The Winemaker's Nanny (Mihawk X Reader)

Chapter 18 : Leaving

Chapter 18 : Leaving

Coby made his way through the dimly lit streets, his heart pounding with every step. The late evening sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the pavement, and the city seemed to have taken on an ominous quality that only heightened Coby's sense of dread.

He clutched the brown envelope in his hands, his fingers trembling as he walked. He knew where he was headed—a place most people avoided if they knew what was good for them.

Alvida's hideout was infamous in the underworld, a place where those with power gathered and those without power were used as pawns.

Coby had heard whispers about Alvida—about the ruthless way she operated, her ties to the criminal underworld.

The thought of walking into her domain made his stomach churn, but Helmeppo's words kept echoing in his ears.

"Don't get caught, or else..."

With a shaky breath, Coby found himself standing in front of a nondescript building, its windows darkened, and a rusty metal door marking the entrance.

This was it—Alvida's hideout. He could hear the muffled sound of music and laughter coming from inside, a stark contrast to the anxiety gnawing at his insides.

Swallowing hard, Coby took a deep breath and reached out, his knuckles rapping softly against the door.

The sound echoed in the otherwise quiet street, and Coby immediately pulled his hand back, his heart racing as he waited.

There was a moment of silence before a small, metal slot in the door slid open, revealing a pair of cold, calculating eyes staring out at him.

"What do you want?" a gruff voice asked, the tone carrying a clear edge of suspicion.

Coby took a step back, his throat dry. He cleared it awkwardly, trying to steady his voice.

"I—uh, I'm here to see Miss Alvida," he said, his voice trembling slightly.

He held up the envelope. "I have something for her... from Helmeppo."

The eyes behind the slot narrowed, studying him for a moment before the slot closed with a loud clang. Coby stood there, his heart pounding in his ears, until finally, the door creaked open, and a tall man with a scar running down his face motioned for him to enter.

"Follow me," the man grunted, his voice carrying an unmistakable authority that left no room for argument.

Coby nodded quickly, stepping inside, the door shutting behind him with a heavy clang. The inside of the building was dimly lit, the walls lined with various mismatched decorations—old posters, tattered curtains, and faded photographs.

The air was heavy, thick with the smell of smoke and alcohol, and Coby could hear the sound of people talking, laughing, their voices echoing through the narrow hallway.

The man led him through the corridors, and Coby's eyes darted nervously from side to side, taking in the sight of the people gathered there—men and women, all dressed in dark clothes, all with eyes that spoke of the kind of life they lived.

It was a world that Coby didn't belong in, and the realization only made his anxiety worse.

Finally, they reached a set of double doors, and the man knocked once before pushing them open.

Coby stepped inside, and his eyes immediately landed on the woman seated at the center of the room—Alvida.

She was lounging on a large, opulent sofa, her long hair cascading around her shoulders, her eyes sharp and calculating as they took in the sight of Coby. She wore a long, flowing dress, the color a deep crimson that matched the scarlet lipstick she wore.