Chapter 4: The Cruel Social Circle

    “You—What?!” Cristopher yelled in disbelief; his brows furrowed in confusion.

    It was an hour later after Crystal was excused from her superior, it didn’t take too long before she managed to find her partner, Cristopher Dencio, on her way in getting the new file. Yet after explaining the whole situation and her decision to partake in the task, she wondered why her partner is so riled up with the fact that she chose to partake in the task.

   Since, aren’t they already used to dangerous tasks and missions?

   “How—why? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from the social circle?!” he shouted, earning a few glances from the people around them in a series of whispering chatters. “It’s dangerous!” he continued.

    A sigh left Crystal’s lips, crossing her arms whilst shaking her head. She gave him a look which states ‘I don’t care’ as clear as day. 

   “Dangerous? Puh-lease, we’ve been through WORSE, I tell you. I’m sure flipping my hair while flashing some jewelries is much safer than a wild goose chase with the mafia while carrying explosive firearms in a long run.” she snickered to herself confidently, a grin evident on her expression.

    Cristopher sighed and did a facepalm.

    “What? It’s true.” she continued after observing him.

   “The social circle is a jungle, and that jungle consists of resources, predators, and preys. You on one hand, act as the prey, while the other, are the numerous conspiracies and evil intents that will devour you on plain sight!” he explained in a drastic tone which was filled with exasperated concern.

    Although it was all left unnoticed by Crystal whom was busy checking her eyeliner in a hand mirror which frustrated him.

    “Are you even listening to me?!” he exclaimed once more, earning more unwanted attention from the people around yet still, she was not fazed by his hasty demeanor at all.

   “You’re being too paranoid, acting as if we’re in the center of an open fire. I already accepted the task, there’s nothing you can do about it now. Besides, you know how much the Boss hates it when his men back out on their tasks, right?” she questioned, clapping the hand mirror shut and keeping her eyeliner in her pocket.

    It was another question which Cristopher had in the back of his head, on why women always bring their make-up wherever they go. It’s not like they’ll look hideous without it, but that’s another topic for another time.

   “Paranoid? Heh, I’m being paranoid? It’s called being concerned! Who knows if you’ll come back as some kind of corpse after a day or two? This mission is no joke, you know how brutal punishment is if your cover gets blown.” he stated in reply, placing his hand by the wall and leaned on it casually with his arm extended.

    Crystal then crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg, a look of disapproval evident. “Pardon? To me, that looks like a serious case of paranoia. I suggest you have it checked with a good doctor, a psychiatrist rather. I know how ‘concern’ looks like and yours is a serious case of paranoia, I tell you that.” she replied to his statement, a look stating ‘I don’t give a damn’ was evident in her features.

   “Listen, I understand that your intentions are clear as day, but you have to let me stand on my feet if I want to succeed. I’ve been through countless of undercover missions and this one is no different from the rest. I ask that you stop going against my decisions. Instead, I hope that you’ll support me as you always do.” she softly spoke, her attitude now ceased.

    Her eyes filled with sincerity as she placed a hand over her partner’s firm shoulder. “I just need you to support me, be there for me when I need you to be, alright?” she spoke once again, a soft smile planted on her features, as if she was never part of a killer organization to begin with. Her eyes matched her gentle features, the most innocent and pure that he has ever seen. How did a precious being like her end up in an association like this?

   He adverted his gaze from her eyes, processing his thoughts. “Alright, I trust you. Just promise me that you’ll come back in one piece, alright?” he childishly commanded which earned a giggle from Crystal’s gentle lips. A smile formed onto his face, seeing her laugh was just… so beautiful.

   “Don’t worry, Chris. I’ll try not to die for your sake.” she joked, lightly hitting his chest with her elbow. Cristopher raised a brow at that, a sly grin appearing from where his smile was once evident.

   “Oh? I thought we weren’t close enough to use nicknames?” he questioned whilst crossing his arms over his chest whilst flashing a sly grin.

    Crystal bit her lip and lightly tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “It was a slip of the tongue, don’t think too much of it.” she replied, adverting her gaze sheepishly.

   It led them to a few moments of silence before they bursted out laughing. Cristopher shook his head and lightly ruffled her well-brushed ponytailed hair, causing her to roll her eyes in contempt.

    “Guess my part of the task will be pending. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of that. I suggest you start learning noble etiquette and those snobbish behaviors that rich ladies have. But don’t even think about inheriting that kind of behavior around here.” he flicked his tongue from the imagination of how Crystal might’ve become if she were a stuck up snobbish young missy instead of an assassin, he shuddered at the thought, not the best sight to begin with.

    “I know that, you goof. Get everything ready for me, your highness commands it!” she laughed while trying to sound demanding.

    Cristopher got the sign and gave a grin as he made a gesture like bow.

   “Oh, my Young Missy, please forgive this lowly servant for not acting as you command. But, could you please feed your poor subordinate first? This poor subordinate might just vanish into thin air, from starvation!” he questioned with a butler like accent. His dramatical tone made a few girls nearby giggle, which they didn’t really care at the moment because almost everyone in the association knows about their close relationship to those of siblings.

   “It’s your fault, if you haven’t been mannerless then I would’ve shared my lunch with you.” she scoffed, pouting.

   “Hey, I have money to buy my own but I can’t eat without a table—” he tried to reason.

   “Then move to another one.” she playfully argued, a pout evident in her expression.

    Cristopher sighed and gave a smile. ‘silly girl.’ he thought before patting her shoulder and walking off to get his late lunch before proceeding to his task.

    Although, knowing this mission, it wouldn't be as simple as the ones that they used to execute.

    The great, Social Circle will be involved, and it's the society that Cristopher oh-so-badly wants to avoid.

    He never wanted to be involved with the political dilemma ever again. But, seeing this mission concerns his best friend, his partner. He isn't willing to take chances.

    No matter what, he will always be there to back her up. Even if it means facing those people whom he longed to forget for so many years. 

    The faces that betrayed him, the faces that hurt him.

    The faces that killed him on the inside.

    The Social Circle is no joke, he has to be weary. Who knows, what could happen.

    When the rabbit enters the lion's den.