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Chapter 2

HAZEL'S POV~

" The brightest stars are seen in the darkest nights."

Manipulation was an important part of my job, in my terms at least. I wasn't one to force things out of people at gunpoint or with threats. All I had to do was to lay down the right cards and all the other players came falling at my feet.

I wasn't one to easily accept defeat or give up on any of my missions. My moves are precise and calculated only giving out little yet taking in so much. My understanding of the human mind was limited to the things involving the nature of my job. Greed, lust, hatred and pain were emotions used as tools to execute my missions. Secretly, we humans are just products of our past experiences and pains. It doesn't matter how long we hide away from them, they always somehow catch up with us.

On nights like this, I am only reminded of how far into this business I've come. I wasn't a novice any longer. I have earned my spot as the best man or woman I guess for the job. It would be foolish for anyone to underestimate my abilities.

Familiar footsteps followed closely behind me through the dark hallway. I paused at a corner waiting for the person approaching.

'Hazel', Jimmy whispered. I couldn't see his face but I could tell he was smiling 'Always the seductress' he hissed coming even closer to me.

I smiled recalling the first time I met Jimmy. That was about five years ago when I was still on the streets. He found me outside his club barely covered from the harsh climate and took me in. Although he wasn't the nicest person, he was tolerable compared to the ones from back home.

'There is a job' that was all I needed to hear to know he meant business. His eyes scanned the dark hallway making sure no one was listening before leaning down and whispering the details to me.

When he was done, he placed his hands on my shoulders before walking back the way he came towards the noisy lounge. I could tell this job wasn't going to be an easy one. He barely had any detail, all I needed to do was to get information. No questions asked.

I continued my journey to a room where my prey was waiting for me.

Entering the dark room, I flipped on the switch beside the door and paused when I saw the handsome face waiting for me. He wasn't who I expected to see but he didn't disappoint.

'They always come back,' I smiled, whispering silently to myself. The stranger sat on a couch at the far end corner of the room watching me like a predator. I smirked making my way to the pole at the center but not before turning on a stereo beside me. Silent music filled the room as I began swaying my hips.

'Hold up' he said, raising a hand out to stop me, before gesturing for me to come closer. I of course wasn't having it as I stood my ground challenging him with an eyebrow raised.

I wasn't a pole dancer and I definitely do not give personal services. There were already girls for that. But since this stranger was part of my job, I was going to have to create a distraction for some time.

'Come here' his deep voice called out daring me to defile him

'Psst' I scoffed quietly before turning off the music and walking towards the door. Just as my hands grabbed the hinges I was pushed to a wall, a body covering mine. He leaned dangerously close to my lips. I could feel his minty breath on my face. I held my breath placing my hands on his chest to create a distance between us.

'You sure know how to leave a guy hanging' he chuckled under his breath while still staring at me

'It depends on who is talking' I replied, shrugging my shoulders like his presence wasn't at all intimidating. I didn't want to appear weak, especially not in front of this stranger.

``Sweetheart you don't have to know" he replied, taking a step closer to me before whispering into my ear 'but if you are asking to know what name you would be screaming all night then it's Ermanno'. I have come across men like him. Obnoxious, overconfident narcissist who felt they could get anyone they wanted with sweet talks but he didn't know what was coming to him.

'Then sorry to disappoint you, I won't be that girl' by then I had already started my job. I snuck my hands into his jacket while still maintaining eye contact with him. I was hoping the drug Jimmy had snuck in his drink had started taking effect. I watched as he wobbled around placing a hand on his head.

'Ahhh' he hissed trying to get hold of himself but slipped and fell on knees. He used his hands as support as he looked up. I smirked bending down to his height

'Well well' I joked. 'look who is sleepy' tracing my hands down his chest 'Looks like no one will be screaming your name tonight'

He tried opening his mouth to say something but hissed from the pain he was feeling. I wasn't one to use substances to get what I wanted but Jimmy had insisted it was necessary. I searched through his pockets until I found what I was looking for. By then the poor guy had already passed out, I didn't know the substance he was given. I just knew he was going to get one hell of a hangover when he woke up.

I smiled walking out of the room not forgetting to switch off the lights.

Jimmy was leaning beside the door waiting for me with a little cigarette between his fingers.

'Here' I smiled, placing the USB drive on the open Palm. I watched as he analyzed it before looking up to me.

'How is he?' He asked, looking towards the room door.

'Knocked out,' I replied, shrugging my shoulders before turning towards the club.

'Wait' Jimmy called out as he brought out a bundle of money from his pocket.

'Take this and stay out of the radar for sometime, I will reach out to you when I need you' he threw the money to me before walking out leaving me alone in the dark hallway.

He rarely ever gave me a time off so I was surprised to hear him give me one without a catch. I turned back towards the noisy club heading to the bar. Nick, who was attending to some customers, paused when he saw me coming. I could tell he was worried about something from how troubled it looked.

'Are you okay?' He asked, looking worriedly behind me. I turned to check what he was looking at but saw no one.

'I'm fine,' I replied silently. I drowned a shot from the counter wincing at the bitter taste before grabbing my jacket. Pocketing the money Jimmy had given me, I waved at a still worried Nick before walking out of the club into the dark night securing my jacket tightly around me.

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