XIMENA'S POV. "Ugh, not another one," I grumbled as I tore up what seemed to be news regarding my father's organization. He seemed to have been even more active ever since I ran away that night. I let out a light sigh as memories of my escape resurfaced. The heartbreak I felt from my father's deceit, the fear I felt just being around him, and that boy. 'The green-eyed stranger', as I had termed him. A smile tugged at my lips as my encounter with him still lingers on in my memories. "It's been five years and I still can't seem to forget him," I muttered, as I fiddled with my hair, a new habit I developed anytime he crossed my mind. My eyelids fluttered slightly as I wondered how he was. "Why hello there rookie," an obnoxious voice resounded in my ear, pulling me out of my reverie, causing me to jerk back in surprise. "I told you to stop doing that, Jacob," I seethed as I sized up the man in front of me. Jacob was a detective. And well, even though I hate to admit it, he was the best I had ever seen. His skills only served to highlight his already impeccable features. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into one's soul. His lean but athletic build filled out his tailored suit. He stood at a staggering height as he towered well over my six-foot frame. Even with his obnoxious personality, I couldn't help but admit to his good looks. "Oh come on, I know you like it when I call you that," he went on to say with his usual obnoxious smile. I shot him a look as I suppressed the urge to wipe that smile off his face. "The only thing I like to do is picture how prettier your face would be with my fist print on it," I scoffed. Jacob leaned in as he whispered, "Oh, so what I'm hearing is you think I have a pretty face!" his hot breath tickling my senses. "Not in a million years you narcissist," I replied, my cheeks pink as a blush crept up my features. "I beg to differ," Jacob added with a triumphant smirk as he noticed the redness of my cheeks. "You know, rookie, my offer still stands. You, me and a picnic under the night sky," he finished as he reached out to tuck a lock of my hair backwards. I shivered slightly as I felt his finger brush against my skin. "I-I have work to do," I let out, as I took a step back, my gaze darting around as I searched for an escape route. "Not so fast," Jacob let out, as he stretched out an arm to halt my steps. "I got word from the chief. He asked for both of us, and it sounded urgent," he added, his tone serious as the teasing tone he once had was suddenly nowhere to be seen. "What are we waiting for then?" I said, as I mirrored his tone. My figure a blur, as I take the lead to the Chief of Police's office. Yes, the police. After I found out what my father was into, the only thing that fueled my being was bringing him to justice with my own hands. And nothing was going to stop me. No one here knows my true identity, and they never will. Ximena Mendoza died that night. Now there is only Ximena Morales. Knock knock "Come in," an authoritative voice sounded from behind the door. I pushed open the door, only to be greeted by a burly figure. This isn't the first time I've come in contact with the Chief, but his burly figure leaves quite an impression each time. "Reporting for duty, sir," Jacob and I greeted in tandem as we gave a military-style salute. "Ah yes, you're here," the police chief, Wyatt, lets out in a grim tone, raising his gaze to meet ours. My eyes narrowed as I had never seen Wyatt in such a state. The atmosphere immediately turned somber as tension filled the air. "We have a big problem on our hands," Wyatt went on to say, as he handed some files to both of us. My figure trembled slightly, as I had a premonition that something bad was about to happen. "No way!" I blurted out in shock as I looked through the files that were handed to me. My knuckles turned white as I clenched the papers tightly. My gaze was fixated on the first file, as I didn't have it in me to pull away. The logo of a black snake coiled around a rod was especially prominent, as it took up the entirety of the page. It's beady eyes piercing, as I could almost feel it staring directly at me. That logo was all I needed to see, to know what my premonition was about. My gaze turned bloodshot as I turned towards Wyatt. "Tell me it's not what I think it is," I said with a low tone, as my voice trembled with every word that escaped my lips. I ignored the strange gazes I got from both of them, as I prayed that it was all a ruse. Wyatt kept silent for a while, before his lips parted to say, "We're not sure yet, that's why we need both of you to investigate." He finished, throwing me a look that seemed to say he had questions, but I was in no mood to pay attention to that as I let his words register. "How accurate is this?" Jacob asked. "If the Blackwater snakes are indeed going to have a showdown with the purple begonias at the docks, this isn't something just anyone can get involved with." He let out, revealing information I wasn't even privy to, as I wasn't in the mood to go through the papers after seeing that logo. I flinched as he mentioned the Blackwater snakes, the name of the organization my villainous father is in charge of. "You both know what kind of existence the Blackwater snakes are," Wyatt started, his tone bleak as I only just noticed his pale countenance. "It is the largest crime syndicate in North America. Anything that involves them isn't something to be taken lightly," he finished, his initially grim tone devolving into a helpless sigh. I didn't blame him one bit. There wasn't anything one could do in the face of such a giant existence. "If that's the case, why aren't we mobilizing more officers?" I questioned, the anger in my tone evident as I was unable to hold myself back any longer. "It's not that easy," the purple begonias, although a similarly large crime syndicate isn't on the same level as the Backwater snakes. Even I find it hard to believe the trustworthiness of the intel," Wyatt let out, massaging his temples as though to express his helplessness. "I-i," I started, multiple thoughts racing through my head as my heart pounded against my chest. There was a feeling that kept gnawing at me. The feeling that they might be coming for me. "Are you okay?" Jacob asked, as he noticed my irregular behavior. His figure drew closer to me as he slipped his palm into mine. I couldn't help but look into his piercing blue jewels, as I felt the warmth radiating from him, soothing my restless heart, albeit slightly. I knew it was because of the emotional high I was on, but that didn't stop me from squeezing tighter. "Okay, okay, break it up!" Wyatt said as he noticed the ambiguous atmosphere starting to form. He let out a light chuckle as he tried to dissolve the former grim atmosphere. "Alright, who knows, maybe the intel was false after all," he continued, before he issued his command. "Set out immediately!" And be careful!" "Sir yes sir!" Jacob and I both reply, our salutes a little more in sync than before.
