t afford to let the distraction of Victor’s disappearance cloud her mission. Victor’s empire still needed to fall, and The Collective wouldn’t stop until it did. The mysterious enemy would have to wait. Ariella had her work cut out for her, and now was the perfect time to gather information — with Victor away, she had the upper hand.

She stood up, shaking off the unease creeping into her thoughts. The city of Paris still awaited her, and the game was far from over."