Chapter 39

'Walking went better than i expected,'Jona smiled behind the window. This way, their togetherness wouldn't be visible to anyone. Good for me. Especially good for him.

Because there's no 'white princess' out there who wouldn't feel humiliated seen standing next to a dark worker. Jona already knew that.

Jona's estimate wasn't wrong. The first thing he encountered as soon as he arrived in his hotel room was Carlie's wrath. But there was one unexpected occurrence.

Jona froze stiffly in front of the door when a pillow hit his face. Very quickly, even his agile body failed to dodge, let alone catch. It was rare, and hadn't happened in a long time and this became a significant indicator. Jona was starting to loosen his guard in front of Carlie Eloise. Dangerous.

"I prayed for 30 minutes while you were here that you'd die in an accident in the middle of the city, your waist and legs crushed by a 30-ton truck, and your head shattered under its cargo. But damn it, the devil is still with you,"Carlie raged explosively. Her face as red as a crab's. "You should just die, damn it!"

Although her negligence surprised him, the man took the time to enjoy Carlie's rage, which was incredibly entertaining for him. The woman sat on the sofa, crossing her legs arrogantly. Her gaze as sharp as a dagger. But behind that fierce facade, Jona knew that Carlie didn't have the courage to actually see someone lose their life. And that made her anger harmless in front of him. "I did it for us. If only we weren't seen walking together like lovers on a stroll-"

"I'm not stupid enough to know that, damn it! I even know you just circled the city for 30 minutes to avoid being seen entering the same hotel with me, right!?"she shouted loudly. "But couldn't you explain slowly to me, instead of pushing me as if i were a sack of rice!?"

As usual. The outlet of her anger was feeling underestimated. "Are you really making a big deal out of a mere push? Our presence not being seen by anyone is already good and should be appreciated,"Jona approached Carlie and sat next to her. Making the woman shift her gaze to the window outside. Intentionally to look annoyed.

"I'm surprised someone like you can still say thank you."

Jona laughed. "The difference between us and you is, i'm not grateful to God. I'm grateful to fate. It makes more sense than the formless creator you believe in,"he said. Jona unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, letting the cool breeze caress his overheated chest. He silently caught Carlie's eyes for a moment as she momentarily enjoyed the sturdy muscles beneath. Then he turned back quickly, though he couldn't hide his slightly reddened ears.

'See, adorable, right?'

"We'll be back tomorrow morning. Get a good night's sleep tonight."

Carlie widened her eyes in disbelief. "After an 11-hour flight, you're just going to meet one of your work friends and go straight back tomorrow!?"

"Don't agree? I thought this would benefit you, considering how hard you worked not to spend too long with me."

Carlie rolled her eyes. "Even so! I don't want to spend 22 hours round trip in the air, without even a day to tour Mexico!"

"Fast in, fast out, that's the Mafia way,"Jona stared sharply at Carlie. "The sooner we leave and return, the less likely we'll be seen by other eyes. We have many enemies, especially the police who want to catch us. So hiding is the most important rule of life. Learn to get used to knowing you'll recognize me after this."

Carlie twisted her eyes in frustration. "Once our plan is complete, remind me to leave your butt as fast as lightning, got it?"she threatened. Although still angry, Carlie didn't argue any further. Something that felt strange. The woman, with a breath of rushing anger, once again looked out the window. Enjoying the view of Xalapa, which was quite interesting to her, unlike Jona, who had often been here. "If only our relationship were seen publicly, Tiffany would surely be screaming in pain right now. Seeing her fiancé and her enemy together,"Jona glanced at Carlie's strange remark. "But with that, our plan also falls apart."

Carlie smirked sardonically. "True,"she chuckled. She paused for a moment, letting her mind wander and after a few silent seconds, she giggled.

"What's so funny?"Jona raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, nothing, i was just thinking. I, the 'white princess' from a famous noble family. You, a mafia with a king's badge, most renowned in your world. Looking back, we're the worst combination and the least compatible,"Carlie widened her smile. "But screw it, even Hades fell madly in love with Persephone. White and Black, not such a bad combination after all."

Jona's brow furrowed even more,"what are you trying to say?"

Carlie chuckled again, like a teenage girl. "If only this were a fantasy world, and we were in a novel. Maybe our relationship would seem harmonious, wouldn't it?"then quickly, Carlie shot a sharp glance again. "And this doesn't mean i want that, understand!? I still hate you enough to want to tear you apart! Just a fantasy! Nothing more."

But Carlie's seemingly trivial words managed to leave Jona lost in thought, in a trance.

"You'll come to my father's birthday party tomorrow, won't you? He really wants to meet you,"Bronze flashes emanated from the eyes of a woman with hair the same color as her eyes. Her folded hands on the table, she reached out to grasp Jona's cold hand with hope.

Although reluctant, Jona forced a smile to bloom. This was his first mission, he couldn't afford to fail. "Of course. Didn't i promise? Tomorrow at exactly 6 o'clock, right? I'll pick you up at 5."

The woman giggled joyfully. "You usually don't even remember our date times, but this time, you're preparing for my father's birthday celebration. Does this mean you care more?" Because it's my job, you foolish woman. "I'm very happy, John. I'll be waiting for you tomorrow, okay?"

"Don't be late."

She thumbs up,"of course. You hate lateness."

Eva Milena, a pampered innocent girl, oblivious to the fact that her father funneled money into her account through illicit business. An illegal arbitration service provider. It usually happens when traders and buyers want to transact but don't want to pay taxes. So it's done in secret. If there's any cheating in the transaction, of course they can't appeal to the government for intervention, right? And for that, the mafia exists to mediate if one side cheats. They judge with violence.

And that's Eva's father's job, Mave Milena.

Since 5 years ago, Mave Milena had been under Bov Austin, her father. But 3 months ago, she fled, carrying millions of dollars in debt to the Austin family in her pocket. She betrayed and at the age of just 14 years and 2 months, Mave Milena's case was handed over to Jona. Jona's first mission was to erase Mave Milena from existence and to maintain his stellar reputation, no matter what happens, Jona must not fail to execute this.

Jona's steps began by approaching Mave's only daughter, Eva and to his surprise, Jona found that Eva Milena didn't even know that her father had other businesses besides a cheap clothing retail store. The woman innocently let Jona into her life, charmed by his lame flirting. Jona realized how Eva praised her "John" boyfriend to her family. That was the alias Jona used. And that led to an invitation to a dinner party at the Milena residence for Mave's birthday. When he heard it, Jona couldn't help but grin sarcastically. This was his chance to carry out the execution. A big leap to showcase his achievements and he wouldn't fail.

Jona reached for his best shirt, put it on, even though his skin pores screamed in heat. The dress shoes he wore were much stiffer than the training boots he often wore. The belt around his waist seemed to restrain his body's flexibility. This was a crucial sign that Jona really needed to learn to wear formal clothes. He hated it, but it was necessary for many missions in his future. Because however reluctant, as he grew up he would inherit his father's company, and formal meetings would be his daily breath. A suffocating breath.