Chapter Text
THE ASSIGNMENT
It was a gloomy morning. It had been raining the whole night, too, but the clouds had finally started to disperse, letting the sun shine dimly. He did not enjoy this weather. It reminded him of the day he was staring death in the face, reminded of his wretched state, and an even more pathetic and helpless demise he would face.
Stop thinking of that!
Still, he had to get out of bed and get on with his life. No matter what he might be suffering from, life goes on. He also had to keep moving forward.
Although I no longer know why…
Shaking off his spiraling thoughts with a shake of his head, he got up from the bed and prepped for his morning workout. Come what may, his discipline can’t be shaken. His routine kept him going. Besides, he had to stay as sharp as a blade in his line of work if he wanted to keep his job.
Riftan Calypse is a former special ops, now working for a private security firm called Wedon Security. His job was simple. Escort. He was the covert part of the security detail. Ensuring the client's safety and not engaging unless absolutely necessary. It was perfect for him. His experience from all those high-stakes stealth operations during his army service made these jobs extremely simple. There was also the bonus of not needing to interact with anyone unless necessary. He didn’t like talking to people. His attitude, he was aware, could come across as cold and brusque, and he had no intention of going around explaining himself or watching what he said for the sake of someone else. His demeanor was a result of the life he had led, and he preferred this over being hurt because of unnecessary emotions swaying him.
DING
As his workout came to an end, his work phone pinged. He was supposed to receive a new assignment today. He was briefed on the client and given basic information on the subject he had to escort. She was a 25-year-old woman, Maximillian Girtha Croix, the eldest daughter of Senator Ision Croix, and a woman shrouded in mystery. He was given a description of her appearance, but not a single photo, nor could any be found online. She was in town for her second PhD, Literature, her first PhD being in Psychology. From the information he received, he could tell that she was quite accomplished academically. Her father, on the other hand, was infuriating and disgusting to say the least.
He was a calculating and cunning man who had entered into a political marriage with the sole daughter of the Girtha family. The Girthas were technically not active in the ruling party, but a majority of the members of the senate were loyal to them. Croixs, on the other hand, were quite active, leading multiple projects and climbing to some of the most powerful positions within the ruling party. Senator Croix needed the support of the faction still loyal to the Girthas, hence his marriage to the only daughter of the family. She passed away soon after giving birth, leaving their daughter, Maximillian Girtha Croix, behind. It was famously known that Senator Croix was very protective of his eldest daughter for many reasons. She was said to be sickly since birth, after all. But Riftan could bet that it was because of his love for his daughter, stemming from her distinguished lineage. Senator Croix’s marriage may be political, but his daughter, born to two of the most established and distinguished families in the country, was probably the reason for his love and over-protectiveness towards her. He hated that man, and people like him, for that matter.
People who sit atop their thrones, believing themselves to have the authority to weigh human lives for their benefit, justifying it by saying that it was for the ‘greater good’. He unfortunately came across many such people and witnessed the atrocities caused by such people’s decisions while he was participating in active war. Such people’s arrogance knows no bounds. They think that their lineage makes them better than others, that they can sit far away in the safety of their homes and decide the fate of hundreds, if not thousands, as if they were mere chess pieces.
Will she be just as arrogant?
Her activities didn’t stand out, almost as if she were deliberately trying not to grab anybody’s attention. She was the Senator’s cherished daughter; surely she would have inherited his arrogance and haughtiness, at least that is what usually happens… but the more he went through the information he was given, the more strange it seemed. It wasn’t something anybody could just pick up on at first glance, but he could tell, thanks to his strong intuitions and observation skills he developed during his years in the military. Also, maybe, because of his personal experiences… she was cautious, extremely so… and…
Lonely..?
He felt a little stupid for thinking of the words ‘lonely’ and ‘cautious’ about the daughter of one of the most influential figures in current-day politics… but he felt something odd, familiar, almost drawn to her. He wanted to ask her if she was okay…
Smack
He facepalmed.
I must be going crazy!
Maybe I really should consider going to a psychologist!
He sighed. Just this morning, he was glad about the nature of his job and the benefits of not interacting with the subjects, but now he wanted to ask her if she was okay. He really must be going insane from his loneliness if he were trying to find himself in others.
I guess I should call Hebaron and get that doctor’s number after all.
He sighed again at the thought of that exhausting ginger-headed man and started prepping to go to work after pushing the unfamiliar feelings to the back of his mind.
He had a job to get to.