CHAPTER FOUR: From Russia, with Love

Mia’s POV

“I’m so sorry about that, Mia.” Samantha’s voice was soft, her face etched with sympathy.

“I guess this is where we say goodbye again, my cyber bestie.” My voice cracked, tears pricking at my eyes.

“Just hang in there a little longer,” Samantha placed a hand on mine. “Besides, we're so close to finding Father.”

“What intel do we have on him?”

She turned her laptop toward me, the glow illuminating a familiar face—my father. He sat in a cafe in New Jersey, looking just as vibrant as I remembered.

“Looks like he’s relocating back to New York,” Samantha said, her tone cautious, as if she was afraid of my reaction.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Secure his address as soon as possible. I’ll confront him when I return.”

“What about mom?”

“Don't say a word to her until I handle this,” I hesitated, my voice firm but tinged with worry. “I don’t want her getting overwhelmed—she’s been through enough since he left.”

Samantha's eyes softened, concern evident in her voice. “Alright, but promise me that you’ll be fine.”

I nodded quickly, trying to reassure her, but my fingers couldn’t help trembling as they brushed across my keypads while I texted Zac: I’m sorry, Something urgent came up, and I have to leave town. I’ll explain everything as soon as I get back in a few days.

Removing my SIM card, I hid it in my wardrobe just as Xiang’s car horn blared sharply outside.

********************

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months. Three months of working for Xiang in Russia, yet Zac’s memory clung to me like a ghost. As our plane touched down in New York, the familiar skyline filled me with both relief and unease.

I sat at a restaurant, poking my food while waiting for Kathryn to pick me up. The warmth of my food did a little to ease the ache in my chest.

Glancing at my phone, I bit my lip gently as beautiful thoughts flooded my senses. I couldn’t wait to activate my SIM card, call Zac and of course, see him again

Three months without a word. What would he think of me now? Would he hate me for disappearing, or would he understand?

Just then, the TV screen caught my eye, and I froze immediately. The headline burned into my vision, each word sharp and cruel.

Billionaire Zac Cornell Engaged to Top Model Bella Browth.

My stomach twisted, the fork slipped from my fingers, clattering against the plate. No…Not him. My heart raced, a mixture of disbelief and pain surging through me.

That can’t be my Zac

My breath came in shallow gasps, the air suddenly seemed thicker, heavier. my eyes stung with tears, but I refused to let them fall.

How could he? The man who claimed I was special, who said he wanted me by his side, has replaced me so easily.

My hands curled into fists as I pushed away from the table, unable to stay still. The noise of the terminal blurred—the voices, the footsteps, the clinking of dishes—all of it muffled under the roar of my thoughts.

The weight of heartbreak crushed me, making the airport feel suffocating. I wandered aimlessly, my vision blurred, until—

A deep voice broke through my thoughts. “Hey, Miss! Be careful.”

I blinked, realizing I’d stumbled into someone's suitcase. A tall man,blonde-haired in a crisp suit glanced at me, his brown eyes warm.

“I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“No harm done,” he said kindly. “You look like you could use some air. Mind if I walk with you?”

I hesitated for a moment: Normally, I’d brush past, but something about his voice—calm, steady—made me pause. I looked at him again, unsure.

Surprisingly, I nodded, his comforting demeanour putting me at ease. His stories of travel and misadventures managed to charm a smile out of me.

“That’s my ride.” I pointed out, turning to him as soon as I caught sight of my ginger haired friend, Samatha. “Thanks, it was nice talking to you Mr Angelo,”

“The pleasure is all mine Miss Mia." With that, he turned around, his entire figure, blending into the crowd while I walked towards Samantha's car.

The ride seemed longer and quieter than usual, but back at her place, my emotions broke free. I couldn’t help but unleash my pain as I downed several of whiskey, tears streaming down my face.

“How do I move on when everything reminds me of him?” My shoulders shook with quiet sobs.

Samantha covered her hands in mine. “Mia… It’s okay to feel this way, but this—this is yet another phase. You’re young, smart and beautiful …you need to let yourself move forward.”

I nodded, clinging to her words like a lifeline with a mix of hope, but that hope didn’t last long.

Another call from Xiang’s crew buzzed in:another mission, waiting to be announced.

Who do I shift the blame to right now? My mind whirled.

My father? The man who promised to protect me since I was a little girl, only to drag me into this nightmare with his debts…

Oh there’s Xiang, too. The man who owns my every move, controlling my life like a chess piece?

And then Zac. I can’t even… What is he? What was he? The one person who made me feel human, made me hope for something more. And now he’s engaged. Happy. While I’m still trapped in this endless cycle.

Maybe I’d have finished my missions by now, and disappeared.

My fingers curled into fists. But I’m stuck—stuck in this endless mess, and now I don’t even know who to hate more.

***********************************************

Without a choice, I crawled back to the ruined building. Xiang sat at the head of the table, leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming against the wooden table,

“Sit,” he said, his tone sharp.

I obeyed, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach.

“Take a look,” he said, sliding an envelope towards me. His tone was calm, but his eyes were nothing but—sharp, watching every switch of emotion.

My fingers trembled as I opened it with sweaty hands. The moment I saw the photo, my heart stopped. It was Zac.

His familiar, confident smile stared back at me, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

This can’t be happening.

"This man is our new target,” Xiang said, his voice cold and icy. “You’re going undercover as a cook in his estate.”

I fought to keep my face neutral, my grip tightening around the picture. Xiang didn’t know I knew Zac. He couldn’t have known–don’t react. Don’t let him see.

“Our client wants information on him,” he continued. “You’ll report weekly for three months… so be prepared to blend in with this role. Make it feel…very natural.”

“That’s quite a long time, what's in it for you?” I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady.

“Enough to cover your last mistake,” his face wrinkled to a frown. “But if you’re not competent to handle this, Megan can take your place. We can't afford to lose another deal.”

His eyes bored into mine, and for a moment, I wondered if he could see right through me.

I clenched the photo, glancing at Zac’s eyes staring back at me.

“The choice is yours Mia… are you in or out?” Xiang asked.

No! My heart screamed, begging me to refuse but the words escaped my lips before I could think better of it.

“I’m in!"

This time, I won’t let my feelings ruin everything…I’ve messed up once, and I won't let it happen again.

Freedom is my ultimate goal.