Deception (1)

"What's down that path?" asked Ezequiel, also known as Agent B.

Brea, or Agent C-Two, consulted the map before responding:

"If you follow that path, you'll reach Arnoldstein."

Agent B paused thoughtfully. Then, turning to Lidia, he asked:

"What was the boy's name?"

"Aiden, sir," she replied with the formality of a soldier addressing her general.

"Well, kid, you don't have to be so formal with me like you do with bossy Marie," said Ezequiel with a mischievous smile.

Marie approached him and let out a sound of disapproval, glaring at him with a fury that didn't require psychic interpretation to understand. Ezequiel brushed off her reaction and suggested to Lidia and Rino that they accompany them since they were already there, but not without first asking them to send him an image of the boy.

"We should send the image to headquarters; it might help shorten the search," Marie proposed.

"It's not necessary," Ezequiel countered. "I doubt the kid has left the country."

"Alright, let's head down that path," Agent B instructed.

"So you're leaving me with all the paperwork and running off as usual," Brea reproached him.

"Oh, here we go again with your games. You can't get over it. Let's stay professional," Ezequiel replied, winking at her, which caused Brea to erupt like a volcano in full eruption.

Marie stepped in to calm her down, knowing these two shared a long history, and said:

"We need to continue the search. It's important."

Brea took a deep breath, regained her composure, and resumed her task of inspecting the area, though not without exchanging one last glance with Ezequiel—a glance that made him tremble slightly.

"If everything's settled, let's get moving," Ezequiel declared.

They climbed into their vehicles and set off on the road to Arnoldstein.

In Milan, dawn was breaking. Elena had gotten up—or rather, she had barely slept—due to the events of the previous day. She prepared to go to work but felt a growing fear about what she had been asked to do. As she left her house, she began thinking about how to convince Aiden to accompany her peacefully to a secluded spot. At that moment, her phone rang. It was one of the men who worked with Zeus, and he explained how they would proceed that day.

"I'll send you a message to coordinate how we're going to carry out what you've requested," she responded.

The voice on the other end was firm:

"We'll be watching you, girl. Don't be late."

Part of Elena hoped that Aiden wouldn't show up at the store; she silently prayed he wouldn't come. But another part of her wished he would, for the sake of saving her father—and herself.

"Morning has arrived! Come down for breakfast!" Adia shouted from the first floor, clanging two plates together to make herself heard.

The noise woke Aiden and Podbe immediately. Both headed downstairs and were greeted by Adia, already dressed in her red suit and accompanied by her multipurpose robot. Still sleepy and yawning, they sat at the table and ate breakfast just as they had the day before.

Once breakfast was over, Aiden went upstairs to change, returned, and told Adia that he was going to the pet store to see Elena.

"Well done, young man, go get your goal," Adia responded with a wink.

Inside, Adia thought she might have gone too far. She wasn't one for sentimentality or "nonsense," as she liked to call it.

Aiden and Podbe were left slightly confused by Adia's comment and headed toward Elena's workplace. When they arrived, they saw the shop owner and asked him about her. Thanks to the capsule Adia had given him, Aiden could now understand and speak the language as if he were a native speaker, something that still amazed him.

"This capsule Adia gave me is amazing. I forgot to thank her, and now even more," Aiden thought.

The man recognized him immediately:

"Oh, you're that boy who babbled and forgot his change yesterday. What a silly kid."

Aiden didn't know what to say about the comment regarding his behavior from the day before. He simply apologized and mentioned that he was looking for Elena. The man told him that she was in the back, in the warehouse, organizing some things, but that he could help him if he wanted to buy something.

"No, don't bother; I just came to see her. I'll wait outside," Aiden replied, stepping out of the store.

When Elena returned from organizing the warehouse, the man informed her that the "silly kid" from yesterday was waiting outside. She asked for permission to talk for a few minutes, and he granted her five. Quickly, Elena went outside and greeted Aiden, visibly nervous. She apologized for leaving abruptly the day before and asked if he was upset about the incident.

"I'm not upset or anything; I was just a little surprised because, after having such a nice day, you left without saying goodbye or giving any explanation," Aiden responded sincerely.

She apologized again, still nervous, and proposed:

"To make up for that mistake, since I didn't behave well, how about we meet again at six in the evening, by the bridge in the center?"

Aiden responded immediately with a big smile and an enthusiastic "yes." She said that was fine and that she had to return to work. They said goodbye with a "see you at six."

Aiden returned home happy and cheerful, with Podbe and Reia by his side, who expressed that they were happy for him. Meanwhile, Elena sent a text message to Zeus's henchmen: "We'll meet at the bridge at six." They responded:

"We expect you to do your part. We'll handle the rest."

Aiden walked, radiating happiness. When he arrived at the house where he stayed with Adia, he entered and told her that he was very happy because he had another chance to be friends with Elena and spend time with her again. It didn't take a genius to notice his joy; his ear-to-ear smile was unmistakable.

"It's written all over your face—what a big smile," Adia remarked with a mix of sarcasm and affection. "Well, it's time to give your hair special treatment, and this time, it might be a good idea to bring flowers," she added with a mischievous smile.