Chapter 7
1058 Words
Geraldine’s Point of View
We finally arrived at headquarters, and the moment I stepped into the department, my colleagues greeted me with bright smiles.
“Welcome back, Agent Astraea!”
“Thank you!” I grinned, playfully lifting a bag. “Of course, I didn’t forget. I brought you all gifts.”
“Yun!” they chorused, their voices echoing across the room.
“That’s bribery, you know,” I teased, earning laughter from everyone.
“Chief’s waiting in his office,” one of them added. “Go on ahead. We’ve got other tasks to finish—your brotherhood’s got work too.”
I nodded. Skyler and the others gave me quick nods of encouragement before heading their own way. They had their assignments, but they had made time to fetch me at the airport. That was family.
Taking a deep breath, I walked down the familiar hallway and stopped in front of the Chief’s office. Three firm knocks. Then I pushed the door open.
“Chief!”
He looked up immediately, his expression brightening. “Ah, finally. The one I’ve been waiting for. Come in, Astraea, we have much to discuss about your new subject.”
I closed the door behind me and strode toward the swivel chair across from his desk. Crossing my legs, I leaned back, my eyes locking onto the projector already set up.
“Okay,” I said. “Let’s start.”
The whiteboard lit up with a symbol.
“Your subject this time,” Chief began, his tone grave, “is one of the most feared figures in the global business world. According to intelligence, he may very well be the long-sought Mafia Emperor.”
The Mafia Emperor. The whispered legend of the underworld. I had heard the stories—the figure cloaked in black, always hidden behind a golden mask and cape, his tuxedo and gloves concealing every inch of him. Only his dark hair, midnight-black, ever visible. No one had seen his face. No one had confirmed his identity.
And now he was my assignment.
“Why chase after him now?” I asked, arching an eyebrow. “He hasn’t massacred anyone here yet.”
Chief’s gaze sharpened. “Because he’s the head of everything, Astraea. The core. You know how dangerous the Mafia is. Imagine the power of their Emperor. If we don’t learn who he truly is, we’ll always be three steps behind.”
I pressed my lips together. He had a point. Still, the thought of facing someone like that twisted something in my chest.
“What’s next then? Don’t leave me hanging, Chief.”
He chuckled. “Impatient, as always.”
“You know me. I hate being strung along.”
“Fine.” He clicked the remote, and information flashed across the screen. My eyes instantly locked onto the name.
“Michael Muller. Thirty years old. Married. Current CEO of Muller Corporation.”
I swallowed hard. My pulse quickened.
No. It couldn’t be.
“Do you have a photo?” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “Your presentation is all words, no face. Come on, Chief.”
He chuckled lightly, switching the slide.
And then—
My world tilted. My breath caught. My soul nearly slipped out of my body.
That face.
The man whose wedding I had… ruined. The man I had spent one reckless night with.
Him.
“Are you all right, Astraea?” Chief’s concerned voice cut through the haze.
I forced a bitter smile, nodding slowly. “Yes. Just tired from the flight. Please continue.”
I bit my lip hard, trying to ground myself. Damn it. Of all people… why him?
Chief carried on, detailing Michael Muller’s empire, his movements, his connections. But I couldn’t stop myself from blurting out—
“Wait. Wasn’t he crippled?”
Chief froze mid-sentence, frowning. “Crippled?”
“Yes. I heard he was in a wheelchair after some accident. During his wedding, his bride abandoned him.”
Chief shook his head. “I know he’s married, but I’ve never heard about his bride leaving. And I assure you, he’s no cripple. He walks just fine. That must be gossip—these days, you can’t trust edited photos and rumors. Don’t believe everything you hear.”
Something didn’t add up. Were they covering it up? Or was my information deliberately twisted? I remained silent, letting the thought simmer.
“So,” Chief said finally. “How do you plan to enter his life? Apply as his assistant?”
I tilted my head, considering. “No. That’s too close, too monitored. I’d rather infiltrate his mansion as domestic staff. A maid, perhaps. Easier access, freer movement—even into his private quarters.”
He nodded approvingly. “Smart choice.”
Married. The word clanged in my head again. Married? To someone else? Already? My jaw tightened. He had moved on so quickly.
But none of that mattered now. This was a mission. Nothing more.
And yet, I couldn’t ignore the irony. I had never encountered a situation like this—crossing paths with a man I thought I had left behind. That night was supposed to mean nothing. A mistake fueled by exhaustion and alcohol.
Now, he was my target.
“So, Chief,” I asked quietly. “What’s the final objective here? Like with Senator Josh, when I exposed him to the world—what about Michael Muller?”
Chief’s eyes darkened. “If you confirm he is the Mafia Emperor… you have permission to eliminate him.”
My heart skipped a beat. Kill him. Of course. That was the nature of our work. It was nothing new—our lives revolved around shadows and blood. Mafia, Yakuza, cartels, foreign intelligence—we were trained to be their hunters.
But this time, the name, the face…
I inhaled deeply. Professional. No feelings. No hesitation.
“Yes, Chief,” I said firmly, though my chest felt heavier with each word.
“For the sake of the mission, Astraea,” he reminded me softly. “Stay focused.”
I nodded. “Every step I take, every word I say… it’s all part of the role. Focus on the objective. The rest is just noise.”
But inside, a whisper lingered—what happens when the noise becomes louder than the mission?
*****
LMCD22
- Writer
