Hours afterwards, the sun had set and everyone had begun to prepare for the celebration. Eve sat in her chair, biting her thumb and staring at the image on her laptop. She scrolled down and couldn't find a single spouse or girlfriend with his name. He remained a mystery to everyone.
Her phone rang, so she picked it up and looked at it. Her manager was calling. She got out of the chair and walked to the window, sliding to the answer button.
"Boss, I found nothing." He spoke from the other end.
Her eyes caught fleets of black cars driving through the gate, she asked, "Not even a loophole?"
"Nothing, boss. He's a difficult one; are you sure you can handle it?" He felt concerned for her. This was the most most difficult job she had ever taken. But someone like his boss would not abandon their mission simply because it was difficult.
Her gaze was fixed on the men that stepped out of the cars. Then one of the men raced to one of the car's doors and opened it.
A man stepped outside. She studied him closely as he looked about. He was Loren's half brother. He had arrived, as Loren had previously told her. His men surrounded him, and everyone bowed before him. He started walking into the building, and Eve closed the curtain.
"I'll be sure to capture his attention. Have my dress sent to my room."
He responded, "I've already sent the package, boss." Just then, a knock came on her door.
"I think it's here." She stated this and went to open the door.
"I have the nicest dress for you, just the way you'll love it. I hope you like it."
Her hand twisted the doorknob, which creaked open. Eve wasn't expecting to find Nik standing at her door. Her gaze focused on the black long box he was holding in the palm of his hands
"Hey, I got your present, Eve. Can I come inside?" He questioned.
Eve shifted aside from the entrance, opening it wider for him. He stepped in, and she closed the door.
He extended the box toward her, saying, "Are you going on a date?"
She scoffed and queried, "Date?" taking the package from him and placing it on her bed. She cautiously unwrapped the crimson ribbon, and there it was. A red-colored party dress.
"This will look so good on you." He replied, smiling at her as he leaned against the table where the laptop had been.
Eve took up the dress and studied it before laying it on the bed.
"The mafia king." He mumbled, and Eve looked at him right away. She hastily moved to her table and shut down her laptop after noticing him staring into it. She looked up at his curious gaze and snapped, "Mind your business."
He snorted, "You will not be able to find anything about him. Believe me, I know him better than you, so be nice."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
He folded his arms and nodded. "Ask away!."
She proceeded to sit on her bed, crossed her legs, and asked him, "How did you know him?"
He smacked his lips and sighed, "That wasn't the question I expected. Anyway, he was my boss.
Her eyes widened; "You worked for the mafia king?"
He nodded, "Yes. Back in Moscow, I worked for him."
Unbelievable!. Who believed Nik, as innocent as he was, worked for the mafia? Eve realized that she knew very little about him. Eve was too preoccupied to know anything about anyone, which was somewhat selfish. She did not like feeling horrible about anything, and now she is doing it.
"Why did you stop then?"
His face fell as he couldn't bring himself to think about it, "Let's not talk about that. But, is that what you'd like to know about him?"
She dropped her legs and nodded negatively.
"I'm going to kill him tonight." She stated frankly, as if it were easy.
"You're not serious, are you?." His eyes were wide.
She rolled her eyes and asked, "Do I look like a clown?"
"Why? What did he do to you?"
She got fed up by his queries and started walking to the bathroom, saying, "You don't need to know that."
He shook his head and muttered, "It's impossible to kill the mafia king."
Eve grabbed a towel from her wardrobe and stated without looking at him, "Nothing is impossible to do."
"Eve, you will not survive. Whoever is advising you to do this wants you to die. This is a death mission."
She turned to face him.
Her eyes skimmed over Nik, lingering in a way that sent shivers down his spine: "You thought I wouldn't beat Marco earlier today." He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut off: "Nik, keep your thoughts to yourself. I don't want anyone telling me what to do."
She walked into her bathroom after that.
He lets forth a deep breath and runs his fingers through his hair. Eve never listened to him. She can be so stubborn that when she sets out to do something, she never gives up, regardless of the odds. He had come to bid her bye, thinking she was finally free as she had worn over Marco, not realizing she had finally decided to destroy herself.
The Marble was a perfect spot to hide from the mafia king after he fled Moscow, but if the mafia king caught Eve tonight, he'd make sure that everyone goes down, everyone in Marble.
~Lorenzo's Suite~
Loren spread his arms in thought as Stacia slid his suit on him. She proceeded to make it fit perfectly, her eyes shining with delight. She couldn't believe that this was her man, her very own. No woman, including that bitch, will ever steal him away from her.
Her brow furrowed as Eve crossed her mind. Eve was lucky she had to leave; otherwise, she'd had to plan the end of her.
Having known a few Italian dangerous guys, Eve was no match for her. She'd have to make a decision sooner or later if Eve doesn't get out of their lives for good.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo was preoccupied with how the events of the day would unfold. Will Eve be safe? He couldn't help asking himself?.
Even though his brother had promised him protection over Eve when the time came, he was still anxious as fuck. He needed to drink right now. A drink to alleviate his concerns.
"Would Eve come to the party tonight, my love?" His girlfriend asked him. He finally laid eyes on her; he hadn't spared a glance since she arrived. He had not realized she was still here because Eve was never far from his thoughts.
"Yes. She is coming as Marco's date." He stated, taking steps toward his study. She scowled and followed him keenly. She felt terrible that she had worn a very nice green gown to impress him and he had not complimented her appearance. If at all, he's seen her outfits.
The door opened, and everyone glanced as Francesco strolled in, smiling.
"Lorenzo." He called, grinning and extended his arms as he approached him.
Loren stepped back with a raised hand, and said, "Don't." And Francis paused in his track.
"Can you not give your brother a hug?" He pouted, but Loren did not react. He casually opened the wine's cap and poured himself a drink. Francis's gaze settled on the lady beside him.
"What a beauty!." He exclaimed as he walked closer to her, slowly taking her hair in his fingers and searched her eyes, before grabbing her waist to himself, then dug his head to her neck and smelt her.
Lorenzo scoffed and sat down, seemingly indifferent.
Stacia was upset, and her cheeks burned from the way he appeared unconcerned with his brother sensually touching her. It indicated that he did not care about her.
"Darling, please excuse us. I need a moment with my little brother."
Stacia mustered a smile before walking out, leaving them alone in the room.
Loren sipped his wine and remarked, "Remember your promise?"
Frances' lips twisted slightly as he folded his hands backward. His brother was acting strangely, questioning him about the vow to protect the bitch he had included in the plan tonight. He only requested him to find 'Knife', but he was startled to learn that he had included a bitch in the mission who he by all means desperately wanted to save. Who exactly was she to him?
He asked Loren that question, this time in spoken words, "Who's this bitch to you, anyway?"
Lorenzo's eyes dilated at the question. Who was Eve to him? Why did he care so much about her?
But she is extraordinary. Was she merely special, or did he elicit other sensations, including a profound affection for her?
"She's one of my own, I protect every one of my people."
Never satisfied with his response, Frances did not inquire further: "Loren, like everyone else, I do not have a date tonight. Could I have her?" Though he wasn't meant to ask for his permission to have any lady, this one seemed to be more significant, seeming much more important that you can't have her without his permission.
Lorenzo's forehead furrowed in a deep scowl. He felt a sudden feeling of jealousy, something he hadn't felt when his brother grabbed his girlfriend earlier.
"Don't-" he paused and sighed frustratedly, "She has a date, Francis. You can have anyone else."
Francis smirked as he had not seen his brother in this scenario, yet Loren strove to remain calm, his face expressionless.
Francis nodded and began heading towards Loren, distracted by other thoughts. He had been dying to know, 'Knife'. This wasn't an average individual you could phone at any time. If he or she was, many men in the underworld would have known who they were. He had attempted numerous methods to get to know the individual, but to no avail.
He tried a variety of ways, including covert missions, but it appeared that they (the euphemism for unknown) had someone working for them. Before accepting a job, they conducted research to determine the authentication requirements. That is how they maintained their profile disguised until the present day.
"Did you see her face?" He questioned, keeping a close eye on his brother.
Lorenzo glanced up at him and asked, "Who?"
"Knife, of course. Did you see her face?"
Loren rolled his eyes at him: "I don't."
"You made a business with her, you could have-" Loren inquired before he could continue, "She?"
He licked his lips, "I believe the knife represents a woman, the woman you invited to the mission."
Loren scoffed, saying, "Your imagination amazes me, Francis. Do me a favor, stop thinking." He stood up and began to walk away before Francis could express any more of his wild ideas to him.
Francis' lips distorted into a smile as he watched his brother leave. He had a hunch Loren was hiding something from him, which he would definitely discover tonight. He was very close to discovering the knife, and that made him thrilled.
Marco waited patiently. His boss had gone to the party and left them behind. How had his boss allowed him to go on a date with a woman who kicked his ass earlier today? He'd wanted to save his face by deciding to avoid Eve for the rest of his life. But his plan was just thwated by his boss by making him be a date to Eve. How would he face her now?.
Meanwhile, Eve was having an altercation with Nik in her room. She walked out of her closet minutes earlier, fully clothed in her crimson dress, which fit her beautifully. She sat on her makeup stool and applied minimal makeup.
Eve smoothed her hair down and let it hang down to her hips. Eve had exceptionally long black locks that she inherited from her mother. She'd always keep it in a bun and never let it down. Nik unconsciously stared at her, holding wine glasses in his hands. As she wore her earrings, she looked up at him and realized he was still in her room.
"I'll be done in a few minutes, Nik." Let's..." She paused, noticing that he was simply staring at her, and called his name, "Nik."
He jolted back to himself: "What? Did you say something?"
Eve chuckled slightly: "Are you even listening? I said I was almost ready." She responded, wondering what he was thinking.
"Yes." He approached her, holding the wine glasses, and stated, "Since you might disappear after this, let's make a toast to your freedom."
He held out one of the glasses to her.
She rose up from the stool and looked from the wine to him. She grumbled, "It's too early to drink, the night is still young."
He stared at her and scolded, "Eve."
She smiled and received it.
Nik kept a close eye on her while she stirred the drink. Eve looked up, and he looked away, avoiding meeting her eyes.
After a few seconds, Eve had not taken a sip. Nik became anxious, and as he put his own to his lips, he heard a fast shrilling noise next to him. He was stunned. Eve had just flung the glass to the wall, shattering it into hundreds of shards.
She found out.
Goosebumps appeared on his skin as an emotionless Eve gazed at him. She stepped towards him and he took a backward stride.
"Why..." Gulps: "Did you..." When he glanced at her curled fists, his legs shook slightly. He almost collapsed on the bed.
Staring at her face, he stammered, "Why... did... you throw it away?"
Her gaze wavered slightly. "You spiked my drink?"
He sucked in all.
"Answer truthfully. Yes or No."
"Y-es" he stammered, again, leaving him puzzled how she had known.
"Why?"
"I'm trying to save you," he replied, his voice trembling.
"What gave you the right to believe you could help me? How dare you think of it?"
"I'm your best friend." He responded, his eyes disappointed.
"You aren't my best friend, Nik. Just because you're merely my friend doesn't give you the right to think you care about me."
His eyes became sorrowful; how could she say such to his face without wavering? His pain gradually blended with rage. "Merely?"
Eve just blinked, seemingly unconcerned by what she had just uttered.
"How could you say that when we've been close to each other for many years?"
"We barely made it to friendship, Nik. That's who you are to me."
He yelled, "And here, I thought you knew I was in love with you."
Her eyes darkened. She knew, the indications were there, but she couldn't bring herself to reciprocate. She must let him go, and this is the only option. He must see she lacks feelings in her so she must make him get rid of those feelings. This was the only way to make him move on.
"Love? Don't talk about it; it makes me sick. Just let go of your feelings for me, for there are no feelings inside me other than revenge." Saying this, she grabbed her purse from behind him and walked out.
Marco was about to dial Eve's number when he noticed her gracefully heading out of the mansion. He stopped right there, watching her; Eve was stunning, if not one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. He hadn't seen her in a dress because she had always disguised herself in tight pants and jackets, never revealing herself to the world like this. She would undoubtedly get the mafia king's attention tonight. Only his boss had thought of utilizing such strategy knowing men would be unable to resist this charming lady tonight.
He carefully opened the door for her to enter. She hopped inside the car, he entered via the other door, and the driver sped off. He sometimes moved his head to glance at the attractive woman beside him, who had her eyes locked on her phone during their drive to the estate.
As the car drove through the white house's gate, her head rose. Eve had never come here. Her job had never brought her into contact with the Russian mob, but now it had. Her odds of survival were extremely slim tonight. As the car came to a stop in front of the building, she saw Lorenzo and his brother waiting. They'd been waiting for her, and Francis was becoming impatient.
Stacia remarked coldly, "Why are we waiting for Eve?"
"I cannot wait any longer, Loren. This is an insult to my personality." He muttered for the umpteenth time. Loren smirked and said to him, "Drop your ego, brother. Eve is the most crucial person in this mission. as I believe that's my car over there," he pointed out, they turned their heads and watched Eve carefully exit the vehicle.
Francis had no idea when a gasp had passed his lips. "Is she really Eve?" he demanded as everyone gazed as she approached them.
"Eve…" Stacia was the first to capture her attention, and jealousy seeped in as she watched her elegant steps towards them. Eve, unlike her, was once again the most attractive. It'd only make her detest Eve more.
"You can't keep us waiting like that, we demand an apology."
"I am sorry, everyone. I had some things to set in place."
Stacia added, "And you didn't think to do it after the party, you are-"
Interruptedly, Eve faced Francesco with an outstretched hand, "I'm Eve, and I'm sure we haven't met before."
Stacia gritted her teeth with rage.
Francis grinned and took her hand. "Eve what?"
"Just Eve." She replied beamingly.
"Aha—a girl without a surname. That makes you suspicious." He commented which made a few seconds of silence passed between them. Loren cleared his throat and cast him a glare.
Francis smiled and broke the silence saying, "Francesco Armando, a second-in-command of the Italian royal mob. You're a magnificent sight to behold."
Eve giggled and said, "I appreciate."
Her gaze fixed on Lorenzo's as they locked gazes. His gaze had been locked on her since she stepped out of that car. Every time he sets eyes on Eve or thinks about her, his mind races. It always made him lose focus on everything else.
"You looked really beautiful." He just complimented her, and the atmosphere became intense. Stacia's face burned, and she felt like grasping Eve and squeezing the life out of her.
"You don't look bad yourself." She apprised him while smiling. But Francis declared, "Save the pleasantries for the latter. We've had enough of standing. Let's go inside."
They turned to depart, but Eve answered, "Enter before me. I will be with you shortly." They nodded at her and climbed up the stairs to the front porch of the building.
Eve remained behind, picking up her phone and pressing it to her ear, asking, "What's the situation around the house?"
Anyone would assume she was on call, but there was a small piece of bug behind her ear. The phone was to deviate unwanted attention because security was tight there.
"Not many guards are stationed in the house's rear alley. It might be an escape route out of here." She pressed her lips, thinking, "Where are you right now?"
"Across the road. We'll be waiting for your order."
She suddenly heard a voice behind her say, "Hello, Eve." She turned swiftly, but was taken aback when she recognized him.