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.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAGZDWPizyp4
Her brow furrowed.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAFCw8171LLS
They were always there. Always one step ahead.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAc6Ox5XWHt8
"How did they slip through every damn time?" she muttered.
44Please respect copyright.PENANATNCA9BuUqa
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from her.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAYlmHOhiIuh
Philomela looked up, startled. A shady looking woman-wearing something to cover herself, sharp eyes, a presence that felt too comfortable in the shadows.
44Please respect copyright.PENANA8phhPMlZ9T
"Who—"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAfH9m7ybb1J
"A friend," the woman interrupted. She leaned forward, tapping one of the photos. "Or an enemy, depending on what you do next."
44Please respect copyright.PENANA2IUrD5cVGo
Philomela’s spine straightened. "Excuse me?"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAuxedqHRj4F
The woman smirked. "Relax, Duchess. I'm a private investigator. And I know things about her that even the police don’t."
44Please respect copyright.PENANAyBco2m1sQW
Philomela studied her. A former investigator? That could mean many things.
44Please respect copyright.PENANA9dnfh938bV
"Why would you help me?"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAVz6XAIdc5k
The woman shrugged. "Let's just say... I have unfinished business and decided to help out the little Duchess."
44Please respect copyright.PENANAOpqbcWKjhc
She slid a small USB drive across the table.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAgpQpjjge4J
"You want clues? You’ll find them in here."
44Please respect copyright.PENANAVinb0a4Be7
Philomela’s fingers hesitated over the USB. She looked up.
44Please respect copyright.PENANASgiYt0tZrb
"And if I don’t trust you?"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAVOjSTR76AV
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.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAsRonRHpOf6
She was hesitating.
44Please respect copyright.PENANASIK2wY1jyP
The mafia leader smirked, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers.
44Please respect copyright.PENANA4GZmJjqMAp
"Oh, Princess… what will you do?"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAfe1eZ7j5xi
They leaned back into the chair, watching as Philomela glanced around, deep in thought.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtBlJEqzbsM
They could almost see the wheels turning in that brilliant little head.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAkqNdvMQEJP
The investigator had made her move. Now, it was Philomela’s turn.
44Please respect copyright.PENANALCdGczOdBD
"Do you really think you’re in control, Duchess?" They murmured.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAx32bA7XEXZ
Their eyes gleamed as they reached for the phone.
44Please respect copyright.PENANA9UkKPb0dLt
A message was typed.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAkb03X6c7TQ
Unknown Number: Play the game well, Princess. I’d hate for you to get lost.
44Please respect copyright.PENANA1acDXRJWjj
She pressed send.
44Please respect copyright.PENANASeZZcccpJU
Back on the screen, Philomela’s phone lit up. She saw her stiffen.
44Please respect copyright.PENANALb7qFqndXK
They laughed, from the otherside of the screen.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAS4WJQKVVXd
'I'm waiting, darling♡.'
44Please respect copyright.PENANAdU3sTRWs2N
Philomela grips her phone in anger.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAhoJAE744lF
"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.'
44Please respect copyright.PENANAhcATlks5dO
Then press send, then almost not a minute passed a notification pop up.
44Please respect copyright.PENANAmBlIjk7i7i
'If you can or I might as well be your darling♡.'
44Please respect copyright.PENANASkwB72ntx2
"What kind of a criminal texts like that?!"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAtq8O7rO8zi
'Would you please stop texting me like that.'
44Please respect copyright.PENANAW31D60sdjv
'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"
44Please respect copyright.PENANAEYla2cx87M