CHAPTER 25

As soon as we got off Atlas' private plane, we went straight to his warehouse. A van picked us up at the airport so we didn't have to commute. It seems like Atlas doesn't plan to commute either because this guy is impatient.

"You brought a lot of stuff even though we'll be going back to Mexico," I heard Atlas say as I put my duffel bag on his leather sofa in the living area of his basement lobby.

"I just carried away," Oceanus replied briefly and sat on the sofa. "It's been a few years since I last came here."

I looked to my side when someone tapped me. Ria was smiling and waved at me. As usual, she was still wearing a lab coat and had her facemask down.

"Welcome back, Sarah," she greeted me.

I couldn't hide my happiness, so I took her hand and hugged her tightly. She hugged me back and patted my back several times.

"Sorry. It seems like you're going back to the lab, and I hugged you," I said, laughing.

She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I'm going to rest now too. I've been awake for almost 24 hours, and I plan to sleep first," she replied.

She said goodbye to me and to Atlas before going to her cabin room. Because all the people working for Atlas cannot go home, they just stay here. He provided our rooms now.

"We'll be going back to Mexico soon, Atlas?" I asked when I approached him.

He just nodded and put down the backpack he was carrying under the sofa. He gently tapped Oceanus and looked at me before gesturing for us to follow him.

"Yes," he replied. "Follow me to my office room. I need to discuss something important."

Oceanus and I looked at each other when Atlas walked ahead towards his office. He just shrugged at me and stood up too, we went to Atlas' office together and closed it when we got in.

"What are we going to talk about?" I asked and sat in the vacant seat next to his office table.

"We're going to the auction tomorrow night. Ismael has a favor, his niece wants the black star diamond necklace and the dragon's eye pendant. We can only get those two at the auction to be held tomorrow at a private convention near Austria."

"Why does Ismael's niece want that?" Oceanus asked, frowning.

"Actually the mother of his niece owned that. It's just stolen from her when she dies," Atlas replied.

"Are we going to steal that too?" I asked.

"As usual," Atlas replied briefly.

I didn't say anything anymore to his reply. I should get used to them because their work is illegal. Silence once again filled the entire office as Oceanus and I just waited for Atlas to speak.

"I forgot to ask you, Sarah," Oceanus suddenly said. "Do you already have a code name? You're now officially a member of our organization. Your data has been approved and has been updated in our system."

"You need to tell us your code name. I'm talking to Lapetus right now, he can transfer your codename to Pallas so that he can put it in our system that you already have a code name," Atlas continued to talk while typing on his laptop.

I've been thinking of a possible code name for myself since my data was done in their system. Actually, I'm just waiting for them to ask me so I can say it.

"Hexia," I replied.

They both nodded and didn't ask me why I chose that. I just followed their codename that is related to the Greek gods and goddesses. It would be embarrassing if I didn't follow that.

"I'll tell Lapetus about Sarah's code name, Atlas," Oceanus said.

Atlas just nodded and turned his attention back to his laptop. I excused myself and said I would take a bath because my body was sticky. I got on the elevator while carrying my duffel bag and pressed the down button because the underground house that Atlas had built was finished.

This is where Oceanus and I will be staying because the rooms upstairs are already occupied by Atlas' workers. As soon as I opened the door, I was greeted by a living room with a large flat-screen TV. Next to it was a wide and clean kitchen. There's a middle kitchen island and bar stools with a backrest.

I turned on the lights there and turned on the air conditioner because I was sure they would come down here when they were done with what they were doing. I walked through the dimly lit hallway and immediately saw the white door on the left. This is my room because Atlas said so.

I opened it and took a bath right away after putting down the black duffel bag on the bed.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

I held the two papers Atlas had given me. The auction we were going to attend was happening today. Before we went straight to the convention, we had a meeting in Atlas' office.

Oceanus was upstairs because he was going to drive Atlas' car. He just passed it by the garage and would wait for us there.

I felt like a statue in my seat because I was not used to wearing what I was wearing now, but Atlas told me that when there was an event and he needed to go, I would be with him, so I had to get used to these things.

I was wearing a nude silk evening long gown. The neckline of the long gown was low, and so was the back, it was almost backless up to my waist. Ria did my makeup and fixed my hair. She straightened my hair and just let it down. At least it covered my back.

"Your mission here is to kill this man," Atlas said. He pointed to a picture of a man on the paper. "He's the right-hand man of Perses."

"Helios," I read the codename.

My eyes went down again to the bottom of the codename of the man Atlas was referring to.

Amadeus Alejandro Zevallos.

I don't know why my chest suddenly tightened. My heart was beating fast when I read that name. Zevallos? What connection does this have to Rafael?

"I thought you couldn't say the real name when working for your organization. How did you find this?" I asked him, frowning.

"I have my ways. Besides, I asked Pallas for help."

Why did I only see this Amadeus now? Does Rafael have a brother? My mind was deep in thought because of that. Because the Zevallos family profile is very private, I have no idea if my best friend has a brother or not.

I looked again at the clear picture on the paper. He was wearing a black suit, had thick eyebrows, and his hair was neat. His gray eyes were lifeless, and so were his red lips. His jawline was well-defined, and I couldn't deny that he was handsome.

I swallowed and glanced at Atlas. "A-am I going to kill Helios?" I asked him.

He nodded. "Yes. I just saw Perses' right-hand man, and I think he just approved that guy's data in the Abyss Order system. That's what Pallas told me. In every event we need to attend, there must be one representative from our organization, Hexia."

"For sure, Helios will be there. If Perses doesn't go, I'm sure his right-hand man will be the representative when he's not there. You'll see him there so you can do what you need to do."

I wasn't prepared for what he said. I just sighed and slowly nodded at him. What else could I do?

"I'll have a hard time getting close to Perses while Helios is still alive, his right-hand man needs to die first for Perses to appear in a possible event he can attend."

I couldn't take my eyes off Helios. So many questions were running through my mind. Could it be that the Zevallos are so private because they work here in The Abyss Order? Besides, they are also known because of their businesses, especially the Zevallos Real Estate Corporation and the hotel chains.

"Don't worry. We'll help you," Atlas said. He stood up from his swivel chair and straightened his black three-piece suit.

"Let's go," he invited me.

I nodded and stood up too. We walked out of his office together and went to the elevator.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Wear this so we can communicate with each other while we're away."

I took the earpiece and put it in my ear right away. Before going out, I made sure the leg holster on my left thigh was tight. It wouldn't be seen unless you really looked because the slit of my long gown was on the right. I was carrying the golden stiletto-type weapon that Atlas gave me.

He helped me twist my hair until it became a bun, and the weapon he gave me served as a hairpin. I just stuck the two of them in my hair. It had a thin cover so it wouldn't pierce my head, and besides, if I wanted to remove it, there was a small button at the bottom so it would automatically come off, and if I put the cover back on, I would just do the same. Just press the button at the bottom.

"Thank you," I thanked him when I saw that my hair was in place. It was a waste that I straightened my hair.

The three of us went out of the car when Oceanus parked the car. We walked quietly towards the entrance of the convention. My outfit was just right because the other women with us were all elegantly dressed. I thought I was overdressed, but it wasn't.

"Oceanus, go check their security system. I've already talked to Pallas to help you. Just let me know what's happening and please make sure that all CCTV areas here can be connected to Pallas," Atlas said seriously while looking around the whole place.

There was a large stage at the far end, and in the middle of it was a small black table. It seemed like they were putting the items there for the auction later. We immediately found a seat, we sat at the front of the stage so we could see up close what would happen later.

Atlas and I just silently observed the entire convention. The place was gradually filling up with people. At the side of the entrance, I caught a glimpse of a tall man. He was dressed almost the same as the other men.

Black three-piece suit. His face was casually emotionless as he stood by the side. Sometimes he would look down at his wristwatch and out the entrance as if he were waiting for someone.

Helios.

The man Atlas wanted me to kill.

I averted my gaze before he could catch me staring at him. I couldn't sit still, and my heart was pounding as if it was going to explode when I saw him in person. What's wrong with me?

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

"Don't drink the cocktail when the waiters are handing them out."

I turned to Atlas, frowning. "Huh? Why?"

"Just follow what I said."

Even though I was confused, I didn't ask him again. The lights went out and were replaced by dim lights. Someone came out on stage and started the long-awaited auction.

After a few hours, they still hadn't brought out the item Atlas wanted. That was all we were after besides my plan to kill Helios. I looked around again to find where he was now.

He was now at the far end, near the side of the stage and the bar counter. He was just silently watching the emcee on stage, who was describing the expensive jewelry he wanted to bid on.

I gently tapped Atlas' arm so he looked at me. "I'm just going to the bathroom."

I felt like peeing because it was cold inside. I got up and went to the bathroom. Since the only bathroom here was near the bar counter, I passed by Helios' table. There I saw him up close when I passed him. He was still frowning while looking at the stage.

"Ma'am, would you like a cocktail?"

I took a step back when I almost bumped into the waiter.

"N-no, thank you," I replied, stuttering.

I immediately avoided him and walked quickly to the bathroom to pee. Before I could leave the bathroom when I was finished, I fixed my leg holster first and looked at myself in the mirror. My makeup still looked good.

I went out, and at the same time the lights in the hallway went out. I heard the loud screaming of other people. I held my chest when my heart started beating fast.

Calm down, Sarah! I told myself. Don't waste your training for nothing.

"Sarah, do what I said. Oceanus and I will take care of getting the jewel."

I held the earpiece before speaking. "Noted, Atlas."

I groped in the dark even though the emergency lights in the entire convention lit up when I got out of the hallway. I fought my trembling hands and calmed myself.

Why am I so nervous!?

I wanted to slap myself in annoyance because of what I was feeling. When I reached the bar counter, I angrily grabbed the margarita glass and drank the contents, hoping it would get rid of the nervousness I was feeling.

"Don't drink the cocktail when the waiters are handing them out."

My eyes widened when I heard Atlas' voice in my mind. I spat out the alcohol loudly and wiped my lips while looking at the empty margarita glass. Why didn't he just tell me not to drink cocktail drinks?!

The waiter didn't actually give it to me, but I took it! I roughly set the glass down on the tray and looked around. Where is Helios?

"Helios is in the security room, Hexia. Go and kill him. He's near the backstage," biglang wika ni Atlas sa earpiece.

"That bastard. He's after the items, Atlas! Did you get the two?" Oceanus seconded. "He's still in the security room, he seems to be looking for the vault room."

"Not yet. But I'm sure we'll get it and he won't get it."

"I'm going," I replied.

The other people started running out of the convention when my eyes adjusted to the darkness. I went straight to the backstage to enter the security room. As I got closer and closer to it, my vision slowly blurred.

I blinked and ignored it. Was the alcohol content of the drink I drank too high? That's why this is happening to me?

I grabbed the doorknob, and when I noticed that it was locked, I stepped back and kicked it hard. It made a loud noise, and the broken door fell to the floor.

"Helios..." I called out his name when I saw him inside. He was standing in front of the large screen where you could see the footage of the CCTV in the entire convention. He was looking down with his palms resting on the table and his chest rising and falling.

I slowly walked towards him and took the two golden stiletto-type weapons from my hair. My straight hair fell loose, and I pressed the small button to remove the cover of what I was holding.

I stopped walking when I felt something strange in my body. I felt like it was getting hot and I was sweating. If I was just a little dizzy earlier, now I wasn't. I held the side of the small locker while not taking my eyes off Helios.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" I heard a cold voice.

When our eyes met, my hand flicked and quickly went towards him to stab him in the neck with the weapon I was holding. I fought against the dizziness just to succeed in Atlas' order to me.

But I still didn't have enough speed because he caught my hand. I groaned softly when he pushed me hard against the locker while staring at me sharply. He quickly took the weapon from me, and his hand went down to choke me.

"Who ordered you to kill me?" he asked me. His tone was firm, but I could feel the anger in it.

His eyes were wide as he looked at me. He was gasping for breath as if he were fighting something within himself. My hands were on his big arm, almost bursting from the white polo long sleeves he was wearing because his suit was now off.

I should be scared of him. But why not? Why do I feel calm around him?

"No one ordered me," I replied tersely in an equally cold tone.

I closed my eyes as their hand tightened around my neck. I don't know why, but I was feeling incredibly hot. Was it because of what I drank? Did they put something in that liquor? My breathing quickened, and when I opened my eyes, their sharp gaze was gone. Their eyes were soft, like ashes, as they looked at me.

"You're dead. Why you're here? I'm hallucinating again, fuck! "

I automatically closed my eyes as I felt their hand slowly creep up towards my face. I felt their touch, which gave me a strange sensation throughout my body. My body grew even hotter from their simple caress.

"You're not dead?" he whispered.

My hand reached for his hand that was still on my cheek. My vision blurred, and it felt like someone was lulling me to sleep. I didn't understand what was happening, and I couldn't understand why he was saying such things. I dropped my own weapon as I stared at them.

I saw his face flush from his neck up. His gaze was lowered, as if memorizing my face. My mind seemed to be playing tricks on me because I saw the image of my closest friend in him, something I knew was highly unlikely.

"You're not dead, I know you're not dead. Am I dreaming?" he repeated. "Sarah..."

His voice was soft and tender as he leaned in. Warm, soft lips met mine. I closed my eyes automatically as an unfamiliar heat spread through my body, overpowering my resistance. His kiss was passionate, hot, and fiery. I was unable to move at first, but when I felt his hand at the back of my neck, I responded to his heated kiss.

My body felt weak from what was happening. Our bodies were pressed together as we kissed passionately, as if there was no tomorrow. Whenever he paused for breath, my hand seemed to have a mind of its own, pulling them back in.

What was happening to me? Why did I feel hotter and hotter? Our hands were all over each other, and when I looked down, I saw that the buttons of his polo were missing, which I assumed I had undone because I was pulling at his shirt so aggressively. I could clearly see his muscular chest. Our clothes were disheveled, and we were almost naked in front of each other. Our hair was a mess, and my makeup was probably ruined from our passionate kiss.

He took my hand and brought it to his lips. "If this is a dream, please don't wake me up," I heard he whispered.

Something was wrong, definitely something was wrong, especially with what I drank. My knees gave out, and we both fell to the floor as an overwhelming dizziness hit me. He seemed to feel it too, because I heard his soft groaned.

I couldn't take it anymore and closed my eyes. I was ready to be consumed by darkness, and when I looked at the man I was supposed to kill but ended up kissing, he's unconscious on the floor.

I heard a voice from outside the security room before I completely lost consciousness.

"Hexia!"

SHANGPU