Conditions & Deals

In my teen days, I always used to think that everything should be fair, and if something isn't, then it is wrong and needs fixing. I believed in absolute equality and blamed nature for creating people inferior to others. But as life went on and I learned to see multiple perspectives, I realized that this is how the world is supposed to be. I realized that nothing in life is fair, and it is not supposed to be either. I started expecting the unexpected, never complaining about something that didn't seem fair.

But now, I'm unconsciously asking, why?

Everyone in the room except Lucian unfreezed. Elias's expression changed from fear to relief.

Seeing Lucian with such a rare expression made Elias believe that he is now in a safe situation.

"Your partner, Aria, was nothing but a traitor for you, it seems", Elias said with a neutral face.

Luther stared at Elias with an amazed expression as Elias started showing his phone to Lucian while sitting still.

"When I was trying to call Dorian, I saw a message from one of my assassins I hired for emergency purposes. He said, a person named Aria is claiming to be the ghost's partner. And she is..", Lucian stopped him right there.

"S-So you are saying, she betrayed me?! And she wanted to get me caught?", Lucian said in a louder voice.

"Yes! That's what it seems like", Elias said, finally with a smile.

Wait a minute, am I missing something? Did she get caught or is she willingly doing this? Is she doing this to save me somehow? Should I go with her-

"Look at me", Aria finally spoke up, pointing towards Lucian.

"This was just how I wanted it to go! And you are finally getting caught. Now Mr.Blackwood, I'm right here, there is nothing that can stop you from unmasking him right? Do it.", Aria expressed with a smile.

"You're right! Thank you! We'll definitely pay you for your consideration!", Luther also spoke up, excitedly.

"Aria, how can you do this to me?", Lucian said with a voice that didn't express anything at all.

"I'm still the same", Aria said calmly.

Still the same? Does she mean she is still helping me?

"And by that, I mean I was always like this. I got closer to you, to gain your trust and the day has finally come!", Aria shouted.

Elias quickly stood up from the sofa and went towards Lucian himself, to unmask him.

As Elias was approaching him, he quickly balanced his mind and spoke up, "Mr.Blackwood! You are forgetting that your brother's life is still in my hands! My partner not saving me doesn't make your brother safe!"

Elias was punched by an invisible force while going towards Lucian as he heard this.

Luther Kane suddenly smiled and said, "So, should we kill this girl?"

Without giving anyone a further chance to reply, he continued, "If you don't do what we say, we are going to kill your ex partner", he smirked, "And, we are gonna keep her hostage just to keep things safe."

Elias got impressed by the things Luther said. He just went back to sit on the sofa. As soon as he touched the sofa, the assassins surrounding Aria grabbed her hands and started tieing her with a rope.

Aria showed no resistance.

Lucing at last took a deep breath and sat on the chair positioned in front of Elias and Luther.

"Tell me what do you want.", Lucian said with a cold voice.

"I want you to work under me, for free.", Elias said, almost trying to request Lucian, even after cornering him.

"So, you were trying to unmask me, to know my identity and use that as a threat to make me keep working for you in the future and not betray you?", Lucian asked.

"Exactly, you know it.", Luther said, before Elias could.

"Well, I can't really know your identity now because my brother's life is in your hands. But remember, Aria is gonna stay with us from now on, and if you do anything that gets me in trouble, consider her dead.", Elias said in a threatening voice.

"Okay, right. I am ready to work under your conditions, but you'll have to spare my identity. I am gonna go away from here and never meet you in person again. Here is my personal number, so call me when I have to start. And kill her if you suspect me of betraying you.", Lucian promised boldly.

Luther got close to Elias and whispered, "Would it be a good decision, Sir? His identity would have been the best way to keep him under us. Are you sure this hostage is enough to keep him?"

Elias whispered back, "The emotions I saw in his eyes when he first saw her, no matter how good a person is at deceiving, no one can fake that. I'm more than 100% sure that this hostage is enough!"

I have no idea why Aria did that. Can I even trust people from now on? She was the only person I genuinely loved and trusted, aside from my parents. No no, this can't be it. No matter what happens, the Aria I know would never do something like this. I am pretty sure she is doing this under some kind of pressure. I'll have to rescue her from here as soon as I get the chance. But why did she not resist at all to being held hostage? Was she really that invested to get me caught?

It's an act, I can feel it's an act.

Otherwise, why didn't she call me by my real name in front of Elias and Luther? She addressed me as "The Ghost". Was she trying to not expose my identity?

Elias took the paper Lucian gave him, which had a number written in it. He quickly typed the number and called Lucian.

The phone in Lucian's shirt's pocket started ringing.

"See? I don't lie, why would I?", Lucian said.

Elias smiled and said, "So should we call it a deal?"

Lucian said, "I guess so."

Luther stood up and went towards the assassins surrounding Aria and said, "Go and throw her in the room I made for hostages. This bastard really tried to corner us, show him our power."

Lucian's eyes went towards Luther and quickly responded through mouth, "Watch your language Mr.Kane, throw her in the room huh? Did you just forget that I have Mr.Blackwood's brother as a hostage too? This is a mutual deal."

"Can't you just not say these things now? Didn't I pay you enough to not let your pride interfere with our plan?", Elias said with a silent anger towards Luther.

Luther said, "Yes, Sir. I apologize."

"Not letting pride or emotions interfere with our plans? Did he just forget how he lost his mind hearing about his brother being hostage? In fact, this situation came up just because of that", Luther whispered to himself, barely hearable to anyone else.

Lucian took the art he brought with him and opened the door. As the assassins followed him to the outside door, he faded into the dark of the night.

I'm coming soon, Aria.