TO KILL IS TO SERVE

Chapter 15: The Trouble

Changing disguises in a public place is a hassle. I inhaled deeply before getting inside the cubicle.

In the comfort room, with time limit of fifteen minutes, I ponytailed my long wavy-haired wig to change my hair style, also put on a denim jacket and removed my wrist bands, changed my contact lenses and used eyeliner to make my eyes wider, folded my jeans and changed my shoes. She picked a café, of all places. I thought while putting face powder and changing my disguise’s normal light skin tone to a much tanner one. She made sure that she will be able to see my face because she has probably ordered a drink already, indicating that I need to order one for myself, too. I dabbed some lip tint on my lips and put some nose line by brown and cream coloured eye-shadow make-ups. I also wore an ear-piercing on my right ear after removing the concealer I used to hide my 7-year old right ear’s piercing hole. Lastly, I drew a small AG on my right side of the forehead using the eye-liner and made sure that it could be covered by some of my curled front hair. Just for formality. I kidded and looked at the new visual I created on myself. I turned from a charming 19-art-student to a badass 21-f**k-boy-next-door. “I am so f*****g impressive.” I complimented and grinned to myself.

I went to the coffee shop where she said we should meet. I saw her in the middle of the place, sitting while sipping on her coffee. What a nice place to f*****g enjoy yourself. I sighed and sat in front of her.

“Hey.” I smiled as soon as I sat down. She’s indeed wearing red… from head to toe. I thought as I secretly scan her. 28? Is Info kidding me? She doesn’t look like an assassin to me, or a 28 year-old. She’s plainly a woman who wants attention everywhere she goes, which is an exact opposite of what an assassins wants—we’re basically and supposedly just shadows of Death.

“Oh, you’re here!” She chuckled and sat properly. Sickeningly enthusiastic. I said without actually speaking up. “And you indeed are still young…” She commented, eyes obviously checking me out. I chuckled pretentiously and saw that CD tattoo on her forehead—obviously painted as well.

“So, shall we—”

“What coffee do you prefer?” She asked even before I could talk. What a rude woman. I drifted my crude thoughts away to avoid speaking anything to someone I am going to hire and just scanned the place, acting on my assassin instinct. “Let us see…” She leaned in, locking her eyes into mine. Probably deducing which coffee I would order. She smiled and pointed me with her two index fingers, both her elbows are placed on the table, with her Vienna coffee in the middle. “Ah!” She clapped and I smiled, chuckling. “I don’t know.” Quickly, she gave up, sighing, and rested her back on the back rest of her chair.

“Honey, you look too cute for a Vienna, don’t you think so?” I commented with a smile. Vienna coffee looks cute for its whipped cream but it’s hella bitter. I believe we shouldn’t settle for something only cute-looking. Ew. “Aren’t you like a Café au lait type of a cat?” Well, Latte is very creamy and also cute. I stan.

She crossed her arms and pouted, “Latte is for soft people.” She glared at me, muttering. “Vienna is for me, seriously. I have been drinking this even before I was born.” She joked and winked at me. That’s lame.

“But I am a Café au lait person.” I just chuckled instead of cursing her for calling my coffee type for soft people.

She looked at me while sipping. “You’re a soft one, then.” I saw her grinned behind her cup before she puts it down.

I cleared my throat and raised my hand. A waiter came and I said my order before he goes away. “Headshot, fifteen meters.” I smiled when I turned to her, crossing my arms, and then I saw her arching her right brow, definitely interested. “Cobra Denali .380 ACP.” I added. I am currently boasting one of my most notable kills out of petty. If she still thinks that I am a f*****g softie, I would cut her head next. I am stooping this f*****g low to step on your f*****g claim. I glued a smile on my face as a mask.

She gasped and looked disgusted. Any assassin who’s spoiled in using grand guns and fine weapons would react that way. “Why the heck would you pick a—”

“It was a civilian’s gun for self-defence. I had no choice.” I butted in before she could even remark. “Again, headshot, about fifteen meters, Cobra Denali .380 ACP and…” I stopped when the order came. I smiled and the crew bowed before he disappears again from our sight. I looked back at Cool Cat and grinned. “Moving.” I added.

“How fast?”

By her smile, she looked like she’s ready to mock me. I scoffed and sipped on my cup of creamy coffee. So creamy. I glimpsed at it before looking back at her. Does she think I will show off something so natural for assassins? Or something very shallow? She really thinks I am damn soft, didn’t she? “Train.” I simply replied and her eyes widened. “I was inside the train. The target’s on the next train beside mine.” To clear up the situation, I added the last detail. “It was my f*****g fault, though. I got into the wrong one.”

“No way.” She gasped and opened her laptop. “Kill number?” She asked while typing. I reached for her laptop and closed it.

“Public place, honey.” I whispered and winked.

She smiled and nodded. “The owner of this shop is Code 0083, my senpai.” She whispered back. “And everyone who works here is part of THD. I started out here, too, as an Apprentice.”

I held my temples as my brow arched in surprise. That’s why the waiters are kept on glancing at us. My instinct has been telling me that since earlier. Maybe they’re trying to see if this lady will kill me. Do I look like a target to them? “Cool.” I whispered, beaming. And I wonder if Info, 0082, knows who 0083 is. Not that I care. I shrugged my thoughts off.

“So, Kill number?” She asked again and reopened her laptop.

“I can’t remember. Maybe around 35 to 40.” I answered and she nodded. Then, she began typing—no… smashing her keyboard. Is this the same Cool Cat? I furrowed my brows and sipped on my cup of latte coffee. Her aura just changed when she faced her keyboard. I think not everyone is like her, though, because Info’s expression never changes—in front or out of the screen.

“Found it.” She wheezed and feigned panting. No, it’s not convincing, fucker. I just stared at her acting that sucks. “Tyranno Villasantos, 34, an office worker, 38th kill.” She read, skimming the report of my 38th kill. “Man, it’s true! Train and train assassination!” Her eyes are glimmering while reading. We cannot put anything false or made up in Kill reports, so of course it is f*****g true. I wonder why we have to write reports, though. We’re not police officers. I bet they will use these documents against us in the future and I swear to any heavenly beings that I would kill Dad first before he can do that.

“You’re disclosing my private report now, honey.” I chuckled and even after knowing that this place is full of assassins, I still continued my disguise. She opened my folder of kills just by typing craps and now, she’s already exploring my private matters. Techies are scary. “So, missy, you cannot judge a person by the coffee he drinks, okay?” I smiled, play-acting the kind mother.

She puckered her lips, “You’re indeed a legend. What good deed did my past self do to get hired by you?” She praised and closed her laptop, leaning towards the table. That’s again, lame. But I did not mention anything about her unnecessary comments. The only important thing now is that her bitter-sweet coffee is almost finished. So maybe, this is the time I’ve been waiting for. I thought, smiling.

Her facial expression changed and her aura altered to a professional one. Cool Cat can definitely act professional when she’s at work, why can’t she always act like one? I asked myself while holding my cup. “Okay, shall we start discussing about this person whom you want to know the details of, now?” She finally asked.

I chuckled, placing my cup on the table and turned my playful expression to a serious one, “How much is your fee again…?” I might go broke if I were to avoid killing Alora or failing this deal, so I will definitely ask for a cut-off if I f*****g can.

-

I was still in a discussion about my deal and its price range with Cool Cat when my phone rang. And as always, there is only one person who knows that number—my beloved target.

I stood up and held my phone to pick the call up, “Please excuse me. This is something—” But I paused when her eyes met mine, taking it away from her laptop. Through analysing her gazes and her facial expression in the little time I have, I exhaled and sat back down, placing the vibrating phone on my pocket. Annoying techies.

“Why’d you hesitate? Go answer it.” She gestured me to go and took her eyes back to her laptop. “I can wait.”

I saw it—the glint in her eyes, measuring my actions. I can’t believe this woman. I smirked without her being aware and relaxed myself in my seat. I cannot go answer the phone because I am facing a technology geek. I bet the moment I talk; she already knew the identity of my target—Alora, which I cannot allow. I don’t know how wide her skillsets are yet, so I’d rather not risk it. I’ve already let her intrude my private past kills and reports; I don’t intend to let her win again. It’s not ethical for an assassin to be transparent with other assassins when it comes to his targets, that I believe. And the only f*****g thing I have as an assassin is my pride so why the hell should I stain it?

In a brief moment, I witnessed her clenching her fist and faking a smile. She looked disappointed. I crossed my arms as I observe. She knows she’s facing the youngest and the best assassin of this generation and yet she acts so carelessly. This will make oneself doubt her profession and professionalism. Although I am no exemption, I’m already in the verge of asking her why she’s an assassin.

“Why aren’t you answering the call?” She asked again after feeling the vibration of my phone the second time. Aside from her unprofessional attitude, I am still facing a Clandestine-ranked assassin. Good senses. I smiled and took my phone from my pocket, glancing at the same number.

Anyway, you gave me the right moment. I nodded and exhaled with a beam. “Let us conclude the deal now.” I stood up and she did the same, extending her right hand. “The payment will be delivered through Info and when can I expect the information?”

“Tomorrow since unlike you, I have no target as of the moment.” She replied and I grabbed her hand for a handshake. “Same time, same place.”

I nodded. She works fast. She is making me think if what I were to receive tomorrow is reliable. “Nice working with you.” I said and withdrew my grasp. Maybe she’s really got nothing to do but sit in front of her screens all day, like Info. However, she is not a dealer, so she’s not as busy as that Info.

She chuckled and bowed a little, “It is my pleasure, really.” She sat back down and smiled at me for the last time. I took the phone that was vibrating earlier and spun it in the table before walking away. “Hey, your phone!” She called as she noticed that I am indeed planning to leave my phone in the table.

“I don’t like eavesdroppers.” I turned to her and cut her off before she could ask. She sighed and I heard a soft chuckle before she nods and goes back to her laptop. I got out of the coffee shop and held my pocket to pick the SIM card that I took before I gave up the phone. “What a waste of money.” I pouted and rummaged my bag to get a spare one. For the last time, I took a quick glance at my newly hired assassin and she removed her gazes on me. “It was a cool meeting, Cool Cat.” I uttered and inserted the SIM card to my spare mobile phone. In my seven years of working as an assassin, I have only hired two assassins to do something for me—Manchineel and Cool Cat. Kiken is an exemption. I paused as the name rang my ears even though I did not actually hear it. “Whatever.”

Alora called twice. I thought and dialled her number after crossing the road. She answered the call after a few rings. I am hearing some gasps and heavy breaths from her side of the line. “Grei?” She whispered and gulped in between her huffs.

Okay, my target is in trouble and I am f*****g pissed. Should I just quit this job and learn things about computers? f**k, no.