+ MISSION HUH? +

The mansion was quiet, a rare moment of stillness before the day truly began. Victoria wandered into the kitchen, her oversized hoodie swallowing her frame and her hair pulled into a lazy ponytail. She was not a morning person, and anyone who dared to speak to her before her first coffee usually regretted it.

Except for Ethan.

He was already in the kitchen, stirring a steaming cup of tea like he had all the time in the world. His posture was as casual as ever, his smirk faint but always present. Even at this ungodly hour, Ethan Page somehow looked smug, which Victoria found infuriating.

She approached the counter, grabbing a mug and starting her coffee. "You've been up long?"

Ethan didn't bother looking up. "Depends. How do you define long?"

Victoria rolled her eyes. "Are you always this vague, or is it just with me?"

"Just with you," Ethan replied smoothly, finally glancing at her. "Gotta keep you on your toes."

Victoria snorted, pouring her coffee and leaning against the counter across from him. "Well, since you're clearly brimming with wisdom this morning, let me get this out of the way—thanks for helping Andrea. She's been a lot better."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Is that... gratitude I hear? From Victoria, of all people?"

"Don't get used to it," she shot back, sipping her coffee. "It's a one-time thing."

"I'll cherish it forever," Ethan said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "But seriously, I'm glad it helped. She needed a little push."

Victoria nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Yeah, well, she's lucky to have someone who knows what they're doing."

Ethan tilted his head, studying her. "Is that another compliment? Who are you, and what have you done with Victoria?"

"Oh, relax," Victoria said, rolling her eyes. "You're decent. At best. But don't think for a second that you're the best."

"Let me guess," Ethan leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. "It's Trick Williams, isn't it? The guy everyone keeps comparing me to."

Victoria smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Well, if the boot. Fits." She looked at her nails in a sassy stance, "Trick is faster. Stronger. More charismatic. Everything you're not, duh."

Ethan let out a bark of laughter. "Charismatic? That's what we're measuring now?"

"Charisma matters," Victoria said, shrugging. "You wouldn't know."

"Wow," Ethan said, feigning offense. "You really know how to cut a guy down. I'm devastated."

"As you should be," Victoria replied, her grin widening. "Face it, Ethan. Trick would handle me so much better than you do."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "You mean he'd let you get away with more. That's not handling, sweetheart. That's enabling."

"Sweetheart?" Victoria's tone sharpened, though the glint in her eyes showed she was more amused than disgusted. "You've got some nerve."

"Takes one to know one," Ethan quipped, his grin never wavering.

Victoria shook her head, taking another sip of coffee. "I don't know how Andrea puts up with you."

"Maybe I'm just irresistible," Ethan said with a shrug.

Victoria snorted. "Keep telling yourself that, Page."

"But hey, if you ever get bored of me, feel free to give him a call." Ethan responded.

Victoria laughed, shaking her head. "Jesus, I wish. Don't tempt me."

Their conversation was cut short when Jaeda's voice crackled through the intercom. "Everyone, gear up. We've got an emergency mission. Be in the briefing room in five."

Victoria set down her coffee, her grin fading. "Aw man, my coffee. Early in the morning is crazy work."

Ethan nodded, his expression turning serious. "Hurry before you're late."

The team gathered quickly, pulling on their gear and grabbing their weapons. The mood was tense but focused as Jaeda outlined the mission. The intel they had secured during their previous mission had revealed the location of a high-value asset being transported through a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The objective was simple: retrieve the asset and neutralize any resistance.

"Stay sharp," Jaeda warned as they piled into the van. "This isn't going to be easy."

The warehouse was eerily quiet when they arrived, its shadowy interior illuminated by the faint glow of hanging bulbs. The team spread out, moving with practiced precision as they navigated the maze of crates and machinery.

Andrea stuck close to Jaemin, her nerves on edge as she scanned the area. Victoria, Haechan, and Angel took point, their movements silent and controlled. Mark, Jeno, Renjun, Chenle, and Jisung covered the rear, their eyes darting to every corner.

"Stay low," Jaeda's voice came through their earpieces. "We're picking up movement on the other side. Don't engage unless necessary."

Haechan crouched behind a massive crate, his heart racing as he heard faint whispers nearby. He peeked around the corner, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of Angel moving through the shadows.

For a moment, Haechan felt relief—until he noticed what Angel was doing.

Angel reached into a crate, pulling out a small, unmarked package. He moved quickly, slipping the package into the hands of a figure on the other side. The exchange was smooth, practiced, almost too perfect.

Haechan froze, his breath catching in his throat, standing up and looking at him in disbelief. His chest tightened as the realization hit him like a freight train. Angel wasn't just sneaking around—he was betraying them.

The sound of Haechan's gun slipping from his hands and hitting the floor broke the silence like a gunshot. Angel whipped around, his eyes wide as he locked onto Haechan's face.

The devastation in Haechan's expression was unmistakable. His voice, barely above a whisper but laced with raw emotion, cut through the tension.

"Really?"

The room seemed to freeze, the weight of that single word hanging heavy in the air.

cliffhanger 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

i wanna see how long until i get "if. you. don't. drop. the. next. damn. chapter."

(the next chapter is fully ready in my drafts!!)