The Paparazzo with a Secret

Chapter 9

I tapped away at my computer, looking through the files that I had previously gone through. The various two-faced men and women that supported plots for their own gain... The missions were all completed, indicated by the green lettering on the upper right corner of their documents, none of them amiss.

Looking at them now brought me a sense of pride...

"How long are you gonna stare at them?"

I snapped my attention to my Boss who entered the room with his usual smoke and gave him a scowl. "What I do on my own time is none of yer business, ain't it?"

"Just sayin' that it ain't gonna bring anythin' if you keep starin' at it," He shrugged it off like it was nothing.

I rolled my eyes. "What brings ya here anyhow?"

The gleam in his eye made my skin crawl. "Polish your ball dance moves, you're headed for Altaria for the next one,"

"What?!" I was shocked, too much to even make a grab at the thrown USB. I swiped it off the ground, sending a glare at my Boss. "Why must I know dancin' for a job?"

"Herald is a guy known for keepin' close to the Royals, and almost always attends the parties thrown by the Buttons', coincidently there's one being held in two weeks time," Boss grins in triumph.

"That don't answer the question," I retorted, plugging in the USB.

"Of you dancin'?" I scowled.

"If ya know it, then why say it?" I growled.

"It's 'cause this is the only chance you can get close to him without raisin' alarms," Boss answers in a languid tone. "the guy's surrounded by SP wherever he goes, he's a cautious one,"

I scan the files with a critical eye, my mood souring at the context. "He's the worst kind out there,"

"You got that right," Boss agrees, coming over. "makes you think of he was ever human to begin with."

The words: child trafficker, stung my eyes. This one had to be completed, no matter what. "Where's he dealin' them?"

"A tip came in that he makes deals at an auction house under a gamin' house, VIPs only." He handed me a piece of paper that had a single address. "Of course the next auction is on the same day as the ball,"

Everything made sense then. I clicked my tongue as I stared at the portrait of my target. "Ya know what kinda woman he likes?"

"He likes the mature, sexy kinds," There was a grin on Boss' face, I could tell without even having to turn around. I itched to give him a good black eye, but held back. He continued. "I got one of the others to get your apparel ready, including your accessories."

"I use the spy cam for this one, right?" I glanced at him. He gave a nod. My lips curled. "Sweet,"

I'll have to start walking in heels now until the party... the thought was mortifying.

•—•☆•—•

Oliver was in a good mood, not even his illness could ruin his mood. He burst into the room kept for the Harem women. "Good evening, ladies!"

"Oh it's Oliver!"

"Good evening to you too, Oliver!"

"It's great to see you here again,"

"How are you feeling, Oliver?" A girl went up to him shyly, a small smile on her lips.

Oliver gave her a smile. "I'm feeling fiine, thanks for asking, Sayla."

"Oh, there they go again,"

"Yep, Sayla's tryin' her hardest,"

The women buzzed with chatter as they watched Oliver and Sayla.

"There's another party soon, so everyone's busy with the preparations," Oliver gave a sigh already feeling the start of a headache forming again. "so I wouldn't be able to come down here often until after the party has gone through."

"That's okay, seeing you now is already making up for it," Sayla smiled cheerfully.

Werner decided to show up then, his expression serious. "Your Highness, you still have your work to attend to!"

"I'm comiing," Oliver pulled a face as he gave a sigh. He gave a wave towards Sayla and the women in the room. "It was nice seeing you ladies!"

Further from the room, Werner spoke up again. "All the Princes' from the other Kingdoms are going to be present,"

"Its a given, really," Oliver shrugged. "what was the party for again? A congratulatory of to the anniversary of the King and Queen?"

"That is correct, your Highness," Werner confirmed the party's theme.

"Wow, how lucky!" Oliver laughed in a carefree manner. They both headed down towards Oliver's office to fix up the necessary paperwork before the upcoming ball.