Phantoms game

🖤 Chapter Four 🖤

~ ???? ~

{ ~ The Angel ~ }

As the sun once again rose, a soft groaned left Maia's lips, her cherry hair performing its usual morning routine of looking like a birds nest, shoving her head under her pillow angrily in attempt to return back to her restless slumber alas she was unsuccessful as her phone blared out the song 'good lookin' by Dixon Dallas, violently picking up her phone she sharply bit out "WHAT!?" Seething, her breathes coming out in laboured pants as she was now sitting up, death gripping her phone to her ear. "Woah okay- chill girl, me and Jay are at the mall wanna come hang out? We haven't seen you in a while babes" Maia's friend Iris gently spoke out, she knew how angry Maia got when she had to get up in the morning, it was especially worse if you were the person waking her.

"Fine.. give me 20 and I'll be there." She rasped out as she hung up, not even waiting for Iris's reply, throwing off her comfy blankets she shivered at the cold as she just remembered the events of last night and how she had gone to bed naked after her shower, glancing down at her bandaged arm, the red seeping through, she sighed.

Pushing herself off her bed she walked over to her closet, picking out baggy jeans, a half cut button up shirt and her favourite oversized moon printed hoodie, laying her clothes out on her bed she went and quickly changed her bandages, walking back into her room she threw her clothes onto herself, pulling her hair back into a messy bun, pulling her hoodie over head head as she grabbed her favourite sunglasses and her noise canceling headphones.

Walking outside she glanced down at her phone, a grin making its way to her face as she read the message that appeared on her screen, "your Miata is ready for pickup" reading it over and over again she grinned and did a small happy dance, she decided to be a tab bit late, if it could mean she could finally drive in luxury and warmth, don't get her wrong, she loves her bike to absolute bits but it wasn't bike season, winter was miata season.

Starting her small treat down the road she put her hands in her pockets and her headphones over top of her hoodie to keep it in place, her cheeks and nose turning red from the cold air. "I will never get used to New York weather, sometimes i miss home.." she sighed as she stared up at the sky, after half an hour of walking she finally made it to the private mechanic which handles underworld motor problems, no questions asked when you pull up with a car riddled with gun wounds, although the occasional "NO! You monster this poor baby.. shhh it's okay.. I'll fix you" is heard from Jasper, Maia's personal mechanic.

"Jas, i got your text about my baby." Maia approached the well built, tall, dark skinned man, his luscious long black hair pulled back into a high fluffy man bun. "Ah! Angel! Welcome welcome!" Jasper grinned at her and held out his arms expecting a hug from the deadly assassin. Rolling her eyes she walked up to him and gave him an awkward side hug, her face shoved into his chest as he completed the process and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and brought her closer.

"Jasper get your f*****g hands off me, before I bloody cut them off for you." She seethed as she threatened him, her claustrophobia kicking in, she hated hugs, well besides Evie's hugs, those she can handle, but anyone else and she feels like she's suffocating, like they can swallow her whole and it'll be too late before she realises she's dead and gone

"Awwhhh.. worth a try this time, but I guess you're still not ready to accept my care yet" jasper feigned hurt as he dramatically placed his hand over his wounded heart. "Shut up, or I'll duct tape your mouth" Maia threatens him once again "oooo kinky.. i like that" Jasper teased her as he bit his lip seductively, before he bursted out laughing at the look on Maia's face "OKAY OKAY- chill Angel.. damn if looks could kill i would be-" "you would be f*****g dead the minute i bloody met you. Dickhead" Maia interrupted him and finished his sentence for him, Jasper frowned and turned his back to her, walking in the direction of her car "i managed to fix her up real well! Even added some new gear to her!" He spoke excitedly as he stopped in front of a dark purple and black Miata.

Maia smiled as she looked at her car "oh baby how i have missed you dearly" she walked up to her car and hugged the bonnet, for non car lovers she just looks absolutely deranged, but to Jasper it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever.

"How much do i owe you?" She asked him sincerely as she kept her gazed locked on her car "oh nothin' its free" he grinned as he took in her shocked and appalled face, her hands on her hips as she did her angry mum stance, her eyes narrowing as she glared daggers at him

"Enough nonsense, how. Much. Is. It" she sharply said to him "really! It's nothing, free of charge, no buts, no ifs, no nothing. Just take her, you pay me way too much as it is El" Maia frowned at him, of course she paid him extra he always took exceptional care for her and her vehicles, when she was sick one time he came over to her house and gave her chicken noodles, she complained because they weren't spicy but he knew that chicken noodles were the best for a cold, he nursed her back to health. "Of course I pay you well Jas, you are a phenomenal mechanic" she rolled her eyes at him as if it was just basic knowledge "still, i don't want anything for my work this time, let me give you this as a very late birthday present" Maia shook her head to try and contain her small grin "thank you Jas.. im glad i have a good friend like you, also you do know that my birthday is in October, correct?" Maia side eyed him, her left brow raised at him in question

"Ahem.." he coughed out awkwardly and rubbed his neck with his hand "yeah.. but we've both been so busy i haven't been able to see you dummy" he quickly rushed out in attempt to hide the fact that he had forgotten until just recently. Shyly looking away, he was too open and easy to read, Maia chuckled and decided to forgive him, graciously accepting his late gift. "Thank you Jasper"she smiled at him, "You're welcome Angel.. i wish you would tell me your real name at some point.." he sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, his fingers path interrupted by his man bun.

"You know i can't Jasper because if I do, they will either kill you, move me across state, or even make you move, the possibilities and risk are endless and far too high." She explained softly, Jasper looked down at his feet, her knew this too, he understood all too well what kind of life they were involved in, but yet his feelings of wanting to protect her kept getting in his way even though he fully knew she was able to handle and protect herself.

"I have to go now Jasper i have somewhere to be.." she sopoke softly as to not hurt him, Jasper shifted his gaze onto her small frame and nodded with a small smile, hopping into her car she started the engine and drove off, heading towards the mall. After a short drive Maia pulled into the car park and turned the engine off, stepping out she walked up to the front doors, heading towards the food court where she knew her friends would be waiting, stuffing their faces full.

"Jay, Iris!" Maia chuckled as she saw her friends stuffed faces turn to her, Jay and Iris were a match made in heaven, during College the three of them were inseparable, Maia only went college as a front because one of the people there was her target for her mission, nonetheless Maia loved every moment she spent with the two of them.

"MIA!!!!!!" They both sprung up, took a moment to glare at each other then raced over to the cherry haired woman, each of them on either side of her, entrapping her in their embrace, playing a possessive game of tug-of-war, glaring angrily at each other "she's mine! She's my best friend!" Jay argued with Iris "SHE'S MINE TOO DUMBASS, AND! I met her first. If it wasn't for me! You would have never met her!!" Iris argued back, the two of them caused heads to turn and look at the trio, some passerby's smiled and chuckled at the scene while others just grimaced and cringe at their loudness and display.

"Guys. Let go of me." Maia growled out as she put her hands on their faces and pushed them off of her, repulsing at their touch, her heartbeat picking up slightly as she put distance between them and her. "You both know i hate touching." She growled at them as she gave them her middle finger, Iris and Jay laughed at her expression and apologised with a small pout on their lips. "Now what are we here for?" Maia asked quizzically at them, her hands on her hips as she gave them a pointed stare.

"Well.... We were hungry because you took so long but originally we came here to get some new outfits, couple ones, and thought you might of wanted to come hang, maybe go to the book store?" Iris explained the scenario they had planned out, Maia nodded and smiled at them, she was grateful she had friends like them, they always thought of her and included her in their events, outings and dates, even though she felt like a third wheel, but they always reminded her that before Iris and Jay are a couple they're all best friends.

"Well i suppose we should start our shopping spree now then" Iris giggled as she grabbed both, Jay's and Maia's hands, leading them further into the gigantic five story shopping centre. As they weaved in and out of countless stores on a few of the levels, the very top two levels were for the extremely rich and famous customers, hence why they didn't even think of going there, Maia could of if she wasn't with Jay and Iris at the moment simply because they had no idea what job she had and just how much money she owned.

After a few hours of shopping and window gawking, the trio's arms were completely covered with shopping bags, full of clothes, shoes, makeup and other meaningless items, Maia was just happily following the couple as they excitedly went about enjoy quality time together, she had four of her own bags, three filled with clothes and the last one with combats boots. "Y'all ready to read!!" Maia almost squealed as she saw the book store, she loved reading, when she was a teenager she had hoped and dreamed to become a famous author that wrote stories that came from her heart and imagination, Alas because of her circumstances she wasn't able to achieve her dream of becoming an author.

So instead she now reads her sorrows and thoughts away, getting herself swept up within a story, Iris and Jay look at the excited woman and shook their heads, a big grin on their faces as they simply nod at her happy antics, Maia let out a small squeal as she raced over to the book store, pushing open the door she took in a deep full breath, inhaling the old rustic book smell, sighing in ecstasy she walked over to the romance section.

"Hmmm what shall I pick today.." she pondered softly to herself, Iris and Jay, hadn't entered the book store, which Maia didn't mind, she knew they didn't particularly like to read, glancing through the categories and names she pulled four romance books, five crime books, and seven fantasy books, she loved all three of them but wanted to try and keep her spendings on books low, although, she also knew that Evie loved books just as much as she did, which was probably why she had gotten so many over the years, they both share them.

As she went to turn around she bumped into a solid chest, looking up she swear she had seen a deadly god, if looks could kill she would probably be very very dead, twenty feet under dead. "Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where i was going-" she spoke put softly but confidently, eyeing the brown haired demon in front of her, thinking about it now she couldn't picture him as a god, he seemed more like the devil in disguise as a angel, purely because his frown disappeared shortly after she saw it and was replaced with a bright smile.

"No, i am the one who should be apologising, i was in your way" the mans deep voice rasped out, if s*x had a voice it would be his because she almost fangirled over it, nodding silently she looked to his side and back down it her books "uhm, i should get going my friends are waiting for me outside, I'm sorry again" she tried to quickly scurry off but her escape plan was interrupted by the tall demon who now stood in front of her. "Can i at least know the pretty lady's name before she scurries off?" He smirked as he looked down at her, Maia's eyes widen in shock but then quickly narrowed in suspicion. "No, i only give my name to people im acquainted too" she bit back at him sourly, effortlessly moving around him and walking up to the counter. "Just these books please" she smiled at the cashier, to which her smile was not return. "Uhm.. they have already been paid for ma'am-.." the cashier said awkwardly to the lady.

Maia's eyes rounded, her mouth opening in gawking shock "by who?!" She almost screamed but took a deep breath in and out to keep her composure. "By that man over there" the cashier said as he pointed to the man Maia was just having a cumbersome conversation with, sneering at the man she threw down a couple hundred dollars "f*****g refund them and take my money, if you do so there's a tip of fifty bucks in there. I will not accept no for a goddam answer." She growled as she turned on her heel, flipping the strange man off as she left the store.

Catching up with Iris and Jay who were once again back at the food court, stuffing their enormous mouths "do you all ever stop freakin eating? I don't understand how you don't put weight on!" She groaned as she looked at them, her appetite diminishing as she grimaced at their fast food options. "Oh shut up, you love us!" Jay bit back at her remark, his cocky smile plastered on his pale face.

"Mhhhmm if you wanna believe that, i only tolerate you guys because you would be lonely and miserable without me in ya lives" Maia dramatically flipped her hand past her ear, as if she were to flip her hair, forgetting it was tied up. "Will ya both shut up! I'm eating." Iris hissed out as she shoved a couple of fries down her gob, Jay and Maia rolled their eyes at her shenanigans.

"M-Kay guys imma head home, i have work early tomorrow so i need to get some rest before that" Maia effortlessly lied to them, in truth she didn't have a mission until later that night, but after what happened at the book store she felt angry and just wanted to go home. "Oh yeah of course, we get how busy you are hun" Iris beamed up at her as Jay nodded in agreement as they bid her farewell.

The trip back to her car was short as she hastily exited the mall, walking up to her car with her bags and books, she had forgotten to ask for a bag in her anger and haste to leave. Groaning aloud she opened her trunk and shoved them inside, noticing her assassin equipment still in there, she sighed as she closed the boot door. Quickly getting into her car She started the engine and sped off, her tires screeching with urgency as she escaped the attractive demon behind her.

It's not that she was afraid of him, it was the fact that she felt attracted to him, she did not have the mental capacity or even the capacity alone to get into a relationship, she knew she was most likely overthinking it, but he had made her fight or flight senses kick in, and she chose to fly, to run as far away as she could. To not look back, to not stare into his dark melting brown eyes that could make her legs weak, that could make her panties moist within minutes, without him having to do anything, she did not understand why she felt this way, was she so sexually deprived that staring at a handsome man, who paid for her books made her want to pounce on him?

"Get ahold of yourself Maia goodness, you're acting like a mutt on heat." She seethed out through clenched teeth, removing her hands momentarily from the wheel to slap her cheeks, the car swerved into the opposite lane, on coming traffic honked at her, but she did not faulted not jump at nearly being hit an killed by a truck, in fact her heart raced in excitement an adrenaline, she would never admit it, but she liked risks, danger was a secret turn on for her, it made her feel more alive than anything ever had before.

Which was probably why her choice in men was always the dangerous, bad boy types, if they were nice and sweet she didn't mind them, but add those traits to being a bad boy? And she fell head over heels, she knew her worth and would never left anyone treat her like s**t, but she couldn't help but get a thrill from the men who would treat her like a princess yet would also treat her like a slut in the bedroom and give in to her dark and twisted desires.

Pulling up to her humble little s**t hole she let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding the entire drive, parking her car she hurriedly got out to move her bike onto the side walk, hoping back in she correctly parked her car where her bike used to be, turning the engine off she smiled as she got out once again. "Oh how i have missed my baby" she grinned as she stared down at her miata. Walking around to her boot she opened it up and promptly grabbing her shopping bags and books, before she swiftly closed the boot door, looking around skeptically to see if anyone saw her daggers, knives and guns just casually sprawled out in her trunk, when she didn't find anyone out and about in the snowy weather she let out a sigh of relief and headed inside.

Dumping her items on the kitchen counter she hurriedly went back outside, grabbing her bike she manoeuvred it into her small side storage unit, she had asked to put it in the small gap between her apartment and the one next to her so she could store her bike when she wasn't using it, thankfully with some illegal help the council allowed her to build it, closing the sheds door she attached the lock and locked her car as she reentered the house.

Instantly turning the heater on so she wouldn't freeze to absolute death, as her body eased up to the comforting warmth surrounding her small house she removed her clothes and shoes from their packaged confinements, "welcome to your new home my preciouses" she cooed at the inanimate objects "you'll get treated very well here in my care~" she grinned as she held the item of clothing up against her form, even though she could not see what it would look like since there was no mirror for her to gaze at.

Smiling at her own childish behaviour she stuffed her items back into their respective bags and layered them onto her arm as she used the other to carry her books, carefully she treaded to her bedroom, dumping all of her stuff once again onto her bed, for a second time she unpacked the clothes and boots, walking into ehr adjacent bathroom she briskly changed into the silky linen.

Approaching her mirror she stood tall and powerful as she gawked at her reflection, her brain nitpicking her curves and bumps, she disliked how her tummy stuck out slightly, she only weighed ninety kilo's but to her she greatly disliked it, although she was constantly told "your body is gorgeous you are not fat, stop being an attention seeker" she could not help but doubt herself, she was diagnosed with anorexia at a early age, but had always refused to accept it. She still tends to struggle with eating properly, Evie always scolds her for it.

"Enough Maia, you look fine. Cut it out with the bullshit." She angrily spoke to her reflection, her eyes once again trailing across her clouded figure, she was wearing a black jumpsuit, which was cut into different segments and parts, the neckline doubled as a turtle neck in addition to a mask that came just under her eyes, the material for the upper fraction of the mask was made out of mesh so it was easier to breathe through, while the rest of the jumpsuit was created out of silk which fit snugly against her body, accentuating her curves and folds.

The legs of the jumpsuit were shorts that stopped mid-thigh to allow room to move, she had thigh high stockings on and her combat boots over the top, clouded in all black she looked like a true assassin, pulling her cherry hair back into a pony tail she begun to pose and strut in front of her mirror

"Okay. I will admit I look hot.." she says heatedly as she looks at the photos she had taken on her phone, smiling as she began to take off her clothes.

Now standing in just her bra and underwear she sighed as she left her bedroom, walking down to her front door, humming softly.

Lost within her thoughts, she jumped and let out a sharp squeal when someone rang her door bell "Jesus f**k!" She held her hand to her heart as she tried to calm her growing panic attack, She grabbed a random sweater she had previously put on the back of the couch and threw it over her head, the sweater thankfully covered all her exposed parts, reaching just below her bikini line.

Approaching the door she unlocked it slowly and peered out into the snow covered streets, not seeing anyone out on her porch she sighed in relief, slowly closing the door she abruptly stopped as she noticed a small black box sitting perfectly unaffected by the sinuous weather around it, a letter was taped neatly atop of it.

Eyeing it suspiciously she gave another quizzical look around, glancing back down at the box like it was a foreign object, she once again looked around, she repeated this action a few more times before she carefully leant down and picked up the package, looking back into the nothingness once more, her body let out a bizarre shiver as she retreated into the warmth of her home.

Traveling over to the kitchen she delicately placed the parcel on the countertop, Surveying it intensely as if a monster were to jump out and attack her at any moment. Cautiously she pulled the elegant note off the lid, slowly opening it her eyes raced over the intricate words written smoothly epistle, gasping she nearly choked on her saliva as she read the note

Dear Maia ~

You looked stunning today, despite the fact that you are wearing a jumper that is far too big for you. If it were mine I wouldn't oppose to it, I imagine you would look quite adorable in my clothes actually, But I digress.

I've left you some chocolates, worry not my love, they are dairy free just for you, so please enjoy, if they are not to your liking I will gladly ameliorate something even superior to give you my angel.

Yours truly, your devoted admirer.

"What the f**k?!" Maia was seething, throwing the box of chocolates across the room, the lid crashed to the floor as the confection inside catapulted itself outwards. "who the hell do they think they are?!" she fumed, her fingers clenching, tightening into a fist.

Scrunching up the letter she gathered the remains of the destroyed sweets and the unfazed box. "Stupid cardboard isn't fucken affected" she cursed to no one in particular, discarding the items in the kitchen bin she turned on her heels, storming up the stairs to her bedroom.

"I swear if they send another goddamn letter I'm tracking em' down and shooting their brains out." She grumbled as aggressively threw off her jumper and clambered into bed, falling restlessly asleep in just her bra and underwear.

~ ???? ~

( word count 4308 )

This chapter just swept me up in a whirlwind I couldn't stop writing!

Anyways!!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, stay tuned for more!