Operation 0.0

Maya led Aaron and Tyler through a labyrinth of narrow alleys until they reached a small, dimly lit garage, tucked away from prying eyes. "Is he a mechanic?" Tyler asked.

"No, my dad owns the place, so he just hangs out here with his friends."

Inside, Tony sat there with his friends as they played poker in thick, tension-filled air.

"Brother," Maya called, and they all turned and stared at her. Tony raised an eyebrow in surprise when he saw Aaron and Tyler.

He stood up angrily, his gaze locked with Aaron's, and took several steps towards him when Maya stood before him.

"Tony, Aaron has something to discuss with you. He hasn't come to cause trouble, so hear him out, okay?"

Tony scoffed. He picked the spanner. "Oh, does he now? Should I be expecting one of his brilliant ideas? Like burning a human alive?" He retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm as his friends burst out in laughter.

"I am not here to play games; there is a deal on the table, and it depends if you will accept it or not." Aaron remained composed, his eyes fixed on Tony.

This composed nature of his irritated Tony so much that he clenched his fist and stared at Maya, who shook her head to the negative, saying he shouldn't do anything stupid.

"A deal, huh? Enlighten me; I am all ears." He dropped the spanner and turned to his friends and said, "We will continue the game some other time. Bounce."

They were angry that he didn't let them stay, but to avoid trouble, they simply left as Tony sat down.

"What if he jeopardizes our plan?" Tyler whispered to Aaron, who didn't pay attention to him.

"I want a car and a van."

Tony burst out in laughter when he saw that Aaron was serious. "Do I work in some car shop? Don't you have money to afford one?"

"One thousand USD just for two days rental of a van," he added, and Maya's eyes widened in shock.

Tony wondered if they were serious. "What type of van did you say you needed again?"

Now they were in sync: "Any type of van, and a classic car with the wrong plate numbers."

"You said you weren't involved in illegal stuff." Maya chimed in, and Tony raised a hand, signaling that she had stayed quiet.

"Make it 2500 USD, and I will be the driver."

Aaron smiled as he stared at Tyler, who nodded.

**

They returned home and found Lara sitting on the couch while trying to throw stones in a jar. "You are back," she said without lifting her head.

"Hmm"

"I wrote a deal." She took the paper next to her and passed it to Aaron, who stared at Tyler, who was also confused as they both read what she wrote.

"1. You promise to not let Martin touch me."

"2. You promise never to give me such a task in the future."

"3. We never talk about what will go on that night."

Tyler chuckled. "Then you need to try this." He threw the bag at her. She checked in and saw it was some clothes.

"You got me clothes, scary," she laughed. "Aaron chose it."

She nodded and went inside to try it out. Minutes later, she returned, and Aaron hit his head, frustrated.

Even Tyler couldn't hold back his laughter. "What's funny? I didn't choose the dress."

"You didn't wear it properly." He walked to her and pointed at the front. "This is supposed to be the back."

"Oh," she said, now that she understood why the dress didn't make sense.

"Well, it suits me."

"Let's go over the plan carefully," Aaron said. They didn't want to leave room for any mistakes.

--

Wednesday, 6pm

The trio had spent the entire day yesterday and the morning going through their plan carefully.

"Aaron, let me give her the words; you are not good with emotions." Tyler pleaded for the tenth time: Lara was going to put on a wireless device, and one of them would direct her on what to do.

Aaron said he would do it, but Tyler kept insisting, "I said I would do it; just be focused on his keypad sound."

Lara walked out of her bedroom; earlier, she went to the hairdresser, got her wig installed, and also did some light make-up.

"Wow, you look beautiful." Tyler was amazed by her look. She smiled and stared at Aaron, waiting for his compliment.

"The car is here; let's go." Aaron picked up his bag and walked out of the apartment.

"Will it kill him to appreciate my look?" She sneered as they all walked to the car.

Tony was dressed in a white shirt and formal black trousers. "Mademoiselle," he said, pulling the car door for Lara, who chuckled.

"Aaron was right about money," she thought, and she got in.

"Tony, all you have to do is drive her there and then wait for her; don't mention her name," Aaron reminded Tony, who nodded.

Aaron and Tyler got into the van, and Aaron drove away before Tony followed him.

"I am nervous; why am I nervous?" Lara rubbed her palms.

"It's okay to be nervous," Aaron said through the wireless device in her ear. Her hair covered it so it wouldn't be visible to others.

"Who are you guys?" Tony asked in disbelief.

"Aaron says he will deduct the money if you don't mind your business." Lara frowned at him. "I didn't say that."

"I might have underestimated you guys and the type of business you do. Please add me up; I also want to make money." Tony pleaded with Lara; he had no idea about the device on her.

"We don't do any business."

"Then how do you have so much money? And now you are going to this classic nightclub, dressed like a duchess. Or are you a... "

"Don't say it," she warned, and he zipped his mouth. "And don't say anything else, please."

She had to be focused.

Minutes later, when they arrived at the nightclub, Aaron and Tyler parked the van a little far from the entrance.

Tony stopped the car at the entrance and said, "We are here."

"I know," she said, biting her lower lip and taking a look outside.

"Lara, get down the car," Aaron ordered, but she didn't move.

"Lara, the car has been there for a while; don't let the security approach it, so get down the car," Aaron added, and Lara clenched her fist.

"I can't do it," she sighed.