AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

Rivals Cousins [Alternative]

[Text inspired by a song from Mozart the Rock Opera "Six Pieds Sous Terre"]

Tonight, the Reids, along with two other wealthy families, were guests at Sophie March's home. Jacob Frye was among the guests. He was seated opposite the two cousins. Victoria was intimidated by the presence of the Assassin, whom she often saw in secret. For Brittany, this was her first meeting with him. Indeed, Bolton's brother was not from London, but from Watford, some 30 kilometres away. They were staying at Reid Manor for the week. Tonight, Sophie March had wanted to get to know this part of the brunette's family. The businesswoman asked many questions, so curious was she to know Daniel Reid, his wife as well as their two sons and three daughters, including Brittany. Unlike Victoria and her brothers, their cousins were blameless heirs, which bothered the lady who was being fingered by the bourgeoisie, while her middle brother, Elias, was not at all. As for James, he got on wonderfully with his cousins. It was as if he was one of their siblings.

Sometimes the Reid's curiosity, whether it was on the Bolton or Daniel side, turned to Jacob Frye, Sophie March's strange partner. With the latter, he had arranged that he was her partner, in order to help her manage the business better. This made Victoria smile slightly, as she knew the real value of their partnership. She was a spectator at this dinner, having nothing to say to anyone — she didn't like her aunt and uncle, and even less her cousins... especially Brittany. Brittany was sitting across from Jacob and looking at him with great interest. Every time he spoke, she listened to him with attention, a little smile on her face. The brunette even had the impression that she was devouring him with her eyes, which displeased her strongly. With difficulty, she swallowed and refrained from saying anything. But she promised herself that she would talk to him about it when she got to Reid Manor.

After dinner, Jacob went out into the garden for a few moments to get some fresh air. Indeed, unused to being around this kind of person, he had felt suffocated during this dinner. Victoria had preferred to wait before joining him, so as not to be suspected of knowing more about Jacob than it seemed.

"Long evening, huh?" said a female voice behind the Assassin, who flinched.

He turned and saw a green-eyed brunette approaching him. He greeted her with a brief nod and said he was fine. She walked slowly towards him, restraining herself from biting her lip. Instead she just smiled.

"I thought you were very interesting tonight, Mister Frye," she admitted, allowing herself to touch the Assassin's shoulder and he raised his eyebrow as he watched her hand rest on him. "I know you don't work full time for Miss March, and I'd like to make you an offer."

He squinted and frowned, intrigued by this strange offer.

"As you know, I'm a vocalist, and I'm starting to perform again next week. Unfortunately, I have my bodyguard who has failed me," she said, running her index and middle fingers along Jacob's shoulder. "And I think you're the right man for the job."

"I'm glad," Jacob smiled, having understood what the young woman was getting at. "Unfortunately, I have very limited free time," he refused.

In the distance, in Sophie's manor, on the sofa by the window, Victoria composed a melody, playing the notes she traced in her mind. She had moved away from the dull conversation in the large living room. As she thought about the next part of her composition, she looked up and turned her face outside. She saw Jacob and Brittany talking. The latter was very close to him, allowing herself to touch him. The heiress then put on an annoyed face. Her pest of a cousin was hovering around the man who made her heart beat. She swallowed hard, trying to swallow her anger and fear that Jacob would fall into her clutches.

"You know, if money is an issue, my parents can pay you a fortune."

"I make a pretty good living from Sophie March and my own business," he declined.