Like in an interrogation room, Viviana sat across from Kiera, a table laden with pictures of various people between them. Some were recognizable politicians, while others were minor businessmen her grandfather often mentioned. Among the scattered photographs, an invitation card stood out, its elegant front embossed with gold letters reading, "The Ball."
Viviana used to attend this ball every year, a grand event where the high society mingled under the guise of social interaction, pitching business ideas or seeking potential matches for their offspring. It was the place where she would have the highest chance of meeting her grandpa without any restrictions like the one she faced today. Yet, she was curious about Magnus's intentions in sending her there.
"Why are you showing me all these people?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and suspicion.
"That is your job. You need to know these people and interact with them. Make connections," Kiera replied, pulling out more pictures from an envelope.
"Why?"
"Because these people will be at the ball, and you can't afford to piss off any of them," he replied curtly.
"Oh," Viviana nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. It would indeed be problematic if she did.
Kiera then revealed a photograph of a young man, distinctly different from the older individuals she had seen. He had a handsome face with a memorable streak of white hair amidst his black locks. Viviana picked up the picture, studying it closely, but nothing clicked.
Kiera watched her intently before speaking. "This man, he is your job," he said, causing Viviana to look up at him, confusion furrowing her brows.
"You will be saving him at the ball, becoming his savior," Kiera added thoughtfully.
"Hah! That is funny. How do you know he will be in danger?" Viviana thought it was a joke, but when she saw Kiera's confident, blank expression, her smile faded. "You—you people are planning the attack, aren't you?" she questioned.
"You are quick. That's why Master chose you for the job," Kiera responded, seemingly satisfied with her deduction.
"But why? What does he have to do with anything? How will saving his life help you? And what if I can't do it? What if he gets hurt?" Viviana's agitation grew, and she rose from her chair angrily.
Kiera remained calm. "That will be on you. Either you give us information on your father, or we find someone else who can do it for us."
"This is ridiculous!" Viviana hissed.
"Do the job or face the consequences," Kiera said coldly.
"Why me?" she asked, desperation creeping into her voice.
"Well, he might recognize you as Orion's son, and it will be easier to extract information from him."
"How are you so sure he is involved with my father?" Viviana continued, her mind racing.
"We have our ways," Kiera replied, leaning forward. "This man may look simple, but he is cunning. He won't be swayed by a stranger, so we are using you. It is your job to crack his shell, find out his secrets, and bring them to Master. In return, he promises you safety and a reward beyond your imagination."
"He will kill me!" Viviana spat, making Kiera's brow lift.
"You know it too. Even if I do it, he will kill me," she continued.
"That is rubbish!"
"Rubbish to you, but I know the truth!" Viviana leaned over the table, her face contorted with anger. Memories of Magnus holding a gun to Liora flashed before her eyes. "He is a liar."
"Stop it!" Kiera's hand formed into a fist, his gaze darkening.
"He killed Liora after telling her to trust his word!" Viviana's words dripped with hate. Before she could say more, Kiera grabbed her neck tightly, choking her.
"Master would never do that! He would never harm Liora!" Kiera roared.
Viviana's face turned red as his grip tightened, but she didn't beg for forgiveness. "He killed her! He shot her twice and drowned her," she uttered, her voice filled with loathing.
"He did not!" Kiera shouted, slamming her body back. Viviana fell into the chair, coughing, as Kiera looked at her with anger.
"You can deny it all you want, but he will never spare me either. He is a liar!" Viviana didn't hold back.
Kiera's body stiffened, unwilling to hear any more against his master. "Pathetic!" she muttered. "Isn't it better to die peacefully than to keep struggling, knowing that there's no point in trying hard if I'll just end up like Liora?" Viviana's anger was palpable,
Kiera glared at her, his eyes filled with anger, but he said nothing. Instead slammed his hand into the table angrily, Viviana jumped in fright but He turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him. She watched the door for a while and when it went completely quite sne Viviana rubbed her neck, still sore from Kiera's grip, and breathed heavily. "That came out of nowhere," she said to herself. "Guess it had to come out,Liora must have been frustrated." she muttered and pouted.
"But didn't I say too much?" she wondered aloud, leaning over the table to pick up the envelope Kiera had left behind. Inside were more pictures, including one of her grandfather. She pursed her lips. "After all, he would be there. I can meet him at the ball." Viviana stared at the picture of Alister with sadness. "Grandpa," she mumbled. "I will definitely see you at the ball. Just wait for me."
Glancing to the side, she looked at the picture of Argon and flipped it over to read the information on the back. "Argon Hayes…" she read, and then thought until her eyes widened. "Argon Hayes? Chairman of Hayes Jewelers." Her expression lightened, and she seemed quite pleased with what she saw.
"Is he the one? My secret admirer?" she wondered. Her thoughts trailed off to a not-so-distant memory of her last trip abroad when she received a package from someone who claimed to be her secret admirer. It wasn't the first gift he had sent, but this one was special, as he had expressed his wish to meet her on the day she landed. Sadly, before she could even see this man, she died. In the last letter, he had revealed his name along with the fact that he was deeply in love with her. Viviana's lips lifted from the side, and she seemed very interested in this man for now. "What a funny way of meeting you. Mr secret Admirer." she said softly and brushed her finger on his picture.