Chapter 1: Unwanted Orders
Chapter 1: Unwanted Orders
When I was little, if I had run this fast, I would have gotten tired and stopped to catch my breath. But now, when I look back, I actually enjoy it. After all, being an assassin requires this. The moment I finished climbing the stairs, I ran straight to the rooftop door. I opened it, dashed inside, and shoved the first thing I could grab into the door handle to block it.
I reached into my bag and pulled out my vest and rope. Once I put on the vest and secured the rope, I was ready to jump.
“Open this door!” shouted a man from behind just as I was about to leap. I rolled my eyes. This guy was seriously ruining my mood.
“If one word could open that door, I wouldn’t have locked it, trust me.”
I jumped off the roof, laughing like I hadn’t just been running for my life from a bunch of men taller than me. I untied the rope and headed toward the car. I had this fantasy of landing in the driver’s seat in one slick move, but I had thrown myself in too hard and ended up wedged between the seats. Not caring, I slid into place and started the engine.
To announce my getaway properly, I needed some loud music. I picked the first song that came up.
“Uptown Funk” blasted through the speakers as I sang along, rolling down the windows so my voice could echo through the streets. In no time, I had reached Mr. Yavuz’s assassin-filled company.
There was only one thing I didn’t like about this place: everyone wore masks. All the assassins were required to wear masks that covered them from eye level down to their necks. No one ever talked about their life outside the company. I was sure I wasn’t the only one bothered by it.
I got out of the car and walked toward the entrance, already wearing my mask. I stepped inside and stood in front of the elevator. I pressed the button and waited. Luckily, no one else was in line, which was a rare miracle.
When the door opened, I stepped inside and pressed “50,” then grabbed onto the metal rails inside. Going up this many floors always made me nauseous. I closed my eyes and waited.
Finally, the door opened. I took a deep breath and stepped out. Yavuz was sitting in his chair, back turned. I always found that “villain pose” cool. I’d have to try it sometime. I shoved my playful thoughts aside and focused on Yavuz.
“Boss,” I said, waving and pulling down my mask. No one else was with him, so it was fine. I raised the bag I was holding. “The bosses and three guards are dead.”
He laced his fingers together, a smile creeping across his face. He held out his hand that was his way of saying, “Give me the bag.”
I walked over and handed it to him. He grinned ear to ear, set it on the desk, and opened it. The glint in his eyes was a sign of satisfaction.
“Good job, dark girl.”
I never quite understood why he called me that. My hair was blonde, my eyes green. As always, I shoved the question out of my mind and nodded.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving,” I said.
He nodded, then suddenly looked like he remembered something.
“Beren!”
My hand froze, reaching for the elevator button. I turned back and smiled.
“Yes?”
He pulled out a stack of money from the bag and set it aside.
“As hard as it is to say this, I’m assigning someone to work with you. You’ll be partners.”
Within seconds, my irritation skyrocketed. I slammed my hands on the desk. He must’ve expected it his expression didn’t change.
“What do you mean partners? No! I don’t need anyone. I don’t accept this. You promised me I would work alone!”
My words came out like Eminem lyrics, but he wasn’t fazed. He raised his hand, gesturing for me to stop.
“No, Beren. Say whatever you want, it’s final. You two will work together.”
He took one of my hands and slipped the money into it. I understood why he had waited to give me the money. It was one of the few things that could calm me down quickly, and he knew that. I clenched the cash and stepped back, then put my mask on and headed toward the elevator.
I jabbed the button like I owned it, surprised it didn’t break, and got inside. I moved to the corner of the massive elevator and hugged my knees. As one of the unluckiest lucky people in the world, the elevator was once again empty. I looked up at my reflection in the ceiling mirror. I didn’t even bother wiping the tears falling from my eyes. They wanted to flow, and I let them.
Muttering to myself, I stared at the cash in my hand. When I saw the bills, my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.
Now picture this: an assassin curled up in the corner of an elevator, legs spread out like a baby, sobbing while counting money...
I counted aloud, “Nine thousand four hundred,” and then muttered, “How could he, even knowing what happened to Ayça...”
It was one of those moments when I really should have pitied myself. Despite finishing my count, the elevator kept going. Usually it was quick, but this time, it just wouldn’t end.
“Well, at least I have ten thousand dollars. The stacks are huge, thank God. I could just eat this.” I continued talking to myself when something suddenly shattered my train of thought.
“Batu!” I jumped up and rushed to the elevator door. The poor guy must have felt bad for me because it opened a few seconds later. I bolted out, ripped off my mask, and ran to the car. The door wouldn’t open, so I fumbled for my keys, unlocked it, and jumped in. I hit the gas.
The best thing about driving well is not crashing, and I drove perfectly. Even if a few drivers honked as I zipped past them like I was in a race, I didn’t care. I was already an hour and a half late to meet a friend I had accompanied on a mission—a naïve boy. And the problem didn’t end there.
