Philomela sat in front of a table covered in case files. Photos of crime scenes, shady deals, and half-captured images of the unknown leader.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAbmuhx1kK
Her brow furrowed.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOqj7BEWxk
They were always there. Always one step ahead.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ325tiCAxYA
"How did they slip through every damn time?" she muttered.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy83TQas0I
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from her.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW0gvrCx14
Philomela looked up, startled. A shady looking woman-wearing something to cover herself, sharp eyes, a presence that felt too comfortable in the shadows.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinkOGQxq2t
"Who—"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXanmCzn3uz
"A friend," the woman interrupted. She leaned forward, tapping one of the photos. "Or an enemy, depending on what you do next."
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUenxE0Jrth
Philomela’s spine straightened. "Excuse me?"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiuy9dHxWc
The woman smirked. "Relax, Duchess. I'm a private investigator. And I know things about her that even the police don’t."
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ZVQGKfM5
Philomela studied her. A former investigator? That could mean many things.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuA0bXZOAA
"Why would you help me?"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nWL06phry
The woman shrugged. "Let's just say... I have unfinished business and decided to help out the little Duchess."
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqk7J51jGy
She slid a small USB drive across the table.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUI1y3knD4
"You want clues? You’ll find them in here."
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjyNDxhJYP
Philomela’s fingers hesitated over the USB. She looked up.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89ZMXg5FjY
"And if I don’t trust you?"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPwIWlf7Ze
The woman grinned. "Then, Duchess, you’re already missing out."
This is clearly a snake tempting Eve to eat an apple.
With that, she stood and walked away, leaving Philomela staring at the tiny device in her hands, she clutches it and puts it in her purse.
In a dimly lit room, a large screen flickered to life. The security feed showed Philomela sitting at the table, fingers hovering over a USB drive.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgdki086Sq
She was hesitating.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3JyPEMkuc
The mafia leader smirked, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gB6TAqJZa
"Oh, Princess… what will you do?"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvF7vIYbVC
They leaned back into the chair, watching as Philomela glanced around, deep in thought.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZfuHIaBBx
They could almost see the wheels turning in that brilliant little head.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBP2dBzo6h
The investigator had made her move. Now, it was Philomela’s turn.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNxcdc0pf8
"Do you really think you’re in control, Duchess?" They murmured.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ivali7ldA
Their eyes gleamed as they reached for the phone.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJywAL3HAS
A message was typed.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFcqoYh00K
Unknown Number: Play the game well, Princess. I’d hate for you to get lost.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMxQynjZOk
She pressed send.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGVitLLXIv
Back on the screen, Philomela’s phone lit up. She saw her stiffen.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87EoIZCVDF
They laughed, from the otherside of the screen.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJbFJhkBGx
'I'm waiting, darling♡.'
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VIn5xuSUe
Philomela grips her phone in anger.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea4WMLrCMv
"Why are they being like this?" Darling here, darling there, this woman.
She types a message back
'Just wait till you see yourself behind bars.'
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDReXxm2L1
Then press send, then almost not a minute passed a notification pop up.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iDciGdkTM
'If you can or I might as well be your darling♡.'
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAUocN43NL
"What kind of a criminal texts like that?!"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57SxWHOJCj
'Would you please stop texting me like that.'
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99U5XsLnZm
'Why wouldn't I? Darling♡'
'Because you are a criminal'
'So what, you like it don't you?'
Unable to reply further, Philomela turned on her phone's airplane mode.
Their POV
"Looks like she is to flustered to answer me, look at how cute that face is..."
"All mine"
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3YwC2xzlx
