[chapter 27. What are you?]
[part1]
Selena was on the cover. The Academy had made credit work mandatory, which consisted of 50% attendance for the academic semester. According to Alec, the Big Boss's right-hand man, the cover they constructed was ideal for her.
The Big Boss owned a palatial downtown hotel, and Selena couldn't believe she was appointed so quickly. She had just finished submitting her application when she received the call. "The Big Boss works fast," she thought to herself.
Curiosity brimmed in her body- how would it be to work with Rafael Sullivan?
She walked towards the lobby with a smirk on her lips. As she walked inside, the lobby's vaulted ceilings and elegant chandeliers seemed to swallow her up. How much money this man has, she wondered.
In her Academy paper, she was starting to work for the hotel security team—a mundane desk job—but on the first day, Big Boss took her to the basement.
He'd established an underground training area where he trained his people to become top-tier weapons—the weapons that would cut through his enemies.
Her legs padded against the marble backsplash, creating a symphony with her racing heart; she always felt uneasy walking through these dimly lit corridors; it reminded her of the time of imprisonment in that dreadful place, and it plagued her to this day.
The scroll of memory of her first day working for Big Boss Rafael was still fresh in Selena's mind. They had arrived at a nondescript door, which Rafael unlocked with a pin code and thumbprint.
Selena couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as the door beeped open, revealing a massive arena that seemed to stretch out before her.
The walls were lined with all sorts of weapons, gadgets, and equipment that would make any tech-savvy person drool with excitement. Selena's eyes wandered over the impressive array of gear, marveling at the sophistication of the technology on display.
At the corner of the room was a glass cabin filled with high-tech gadgets and gizmos that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
But what caught Selena's attention even more than the impressive arsenal of equipment. It was the men who worked in the arena. They were fighters, tough and rugged, with sweat glistening on their muscles and bruises visible on their skin.
Yet as soon as Rafael entered the room, they stopped their work and bowed to him with reverence.
It was clear that Rafael was more than just a boss to these men - he was a leader, someone they admired and respected. They spoke to him in hushed tones as if afraid to disturb his presence.
At that moment, Selena realized that Rafael had created an atmosphere of reverence and respect that few leaders could emulate. He had a magnetic presence, a charisma that drew people to him and made them want to be a part of his vision.
"This is where you will train," Rafael grunted as if already annoyed speaking to her. He gestured towards her room. "I have set up a curriculum for you. The one that will teach you everything you need to know to become one of my most skilled men.
Selena's eyes twinkled with amazement as she walked into the space. She felt like a kid in a toy store who was allowed to buy anything. He's even got snipers and grenade launchers in this room; a breath escaped her lips. She turned around, a huge grin stretching across her face, and looked at Big Boss.
"Thank you," she said, her tone crisp and sincere as she grabbed his hand, unable to control her excitement. Big Boss's eyes froze and dilated, looking at her. It was as if he was caught off guard by her gesture, unsure how to respond.
But as soon as he registered the physical touch, his features hardened, his jaw clenching tightly. His eyes flickered with unknown anger— he swatted Selena's hand away harshly as if her touch offended him.
Selena recoiled slightly, her expression falling as she registered the sudden change in his demeanor. Her hand burned with a sting.
But as quickly as her emotions had surfaced, Selena composed herself, straightening her spine and lifting her chin. She met Big Boss's gaze squarely, giving him a look that conveyed her inner strength and determination. "I won't let you down."
"You better not," he said, his words laced with a warning that brooked no argument. "You have a lot to learn, and I don't have the time or patience to waste on someone who can't keep up."
They both glared at each other, fire igniting within them. It was a silent battle of wills, each of them sizing the other up and trying to stay one step ahead. Both of them did not break eye contact.
And as the seconds ticked by, Selena couldn't help but wonder what she had gotten herself into—you dumb bitch.
He leaned in closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers with almost hypnotic intensity. "One mistake," he said, his voice dropping to a low growl, "and your dearest father will know your wretched reality."
Selena felt a knot form in her stomach at the mention of her father. She knew all too well what he was capable of— and the thought of him discovering her secret filled her with dread.
If Theodore Mariano knew, even they would know. She would fucking die.
But she also knew she couldn't let Big Boss intimidate her— she had to prove herself worthy of his trust and respect, no matter the cost.
I hate you, big bitch, but I will fucking prove my worth and bring you to your knees.
----
Big Boss had a reputation for being a bit of a maverick himself, and he took Selena under his wing.
Rafael was a man of his word as he promised he had taken precautions not to let anyone in Mariano's family know who she was and what she did for him. And now, he had taken her under his wing, promising to keep her safe and teach her everything he knew.
The CCTV room was a dimly lit chamber with rows of screens lined up on the walls. The screens flickered with images of various locations, each monitored by a different camera.
Big Boss was seated in a leather armchair, a glass of amber liquid in his hand, as his eyes swirled with cunningness. His eyes focused on one of the screens where Selena was moving in the arena.
Big Boss's body language was imposing and dominant, his back straight and his jaw clenched. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze pinned to the screen with a furrowed brow. The silence in the room was almost palpable, broken only by the occasional sound of ice clinking in his glass.
Big Boss watched Selena with a trained eye, analyzing her every move with keen attention to detail. Her body moved with precision—each motion felt calculated and executed flawlessly.
He couldn't help but be impressed by her grace and skill and a diminutive part of him felt a sense of pride in having discovered such raw talent. But he also couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she was suppressing, something that set her apart from the others in a way he couldn't quite put his finger on.
He had seen this prior in his line of work, the way people would hide something in plain sight, and he was sure Selena was no exception.
Why did her style feel so familiar? Where had he seen it before? But he could not pinpoint it.
With a dark expression, he turned away from the screens and took a small sip of his whiskey, the liquid burning down his throat. He knew that he couldn't let his guard down, not even for a second, with Selena.
Something about her set off alarm bells in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was dealing with a dangerous adversary.
Rafael took a deep breath as he stood up from his desk, walking towards the training room. He could feel the tension building up inside him, the anticipation of what he might uncover making his heart race. Rafael had always been a man who loved a good challenge, and he was sure that Selena was going to be one of the toughest ones he had ever faced.
The air in the training room was thick with tension—the only sound was the soft thud of fists hitting flesh and the harsh panting of the two combatants. Rafael's eyes narrowed as he watched Selena, her lithe form twisting and turning as she fought with a tempestuous intensity that made him catch his breath.
He walked over to the sidelines and watched Alec throw a punch, but Selena dodged it with ease and landed a quick jab to his ribs.
Alec grunted and stepped back, his face contorting in pain. Selena gave him a sly smile, and Rafael could sense something in her expression that told him she was holding back.
Somehow that scene of Selena laughing with someone clawed his stomach.
I hate her laughter.
~~~~
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