Blame. (Book 1.)

2.

Lauren's POV.

The elevator couldn't move any more slower.

This short man next to me smelled like salmon and was pretty nervous from what I could see. He was sweating from head to toe and his pink polka dotted bow toe seemed to be too tight. I assumed he was going to got his first meeting to become a spy.

Typical.

He must've noticed my intense stare and immediately tried to loosen up his tie a bit.

The poor guy. He seemed so nervous.

I let out a sigh and placed my hand on his very damp shoulder. "Hey," He turned to look at me with wide eyes. "You'll be fine. First meetings are a piece of cake."

He smiled at me and surprisingly, my cold heart warmed up for a second. He mumbled a thank you at the same time the doors slid open. I was greeted by a very, angry, and sweaty Zayn.

I chuckled at his angry expression and walked out of the elevator, making sure my shoulder roughly bumped against his own.

Zayn and I were never on good terms. Ever since we were kids. Ever since I found out what his dad did to my dad.

Shivers ran up and down my spine, a sour taste forming in my mouth.

I heard Zayn mumble a few curse words behind me as he followed me to my office. I couldn't help but laugh. Guess my mini skirt was too much for him.

Ever since we were teenagers, we've grown an attraction to one another.

And I admit it. He's pretty damn sexy.

I arrived at my office door and pressed my hand against the black scanner at the side of the door, it scanned my hand and the door slid open quickly.

I walked through only to see Dinah in my office chair, behind my desk, eating a box of donuts from the buffet downstairs.

I heard Zayn sit down on the couch on the far left and crossed my arms over my chest, clearing my throat loudly for Dinah to hear.

She jumped and turned to face me, glaze frosting all over her lips and fingers. "Lauren! I um.. I thought you were dead."

I rolled my eyes. Taking off my black blazer and tossing it over to Zayn. It landed on his face and he groaned, tossing it to the floor. "I'm not dead. Never was dead. Why does everyone think I'm dead?"

"You went off the gr-" Zayn began.

"I didn't ask you, Za-"

"But you asked. I answered, babygirl." Zayn smirked at me.

I rolled my eyes and walked over and pulled out a chair beside Dinah, organizing all my papers and files and turning on my computer.

Dinah looked at Zayn then back at me, chuckling as she ate another donut. "You guys so like each other."

I heard Zayn snort and tap his foot against the floor. "I wouldn't like her even if my life depended on it."

I chuckled, quickly typing something into my computer. "Back at cha, Malik."

I heard Zayn's phone ring and my eyes flicked over to him. He answered it and sure enough, it was Simon.

A hologram of Simon appeared in front of us, he had an evil smile on his face.

"Hey, Simon." Zayn said in a monotone voice.

"Hello, Z. I have prepared a mission for you. Downtown, there's a fashion show being held by Archibald Brockwell. Brockwell has plans to set of the alarms and kill Becky Golding. She's the owner of the charity he's dedicating the money from the fashion show to. His plan is to take all her money. Take his money. The money is in his room on the 3rd floor. Execute him. And take Mrs. Golding back here to headquarters. We'll send her back to safety."

I couldn't help but listen to the mission. A cruel old man wanting the money from a lady he's doing the fashion show for just because she's more rich than he is. Shame.

Zayn nodded his head with determination in his eyes. "I'll be able to do it. What time."

"Midnight. Sharp." Simon smirked and glanced over at me. "And Lauren us your partner in this mission. Signing off." And with that, the call was over and the hologram was gone.

This is gonna be good.

"What?!" Zayn tried his best to stop Simon from signing off but it was too late. He groaned and tossed his phone against my wall.

He looked over at me and I smiled innocently. "I can't wait for tonight. Daddy."

Dinah licked her fingers and rolled her eyes. "Sooo like each other."

***

I was wearing a silk black dress, Zayn was wearing a black button up with slacks. The limo ride was silent, the only thing you could hear was our gadgets booting up.

"I can't believe I have to do this stupid mission with you." Zayn spoke after the silence.

I rolled my eyes. "We've done missions together before, stop acting like a baby."

"But this mission is different." Zayn spat at me.

I shrugged my shoulders as I reached into my bra, pulling out a pack of gum and taking out a piece, shoving it in my mouth. "Stop being a pussy."

Zayn rolled his eyes and loaded his pistol. "I hate you."

I chuckled darkly, chewing on my gum quite loudly. "Tell me something I don't know."

We neared the building and it looked pretty fucking creepy if you ask me. Like a castle, almost. People with cameras gathered by the gate as well as people that I assumed had British accents. They looked snobby.

At least Zayn will fit in.

Zayn tucked his pistol into his pocket as he looked at me. "Remember. My name is Cameron Matthews and your name is Jesse Matthews. We're newly married and we're trying for a baby. You're in college studying photography, I'm a business man who represents charities. Got it?"

I nodded my head, snorting when he handed me fake ID's of us. They looked pretty realistic.

I was on board until he handed me a wedding ring. I looked at him with an incredulous expression.

He shrugged, sliding is wedding band on. "We need to make it look real."

I groaned. Smirking slightly and getting out the limo when the driver opened the door for us. "I'll make it as real as possible, hubby."

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A/n: I know, I know, short chapter. I'm sorry for not updating. I've been making the cover for the sequel of Cruel. Next chapter will be filled with criminal scene so be prepared. It'll be up later on or tomorrow.

Until next time, angels. ❤

- ssweet-serenityy.