As I laid in bed late at night, desperately trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Angelo's absence gnawed at me. Suddenly, a jarring sound of shattering glass shattered the quietude nearby, causing my eyes to shoot open. Sleep had eluded me because I grew accustomed to sleeping at Angelo's apartment. So, whether that crash woke me up or not hardly mattered, I was already wide awake.
I swiftly sat up in bed, my heart untouched by fear as I searched for the noise. It wasn't coming from inside the house, or at least that's what I tried to convince myself. With a yawn, I brushed my hair behind my ears and crawled out of bed. Annoyance settled in as I made mental notes of what I needed to do. First, more melatonin. Second, a trip to the bathroom. Third, figuring out what the hell that sound was.
I didn't have a clue where it came from, but I didn't really care. Mr. Ryuu, the all-knowing busybody that he is, would probably have some idea. He always thinks he knows everything, and it's not surprising that he's still awake; the man loves sitting on the porch, puffing on his cigar, and sipping his beer while watching the cars drive past. I wouldn't be shocked if he's been watching me sleep every night like a creep, but, oh well, that's just how he is.
I fumbled around with the melatonin pills, not bothering to count how many I took before clumsily swallowing them. My lack of care for my own well-being was evident as I stumbled towards the front door. There was Mr. Ryuu, like always, lounging on the porch with his vices in hand: a cigar and a bottle of beer.
I closed the door behind me without making a sound. Settling down next to him, he offered me a cigarette, and I took it without any gratitude. He lit it up for me, and as I held it between my fingers, I couldn't care less about the damage I was doing to myself, and I blew the smoke out of my nose. With an air of impatience, I waited for Mr. Ryuu to give me some information about the source of the crash.
Mr. Ryuu and I resided in the notorious Diamond District, a criminal playground akin to The Docks, except this one was nestled within a neighborhood rather than along the Hudson River. This place was a hub for all sorts of illicit activities, with banks, jewelry stores, and other establishments that held mysterious significance, none of which I bothered to comprehend. In this den of vice, robberies occurred as frequently as finding graffiti in Los Angeles, California.
That earlier crash I heard was undoubtedly from one of those high-end stores. Someone was stealing, and in a neighborhood like this, no one gave a damn, especially not the cops. The only ones who cared were the likes of Mr. Ryuu and me, his assassin, always on the prowl for catching such thieves. In this twisted realm, I had gained a kind of notoriety for catching this miscreants red-handed. Sure, my fame extended far beyond, credited with the deaths of 823 people, but that reputation meant little in this small sphere. Here, my worth was defined by how efficiently I could apprehend those who dared to pilfer from our shops, nothing more.
"Look, that noise you probably heard from that damn jewelry shop, Sal's Jewels, two blocks away, yeah, that's the one. I want you to deal with it, got it? Catch the thief, haul their sorry ass back, and put that stolen crap right back where it belongs. Then, report back to me when you're done. Consider this your punishment for screwing up that assassination mission. It's not rocket science, so spare me the whining. Oh, and before you rush out, do me a favor and change your damn clothes. You ain't stepping out in public with that bra and sweatpants getup. I don't need people gripping about your lack of professionalism and how distracting you are."
"Understood, sir. I'll deal with the issue promptly."
I rose from the porch, still holding the cigarette between my lips, and headed back inside. The need to gather my belongings and change clothes was an annoyance I could do without. Mr. Ryuu seemed to have a ridiculous notion that wearing a bra in public was unacceptable, despite letting me roam around in a bikini at the damn pool. Whatever his twisted logic was, I had no intention of delving into it. I never bothered with understanding his reasoning.
I carelessly stubbed the cigarette into the ashtray on my bedside table before rummaging through my closet. I needed a clean shirt that wouldn't raise Mr. Ryuu's damn objections, so he wouldn't send me back inside to change again. Settling on a plain black t-shirt, I pulled it over my head and slipped into a pair of burgundy cargo pants, cinching them tight with a leather belt, and the only leather boots I owned found their way onto my feet.
I made sure my holster was securely strapped to my thigh, where I could easily access my knife, the ever-present tool of my trade. Grabbing the cigarette, I returned outside to the porch.
Mr. Ryuu's words were never straightforward; they always carried a hidden agenda. Allow me to clarify the twisted meanings behind his seemingly innocent instructions, as they could easily baffle an unsuspecting soul. When he said, "haul their ass back," he actually meant I should kill the thief and then drag their lifeless body back to him. As for the directive to "put that stolen crap back where it belongs," I wasn't intended to return the stolen item to its rightful place, but, instead, to pocket it and hand it over to him upon my return.
In Mr. Ryuu's deluded mind, anything stolen automatically belonged to him, not the original store. So, in essence, I was expected to commit two crimes: murder and theft. The stolen goods, no matter their origin, were deemed his rightful property, and I was the executor of his twisted desires.
"Get on with it and do exactly what I asked. I swear, if you mess this up, you'll regret it big time. This task is a cakewalk, and if you screw it up, you'll wish you were never born. So, I suggest you pull your act together and get it done, and don't you dare waste my time with your incompetence. Move, now!"
"Yes, sir, I'll get it done."
Leaving the porch, I moved onto the street, my steps laden with deliberate defiance. Knowing full well that I was meant to turn right, I decided to take the left turn instead, simply to toy with Mr. Ryuu's patience. His irritated voice calling out for me to go the other way only served to amuse me, though I kept my laughter tightly locked away. The last thing I wanted was a vicious slap across the face when I returned home, or worse, a pan smashing against my cheek as punishment for my insolence.
With a sense of impending doom hanging over me, I swallowed my pride and chose the path Mr. Ryuu demanded. There was no way I could confess that he was mistaken about the distance and the name of the damn jewelry store. I mean, it was Sally's Jewels, not Sal's Jewels, but I'd grant him a tiny bit of credit for almost getting it right.
Upon reaching the jewelry store, it became evident that I was too late, the place had already been cleared out. No shoppers, no staff, and no thieves. I stepped through the broken window, my boots guarding me against the sharp glass, and surveyed the aftermath, searching for the stolen goods. It didn't take long before I laid my eyes on the prized ring stand, supposed to be highly protected, but the fools guarding it had failed miserably.
Out of the corner of my eye, two figures darted past, shrouded by darkness and speed. I couldn't make out their identities, but it didn't matter. I chased them through the eerie darkness of an alleyway, a place haunted by ghost stories that scared off the faint-hearted. But neither those two nor I gave a damn about haunted tales.
Drawing my knife from its holster, I meticulously surveyed each direction, trying to ascertain their escape route. And there, their shadows danced on the wall, revealing their path. Time for my little trick.
I melded into the shadows, pressing my body against the wall with deadly precision. Patiently, I waited for the moment they foolishly believed I had departed. And like clockwork, they fell into the trap of their assumptions. A single shadow on the wall moved, creeping toward the corner, unaware of the predator lurking nearby.
Under Mr. Ryuu's tutelage, I had mastered the art of concealing my shadow within the darkness, muffling my footsteps to near silence. Holding my breath, I became a ghost in the night, deceiving even the sharpest of senses. The figure emerged, and in a flash, they attempted to flee, but it was too late, and I struck swiftly, slamming them to the ground.
Their pained groans echoed in the alley as they clutched the back of their head, attempting to alleviate the agony. As I loomed over them, I couldn't help but recognize the face beneath the pain. Tan skin, neatly kept black hair, captivating hazel eyes, and unmistakable markings: a dove tattoo on their neck and a star-shaped birthmark on their left shoulder blade. It was him. When our eyes locked, he mustered a smirk, as if he found some twisted amusement in the situation.
"The Scarlet Serpent. Well, well, well, isn't this a delightful reunion? Yet this time, the stakes seem a tad higher, wouldn't you agree? So, do me a favor, and kindly move that knife far away from my oh-so-precious face. Oh, don't misunderstand me, being at your mercy can have its charm. You do look quite fetching in your current state. But you see, this knife is wholly unnecessary, unless of course, your memory has deserted you, and you've forgotten who I truly am. Allow me to refresh your memory. I am Angelo Russo, and this, my dear Camila Vega, is not a game I'd like to play with sharp objects in such close proximity to my being. Spare me the pain, won't you? Thank you very much."
"Oh, my, how amusing. You seem to have successfully ignited that spark in my heart once more. However, let's set aside the playful banter for a brief moment, shall we? It's quite fascinating how you managed to pilfer from the jewelry store, dear Angelo. Now, why don't you be a darling and consider returning what you've taken? It's the right thing to do, little thief."
"Ah, so the memory still serves you. I must admit, I half-expected Mr. Ryuu to cleanse your mind after our little rendezvous. As for you labeling me as the 'little thief', well, that's oddly endearing coming from you. I find it intriguing that you would presume I'm 'little' in any sense. It amuses me. Now, to the matter at hand: the jewelry store. I have no recollection of any jewel heist."
"Oh, Angelo Giovanni Russo, my dear, don't even attempt to deceive me. It's quite pointless, you see. I have an uncanny ability to discern the truth, and I'm well aware of your misdeeds. Now, do us both a favor and spare us the unnecessary complications. I truly have no desire to find myself in a troublesome situation alongside you. So, let's make this simple. Hand over the ring you took, and we can part ways amicably, without any further drama."
"Well, well, well, looks like I've landed myself in a bit of a pickle, haven't I? 'Uh oh,' indeed. Seems like you mean business, using my full name and all. Fine, I'll confess: I took the damn ring. It was a real gem, mesmerizing, and I just had to have it. Can't say I regret it, either. But here's the thing, Camila. You can search me all you want, get up close and personal, but you won't find that ring."
"Oh, sweet Angelo, my dear friend, I hope you can understand my concern. You know, rumors have a way of reaching my ears, and lately, I've been hearing whispers about Luca and a certain ring. I'm sure you can appreciate my desire to get to the bottom of this before I encounter any unpleasant surprises. Now, I'm certain Luca is around here somewhere, probably in your company. And if, by any chance, you don't happen to have the ring, well, it's only natural to assume that he does, isn't it?"
In a rather peculiar scene, my gaze followed the motion of my finger as it pointed up towards Luca, who appeared to be quite relaxed against the wall. An interesting sight indeed, for he stood on one leg while the other was casually kicked up against the same wall. And there, right in his fingers, twirled the elusive ring, capturing his undivided attention, as though he feared its escape from his grasp. It was evident that he took great care not to drop it.
Intriguingly, Angelo turned his head to catch a glimpse of Luca, yet it seemed there was no trace of anger within him. Surprisingly, Luca's revelation of himself and the revelation of the ring's possession did not provoke any signs of rage from Angelo.
"Fine, you can keep the ring. To be honest, this whole mission has lost its appeal to me. And, Angelo, I must admit, leaving you and returning to Mr. Ryuu was a mistake on my part. You see, the truth is, being by your side feels right. Even though I am bound by my role as an assassin and entangled with Mr. Ryuu, I can't help but feel drawn to the idea of us together. But before we delve further into this, there's something I need to ask you. I've sensed that the ring isn't your true objective here. So, I'm curious, Angelo, what is it that brings you here?"
"Ah, well, it seems you finally mustered the courage to ask that question, Camila. The truth is, this ring holds a special significance for me, hence why it played a role in bringing me to the Diamond District. But above it all, it was you, my dear, that compelled me. You see, your actions had an effect on me. The kiss we shared, your admission of love, it gave me hope, the belief that I might have a chance to win you back. And so, I came, not knowing any other way to get your attention but to resort to stealing, knowing full well that Mr. Ryuu would lead you to uncover the thief's identity. Oh, and don't you worry, Camila. The ring, which I stole, was for you. Every move I make, every step I take, it's all for you, sweetheart."
"Honestly, it's baffling how many times I've had to remind you to stop addressing me as sweetheart."
"Oh, come on now, don't be so stubborn. Deep down, you secretly adore being called sweetheart, even if you refuse to acknowledge it. Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweetheart. It has a certain charm, doesn't it? In any case, let's put that aside for a moment. There's something important I need to discuss with you, Camila. Remember Felix? Well, he's resurfaced after two months, and it seems he's brewing up trouble. I can't quite figure out his intentions, but I sense he's up to something dangerous. That's where you come in. I need your help. Felix might just pull off a stunt that could end me."
"Oh, Felix is back, huh? Well, that's fascinating. Now, here's my question for you: How did you come across this delightful piece of news? Did you stumble upon him somewhere? Or did you simply hear some juicy gossip from your little circle of friends?"
"Well, you know, I happened to get some intel from one of my loyal associates. Apparently, Felix made an unexpected appearance at my casino just an hour ago. He was causing a bit of a stir, inquiring about my whereabouts, trying to get a hold of me for some mysterious talk. But here's the catch: it seems someone spotted what appeared to be an explosive in one of his pockets. Threatening my casino, my mafia members, or worse. Me. Naturally, this situation needs to be dealt with, and fast. However, we can't do it at the casino, nor at my apartment, which, incidentally, is hosting a party at the moment. Knowing Felix, he might turn up there next. But fear not, I have another ace up my sleeve: a nightclub that he isn't aware of, one that I own. There's an event scheduled there in about two hours, giving us some time to huddle together and go over all the details."
"Ah, so it looks like I'll be gracing your apartment with my presence once more for a week. Before I arrive, I'll need to pack a few essentials, but don't worry, I'm more than willing to lend a hand with whatever you need. Oh, and speaking of your nightclub, a small inquiry: do you happen to sell alcohol there?"
As I glanced at Angelo and Luca, their puzzled expressions were apparent. They were well aware of my aversion to alcohol, a fact I had made abundantly clear in the past. However, circumstances had changed since my return to Mr. Ryuu's domain. The looming threat of Felix, the impending struggles we were about to face, and the weight of defending ourselves against his malevolence had left me with an unusual urge.
"Oh, alcohol, you say? Indeed, the nightclub offers a plethora of libations, catering to all sorts of tastes. But let's be clear here, I distinctly recall your abstinence from alcohol, or at least that's what you've claimed in the past."
"How the tides turn and people evolve along with them. You see, Mr. Ryuu's incessant bickering and his absurd desire to wield control over me have become rather tiresome. Tonight, my dear Angelo Russo, shall witness the rare spectacle of the Scarlet Serpent indulging in a few shots. Well, perhaps more like five."