"number 452." master's voice echoed throughout the dark, empty chamber whilst I emerged silently from the shadows.

"what have I told you about eavesdropping?" he probed; much to my predictions, since this was obviously a rhetorical question that needed not be answered.

I thought while bowing slightly at the waist for a moment before returning upright and opening my eyes.

wholly correct as the moment I did so, he continued on as if nothing were the matter, a stark contrast to when actively punishing me.

I kept in mind as he finished clearing his throat so that he could say, "new mission, target details as always." in a bleak monotone as he tossed a file my way, entirely unaware, or even remotely interested, when it fluttered into a chaotic mess midair and crumpled to the ground in an unorganized mess.

since by the time it completed, he was already long gone from the chamber.

I sighed, relief, as a weight lifted from my shoulders and I dropped to my hands and knees, my eyes closed, and brow furrowed.

"so........he doesn't know....." I almost, laughed?

"he...doesn't...know...." I panted, my face a flushed red, my heart racing inside my chest.

"then that means he's mine......all mine..." I moaned.