Ladies In Red

3

"I'm so glad you could join us." One of the ladies say.

I just nod and wait for them to give me the plan.

Looking up, it's always like a council here. Almost like a courtroom. Once past the luxury in the main lobby, three doors down, make a right, and then face to face with two giant doors.

I never did like this wannabe courtroom. It always reminded me of my position, how they saw me. Looking at me as if I were a drop of blood on the ground, one that they could easily wipe away if they wanted to.

"I've heard this Red Scorpion is nearby. I need you to find him and kill him. There is a good chance he's attending the masquerade ball. Knowing him, he'll be in all black with red accents. Most likely a red tie. Look for him, corner him where no one can see him. Make sure he's dead."

Their faces are covered in all red with black accents. Robes that seem to go down to their ankles from what I have seen before. For being covered, the words that come out of their mouths are probably one of the scariest and insufferable things ever. They constantly want something, but it's not like I can say no.

"Ma'am, we have been trying to catch this Red Scorpion for an eternity, my brother couldn't even catch him. How am I suppose-"

"You will catch him because your life is on the line. Along with your lover."

I finally look up, dead center into where I assume her eyes are. Never have I ever had this feeling. My legs weak under me, my face flushed, my hands in pain as my nails dig into my palms.

"Don't think I didn't know about your little- what is it? Fiance now? I mean c'mon, is it really that hard of a choice? It's either you kill the Red Scorpion and you and your lover survive; along with a four million dollar bonus. Hell I'll even let you go since I know you've been wanting to leave this life, or you fail to kill and end up dead never to see your dear soon-to-be ever again."

"Ma'am with all due respect, the Red Scorpion is one of the hardest people to find let alone kill. He has been on the list for ages. You've heard the stories, people go after him and none come back alive. Whether I go or not doesn't matter, I'll be dead either way."

"We have had people following him for days, we have barely found a trace. So half the work is already done for you. You simply have to go to this ball, find him, try and negotiate something with him. Lead him away to an alley or an empty room and kill him. Simple."

"Ma'am I-"

"Simple. Right?" Her cold demeanor brought shivers to my spine.

"Yes ma'am."

"I knew you were the right person for this. You may go. You have until tomorrow, these balls go on for quite some time."

Walking back, I see Elias saying goodbye. His smile was there, but his eyes were drooping. Sad. I've never seen him so sad.

As I walk to my car, I take out my phone to see a few messages and five missed phone calls.

Oh Enzo. I swear this is my last mission, and then it really will be just me and you till the end. No interruptions.

I get into the car, as I start it, I get one more notification from him.

*I love you*

My throat closed in. My chest isn't where it's supposed to be. My heart burns. Aches. My ears now muffled as I Iet it all out. All of it, all out.