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.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXtrOTtkSG
Her brow furrowed.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXW1QHKKz3
They were always there. Always one step ahead.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRTHJSabHn
"How did they slip through every damn time?" she muttered.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV6wgzd4eq
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from her.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8FbnH8QZ7
Philomela looked up, startled. A shady looking woman-wearing something to cover herself, sharp eyes, a presence that felt too comfortable in the shadows.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ04VAvx9KP
"Who—"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxwdGk2aKR
"A friend," the woman interrupted. She leaned forward, tapping one of the photos. "Or an enemy, depending on what you do next."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr0f5pcULQ
Philomela’s spine straightened. "Excuse me?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJT0rt6rEZ
The woman smirked. "Relax, Duchess. I'm a private investigator. And I know things about her that even the police don’t."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxWRZnK5OI
Philomela studied her. A former investigator? That could mean many things.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLBrmtWFNO
"Why would you help me?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOkqKNYZsH
The woman shrugged. "Let's just say... I have unfinished business and decided to help out the little Duchess."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtUhA03pPt
She slid a small USB drive across the table.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBOycBD6SB
"You want clues? You’ll find them in here."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NMRoGR0ll
Philomela’s fingers hesitated over the USB. She looked up.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvgUStgs9I
"And if I don’t trust you?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5qC3HgNz9
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.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oSrervUON
She was hesitating.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAFpGktJTO
The mafia leader smirked, swirling a glass of wine between their fingers.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGv4DwX8Zb
"Oh, Princess… what will you do?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpKsifV4sK
They leaned back into the chair, watching as Philomela glanced around, deep in thought.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ1pfXUbNn
They could almost see the wheels turning in that brilliant little head.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq688NaPS3F
The investigator had made her move. Now, it was Philomela’s turn.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjDDaRlsag
"Do you really think you’re in control, Duchess?" They murmured.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdBrlMdadY
Their eyes gleamed as they reached for the phone.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC979zddSp
A message was typed.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuK3KZglMU
Unknown Number: Play the game well, Princess. I’d hate for you to get lost.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8dzEZXwEF
She pressed send.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImtzoy4chF
Back on the screen, Philomela’s phone lit up. She saw her stiffen.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjoh3arPHd
They laughed, from the otherside of the screen.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpQCP2uXs2
'I'm waiting, darling♡.'
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsu6z4b07U
Philomela grips her phone in anger.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnP3SCCBya
"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.'
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ8ixLC58F
Then press send, then almost not a minute passed a notification pop up.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7fU96G81X
'If you can or I might as well be your darling♡.'
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ZmPXDyXw
"What kind of a criminal texts like that?!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6m5ogaveB
'Would you please stop texting me like that.'
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDmde72hR2
'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"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo2xdz2EoR
