Plans in Motion

I woke up to the sound of two voices arguing. Glancing at the clock, it was only six thirty in the morning, and Mauwi was no longer beside me. It seemed she had woken up early just to piss off Liam.

I couldn't make out what they were saying, as I could only hear mumbling. But when I opened the door and saw both of them holding the burgers that Sam gave me yesterday, I already knew the cause of their argument.

"Let's just heat it, Liam!"

"I already told you it's a no."

"But Mauwi wants to eat a burger!!"

"Lower your voice, young lady."

"Liam!"

"No. You can eat cereal. It's too early for junk food."

"Liam!!"

"Stop shouting!"

"LIAAAAM!!!! ARGH!!!!"

I let out a heavy sigh. They always fight over the simplest things.

"What's happening here?" I intervened, stepping in before their argument could escalate further. They both looked at me, and Mauwi immediately ran to me, seeking comfort in my embrace.

"Liam hurt Mauwi," she whispered in her soft voice, clearly looking for someone to take her side.

"What--hey! I didn't do anything," Liam tried to defend himself.

I gently caressed Mauwi's hair. "It's not good to be a liar, Mauwi."

She pouted in response. "Sorry... but Liam is so annoying."

"I agree with Liam. It's too early to eat a burger," I said, trying to remain firm.

"Mommy..." Mauwi pleaded, looking at me with teary eyes. This is why I was hesitant to take the burgers that Sam gave me. Sam knows Mauwi would do anything for her favorite food, and she can't help but spoil her.

I should have hidden the burgers in the oven.

I sighed as I looked at Mauwi, who was on the verge of tears. This kid knows all too well that I can't resist her. "Let's just heat it up so you can have it as a snack in school. How about that?"

Although she was disappointed that I didn't give in to her request, she agreed without further protest.

After their little argument, the three of us sat at the table. Liam cooked breakfast for us--a simple meal of eggs, bacon, and sliced bread. Mauwi chose to eat her cereal.

Liam is a beta and one of the agents with the codename Lunar, but he's the only agent who managed to escape who chose not to be part of our plan. He wanted a simple and normal life.

Leaving wasn't easy for him.

He and Midnight even had a heated argument that turned physical. Despite all our efforts to convince him, he had made up his mind to leave, and there was nothing more we could do.

After his fight with Midnight, he cut off ties with everyone except me.

Since he was my junior and I was the one who taught him how to fight. Over the years, he had come to see me as his older sister. So, when he asked to live with me, I couldn't turn a blind eye and simply refuse.

It was also an advantage for me at that time since I was pregnant with Mauwi and didn't have anyone to rely on.

As time passed, Liam's presence in our lives became invaluable. Mauwi adored him, looking up to him as her trusted confidant and playmate. Their fights became more like sibling squabbles, and I couldn't help but smile whenever I saw them bicker over trivial matters.

"Mommy, Mauwi drew something yesterday. The teacher said we should draw what we want to be when we grow up. So, I drew myself in a doctor's suit, and I was with Mommy," Mauwi suddenly said as I styled her hair. She was now dressed in her school uniform.

Excitedly, she rummaged through her bag to find her drawing. When she found it, she eagerly showed it to me, lifting it up so I could see it clearly while I continued styling her hair with a beautiful waterfall braid.

"This is Mommy, and this is Mauwi. Mauwi's wearing a telescope because she wants to be a doctor," she said confidently.

"That's a stethoscope, Mauwi." I tried to correct her. I immediately heard Liam's laughter from beside us on the sofa, where he was watching TV.

Mauwi and I glared at him, and upon noticing our looks, he coughed and stopped laughing, attempting to change the topic.

"Wow, Mauwi, you're good at drawing. Do you draw Liam too?" Liam tried to lighten the mood.

Mauwi pointed to a tiny figure behind a tree, and Liam leaned in to get a better look.

The tree was drawn at a distance from the two figures, representing both Mauwi and me, holding hands.

"Why am I so small and behind the tree?" Liam asked playfully.

"Because you're not that important."

After dropping Mauwi off at her school, I headed straight to the café where I work. While busy cleaning a table that had just been used by two customers, I felt my phone vibrate.

I already knew who it was.

I glanced at the counter and saw the manager talking to a customer who was placing an order, while other employees were busy with their tasks.

With a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching, I discreetly unlocked my phone to read Midnight's message.

From: Midnight

We are in the Japanese restaurant beside the cafe. Let's talk after your shift.

"We..."

So, he's not alone.

He might be with Seraph and Nebula, since they are his closest friends.

After my shift, my suspicions were confirmed. Walking into the Japanese restaurant where we agreed to meet, Nebula's striking red hair stood out prominently.

She was happily chatting with Seraph and Midnight, but as soon as her eyes met mine, her smile vanished as if it never existed.

Instead, an annoyed expression appeared on her face, a common sight whenever she looked at me.

Even before the incident, there had always been tension between Midnight's group of friends and mine. Eclipse once told me that Midnight's dislike for me stemmed from the fact that the headmaster favored me over his own son.

I had never intended to compete with Midnight, but my efforts to impress the headmaster were misinterpreted by him.

All I wanted was to show my gratitude to the headmaster, who had taken me into the organization after my parents were killed. I simply wanted to be of value and make a meaningful contribution to the organization.

Midnight hated me for that, and his feelings influenced his friends' opinions of me as well. Similarly, my friends didn't back down when faced with Midnight's friends trying to bully us, especially Eclipse, who always stood up for me.

Suddenly, a pang of sadness washed over me as I remembered Eclipse.

As Nebula's expression shifted, both Midnight and Seraph turned their heads to look at me, their moods instantly soured by my presence.

When I reached their table, I had to take the only available seat beside Nebula, who looked a bit dissatisfied but had no choice.

As soon as I sat down, Midnight placed an envelope in front of me, knowing it contained the documents for my new identity. They didn't bother asking for my order or if I wanted to eat, Midnight went straight to the point.

"Rest assured, I didn't leave any trace. Even if the Sullivans try to conduct a background check, they won't find out that your identity is fake," Midnight assured me while I carefully examined the documents. He had already given me some of them before, but these were the most crucial ones.

I held on to my new driver's license.

Medel, Chase Dominique R.

Midnight proceeded to explain every detail I needed to know about my new identity. He went through the intricacies of my background story, my education, and even created a plausible work history.

The documents were meticulously crafted to ensure that no one would suspect the authenticity of my new identity.

It has to be, since we never know when the Sullivans might come sniffing around.

Seraph was the one who explained my new job, and then they dropped a bombshell.

"Working... with who?!" I asked, shocked and taken aback. I immediately shook my head; maybe I misheard.

"You will work with Hellion Sullivan," Midnight stated firmly and seriously.

I slammed both my hands on the table, creating a loud thud that drew the attention of some customers. But I didn't care. I was seething with anger, feeling like I could strangle someone right then and there.

"I applied to be Maximilian's secretary," I said, my voice tinged with frustration.

That position had been my goal for years, as I believed it would provide the perfect opportunity to get closer to Maximilian and uncover his secrets. He was the mastermind behind the ruin of our plans six years ago, and we were certain he was also responsible for hiding our fellow agents.

"But the position is already filled," Midnight continued, his expression serious.

"They assigned you to work under someone else. It's not the ideal situation, but we have no other choice."

Nebula looked at me with a judgmental expression.

"Why are you so irritated? You already slept with him. If you need to flirt with him to gain his trust and get information, you can do that. That's something you're good at, right?" Nebula smirked, deliberately insulting me.

"Nebula!" I scolded her, but she just laughed. My heart was pounding with anger, and I couldn't help but clench my fists.

"Come on, Shadow. Don't be so sensitive," Midnight interjected, trying to diffuse the tension.

"When we were on the verge of death, fighting to save our lives, you were there, spreading your legs to the person you were supposed to kill. How foolish. The great agent that my father always praises has a slutty side," Midnight said mockingly, tauntingly.

I couldn't believe it, now they're all ganging up on me.

I know they're angry with me because of my foolish actions but they are being childish!

They fell silent again, and Midnight abruptly stood up and left, with Nebula quickly following him. Seraph remained behind but composed himself and stood as well.

"You should be careful. That man is still looking for you. You're lucky he doesn't remember your face. So, be cautious not to get caught," Seraph said while leaving the money on the table for their orders.

He tapped my shoulder.

"And don't disappoint us again, Shadow." There was a hint of threat in his words before he left to catch up with the others.

I was left alone in the restaurant.

I clutched the envelope tightly in my hand, hoping they would offer some comfort. But the weight of rage, guilt and uncertainty overwhelmed me, causing my grip to tighten further until the envelope crumpled in my grasp.