1

8:00:03 p.m; Florence, Italy

"Target going east, AC," Aiden heard his partner, Armand, say from his earpiece. Siya ang umasikaso ng surveillance ngayon.

Aidan shifted his body along with the sniper he's holding, carefully locating the target. There he was, peacefully sipping wine and talking to other businessmen.

Aidan has his set up on the rooftop of a hotel across their target's location. He's been crouched on his position with his sniper gun for almost an hour now, naghihintay ng tamang tyempo. Ito na yata ang pinakamatrabahong misyon na natanggap niya. Kinailangan nilang bantayan ang target nang halos isang buwan para lamang makagawa ng ng pulidong plano, at ngayong gabi na nila balak tapusin ito. Hindi biro ang kinailangan nilang gawin lalo pa't hindi masyadong naglalalabas ang target, at masyadong limitado ang impormasyon na ibinigay sa kanila. Dagdag pa na isa itong bigating businessman na dati na ring pinagtangkaan ang buhay kaya naman sandamakmak ang security na palaging nakapaligid. They figured they can't kill him face to face because of that, kaya naman kahit na boring ang nagawa nilang plano, minabuti na lamang nila na mag-settle sa long-range killing. Si Armand, ang kapartner niya sa misyon na ito, ang nag-babantay at kumokontrol ng surveillance nila. Nakapwesto naman siya sa isang kwarto sa hotel na malapit sa venue, napapaligiran ng maraming computer.

"10 minutes," paalala ni Armand. Humigpit naman ang hawak ni Aiden sa kanyang baril, any moment now.

His eyes stayed on the target. His breathing is steady, maybe he's too calm for someone who's about kill a person tonight. Ngunit matagal niya na kasi itong ginagawa, sanay na sanay na siyang makakita ng dugo at humawak ng baril. Halos almusalin niya na nga ang bala ng baril kung minsan. With the death threats and suicide missions he's done in the past.

"3 minutes."

Aiden did not move, waiting for the right signal. He's getting bored. He wonders what he'll eat after this.

"30 seconds."

His finger hovered on the trigger.

"10...9...8...7..."

He locked his target.

"4...3...2..."

"Target acquired," he muttered lowly.

"1."

Shoot.

He watched the scene unfold through his sniper. Halos marinig niya ang sigawan ng tao habang pinapanood nila ang walang-buhay na katawan ng target na bumgsak sa sahig, naliligo sa sarili nitong dugo.

"Nice," Armand praised through the earpiece.

"Police are on their way. You better get out of there, man."

Aiden was quick to put away his things, even double-checking the area to make sure he doesn't accidentally leave any possible evidences. Mahirap na. isang pagkakamali lamang ay maaari silang mapahamak.

Kalmadong bumaba si Aiden, ang briefcase na naglalaman ng ginamit niyang baril ay iniwan niya sa tagong parte ng elevator. May taong naatasang kukuha 'non, kasama anng iba pang mga ginamit niya. He reached the ground floor, a hall where a party is also happening. It makes a good excuse, madali rin para sa kanya na magblend in sa crowd kung sakaling may habulan man na mangyari.

He swiftly swipes a flute of champagne from a waiter. He smiles at everyone he passes by, calmly sipping his champagne as he watches the ruckus from across the street. Napataas ang kilay niya nang makita ang sandamakmak na police car. Mabibilib n asana siya sa bilis ng responde kung di siya mismo ang pumatay sa biktima.

"AC," he almost startled at the sudden call of his code name. Muntik niya nang makalimutan si Armand.

"Yes," Aiden answered, subtly pushing his earpiece upang magmistulang may kausap lamang siya sa kanyang Bluetooth earphone.

"Cleared my things. Mission accomplished."

Aiden smirked before downing the remains of his champagne, he gave it to a passing waiter before finally walking to the exit of the hotel. He basks at the swell of pride that bloomed in his chest. Isa nanamang mission ang natapos nila. Bukod sa malaking halaga ng per ana matatanggap niya, ang mission na ito ang mag-aangat sa posisyon niya sa organisasyon nila.

He was already in the hotel parking lot when Armand spoke again.

"Aight, man, got my things cleared too. See you at the headquarters."

Aiden got in his car, a slick black alpine a110 he got from the company when he got his promotion the last time. He wonders what their present for him is this time. He removed his earpiece, tossing it in the glove compartment, before starting the engine and finally driving away to his apartment.

--

Aiden impatiently tapped his foot on the floor while waiting for the elevator to finally reach the floor. He almost sighed in exasperation when it finally pinged open, he walked out to get to the double door waiting at the far end of the hallway.

"AC, my favorite agent," bati ng kanyang boss, Mr. Blaine. He's sitting on his big swivel chair behind his equally big table. He looks regal like this, a man in his early forties, running an organization that allows people to hire hitmen. He often wonders why the man ended up in this business, wala sa itsura niya ang nagpapakita na ganitong klase ng business ang hinahawakan niya. But Aiden thinks that's the point. It's a business that works to fool people after all.

"Sir," he greeted back.

"Congrats on another mission cleared. As expected of my best agent," Aiden's chest swelled with pride. He gave the man a small bow.

"Thank you so much, Sir."

The man's words hold so much weight for him. Ilang ulit na siyang nailigtas at ginawan ng napakalaking pabor ng taong ito. Tama lamang na makaramdam siya ng napakalaking utang na loob dito.

"You're getting promoted, I'm sure you expected that," binigyan niya ito ng tipid na tango.

"I'm sure you're expecting a present too."

They both chuckle at that. Mr. Blaine then proceeded to rummage on his drawer.

"You've been here in Italy for how many years now, AC?" tanong ni Mr. Blaine bago ilapag ang isang brown envelope sa kanyang lamesa.

"Five, Sir," he answered. Matagal na rin pala.

Mr. Blaine hummed, looking at him straight in the eyes. He gestured at the envelope in front of him kaya naman dahan-dahang lumapit si Aiden at dinampot ito.

"Congrats on your promotion, AC. I hope you like the gift we prepared for you."

Aiden's breath is stuck in his throat as he looked at the content of the envelope.

It's his documents, travel documents and his passport to be specific. Dahan-dahan niyang iniangat ang kanyang paningin upang muling salubungin ang mata ng boss niya.

"Sir...?" he called out, partly confused and hopeful. His voice sounds vulnerable even, nothing like the ruthless spy that just killed someone without even batting an eye last night.

"Five years is a long time, AC."

Indeed, it is. At hindi rin biro ang pinagdaanan niya bago makapunta dito. He had just completed a suicide mission at that time. Akala niya okay na, akala nila tapos na. Pauwi na sana siya mula sa misyon na iyon nang makatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa agency. Delikado. Hindi siya maaring umuwi o may malaking mawawala sa kanya. He thinks he still lost that thing though, when he had to go and fake his death, watch his long-time girlfriend mourn for that and move to a different country, with a different identity at that. He knew he had to do it or he'll lose her. He thinks he still lost her, ngunit mas maigi na yung ganito. Mas mabuti nang palabasin na lamang na namatay na siya kaysa ang girlfriend niya ang habang buhay na mawala. It hurt. Even thinking about it right now, five years later, it still hurt. But he's like to think he did what was right, and that was to keep her safe.

"A mission is already waiting for you back there. Your flight and ticket are also already booked. You just have to pack your things," Mr. Blaine said, sharp eyes watching his every move.

"Make sure to go to the agency as soon as you can."

Nanginginig na ininaba ni Aiden ang kanyang mga kamay na may hawak na envelope.

"Thank you so much, Sir," he said, voice steady in an effort to keep himself composed. He looked at the man, eyes grateful. Sinalubong nito ang kanyang tingin. There's something unreadable in his eyes, he looks...apologetic? He has nothing to apologize for, Aiden thinks. The man did what he could to save him and his girlfriend before. Even if it hurt him in the process, he's still grateful and thinks he owes his life to the man.

Binigyan lamang siya ng isang tipid na ngti ni Mr.Blaine bilang sagot.

"Thank you for your five years of service here, Mr. Williams. You may now go back to the Philippines."