After getting ready for the day and dealing with my nerves, I waited while Christopher efficiently lied to Hailey about the incident in their house the previous day. Hailey wasn't really convinced at first but after I received a discrete signal from Christopher, I joined in on the lie and reassured her. I hated lying to her but it had to be done for her own safety. I am aware of how she'll be extremely upset when she discovers the truth.

Upon the ending of an eternally long conversation between the siblings, Christopher and I headed towards the famous 'Il Matteo'. There was a really thick tension in the air, the silence between us was no more peaceful but uncomfortable, deadly even if I say so myself. We entered the cafe and placed our order, collected it and occupied a booth in the left corner of the cafe.

As soon as we sat down, "I am going to ask you certain questions and you need to truthfully answer them," Christopher demanded. I didn't really have a choice so I just nodded.

"Who are you?" was the first question.

"I am Ashley, I thought you knew that," I sassed back.

"Are you really?"

I turned serious and replied, "Christopher I don't know what you think of me but I can assure you, my name is Ashley and I am not the bad guy here."

"Who are you? And why are you after me and my family?" he seriously questioned.

"I am not here to harm you or Hailey or even Alex. You have to trust me, I am not your enemy."

"Are you here for my father?" he questioned.

I did not know what to say, I did not think he'd notice that I didn't say I would not hurt his father.

"I can't tell you, I am sorry. I know, you are probably gonna hate me forever but I am not a criminal. I never wanted things to turn out like," he silenced me by putting his pointer finger on my lips.

"Yes or No, Ashley."

I sighed, there is no point lying he already knows, "Yes, but I have a reason behind it and you have to hear me out before you misunderstand things. Your father is not that good of a man you might think he is, I know you have no reason to believe me but I am not here to hurt any innocents. Your father is not a good man," I tried to convince him by blabbering.

"I know," he answered.

"He wants to spread fear by bombing- wait, what!?" Am I losing my mind or did he actually say that?

"I know he is not a good man but I need to know what are you here for," he solemnly replied.

I pursed my lips, " I am sorry, I can't tell you. It's classified information."

"Who do you work for, Ashley?"

"The people who want to keep innocents safe but will end your life if they find out you know about them."

"Okay, I get it. This conversation is going nowhere if you can't answer my questions then you are of no use to me. Goodbye, Ashley."

I don't know why but that hurt, a lot. Saying I am no use to him if I can't provide intel. I am doing this for the secrecy and privacy of The Organisation, my employers. I watched him leave the cafe and felt helpless. I lost the only friends I ever had, I will probably never see Hailey or Alexander ever again. I guess all good things really do come to an end.

I made my way to my lonely apartment and entered my room. I looked around the room, I couldn't believe how much had happened in such a short period of time. In this very room, a few hours ago a boy told me he would never leave and will be there for me. From that very guy, I received a Goodbye Ashley, fifteen minutes ago. How the tables have turned.

I receive a mail from The Organisation and was left utterly confused. These guys never mailed me before what's up with them?

I opened it and read through. Are they kidding me? They have discarded the mission and are asking me to return to the HQ. They say that the intel was incorrect and Damien Gray is not a wanted criminal for The Organisation anymore. They can't possibly be serious, right? Damien's own son said his father is not a good man and they say the intel is incorrect?

One thing I know and that is I am not giving up on this mission, even if it's not sanctioned by my agency anymore. Something bad is going to happen and I have a feeling it has to do with not only Damien but The Organisation too.

I start brainstorming ideas and come up with nothing. I can't call Dad and Cody because
1. They will order me to come back since the mission is no longer being carried out.
2. I am not really fond of them both as of now as they didn't tell me about mom.

I can't contact Christopher and I can't ask The Organisation to provide me intel. What do I do?

I rummage through my drawers for all the printed information I had on Damien's mafia business and mentally pat myself for having a hard copy because I no longer have access to online files.

I study them closely again and find out drugs and weapons are sold in an underground club with a boxing arena named 'The Versatile'. I have a source that will most likely be found here.

Guess I'll be going to a gambling boxing match in a club. Shame, The Organisation is gonna miss out on the fun part of the mission. I even have to look for a new place in two days, if not my dear employers will drag me back to D.C.

-------------------

I got ready for my visit to the club because the bouncer won't let me in if I go in jeans and T-shirt. I put on my black off-shoulders jumpsuit and my black heels with detachable pencil heels. Classy yet appropriate for some action because you never know what might happen, therefore always be prepared.

After quickly putting on my makeup, adjusting and hiding quite a few guns and daggers in my outfit, I grab my clutch and leave for the possibly eventful night.

---------------

Upon reaching this place, I wasn't very impressed because the entry was in a dark and gloomy alley. There was a dumpster right beside the main gate, it gave off a bad first impression. But I guess they don't really wanna attract a lot of people here. Oh yeah, I actually discovered this was a hangout location for local gangs, criminals and mafia members. It was a place where you'd only find the 'bad guys'. It was always crowded though, given the boxing matches which took place here, these matches were basically like streetfights.

I bat my lashes at the security up front and they let me in. As soon as I enter all I see and hear are bright lights flashing on the dancing bodies and loud pop music blasting through the speakers. It most certainly is crowded in here. The bar was empty when compared to the packed dance floor.

I took a seat on the high stools at the bar and ordered a Martini. I was quietly sipping my drink and looking around for a red-headed guy also referred to as Gary.

I feel a presence beside me but don't put much thought into it thinking its just another person to drink in peace. I am very well proved wrong when the stranger disturbs my search for Gary.

"May I buy you a drink?" a manly voiced asked.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I already have one," I raised my glass to my lips looking ahead and not sparing a glance to the stranger.

I heard a chuckle and turned towards the owner of the voice to ask what was so funny. I saw the stranger's face and the words I was about to utter died in my throat. Those familiar chocolate brown orbs stared at me amusedly.

"Christopher?" I muttered questionably.

"I believe that is my name," he smirked.

I was angry and upset because of his behaviour earlier today but I couldn't blame him, he has questions and I am not answering those questions.

"What do you want?" I grumpily muttered out.

"What are you doing here?" the mischievous look on his face was replaced with seriousness.

"I believe that is none of your business," I mocked him with what he said earlier.

"You will answer all of my questions, Ashley."

"What makes you so sure? Why do you think I am gonna tell you anything at all?" I asked him incredulously.

"Because you don't want to get arrested," he smirked, again.

I scoffed, "Oh yeah? What are the police gonna arrest me for?"

"They will arrest you when they find all those weapons in the safe under your desk in your bedroom," he smugly replied.

"Okay, just to make it clear- A. They don't know the pin of the safe and B. Those weapons are authorised not illegal possessions," I rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh darling, A. Your passcode is 1811 and B. Whatever agency you work for has discarded the mission which means anything you do about this matter will not be their responsibility and they will not get you out of it," he smugly replied.

I clenched my teeth in annoyance and put a hard look on my face to hide my concern and shock. Upon seeing my expression Christopher chuckled, "I am right, aren't I?"

"What do you want?" I seethed out.

"Answers," was his short reply.

"What part of I can't tell don't you understand?" I angrily grumbled.

"Every part of it," okay, now he is just doing it to annoy me.

"Why do you suddenly hate me? I am not a bad person," I blurted out.

"I don't know that."

"I saved your life when your house was attacked."

"We never know, you could have planned that attack with your agency to hurt and/or kill us" he shrugged. I was dumbfounded, that is what he thinks?

"You all are alive, aren't you?" I rhetorically asked him and smiled sarcastically.

"You could have done it to get on our good side."

"I risk my life to save all of yours and instead of being appreciated, I am being doubted. Nice," I faked another smile.

"You really cannot blame me, can you? When you are the one hiding things and keeping secrets how can you expect me to trust you?" he asked. He is not entirely wrong.

"But-" I stopped talking when I spotted a familiar fireball in the crowd and immediately stood up from my chair. I put a 20 dollar bill on the counter while Christopher confusedly eyed my every move.

"Look, we can resume our conversation sometime later, okay? I really need to go," I quickly told him and left even before he even got a chance to reply.

I pushed through the sweaty, grinding bodies on the dance floor and followed in a trail behind the redhead. Gary reached the slightly less crowded area of the club and took a left turn into a hallway with drunk people stumbling around. I walked a safe distance away from him and took the next two turns he took to reach an empty corridor.

Gary enters the last wooden door on my right and as I go to follow I heard a gunshot in the room. I immediately take out a dagger from my sleeves and cautiously open the door. I only see Gary's body bleeding from the bullet shot in the side of his head. I push open the door fully and find the room empty. I then notice the gun in Gary's hand, the guy committed suicide!?

I just lost my only way of knowing what's going on! I hear footsteps approaching the hallway I am in. I shut the door and turn around to see who was coming towards me and it turns out to be.....