As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Anthony stirred from his bed. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he found himself in the guest room at the mansion of Mr. Jaxon. As he stood up, the memories of the previous night flooded back
Quietly, Anthony tiptoed through the opulent living room, his steps muffled by the plush carpet. Suddenly, he froze, his heart remain calm as he spotted Mr. Jaxon seated on the sofa, a figure standing beside him. It was Nicholas
"Good morning, Anthony," Mr. Jaxon's voice cut through the silence, smooth and confident.
"Morning, sir," Anthony replied, trying to keep his tone steady
Nicholas merely nodded in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable behind his dark sunglasses
"Please, have a seat," Mr. Jaxon gestured to the empty armchair opposite them.
Anthony hesitated for a moment before complying, he couldn't shake off the feeling of being under scrutiny, as if every move he made was being dissected by the two men before him.
"I trust you slept well?" Mr. Jaxon inquired, his piercing gaze never leaving Anthony's face.
"Yes, thank you," Anthony replied
"Excellent," Mr. Jaxon smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Now, let us discuss the reason why you're here."
Mr. Jaxon, a man of power and mystery, leaned in close to Anthony, his voice low and urgent.
"Anthony, today we must leave this mansion until midnight. Where we are not here, you should become a Victoria's protector, her guardian against the people who might harm her."
He nodded solemnly, his determination flickering like a flame in the dimness.
As Mr. Jaxon departed, leaving Anthony to contemplate his newfound role, Nicholas, approach him with a scowl etched upon his features.
"You? Her protector?" Nicholas spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You are nothing but a pawn in this game of deceit."
Anthony met Nicholas's gaze with steely resolve, refusing to back down in the face of such hostility. "Maybe. But aren't we all pawns in our own games?"
Nicholas's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Don't mistake my tolerance for trust. Your presence only adds to the chaos."
"Chill bro," Anthony said, slapping him on the back of his blazer.
Despite Nicholas's animosity, Anthony saw an opportunity amidst the chaos. He knew that to truly end this mission, he would need to to be close to Victoria, and act like he knows nothing.
"We're not friends, stupid!" Nicholas sneered, his voice dripping with contempt as he cast a disdainful glance over his shoulder. "You're just a speck of dust that needs to be cleared."
Anthony's fists clenched at his sides, the sting of Nicholas's words hitting him like a physical blow, yet he remained composed. "Fine, but this 'dust' will blind you until you're brought down to your knees."
Nicholas chuckled derisively, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that so, Anthony? Spare me the theatrics. You'll never amount to anything. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than waste my time with you."
With that, Nicholas turned on his heel and strode away, his confident demeanor leaving Anthony standing alone in the living room. Anthony's eyes followed Nicholas's departure, a hidden smirk tugging at his lips as he plotted his next move.
Anthony lingered by the grand window of the mansion's living room, his gaze following the graceful strides of Mr. Jaxon and Nicholas as they disappeared into the waiting car.
Turning away reluctantly, Anthony left the opulent living room behind, the gentle illumination of the chandelier casting intricate shadows across the luxurious furnishings.
Yet, a restlessness stirred within him, compelling him to wander the familiar halls and chambers of the mansion, eager to explore its hidden secrets once more.
Anthony's gaze was drawn to a small, neglected corner of the estate grounds. It was a spot obscured by overgrown shrubbery and dappled with patches of sunlight, as if nature itself was conspiring to keep it hidden from prying eyes.
Leaving the imposing facade of the mansion behind, he ventured into the unkempt wilderness that surrounded it. The air was thick with the scent of earth and damp vegetation, and the distant chirping of birds provided a soothing backdrop.
As Anthony pushed through the tangled undergrowth, he stumbled upon a clearing bathed in golden sunlight. In its center stood a weathered stone fountain, its once ornate carvings now obscured by moss and neglect.
Surrounding the fountain were scattered remnants of forgotten statues, the marble forms crumbling with age.
But what truly captured Anthony's attention was the sense of melancholy that hung heavy in the air, as if this secluded spot held memories long since abandoned. It was a place forgotten by time, where echoes of the past whispered through the rustling leaves and crumbling stone.
As he stood there, enraptured by the moment's serenity, he remembered to call Eric, his trusted handler.
Blaze slipped his phone back into his pocket and dialed Eric's number with a sense of urgency.
"Eric," Blaze began as soon as the call connected, "I've got some hot intel for you. Mr. Jaxon is planning an illegal drug transaction tonight, ."
Eric's voice crackled over the line, his tone serious and focused. "Are you sure about this, Blaze? We can't afford any mistakes."
Blaze nodded, even though Eric couldn't see him. "Absolutely. I heard there conversation last night, he's with Nicholas, his trusted ally."
There was a brief pause on the line before Eric responded, his voice low and determined. "Alright, Blaze. We'll move on this tonight. Meet me at the rendezvous point in an hour. We'll coordinate our approach from there."
Blaze paused, a pang of concern flickering in his chest. "Eric, I can't just leave Victoria behind. If Mr. Jaxon will know about this, I might get suspicious in his eyes."
Eric understood the dilemma, his voice calming yet resolute. "I get it, Blaze. We can't risk blowing your cover. I'll take Andrew with me instead. He's a good partner, and he'll have your back."
Relief flooded through Blaze as he listened to Eric's reassurance. "Thanks, Eric. I'll try to find something applicable and secret documents here."
"Oh, and one thing, I planted a tracker on Nicholas. I need you to track him down."
He had planted the tiny tracking device discreetly on Nicholas's back during their brief conversation earlier.
Eric's voice crackled through the phone, a hint of amusement lacing his words. "Well, well, Anthony. Playing the tracking game, are we? Don't worry, leave it to me."
Blaze ended the call, a sense of purpose driving him forward as he prepared to take action.