"Black and strong, please."

"And why would you want strong and black coffee?"

Mira shrugged. What kind of dumb question is that? Why would anyone want strong coffee if it is not the kind of coffee they enjoy? If there are any other reasons, now she can't figure them out.

"That is my kind of coffee."

Sonia stared at her as if trying to see the truth in her eyes. What was she thinking in her small angry head? What crazy reasons why she wanted coffee was she trying to come up with?

"I hope this is only about the coffee."

―――

Mira chuckled. "Why else will I want coffee?"

"I don't know, you think in mysterious ways, why don't you tell me?"

"I most definitely don't think in mysterious ways. We have started on the wrong foot, I know. And you see me as a threat to the Boss. That is understandable. But right now, I really do want a cup of coffee and I don't have an ulterior motive as to why. So would you do me a favor and send me your blackest and strongest coffee?"

Sonia didn't say anything, she just stood there and stared daggers. With no words, she left.

In fifteen minutes, a maid delivered a kettle of hot flaming black coffee.

"Sonia asked if you are sure you don't want sugar and milk with your coffee." the maid said.

"No, thanks. It is great this way. Tell her I do appreciate her kind gesture towards me."

Perfect.

She had wanted the coffee for one particular reason, surveillance. She wanted to study the security routine of the house at night time. And she wanted a strong stimulant.

Normally, she never takes coffee at this time of the day since she won't sleep. But now, that is exactly what she wanted, no sleep tonight, only surveillance.

She set her chair at the window where it was possible for her to see the front door but no one could see her. Except they were using infrared, no one could see her hiding behind the drapes.

That was the original plan until she remembered the imaginary cameras. Until she knows for sure there were none —of course, there are or there should be— all of these plans will go up in smoke.

She can't sit by the window, she has to be in bed and pretend to sleep else she will raise suspicions.

She went through the cabinet in the mirror and as she was staring at herself, she got a brilliant idea.

Reflection.

There was a small mirror in the cabinet. If she could place it by the window in such a way that it reflected the main door, she could see the guards from where she lay in her bed.

Her face lit up, then dulled with the same speed they lit.

It was stupid.

To do this, the window would be opened and the mirror would be placed at an angle. Then she has to hope the strong autumn wind doesn't blow it off, and in such a way it doesn't fall below.

And then she had to place it there and hope that those imaginary cameras don't pick her up as she did.

It was too much to ask and do much to worry about and too much is at stake. If Kade catches her again, who knows what he will do? Maybe he would listen to his brothers, to Alessandro. And that will kill her. And she wanted to live. She wants to live long enough to see the downfall of Kade Valenti.

So this plan is postponed till another day.

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But the bad news is, she had already taken the coffee.

Mira didn't sleep at all. The night was long and boring, but she didn't have one second of sleep. It felt like she shot herself in the leg but like she said before, this is no time to feel sorry for herself. She must use every setback as a stepping stone to her goal. Do not lose focus on what is important for something that is gone.

Occasionally she heard shifting of feet and grumbling. But she resisted the urge to go and find out. Yes, those imaginary cameras.

But what if there were no cameras? What if she was being paranoid?

No. There are bound to be cameras. Kade would never leave her by herself knowing how vengeful she is. She would be under constant watch, if she wasn't, it would be a slack in security. These people won't do that. She was very tired from the lack of sleep, but she won't stop calculating.

By 4:30, people started to wake up.

Kade woke up at 5 am and walked around the house. Mira could hear him give instructions and ask them to send in.

"...Pickles and coffee..."

She could hear him being attended to a few minutes later.

In the next thirty minutes, the entire house awoke. Mira took the opportunity to rise too. Even if those cameras were watching now, they should know that it was time to stand up.

She quickly checked the guards at the front door, if they had changed. They haven't. That means the guards that will be on duty are the same guards that will remain until 6 am, possibly.

She was correct. All the guards on duty were off by 6. And the security pin at the gate was changed again. It was a shift till 6, as expected. Now she needs to confirm it tomorrow.

Mira yawned. Her body ached and her head banged. The coffee has worn away and the effect of the lack of sleep was beginning to dawn on her.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Mira wondered who that could be.

"Miss Mira?

"Yes, who is it?"

"I am here to deliver a message from Mr Kade."

Kade.

What does Kade want this morning? Isn't it too early to be tormenting her? Now he had had a good night's rest, pickles, and coffee. What was next on his to-do list, 'torment Mira'?

"What is the message?"

"He asks you to meet him on the lawn in the next ten minutes."

Mira was surprised. Why would he want her?

"Why?"

"Morning exercise."

What!