Chapter 4 : Task Initiation

Suzanne sat before the lavishly set table, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the array of the dishes spread out before her. It was a feast, unlike anything she had ever experienced in her life.

She had seen such a setting but it was as a slave, serving Vito's son without the dare to have a taste of it.

The memories of her days as a slave came flooding back to her—the meagre scraps of food she had been allowed, the hunger that gnawed at her stomach day after day.

But now, the tables had turned, and she found herself in a position she could never have imagined. If the ThreeBirth system had more dangers in it she could feel that there was a part of it that would be soft, and this was one of them.

Beside her, Vince dug into his food with gusto, his enjoyment evident on his face. He paused for a moment, glancing at Suzanne with concern. "Why aren't you eating, my dear?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Suzanne's lips curved into a smile as she looked at him. She wondered how long she had been waiting. "I was just savouring the moment, Vince," she replied softly. "These dishes, this feast, it's more than I ever dreamed of." Tapping into her lowly growth from the street, she added. "From being nothing but a beggar, to more."

"Your reflections have changed since the incident," Vince said with a smile. "You know, I have been there. I have been close to death countless times. I have been shot, stabbed, and burned. How I feel after each was the same way. What if I had died? And questions without answers. But I'm glad that I am here, and that you're here with me, Nalita," he said sincerely. "Enjoy this meal. You deserve it and more."

With a grateful nod, Suzanne finally allowed herself to indulge. Again, she felt that she had botched another behaviour which mayn't be found in Nalita. It was evident that Nalita was a tough woman.

Suzanne picked up her fork and began sampling the delicacies before her, savouring each bite. The flavours danced on her tongue, a symphony of tastes she had never before experienced.

Just as Suzanne was settling into the pleasure of the meal, a maid approached, bringing Aurora with her. The little girl's cries filled the room, piercing through the air and tugging at Suzanne's heart.

Suzanne's eyes filled with compassion as she reached out to touch Aurora's tiny hand. "Shh, it's okay, little-big one," she whispered soothingly, her voice gentle and comforting. "Don't cry, momma is here."

Vince looked at Suzanne with concern, his brow furrowing. "She's hungry," he said, his voice tinged with worry. "You should feed her, Nalita."

Suzanne's heart skipped a beat at his words. The weight of the situation settled upon her shoulders. How could she possibly feed a baby that wasn't hers? She had no experience, no knowledge of caring for an infant. Panic threatened to overtake her, but she took a deep breath and met Vince's gaze.

While Suzanne dithered, a comforting sound that indicated the presence of the ThreeBirth system happened in her head.

SYSTEM: Heads up, Suzzane. You are just a mind, a life in Nalita's body. The body and the baby are hers. Feed her in the way Nalita would. Aurora wants milk.

At the words, Suzanne lowered the helm of the nightgown that she wore from her arm and there, she confirmed that it wasn't her body. Nalita's breast was twice hers and was lactating.

Vince pressed his lips at the sight and again, Suzzane would cover, but she was reminded of the system's warning. It wasn't her body.

***

After the meal, Suzanne walked into the bedroom with Aurora in her hand. She stared at the little girl's face and smiled. There was a connection and it was meant to be so. She was carrying Nalita's face which Aurora grew up with.

Soon, Vince walked in and together, they sang lullabies amid flickering lights of the cradle till Aurora fell asleep after much stare and gibberish to her parents. It was another moment cementing the bond between the three; a bond that was deepening Suzanne's subconscious.

The cradle was covered and Suzzane sighed. She wanted to rest her head in a sleep as her day hadn't been long alone, it had been filled with happenings. Suzzane wanted a bath and she had begun undressing when a call came in from Arturo.

As Vince answered it, Arturo's voice broke with tension from the other side.

"Boss, the Zero outpost in the west is under attack. We are on our way out," Arturo's voice crackled with tension.

Without hesitation, Vince made up his mind. "Wait by the gate, I'll join you," he declared, ending the call abruptly.

Suzzane, bewildered by the sudden turn of events, questioned Vince with concern. "What's happening? Where are you going?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Vince, already beginning to dress up, replied urgently, "The Zero outpost is under attack. We have to go and save them."

Memories of the Zero outpost flooded Suzzane's mind, reminding her of its significance as one of the oldest and strongest fortifications. She understood that if it fell, their enterprise would suffer a severe blow.

Vince looked at Suzzane, his eyes filled with determination. "Stay here with Aurora," he instructed, to which Suzzane silently nodded. She knew deep down that she didn't want to go either. Not another exposure.

"Be careful," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine concern. Vince, needing no further encouragement, opened a drawer and retrieved a handgun. As he walked towards Suzzane, their lips met in a passionate kiss, a fleeting moment of affection amidst the impending danger.

"I'll be back, Nalita," he said.

"Go get them, tiger," Suzanne said out of nowhere. She wouldn't say it on a normal day but somehow, Nalita's mind was taking over her.

Minutes after Vince departed, the tranquillity of their surroundings was shattered by the sound of gunfire. Suzzane rushed to the window, peering outside, her heart pounding.

What she witnessed was a harrowing sight. Four of their guards lay motionless on the ground, victims of the ambush, while the assailants attacked from unexpected angles, running towards the house.

A surge of determination and courage coursed through Suzzane's veins as she turned her gaze back to the drawer from which Vince had retrieved his weapon. Why was she looking at it? Suzanne couldn't answer but deep down, she knew that was what Nalita would do.

Suzanne couldn't answer but deep down, she knew that was what Nalita would do.

SYSTEM: Hello, Subject XX 014. The mansion is under attack and the attack is ordered by Vito. Vince is baited out of the household and may not return. There you are, looking at your saving grace, your favourite tool. Your gun and its magazine are in the drawer. Protect Aurora at all costs. Your mission in the ThreeBirth System starts now.