Alone ✧ KATE BISHOP

7 - The Suit

KATE AND JASPER WENT DOWN THE HALLWAY, SEEING ARMAND III SEVERAL PACES AHEAD. He seemed to be leisurely walking, but this hallway looked like it was part of some kind of storage area. What was he doing here, and why did he look so comfortable?

Jasper and Kate followed him down the hallway and into what appeared to be a kitchen, where chefs were hard at work cooking up meals. Kate watched as one of the head waiters told something to another waiter and pointed to a plate of horderves, and as the waiter grabbed it and walked off, Kate grabbed Jasper's arm and pulled her aside.

"Okay, here's the plan," Kate said to Jasper once they were out of earshot. "Wherever Armand is going, you need to tail him, but act like he is - like you're totally supposed to be there. I'll be right behind you."

Jasper frowned. "What about you?"

"I'll pose as a waitress," Kate told her. "I mean, it's the tux, right?"

Jasper bit her lip. "Look, Kate-"

"We don't have time to argue," Kate said, cutting her off. She then grabbed her shoulders and shoved her forward, adding, "Now go, I'll be right behind you."

Jasper didn't have an option. So she went into the kitchen, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin as she feigned confidence. Thankfully no one seemed to suspect her, and as she walked further down the building, she looked back and saw Kate a few paces behind, carrying a tray of food as she trailed behind her.

Jasper passed what looked to be some kind of bouncer, but when she gave him a simple nod, he nodded back and let her pass. The continuous sound of footsteps behind her told her Kate had been allowed to pass as well. They then went down a flight of stairs into what looked like a massive wine cellar, with even more fancy people scattered around and talking - Armand III included. Some were standing, while others were seated in rows of chairs in the center of the room.

"It looks like some kind of auction," Kate said quietly to Jasper, making her presence next to her known.

Jasper nodded. "Yeah, it does. But what is Armand doing here?"

"I dunno." Kate glanced at Jasper. "Go sit behind him, pretend that you're attending the auction. I'll keep an eye out for anything else suspicious."

Jasper turned to her friend. "What? Why me?"

Kate gave her a look. "Because you don't look like a waitress. I do. Now, go on. Before we draw any attention to ourselves."

Jasper swallowed, but did as Kate asked, walking further into the wine cellar as she gave everyone who made eye contact polite nods and smiles. Her heart was thumping violently in her chest, but so far, no one seemed to recognize or notice her.

Until someone did.

"Jasper?" a voice said.

Jasper spun around, seeing an older woman standing behind her. Her silver hair was styled to perfection, and she wore blood red lipstick on her lips. Her eyes were cold, brown, and hard, only adding to her intimidating aura, and to top it all off, there was a thick scar slicing over the right side of her mouth. She wore a flowing white dress with billowing sleeves, and an elaborate jade necklace hung around her neck.

Jasper knew this woman. She was Marigold Zhao, one of her father's long-time business partners and one of the few people he actually liked. And Jasper knew exactly why he liked her - she was just as big of an asshole as he was, only was much better at hiding it.

"Oh-- Hi, Miss Zhao," Jasper said, pushing down her initial alarm. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I could say the same about you," Marigold said, crossing her arms. "What the hell are you doing down here? Your father told me he was through with auctions such as this one."