Work With Me
Maverick didn't know that Lanky attended Metropol College, and he couldn't help but blame himself for skipping his educational background while going through his files, but it was too late to complain.
“Humm, I graduated last year. Things were so tough for my family that my name might not be in the school book of record. I wasn't even able to pay my school fees and the necessary bills, I had to drop out and pick up a job,” Maverick lied with a solemn voice, and sighed sadly, “Nothing has been easy for me, that's why I'm working hard.”
“You said you graduated last year, later you claimed that you dropped out, which of the two am I supposed to believe?” Lanky asked with raised brows, and gently took a slip from the wine on his table.
“I dropped out last year,” Maverick said quickly, “and my name was erased from the school record.”
“Humm,” Lanky hummed softly and continued slipping his wine.
Ashley cleared his throat after a momentary silence, and his eyes met Maverick, he offered him a friendly smile and sat down beside Lanky.
Maverick reached out for the bottle of wine to serve Ashley, but Lanky hit his hands away.
“I will serve him myself,” he said with a hoarse voice, a deep frown settling on his handsome face.
Maverick faked a happy smile and turned to look at Ashley to check if he was all right, but he had an unreadable expression on his face, “Was he kidnapped? Is he being forced to do all the dirty work?” He thought as his eyes scrutinized Ashley. But from how Ashley and Lanky interacted, he couldn't find any behavior leading to his suspicion.
After pouring the wine into an empty glass cup, Lanky handed it to Ashley, a grin on his face.
“Drink it slowly, or you might choke on it,” Lanky advised Ashley, a seducing smile on his face, and he gently bit his lower lips.
“Fuck yourselves,” Ashley replied with a playful smirk, and the both of them stared at each other before erupting into laughter.
‘Nope, there's no way he's being held as a captive,’ Maverick reasoned as he watched the two men flirt with themselves. “Weird,” he murmured under his breath, and Lanky remembered that an unwanted guest was still in the room.
“Ooh, I totally forgot about your existence, Birdie,” Lanky said, giggling as he watched Ashley drink the wine.
Maverick was surprised at how the cold and ruthless Mafia looked so free and happy beside his friend, and he couldn't help but wonder about the kind of relationship they had that made them so close, ‘They must have been friends since college,’ He thought.
“Your story sounds so touching, it wouldn't be nice if I don't assist you,” Lanky told Maverick with a genuine look.
“Help me?” Maverick was surprised. ‘I hope it's with a kiss,’ his crazy mind cried out.
“How about working as a bartender in my house?” Lanky asked after a brief silence, and Ashley nodded in support.
“Your house?” Maverick stuttered in disbelief. He was no fool, he knew that Mafia didn't just employ anyone to work in their house, so he didn't know how to reply or Lanky's backstage plan.
Maverick's House:
“You should work as his bartender? Wow, that's massive! Finally, something to fasten our investigation,” Caleb exclaimed in excitement and hugged Maverick happily. But Maverick wasn't happy, he knew he was supposed to help his country, but he couldn't bring himself to apprehend Ashley and Lanky, because he was slowly liking them.
When Caleb noticed his sad face, he tried to cheer him up, “I know you miss your family and you're not wrong to miss them, that's why we have to carry out our investigation on time, then you can return home,” he comforted him.
“Return home… “ Daniel mumbled under his breath as he thought about how caged he was back at the house. 'To that prison called a home. I should return to a place where my suggestion doesn't count. If I go back home now, I will be forced to get married, no, I doubt I still want to go back home.’ he thought and took a deep breath, considering if he should take Lanky's offer. But on remembering as Ashley had tried convincing him, he doubted he could say no.
“Don't be afraid, trust me you will be safe,” Ashley had said on noticing his hesitation, “Also, we will pay you well, and you will meet a lot of people at our house. You won't get bored,” he tried convincing him.
“Why do you want me to work at your house so badly?” Maverick voiced out his thoughts, wondering why the Mafias were so interested in him.
“Well, let's just say somebody has taken an interest in you, and my hands are tied,” Lanky said and turned to look at Ashley, a mischievous smile settling on his face.
“Argh!” Maverick sighed and snapped out of his thoughts, “Something feels suspicious…. How can a Mafia just decide to employ me without knowing more about my background,” he voiced out his thoughts to Caleb.
“But you said he asked for the college you studied at and a few other personal questions,” Caleb looked confused.
“Yes, he did, but I have never been to Metropol College, if he finds out, I might end up dead,” Maverick replied and stood up from the chair he was sitting on.
“If this is about Metropol College, don't worry, I will contact my seniors and ask for their help, but next time please don't say a popular and influential university, you can go for a smaller one,” Caleb advised with a grin on his face.
“I doubt I will ever do this again,” Maverick murmured, and began to pace around the room, he was trying to figure out what Lanky meant by someone interested in him.
Caleb closely watched Maverick, and he was surprised to see how scared he looked, “You've always wanted to become a spy, what changed?” He asked.
“Nothing changed, but I just didn't know things could get messy,” Maverick replied and sat down on the chair, stamping his foot on the floor. 'I never knew that one could have such a huge crush on their suspects,’ he said in his mind, wishing he could voice it out for Caleb to hear.
“Look, if you are doubting this mission, it's better to step down. I can't afford to see you getting hurt, nor will I be okay if your cover gets blown.” Caleb confessed and walked closer to Maverick, he placed one of his hands on his shoulders, trying to calm him down.
“Hummm,” Maverick sighed deeply. He covered his face with his palm, and after thinking for a while, he brought out his phone and dialed the number Ashley gave him.
“I am in,” he informed immediately the call was answered, with a look of determination on his face.