Cursed from the start

Manhattan Mocha

Every word he spoke strung together like a diamond necklace used as a noose around my neck. Each diamond, a beautiful lie, shaped into a cold dagger of what remained of our love.

I treasured them even when the necklace kept tightening.

We both knew from the start that it was all a lie, but it was a beautiful lie, and I wanted to let myself believe it was real, even if it was just for a short, fleeting moment.

Now I realize we were cursed from the start.

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Main Characters

Jade-

Alexdre -

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Jade-

Soft jazzy music and the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans greet me as I open the door and enter the small, cozy café. It's one of those hole in the wall, classy shops, where folks typically order coffee and sit back and enjoy their poetry books.

Sadly, that's not what I'm here to do.

A monotonous tone hits my ear through a small device . "The target is at the window seat-" The voice was quickly cut off as a cheery man with bright pink cheeks beams from the counter,

" Welcome to Manhattan Mocha, what can I get for you today?" ,

Just a standard black coffee, please," I say firmly, attempting to filter out the fresh thoughts in my head.

"Cream and sugar?"

"No, thank you.", I answer with an equally cheery smile.

My shoes click on the gleaming oak floor as I approach the other side of the counter. I twisted the cap and dashed some cinnamon, catching the whiff of the strong coffee.

I grab my coffee and start walking purposefully towards the open window seat next to the target sitting there.

I glance over to get a better look. He has a lean build with sharp features and wavy curls that seem to stick out in every direction. He looks too normal? too good? to be a ... I press into my ear piece "is this seriously who I need to follow?" The voice responded with a hint of laughter "you know the drill Jade."

I approach the vintage looking wooden table putting on my most friendly smile "Mind if I sit here?"

The target looks up from his files and his face splits into a warm smile of his own, a stray lock of brown hair falling onto his forehead, "Sure, be my guest.", he says while gesturing towards the empty chair across from him before pushing the hair out of his face.

"Thanks.", I say, moving to put down my coffee on the table before 'accidentally' spilling it all over the floor. I ignore the sting of the hot coffee on my hand, watching with satisfaction as some of it gets on his notes. My hands reach for the pile of napkins sitting on the table. Then I bend down as my hand reaches in my pocket and swiftly grabs a tiny tracker. While awkwardly trying to press the napkins on the floor I attach the tracker to his brown leather shoes.

"I'm sorry about that it's just one of those days where things like this seem to happen" I said

"No problem" He laughed, that same piece of hair making a reappearance, "I don't think we've met, is this your first time here?"

"I just wanted to check this place out, I heard that the atmosphere is amazing. What about you, are you a regular?" I asked.

"Well I come here often I mean they have the best coffee in town, I'm Alexandre by the way."

"Jade" I respond while looking at him closely, trying to memorize every detail.

Alexandre

The sound of cars honking and bustling whirls around me. The January air hits my face, carrying the all too familiar stench of the city with it. My hands lift towards my ears as I listen to my assistant carefully. After all, I only have a year to complete this task. "I put the files in your bag last night before you took off. I need you to get all the information you possibly can get before they catch us..." 

"I know, I know, I'm working." I hang up immediately, not wanting to hear more of what Dan had to say, and walk into what is objectively the best café in the neighborhood. I don't plan on reviewing these files without some caffeine in my system.

I settle into my favorite seat by the window, scanning the file I found in my bag. The photo of a brown haired girl with a defiant gaze looks back at me. Above the photo the text reads : Jade Silvers, Target. I went over the material, my brows furrowed at her history of six deaths, which is listed under her occupation: intelligence agent. I return my gaze to the photograph of her face, admiring her delicate features; 6 kills is a fairly low number in our line of work. Everyone understands that leaving no survivors means a cleaner job. She had to be one of those insufferable agents who claim to have "morals", the type that never lasts long in our line of work.

"Mind if I sit here?", a friendly voice asks. I look up and find that same brown haired girl from the photo standing right in front of me. Today must be my lucky day. I answer her without much thought, instead focusing on her hazel eyes, trying to gauge whether or not she's recognized me or if she just approached me randomly. We exchange a few words before hot coffee spills across the table and all over my files. I dry them off quickly, hoping she won't try to help me and see what's in them.

I pick up what is left of my files. Opening the folder quickly I noticed how from the bottom half all the words and blurred words smeared into each other. It probably wasn't anything important anyway. After conversing with her a bit more I'm almost completely sure she has no idea who I am. I leave the café feeling pretty confident, this mission is going to be easier than I thought.