Love Beneath the Lies

"Focus on the target. In my cue" "Target lock.." "Agent Artemis, ready to fire." The girl on the rooftop pulls her trigger, which causes chaos in the crowd. The governor was shot immediately to his heart, which caused his death. The deafening sound of the alarm causes more people to tremble in fear. The guards were alert and on guard looking for the murderer. In the midst of the chaos on the ground, the girl in a black suit remained in her poise as if nothing happened. Her red lips smirked because she was done with her job. "Good job, Agent Jade" a deep voice said in her earpiece. She disassembles her gun and walks away onto the rooftop without a little fear. As she went downstairs, she removed her red lipstick and her hair tie. From her black suit to a simple floral dress. She removed her black boots and changed them to white shoes. As she removes her hair ties, her wavy hair falls and wears her black rounded eyeglasses. She left the bag with a gun in an abandoned room and replaced it with a shoulder bag. She went outside the hotel like a simple woman wearing her innocent smile. When she got out she was stopped by a guard. "We need to inspect you, ma'am" the guard seriously said. She smiled sweetly. "Okay." She roamed her eyes around and saw that everyone was in distress. "What's happening?" She asked innocently. "The governor was assassinated, and we need to check every suspicious person. Don't worry, you're clear. Stay safe." The guard said. She nodded and left. When she turned her back from the guard she side eyed him and smiled. She got in her car and started the engine and drove back to her house. After she parked her car, she immediately went inside and hugged a woman wearing an apron that was busy baking. "Finally, you're home, my dear. I'm expecting you, so I will bake a cake, but I'm not sure if it will taste good." The lady said while she was still hugging her on the back. "I know it will taste good because you bake it. It will be a chef's kiss." She laughed and sat on the stool while watching her mom frosting a newly baked cake. When her mom was done, she got some icing and put it on her mom's face. She laughed at her mom's reaction. Then, they started to giggle and play with the frosting. "Zandra, that's enough. I'm so sticky now, we still have a family dinner later." Her mom warned her. She pouted her lips and smiled. "Okay. I'm gonna wash now. Love you, mama." She said and left the kitchen to go to her room. When she enters her room, she quickly washes and changes her clothes. After that, she went downstairs and heard on the television about the news of Governor Allejo's death in front of the Marina Hotel in the morning. The investigation is still on going, and the killer hasn't been found yet. Though the investigators suspected the Governor's competitors but it hasn't proved yet. She didn't mind it and sat on the couch. Her mom went to her and also heard the news. "That's scary! Who would do such a thing? Zandra, you should be more careful. Our world is full of killers now. Wait, let me contact your dad." The fear in her mom's voice was evident. Grace can't stop checking her phone. Zandra went up to calm her down. "Mama, it's fine. Dad will be alright. He'll come home now, okay. Let's go, I'll help you prepare the dining table so when Dad comes home we will start eating because I'm really starving." She smiled to assure her that everything was alright. She knew that her Dad was safe because no one would dare to touch her family. A few moment, her Dad came home, and they enjoyed the dinner like a happy family. Zandra went up early, so she could finally visit her own restaurant. She wears a layered pink blouse with pink cardigan paired with tailored trousers. She let down her wavy long hair and put on her eyeglasses. She wore her white sandals and sling bag before she went down. In the salas, she saw her mom reading some books while sipping her tea. She went to her mom and greeted her. "Good morning, mama. I'll have to go. I need to check my restaurant." "Okay, take care. Say hi to Charleston for me." Grace said. Zandra nod and drove her way to the restaurant. It's still early in the morning, but the place is almost full. Khazandra Jade Rivera, owner of Artemis Place, is a culinary graduate in New York. She owns some branches in the Philippines, even in New York. She was greeted by her staff, who were busy accommodating their customers. At the counter, she saw Charleston, the manager of the main branch. He is also Zandra's best friend. "You're finally back, our dear boss. Don't worry, the restaurant is totally fine." Charles said while his eyes darted on the paper. "I know I can trust my business in you. I told you to build your own restaurant. I wouldn't mind being your competitor." She kept telling him to do his own business. Charleston is hands-on and dedicated to his job, besides he's also good at culinary, but he kept declining. "I'm good at being your manager. Your business is also my business. Don't forget I have a big share here." he laughed. She just shook her head because she knew she couldn't force him anymore. Besides, Charleston is a big help to her, especially when she's on her mission. She can't neglect the restaurant either. Good thing Charleston is a trusted personnel. Zandra took off her cardigan and put on an apron. If she's good at her mission, she's better in the kitchen. This is what she misses; cooking. She took the customers' orders and started cooking. The cooks just let her there. Charles entered the kitchen and saw her focus on cooking." Being a chef really fits you, Z." he complimented. She just shook her head and focused on slicing the vegetables. A restless crew suddenly entered and reported that there was a customer who complained and made a scene. Zandra took off her apron and calmly went to the customer's table, who was now yelling at one of their crew. Based on the customer's fit, she's rich. That's why it is easy for her to degrade a staff. But one thing Zandra hates is to degrade and oppress her own staff. "I said, call the owner. I want to talk to her!!" the customer shouted. "Excuse me, I am the owner of this restaurant. What is your complaint? And, ma'am, you don't have to yell at our staff here." Zandra said calmly. The lady gave her a head to toe look. "Well, I'm not satisfied with your service. Your staff is rude! She spilled the water on my brand-new clothes. No matter how many hours she works, he can't change and pay for my clothes." the customer complain The staff said that it was an accident, and she had already apologized. Zandra tried to compose herself even if she wanted to slap this arrogant and proud lady in front of her. "Ma'am, our staff said it was an accident. You don't have a right to embarrass and degrade my staff. Actually, we also don't have time to please and accommodate rude and arrogant customers like you." Zandra said with a calm voice. She stepped closer to the woman and whispered. The woman seemed to stiffen and left easily. She faced the other customer and apologized for what happened. She went back to her office to calm herself. What she hates the most is degrading other people. She picked up her senses and leaned back in the chair. Handling her business and dealing with arrogant people is more challenging than doing her mission. It stresses her more.