"What's up?" Jacob asked, his tone casual as he slid into a nearby chair, leaning back with a calm, almost nonchalant smile on his face.
Mira blinked at him, her thoughts still swirling with confusion. "Me? Uh, good?" she muttered, her voice soft and uncertain. She wasn't sure how to process everything that had just happened. Brian, someone she despised more than anyone, had bolted out of the room in disgrace. And Jacob—who she'd assumed was just an ordinary guy—had somehow revealed himself to be… something else. "Is this the real you?"
Jacob tilted his head slightly, letting out a quiet chuckle. "Who knows?" he replied, his smile taking on an enigmatic edge. Of course, he wasn't about to reveal the truth—that this whole "mafia boss" act was just a load of nonsense orchestrated by a ridiculous system.
"Not bad for someone winging it," Jacob thought to himself, his ego swelling a bit as he internally applauded his performance. Maybe he should consider a career in Berrywood. With acting skills like his, he'd surely be a hit.
"What?" Mira's voice cut through his self-congratulatory thoughts, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity.
"Nothing," Jacob quickly said, shaking his head. The smirk on his face lingered, though, as he seamlessly changed the subject. His eyes flicked over her attire, and he raised a brow appreciatively. "I have to say, you're really dressed up for the occasion."
Mira shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her cheeks suddenly turning a soft shade of pink. She was wearing a white dress with a slit along the left side, exposing her long, pale legs—something she'd never dared to reveal during their school days when she always hid behind baggy pants. Her crimson curls cascaded down her shoulders, and the light touch of makeup she'd applied gave her an elegant, radiant glow.
Jacob's gaze lingered for a moment longer before he leaned back, surprised at how different she seemed. She wasn't the cold, aloof Mira he remembered from their school days. This was someone clearly making an effort to change herself.
Mira, meanwhile, felt her heart hammering in her chest. His intense gaze and unexpected compliment had thrown her off balance. What was she supposed to say? Why was her pulse racing like this?
Jacob eventually broke the silence, seemingly unaware of her flustered state. "Anyway," he said, glancing toward the stage where the party seemed to be in full swing, "I thought this was supposed to be a wedding?"
Mira exhaled softly, grateful for the shift in conversation. "The actual ceremony was yesterday," she explained. "Today is just the reception party Sam's throwing for everyone. You didn't know?"
Jacob frowned. Mason. That idiot hadn't mentioned a word about this. He clenched his jaw in annoyance, already planning how he'd smack Mason upside the head when he saw him next. Then he remembered: Mason wasn't even here. Apparently, he'd come down with some conveniently timed illness.
Jacob sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Figures," he muttered under his breath.
His thoughts shifted to something more pressing—the system and the absurd mission it had forced on him. He glanced around subtly before muttering, "Mission."
Mira tilted her head slightly, catching his words. "What did you say?"
Jacob ignored her, already cursing the system in his mind. It annoyed him to no end that he couldn't just summon it silently. No, the damned thing had to be called aloud. What if he ever lost his voice? Then what? He shook his head in frustration as the interface materialized in front of him, its clean, glowing display invisible to everyone else.
---
[Mission: The Mob Boss]
Description:
You have been invited by Sam Johnson to a wedding, but you are a man of sheer aura. You must attend Sam's wedding and pretend to be a mafia boss.
Condition:
Convince at least 20 of your old classmates—including Sam—that you are a mob boss.
Status: Incomplete (20/20)
Rewards:
+300 EXP
+20 AP
+15 LAP
Penalty:
-100 AP
-2 points on all attributes
---
Jacob frowned, confusion flickering across his face. "Incomplete? How the hell is it still incomplete?"
Then his eyes scanned the mission description again, and understanding dawned on him. The condition wasn't just to convince 20 people. Sam had to be included in that number. And Sam hadn't been present earlier to witness Brian's humiliating exit or Jacob's performance as a supposed "Don."
Jacob sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Of course, it couldn't just be easy," he muttered to himself.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he began strategizing. He needed to find a way to approach Sam and sell the "mafia boss" act without coming across as desperate or over-the-top. It had to seem natural—convincing enough to cement the impression but subtle enough to avoid suspicion.
"Where is the couple, anyway?" Jacob asked, his tone casual as he glanced at Mira.
Mira immediately responded, her voice steady but soft, "They seem to be talking to someone in their living room. I'm not sure who, though."
"Is that so?" Jacob murmured as he suddenly stood up, brushing his suit to rid it of any imaginary dust that might have gathered during the short time he had been seated.
Mira blinked, startled by his sudden movement. "What are you going to do?"
"I have something to discuss with Sam," Jacob replied, his tone matter-of-fact as he began walking toward the towering figure of his bodyguard, who was stationed a short distance away.
"Oh," Mira muttered, nodding her head absently. Her gaze lingered on Jacob, her thoughts an uncharacteristic swirl of confusion and fascination. There was something inexplicably captivating about him. He was so different now—more confident, more composed, and more… compelling. His presence was magnetic, drawing her in without her realizing it.
"Perhaps… this is love?" Mira whispered to herself, the thought catching her off guard. Her eyes widened as she shook her head furiously, trying to dismiss the notion. "No, no," she muttered under her breath. "What are you even saying? You should be focused on changing yourself first."
Despite her efforts to shove the idea aside, the unfamiliar warmth blossoming in her chest refused to fade. As much as she tried to deny it, a part of her couldn't help but wonder if she really did have feelings for him. It wasn't something she'd planned, nor something she ever thought possible. But maybe, just maybe, that day had planted a seed she wasn't ready to confront.
While Mira wrestled with her own emotions, Jacob remained blissfully unaware of the turmoil unfolding in her mind. His attention was elsewhere as he calmly addressed his bodyguard, his voice low but firm.
"Let's go to their living room," Jacob said.
"Yes, Don," the hulking man intoned respectfully, inclining his head before following Jacob.
As Jacob strode confidently through the room, he could still feel the weight of the guests' lingering stares. Their hushed whispers and speculative glances followed him like a shadow, but he paid them no mind. He had already succeeded in convincing them of his fabricated identity as a mafia boss. The earlier spectacle had sealed the deal in their minds, and he knew it.
Now, only one task remained.
All that was left was to convince Sam.