Chapter 20

They continued to eat for a while and Theseus kept glancing at her but Zara took no notice of the staring. In fact, she enjoyed her food and the taste in her mouth, feeling the tender of the steak. She looked up and caught Theseus's eyes who were watching her, making her laugh. 

"Alright, what's been going on with you for the past seven years, Theseus?," asked Zara. 

"A lot of things happened, some are things that I don't wish to tell you," replied Theseus looking down.

"Bad stuff, huh?," asked Zara, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"You know what I do for a living, right?," said Theseus. 

"Still haven't changed?," asked Zara, leaning her back at her seat. 

"I tried.. And it worked.. Some of it," replied Theseus, calmly.

"Some of it.. Righttt..," Zara laughed. 

Theseus smiled at her. 

"Well, I've been seeing a therapist," said Theseus. 

"Really? That's great," said Zara, "And how does that change you?".

"I've been lying low for the past couple of years," said Theseus, "I let Jake make all the decisions and Freddie taking care of the gang.. And I've started my own construction company, a legal one,". 

"Wow..," said Zara looking amazed, "Good job, Theseus,". 

"Does that mean I have a chance with you?," asked Theseus, winking at her.

"Not even close, buddy," laughed Zara again. 

"Damn it," said Theseus quietly. 

They had a nice quiet chat after that. Theseus did everything to try digging out about her job and location but Zara is a smart girl who knows how to corner the conversation to somewhere else. She joked around and Theseus made him laugh and sometimes even forget what he was asking her. Few hours passed and Zara yawned.

"Well this has been nice, but it's getting late," said Zara as she took out her purse to pay but she was quickly stopped by Theseus. 

"No, love.. This is a date and I'm paying it," said Theseus, firmly. 

"A date? I thought it's just a normal dinner," said Zara, frowning at him. 

"It's the only way I could ask you out," Theseus sighed, "I'm sorry I lied,".

He looked at her nervously but she just nodded and put away her purse. Theseus raised up his hand to call the waiter to bring the bill. 

"Mi dispiace, signore, ma il suo tavolo è stato pagato," said the waiter. (I'm sorry, sir, but your table has been paid).

"Di cosa stai parlando? Chi ha pagato tutto il cibo?," asked Theseus looking around in the restaurant. (What are you talking about? Who paid all of the food?). 

There was a small chuckle as Zara stood up. At once, there was a sound of rumbling as few of the chairs around them in different tables were pushed on the wooden floor. Theo and Jackson who were sitting behind Zara and Theseus's table, with Theo wearing a fake mustache, a hat, and fake nerdy glasses gave a wave and a roguish smile, while Jackson who was also wearing a hat, had a fake beard, glared at Theseus menacingly. 

Three tables to the right were Ezra and Sienna who both of them had put on some formal fancy tuxedo and dress, like they were attending a Royal wedding. 

"You're welcome for the food," said Ezra, beaming at Theseus while Sienna laughed.

Theseus glared at them and looked back at Zara who were smiling mischievously. 

"You bring all of your bodyguards to our date?," asked Theseus. 

"Just five, and I didn't ask them," replied Zara as she put on her coat, "They insist,".

"Five?," asked Theseus and started looking around. 

Zara laughed and waved at the man in a hoodie, standing near a table in the far corner of the restaurant, wearing a pair of glasses, who happens to be Steven. Steven waved back at her and grinned at Theseus. 

"Fuck," Theseus cursed. 

"Oh, hush.. It's not everyday you get a dinner treat from the Phoenix," said Zara, "Goodnight, Theseus,". 

"Wait," said Theseus as he held her arm, "Please tell me you're not wearing a mic,".

"Oh we heard everything," said Sienna as both her and Ezra came close to Theseus. 

Theo was already beside Theseus and pried Theseus's hand from Zara's arm. 

"Don't touch my sister, Balthazar," said Theo looking at him murderously, "Or you're going to lose a hand,". 

"Come on, guys.. I'm tired," said Zara as she stretched her hands, "Bye, Theseus,". 

With that, they all left him inside the restaurant and went back to Dylan's villa. Theseus was still standing and watched her until she disappeared with her family. He finally found his senses and chuckled to himself. 

"Nice one, love. But next time, I'm going to make sure you and I will be alone," said Theseus to himself before leaving the restaurant.

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By the time Theseus and the others arrived at the INTERPOL's hotel the next morning, the Phoenix were already there. Few of them had greeted him cheerfully and Zara gave him a small wave as she laughed around her family. She was wearing a bright floral dress with a cream hat, her sunglasses were clipped at the front of her dress and she was carrying a small green handbag. Karan was in his blue shirt and jeans, and he was testing out the camera that was provided by the INTERPOL. 

 "Mrs. Phoenix," called Agent Cobbs looking over at Sienna, "And Mr. Jericho, would you two come here for a moment?,".

Matt looked at Theseus wondering what the agent wanted before joining Sienna and walked towards Agent Cobbs. 

"Well, we decided to put you two in the mission as well," said Agent Cobbs, "You can bring your husband if you want, Mrs. Phoenix,". 

"What do you want us to do?," asked Sienna. 

"We need you to track down this man," said Agent Cobbs as she showed her a picture of a man sitting in front of a café and reading a newspaper, "He owns a coffee shop in one of the streets in Bologna,". 

"Is he one of the Il Macellaio?," asked Matt.

"He was seen hanging out with Amadeo Leggio quite a few times so we suspect he's one of the closest to the four leaders," said Agent Cobbs. 

"Alright, Ezra and I could have a taste of his coffee then," said Sienna as she started searching for the address of the coffee shop, 'What about you?,".

Sienna turned to look at Matt. Matt looked thoughtfully at the picture of the man. 

"Research and then, I'm going to ask Miranda to go out and have coffee with me at that guy's coffee shop," replied Matt, his eyes focused on the blond woman who was busy attaching a small microphone inside Karan's shirt. 

At once, Sienna's hands were grabbing his collar and nearly lifting him up. Matt who was a bit shorter than her gulped. Everyone around them suddenly became quiet and Agent Cobbs who were standing near them had her hand on Sienna's arm. Jake and Freddie both tried to stop Sienna from hurting Matt but were blocked by Harvey, Theo, Ben, and Shane. Tensions start to rise in the ballroom.

"Babe? Is everything alright?," asked Ezra coolly as he sat back on one of the chairs in the room.

"Oh yeah, totally.. Just giving Matt here a small warning," replied Sienna, "Since he just told me that he was going to ask Miranda for coffee today,".

"What?," Miranda's eyes went wide and looked at Matt.

"Oh yeah.. He just made a confession," said Sienna, her hands still gripping on Matt's collar. 

Theseus turned to look at Zara and saw that she was smirking as she looked at the files and pictures, pretending that nothing happened in front of her. 

"You're enjoying this, love?," asked Theseus. 

"He asked for it," replied Zara, "And don't worry, Sienna's still in her gentle mode,". 

"You call that gentle?," asked Theseus again.

"Oh yeah," laughed Zara, "Just don't mess with her in her anger mode or you're going to lose a pair of balls,". 

"Bloody hell," said Theseus quietly. 

There was a quiet discussion between Dylan, Theo, and Harvey with the agents and when they finally finished, the three Phoenix men turned around and walked back towards them. 

"What's wrong?," asked Zara. 

"Change of plan.. We're splitting up," said Dylan. 

"Ookay..," replied Zara, her eyes narrowed suspiciously, "And?,". 

"Balthazar here will be following you two," said Theo. 

At once, Theseus's face lit up. 

"You do realize Karan and I are going to go out there as a married couple, right?," said Zara before turning to look at Theseus, "What are you going to be? Our driver?,". 

"Neither," replied Harvey before Theseus could answer, "He's going to be your shadow, like wearing an Invisibility Cloak,". 

"And he's not the only one," said Dylan, "Sam and Steven will be joining you guys,".

Zara nodded understandingly as she and Karan put on a wedding ring that was provided by the INTERPOL. The rings had a tracker and a small microphone that was buried inside it. 

"Leon and Raven will be following Ezra and Sienna as another couple, while Harvey and Shane will be joined by Hanson over there as Matt and Miranda's shadow," said Dylan. 

"Meera, Megan, and Ben will be staying here as your private satellite," said Theo.

"What about you guys?," asked Karan looking at both Dylan and Theo.

"We are going to hunt for cars, mate," Theo grinned at him, "That's why we're taking Jackson with us,". 

"Err.. Why do you need them?," asked Freddie who was looking at maps of Bologna. 

"Just in case if we could meet them in a street race event," replied Dylan. 

Freddie's jaw dropped while Zara beamed at her brother.

"Can you get me a Lamborghini Asterion?," asked Zara, her eyes twinkled.

"We'll try, baby sis," smiled Dylan, "Dark purple?,".

"Oh yeah," said Zara, "Thanks, bro,". 

Dylan gave his wife a kiss before leaving with Theo, Jackson who was waiting at the door gave her a wave before walking out with the two Phoenix brothers. 

"Alright, Zara.. You're ready for this?," asked Karan, "Anyway, how do I look?,". 

Zara looked at him up and down. 

"Like a perfect handsome husband," said Zara, making Theseus's eyes went wide and gave Karan an angry glare. 

"And you, mi amor.. Son una bella esposa," said Karan, wiggling his eyes. (Are a beautiful wife)

Theseus was still looking at Karan murderously when Zara turned to him. 

"What the hell is wrong with you?," asked Zara, folding her arms on her chest.

"Nothing, just putting on my concentrating face," replied Theseus. 

"Yeah.. Right," replied Zara, rolling her eyes, "Come on, let's go,". 

She walked past Theseus and took Karan by the arm as she waved the others goodbye. Sam and Steven gave a small glance at Theseus, beckoning him to follow them and the mission began with two cars which one of them was disguised as a taxi and two hours later, they arrived in the beautiful city of Bologna.