Eye For an Eye || 𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐚

♯1┆pilot .ᐟ

"I was back to my real self... every movement calculated."

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

The air in the auction hall was thick with anticipation, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows across the opulent decor. Gold filigree adorned the walls, and the scent of expensive perfumes mingled with the rich aroma of aged whiskey and cigar smoke. I slipped through the crowd, my dark hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, my nen pulsing through the room with a predatory focus. I wore a fitted black dress that hugged my curves, providing both elegance and mobility, a perfect disguise amidst the high society mingling in the hall.

Tonight's auction was unlike any other; it was a gathering of the elite, a chance for the wealthiest to flaunt their riches and acquire treasures that most could only dream of possessing. But I wasn't there to admire the art or the artifacts. I had a mission, and with every tick of the clock, the tension in my stomach tightened. The plan had been laid out meticulously with Feitan, Franklin, and Shizuku, and now it was time to execute it.

From my position near the bar, I exchanged brief glances with my teammates, each of them aware of their roles in the unfolding drama. Feitan leaned against a nearby pillar, his eyes sharp and calculating, while Shizuku appeared nonchalant, her playful demeanor masking a razor-sharp focus. Franklin was stationed near the entrance, keeping watch for any unexpected surprises.

Ten minutes before eleven. It was time.

I made my way toward the stage, weaving through clusters of guests, taking staggered steps to appear tipsy. Tonight, I was just the lonely wife of some absent millionaire. My steps slowed as I approached the curtain at the side of the stage, my expression one of melancholy, as if the weight of the evening was too much to bear.

"Ma'am, you can't be back here," a security guard's voice boomed, though I could detect the underlying insecurity.

I turned, letting my hair whip around, casting a fleeting glance over my shoulder. "Oh! I'm so sorry," I stammered, my voice wavering as I looked down, as if ashamed. "I just... I thought I could catch a break back here." I let out a soft, defeated sigh, hoping the guard would mistake my discomfort for something innocent.

The guard hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with confronting a high-society guest. He took a step back, scratching his head, unsure of how to proceed.

"It's been a long night," I continued, my voice dropping to a murmur. "I won't stay long... I just needed a moment." I cast a vulnerable look up at him, as if sharing some secret sorrow.

The guard's posture softened, and he looked away, clearly struggling with whether to dismiss me or let me linger. I could tell he was ready to bend the rules. All it would take was one final push, and I'd be through.

The guard's hesitation was all I needed. I lowered my gaze, letting the vulnerability in my eyes speak for itself, then gave a slight, pleading smile. He sighed, his resolve faltering.

"Alright," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just... don't let anyone else see you back here. Stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. I gave him a grateful nod and slipped past, my steps slow and unsteady until I was out of his line of sight. Once behind the curtain, I straightened up, the mask of vulnerability dropping in an instant. I was back to my real self, senses heightened, every movement calculated.

The backstage area was dimly lit, the faint hum of machinery filling the silence. I moved cautiously, taking in my surroundings as I followed the faint sound of voices further down the narrow corridor. The goods had to be close.