Smarty-Paige

Writer's POV

The rhythm of the tick of the wall clock was almost in line with the way Paige's heart was beating, butt sinking in the plush green leather couch. They were all seated in Daniel's office, carefully waiting for him to come out of his private restroom. He had been there for like twenty minutes straight, on a phone call.

Where Paige sat silently, gaze fixed on the sideboard of the office. Which boasted of a decanter tray (with glasses and liquor), family pictures which Paige could spot a childhood photo of Darren and Daniel with the people who she assumed was their parents.

There were artworks, and a fragrance diffuser also. The office was chic and lively--So Danielish! Paige mused.

The Capos were discussing quietly and chatting, not even interacting with Paige.

Eric Eden felt guilty where he sat, his eyes drifting to where Paige sat. Anytime he tried to talk to her, he would get distracted, or get called by Michelle.

"Paige Lee, right?" He mouthed.

Paige turned her head sideways in confusion, she pointed to herself with quirked brows. The corner of Eric's lips curled up as he said, "you're the only Lee in the D'connell Family." 

Paige's mouth rounded into an 'oh' before she smiled, "aren't you bored sitting alone like that?" Eric asked and took a seat beside her. 

"No" Paige gave a wave of hand as she replied almost immediately, Dean Herbert and Michelle Tony had stopped talking, paying attention to both Paige and Eric.

"What's he doing?" Michelle twisted her mouth as she said to Dean, 'why was Eric speaking to that beggar!' she bit her lips.

The five minutes Paige spent with Eric cheered her up a bit, he was a good guy and she enjoyed his company.

Eric is a good-looking guy, though not super handsome like Daniel or freakishly hot like Darren. He's just himself, with crooked teeth, one of the qualities that complements his face.

The door to the restroom swung open, Daniel walking out with a deep frown, but his face hardened as he took a glance at Eric beside Paige. He grunted before he said, "The Mafia Boss is already aware of what happened."

The Capos stood up instantly, confusion visible on their faces, "how? But he's in Mexico!" Dean uttered. "How would I know?" Daniel snapped back at him, "he asked us to make sure we've found the spy before he comes back," he disclosed.

"What!" 

They all exclaimed, their faces turned sour, "when is he coming back?" Eric asked, his jaw tensed. "In two days," Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose and walked up to his big, expensive-looking desk, he sat on the swivel chair making a steeple of his fingers, in deep thought. "This is trouble," Michelle burst out, "Boss we need to find a way as fast as possible!" Eric said loudly. 

"It won't be easy! The spy's from the Turner family!" Michelle rebutted and plopped herself on the couch, with a grave expression.

Paige who had been quiet all along where she sat, had her leg crossed, gaze fixed on her black boots. 

"What about we do this?" She suddenly raised her head and stared at Daniel and the Capos.

All their attention was on Paige who was speaking, but they were a bit doubtful of what she was going to say, especially the Capos. "I've caught a lot of mole in my company down in Korea, so--"

"You have a company?!" Eric's eyes were wide in amazement, "that's not the point Eric!" Daniel grumbled in disapproval.

"That was before, Eric... What I'm saying is that those who have access to informations about the mission you went for, we need to fish them out"

"I think I get you, those who we worked with for the mission, Michelle, we need to know them, they are the primary suspect" Eric noted pointing to Michelle, which she nodded to. "We need a background check on everyone too," Paige continued, "but we did that before they swore an oath" Dean argued, "we should recheck it, we need a hacker really fast" Paige gave Daniel a certain look that moment.

Daniel shook his head as he stood up, "I'm not a hacker, it's Dean", he grabbed his laptop and threw it towards Dean, "get to work" he ordered.

Dean took a seat beside Michelle, hands running fast on the keys as he clicked.

Paige suddenly grabbed Daniel's arm and took him to the side, "if you weren't a hacker how did you know everything about me then?" She said under her breath, raising a quizzical brow. Daniel's fleeting gaze went to the hand holding him, he whispered, "I didn't check your background, Darren did."

Paige muttered a 'what' with narrowed eyes, she couldn't believe it was Darren! 

"I think I found something odd!" Dean shouted, Paige and Daniel ran to where he sat. "Three of the people we worked with for the mission has something unusual that wasn't found before"

"Lydia Morgan: it was shown before that she worked in an hotel for five years, but it's three years, there's an unusual gap of two years of being unemployed"

"Wow" Eric scoffed and rolled his eyes, erupting a laughter from Paige and Daniel, "how did we not see this before?! Greg Anderson has a criminal record that wasn't stated!"

"Geez!" Michelle rubbed her body with a crumpled face, "the third one is... He's clean actually" Dean frowned and pursed his lips. "But his name keeps blinking red" Michelle pointed out, "it means he's also suspicious" Daniel squinted his eyes as he reasoned carefully. 

"But he came out clean."

"More reason why he's suspicious" Paige stated solemnly, she gave Daniel who was already staring, a glance again. "Alright, since the three are the most suspicious, we should start the investigation, which must be confidential" Daniel who ignored Paige's long glance declared with lifted chin, "meaning, it stays with the four of us". 

"Yes boss", they all nodded in approval as they stood up, Dean walking to Daniel's desk to drop the laptop.

"I have a question"

Paige called their attention once again, the Capos not doubtful of her this time around, except Michelle of course. "If you caught the culprit, are you gonna kill him?" She asked reluctantly, hoping they wouldn't find her weird. "Of course, I'll chop off his hands and feet!" Daniel said with determination, "no you can't!" Paige shook her head frantically. "Why? He's a bloody spy" Michelle snorted with raised brows, she felt like Paige was so full of herself, trying to control them. "You can't kill him! We can still use him..." Paige darted her eyes from each of the Capos then to Daniel. 

"Think about it, we can't just infiltrate the Turner family like that, we also need a mole in there!"

"I think I get you now, we can use the mole as our mole!" Eric chuckled as he said, impressive at his rhythmic statement. Daniel mouthed a 'yea' as he threw his head back, "smarty-pants Paige!" He complimented and raised his hand for high-five, Paige concurring instantly with a grin. 

"I'm surprised actually at your wits," Dean said with a smirk, "thanks," Paige grinned, "we need to get the mole first, let's go," Michelle uttered with a grunt, rubbing her nose.

"Boss we're off!" Eric chirped as they all walked towards the door, except Paige, she was deep rooted where she stood.

Immediately the door was shut with a thud, Paige swiftly rushed to Daniel, "Don't Paige!" Daniel raised his palm and walked to the sideboard to pick a bottle of wine. "You don't even know what I wanna say!" Paige crossed her arms and frowned, "I know what you are going to say Paige, I'm definitely not telling Darren to dig up the spy's background or whatever."

"But he dug up mine!" Paige argued with an irritated sigh, "come off it Paige, you're just a soldier! The Capos will take care of it" Daniel sipped his drink with an undecipherable expression on. He isn't involving Darren in the spy's matters, he would solve it himself! Daniel gulped down the drink again as his hand shook slightly.

Paige clicked her tongue as she stared at Daniel's brooding back, he just said the total truth.

"Bye!" She shrugged and walked out of his office, a big smile on her face. She had successfully distracted them from the undercover journey they wanted to put her through.

Now she's free!

So-she-thought...