Camille Reinhold
How many years had passed since I did dirty jobs for people? I couldn't remember anymore—but I do remember a colleague of mine giving me money in exchange for hacking into his ex's phone. I only thought he'd just mess with her a little bit since his ex only cheated on him, but what was the first thing that reached my ears when I woke up the next day? Pornographic photos of my colleague's ex were flying left and right!
It's not my style to ruin a girl's identity, but in that special case, it wasn't me—it was my colleague's doing. He was the one to approach me first, he was the one to offer me money. It's totally not my fault.
Of course that only happened during my college days. I stopped accepting shady offers from people once I graduated—it's not good for my resumes.
But those jobs that I did before…they are only trivial compared to this one.
My past colleague, Nate Alvarez, is now a well known police detective. It's surprising, really. Who knew that idiotic, all sunshine senior would be able to gain a respected position in the police department—well it's not like it's my business to judge him…
A day ago, Nate reached out to me, asking to meet with him at the coffee shop near the police station he was posted at. I just thought he wanted to catch up with me, it has been a year since we saw each other. But when I sat down on the couch of the coffee shop to listen to him, his words shook my soul.
'Hack into the mainframe computer of the Lucien mafia organization.'
Nate said while taking a sip from his coffee. His sharp gaze that depicted that he was serious bore holes into me.
'Ha?'
I was dumbfounded. Where did 'hello' and 'hi' go? I thought were here to talk sh*t about our past block mates and colleagues in college…
'Don't you know them?...'
He asked and tilted his head slightly.
I don't know if I should be concerned or scared…
A mafia organization?! Sure I did some illegal things back in college out of boredom but this is too much!
'O-of course I don't…'
I answered while nervously taking a sip of my own coffee, my eyes couldn't even focus on the man in front of me.
'Oh…I see. Well as you've heard they're notorious criminals. They're known for having money laundering businesses all across the world, human trafficking, prostitution…you get the idea.'
Has this man exposed himself under the light of disgusting crimes for him to talk like it's normal?! Just what the hell has he been doing for the past year?!
'The government is becoming more and more agitated about their actions…so we need to destroy them. Of course, it's not an easy task. But if we can access the mainframe computer, I can assure you our success rate will rise up to ninety…'
'What do you mean 'our'? I haven't agreed yet…'
Not like I'd agree. I'm not crazy enough to throw myself into a dangerous den.
Just as I was about to lift my coffee cup again, a finger rested on the lip of my cup. As I looked up, a pair of piercing brown eyes stared into mine.
'Thirty million dollars.'
'...'
'The government will give you thirty million dollars if you succeed in this job. I know you love money…So, how about it?'
Nate stated with a confident smile.
God damn it! He knows I love money!
But it was still dangerous…What if they will be able to trace me back? Will the government protect me? Highly doubt it. I bet they'll leave me for dead! But thirty million?! I can buy a house in Maldives with that money!
'...H-how exactly-'
'I knew you'd agree!'
Before I could finish my question, Nate was already smiling like an idiot in front of me again. Good lord, he still hasn't changed…
'...But why did you reach out to me? You're a detective, surely you know other hackers out there.'
If there was one thing I was confused about, it would be the reason why Nate thought of me first. I only hacked into other people's social media accounts and phones back in college…How would those skills be enough to hack into some mafia organization's mainframe computer?
'...Remember when the city's social media account got hacked and it started to post cat memes instead of local updates?'
Oh…I already forgot about that…
'Y-yeah…'
'I know it was you.'
Damn it…I can't believe he still remembers that. Since when did he know that anyway?!
'I also think you're just kidding around with your hacking powers…'
Nate said and raised his hands shoulder level and wiggled his fingers like he was about to tickle someone.
'Hacking powers?'
I snickered in response.
'You know what I'm talking about…'
——————————
"Are you waiting for someone, madam?"
A voice suddenly pulled me back to reality.
Seriously…This is the first time I felt this nervous before.
"...Yes. I am."
I answered back to the waiter with sweat covering my forehead. I can't believe I wasn't aware of my own forehead sweating a waterfall.
"I see. Please enjoy your water, madam."
The waiter finally left, leaving a glass of water. This is my third glass of water.
I purposely seated myself at the table nearest to this restaurant's exit—just in case this man I'm about to meet tries to kill me.
Today is supposedly the interview for the vacant secretary position of Divian Lucien, the man that I'm aiming to work for to get a hold of his precious mainframe computer.
Goodness…If the man I'm about to meet isn't a notorious criminal, I'd be screaming in joy by now.
Icy blue eyes and jet black hair. Just looking at his face alone can bewitch someone. A porcelain like skin and elegant eyebrows…That's what I saw on the profile Nate showed me. That's what this Davian is supposed to look like.
"I wonder if he has a girlfriend?"
"I'm sorry for being late."