"Boom." I muttered as I saw the car explode from a distance. Inside was a powerful businessman I worked for as a mere office clerk. I heard a rustle in my earpiece, followed by Sammy's clear voice. "Done. Great job, Red." I smiled at her words.
"You too, bitch. Great job!" I replied as I walked away from the blazing wreck Sammy had created. Coolly, I put on my shades as I strode away like nothing had happened. I heard the familiar roar of an approaching car, which pulled up beside me. I glanced over and saw Joaquin signaling me to get in.
Sammy sat in the front seat, grinning widely. I couldn't help but smile as I slid into the passenger seat. Another job well done. Well, it's Sammy after all. She's the best assassin our organization has. Besides, she's the head assassin, and Joaquin is the founder of the Red Bullet Organization—where skilled spies and assassins can be hired for the right price.
The name of our organization was well-known in the underground society, in business circles, and in politics. We did the dirty work that the legal world couldn't touch. We were their shadows.
"Time to close the deal with that perverted old pantaloon," I said to Sammy, lounging in the passenger seat. He looked at me through the rearview mirror and smiled.
"I guess you rejected a really great offer, Red," he teased. I rolled my eyes and bit my lower lip. This bitch…
"Should I accept it and bring you to him?" I asked, and she pursed her lips in mock seriousness. She smiled at me in the mirror.
"Sorry," she said.
This bitch never failed to irritate me. She always pushed me to take client offers—huge sums for just one night of service.
"I'm a spy, Sam. Not a prostitute," I snapped, though she didn't take me seriously.
"Yeah, right. Even when you're young, you reject them. You may seem fierce, but you're an open book to me, Rhiej. I can see through you. Still haven't gotten over that bulls—"
"Sammy."
My ears perked up at her words, and I was about to shout at her, but Joaquin's warning voice from the driver's seat beat me to it. Sammy quickly went silent, laughing quietly.
"Oh, sorry, cous. I forgot we're with a lover boy here," she said, stifling her laughter.
"Sammy, shut up!" I snapped, irritated by her teasing. Sammy was annoying, but she was a good friend, so I couldn't truly be angry at her.
No one dared speak after that. They drove me silently to Mr. Anderson's office to finalize the deal: assassinating the business partner of his rival company. With the elimination of the key player, that company would struggle to recover, clearing the way for the old man's business to thrive.
Once the deal was closed, I left swiftly, before finishing off the man. Annoying. Such a pervert!
I lounged under the sun, floating on a tube with small sips of orange juice, when Joaquin appeared wearing a blue floral shorts. Topless, probably trying to seduce me again. I ignored him, staying afloat in the pool. I was at Sammy's house, planning to stay the night since my condo was empty.
Joaquin dove into the water and swam to my tube. I removed my sunglasses and looked at him. He smiled broadly and tipped the tube, making me scream and splash into the water.
"Damn you, asshole!" I shouted, frowning.
He laughed, watching my irritated face.
"You're still on your period? Two years, Rhiej," he teased.
"Oh, Red," he corrected himself seriously.
"Rhiej is dead. I'm Red, Quin. Red," I said firmly, staring at him.
"Rhiej is hiding… behind Red," he said emotionlessly.
I averted my gaze. I hated being called Rhiej. I am not Rhiej! Rhiej died two years ago. Red was born then. I was annoyed by Joaquin's words; I didn't want to talk about the past. I wanted it buried.
"Rhiej is better than Red. I liked her sweet smile, her coffee shop job. Innocence suited her," he said calmly.
I sighed and turned away.
"I'm no longer your coffee shop girl. I'm now one of your most talented spies. Everything has changed. I'm no longer the innocent, sweet Rhiej you used to cherish. Your kindness won't be forgotten though. Thanks," I said, climbing out of the pool and grabbing my robe.
I put it on over my pink two-piece bikini, still uncomfortable in front of Joaquin. He used to be my boss, and in a different field, he still was. Before, I was a coffee shop crew, and he was the owner. Now, I was a spy, and he ran the organization.
I entered Sammy's house and found het watching TV. I sat beside her, emotionless. SHe didn't look at me but remarked, "Seems like Joaquin failed again," changing channels.
"I knew it was your idea. Stop shipping me to your cousin. Work isn't for flirting. You're the one giving orders to our assassins and spies, right?" I said, still staring at the TV.
"You guys are different. If you end up together, then courting is allowed," Sammy said.
I furrowed my brow. What the hell? Nonsense.
My phone rang from the table. I had left it there earlier.
"Who's that?" Sammy asked, still busy with the TV.
"No idea," I said, answering the call.
"Hello, who is this?" I asked.
"I need to speak with Miss Raimundo of Red Bullet Organization," said a voice, probably a man in his late 20s.
"This is Red Raimundo," I replied.
"Oh," he said.
Sammy looked at me, and I shook my head, signaling that I didn't know who it was.
"I'm Eric Bermudez, Director of Zachi Car Company," he introduced himself.
I raised an eyebrow.
"So?" I asked sharply.
He laughed, casually. "I called about an important business matter. You're one of the best spies your organization has, and I want to work with you. Can we meet in person?" he asked confidently.
I smirked. Let's see his face when I reject him. I'm the laziest spy and picky with clients; I don't say yes easily.
"Tell me where. I'll be there in thirty minutes," I said and hung up.
Sammy looked at me. I shrugged and stood. "Meeting a client I'll reject. Don't feel like working today." I went to her room to change.
I changed into a fitted black dress, left my hair down, applied red lipstick and some makeup, grabbed my purse, and went downstairs. Joaquin had just come in, dripping wet. He looked at me and my outfit.
"Going somewhere?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'll be back before dinner," I replied, smiling, and walked out.
I read the text from Zachi's director and laughed. My office, 16th floor, Zachi Company building. I already wanted to reject this offer. I expected a fancy restaurant. I was hungry—annoying.
I shook my head and approached Sammy's car to borrow it. I didn't have my own car yet.
I went to Zachi, as instructed, to the director's office. As far as I knew, he was the CEO's son. What could he want?
"We're here, ma'am," said the woman who drove me. I nodded and smiled, and she left.
I knocked three times, and a girl opened the door. I entered, emotionless. Fierce suited my outfit. I didn't smile at an unfamiliar client.
"Miss Raimundo," greeted the director. I froze. I knew him, but not exactly where from.
"Belinda, leave us," he instructed the girl, who complied immediately.
He turned to me and smiled, gesturing for me to sit on the couch. I followed.
"So, what do you want to discuss?" I asked, avoiding delay.
He smiled, resting his elbows on his knees, palms together. "Your usual job. I need your service."
I flinched, irritated by his pauses. I looked at him, about to reject him, but he continued.
"I need you to give me the list of major shareholders and investors of FDA Motors. I need you to do the job. Name your price," he said seriously.
FDA Motors? Are you kidding me? The last place I want to be near. No way.
"And why?" I asked, looking for a reason to decline.
He sighed and met my gaze. "To destroy the company. This is purely business. I want to destroy the owner and the company for our sake."
I stared.
"5 million pesos," I said without thinking.
"I can make it 10," he grinned, unconcerned about the price, as long as the job was done.
"Deal," I said, smiling. He smiled back, extended his hand, and I shook it.
He waved as I left the office. I clenched my fists outside. What the hell am I doing!? FDA Motors is the last company I want to enter. I wanted to forget everything about it, and now I agreed? What was I thinking? I was going insane.
I pressed my forehead as my heart pounded. My eyes burned with anger. Zachi wants to destroy FDA, and that was my reason for agreeing. I wanted to forget him, but the thought of his empire crumbling fueled my rage.
That's right. I will bring his downfall. Burn his newly-built empire to ashes. This time, he'll be the loser, not me. Time to make him pay for everything and free myself from all the pain.
Time for you to fall, Maximus Fontanilla.