The headquarters of Alexa's organization was always shrouded in muted shadows. It was a place where whispers carried heavier weight than orders. Behind the wide oak desk sat the Administrator—her handler, her lifeline, her reminder of the world outside Marcus's mansion. He had just ended a call, the faintest smirk twitching on his lips.
No one in the room knew who he had spoken to. No one would ever know.
"Everything is proceeding as expected," he murmured, almost to himself. Then his gaze shifted toward a locked drawer at his side, where files on Marcus Delacroix and his son lay sealed. His fingers tapped once, twice… lingering.
And with that, he stood, leaving only silence.
The kitchen smelled of toasted herbs and sizzling butter, as the warm midday sun spilled through the tall windows. Claudia, the silver-haired chef who had run this mansion's kitchen for decades, wiped her hands on her apron and turned sharply toward the small tornado of a boy and the girl he was chasing.
"Aaron! Stand still for one second!" Claudia snapped, voice firm but not cruel. "Do you know what day it is? Alexa is still recovering from her burn, and Lucille said she mustn't walk too much… so please, both of you, be careful!"
Aaron froze for a fraction of a second, then glared at Claudia as if she were questioning his authority. "Careful? I am careful. Alexa can keep up if she wants! I say she comes. She's my player and that means she doesn't get to sit out!"
Claudia's plump cheeks flared, and she shook her head in exasperation. "You hear that? This is not a negotiation! She got burnt, Aaron. She has bandages—she cannot run around like a toy!"
Alexa crouched slightly to meet the boy's intense gaze. "Claudia's right, Aaron… I can still play, but we'll take it easy, alright?"
Aaron crossed his arms, scowling, his little jaw set like steel. "Nooo… I'm the Don. I decide the rules. And the Don says we play now, and I say Alexa is allowed… so there!"
Alexa smiled faintly, shaking her head. She didn't correct him further—she didn't need to. Letting him feel in charge meant fewer pouts later. "Fine, Don. Your rules," she said softly, brushing his curls aside.
Claudia's eyebrows shot upward, half amused, half exasperated. "This child… I swear, he's the only boy alive who can argue his way out of anything. Just… don't let him run you into another burn, girl."
Aaron beamed, triumphant. "See? I win. Playtime!"
Alexa nodded, stepping back to give him space, her hand brushing against his as she pivoted toward the game's starting line. She caught Claudia's concerned glance and gave a faint shrug—she'd keep herself careful, even if Aaron acted like a miniature boss.
"Alright," Aaron said, stamping one small foot in satisfaction. "Game begins… now!"
The trio scattered—the boy already hiding with a grin, Noah running ahead with exaggerated stealth, and Alexa, careful of her wound, moving lightly behind, every step measured.
Claudia shook her head, muttering under her breath as she returned to her cooking. "That child… and that girl. Heaven help them both."
Scene 2
The garden was drenched in bright sunlight, leaves shimmering in gold and green as Alexa moved carefully between the hedges. Her breathing was shallow, controlled, as she tried not to disturb even the faint rustle of leaves beneath her feet. The warmth of the sun didn't ease the tension crawling along her spine; every shadow seemed sharper, more deliberate.
She crouched behind a tall rose bush, her white-blonde hair brushing against the petals, and trained her ears on the mansion's balcony above. Voices drifted down, low and deliberate, though hushed.
"…he can't know yet… it'll ruin everything," said one voice, sharp but cautious.
Alexa's heart skipped. She strained to catch every word, every subtle pause. The pieces were beginning to fit together—the spy, the masked intruder, the hidden threats surrounding Marcus's family. Every whispered phrase was a thread she needed to pull.
"…if we move too soon, he'll be ready. But the marks are already set…" Another voice, more confident, sent a shiver through her despite the sun on her shoulders.
Alexa pressed herself closer to the earth, forcing herself to be invisible. The heir… Aaron… this was about him all along… Her fingers itched against the dagger she held, though she had no intention to strike.
Her eyes flicked from the shadows to the open pathways, mapping every possible escape. Every instinct screamed that she was about to uncover something critical… something that could change everything.
"…yes, when the time comes, there's no turning back…" The words floated just out of reach, almost forming a pattern, almost revealing the next move—but not quite.
And then…
A voice, sharp and deliberate, cut across the sunlight, startling her with how close it sounded. "Found you."
Her chest skipped. She almost dropped her dagger, but then she realized: it was Aaron. He had spotted her as part of the game and of course behind him was Noah, who was wearing a calm smile that made it clear he had orchestrated the discovery.
Alexa pressed herself back against the rose bush for a second longer, letting a tiny smirk curve her lips. The tension evaporated slightly, but she kept her dagger ready, well... just in case. She knew from experience that even a playful "found you" could hide a serious challenge.
Aaron's triumphant grin and Noah's knowing glance made her relax slightly, and she nodded subtly to Noah, the silent promise of we'll discuss this later passing between them.
For a heartbeat, the garden felt safe again. Then she allowed herself to step out of the bush, preparing to continue their game—but always alert, always aware.
Alexa silently thought to herself; Who are you, Mr. Delacroix?
And in that bright sunlight, Alexa realized that even in a simple play, she needed to keep her wits about her… because in the Delacroix mansion, nothing was ever truly simple.