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"First day jitters?" Matthew's soft voice snaps me back to reality. "Huh?" I look at him, confused, not really paying much attention to everything that had been going on ever since we left the airport, on our way to the university I was now enrolled in, despite lacking certain credentials.
But I guess working with the dreaded Ishcheykas had it's perks. Besides, it wasn't like I was gonna stay here for long anyway. The moment my mission's complete, I'm outta here. And hopefully get to do cooler undercover missions next time.
"You've been quiet the entire time. Even during the flight back here, and that was for over 16 hours- that's highly unlike you, Nini." He says, making me roll my eyes at that stupid nickname he gave me when I was younger. "I'm fine, I guess." I mumble, staring off into space again.
"You don't seem very fine." He comments. "What would you know?" I scoff. "After knowing you for 7 years, I think I can tell whenever something's bothering you, kiddo." He chuckles, ruffling my hair. "So, what is it?" He asks, not removing his eyes from the road.
I remain silent.
"If it's about the mission..." He starts. "You do realize how lucky you are, right?" He raises his brows at me. "I mean, after the whole 'incident' you had with Richard, and the entire Reaper community after you, only a miracle could've saved you." He reminds.
"Not to mention, you somehow managed to please the most fastidious, powerful person out there with your... harsh attitude, to say the least." He reminds, somewhat proud. "And you're granted full immunity, and get to go to not just any college, but the University of Southern California, on an undercover mission!" He exclaims, not believing this shit either.
"I wouldn't call it undercover mission, Matthew." I sigh. "It's basically just rearing lamb before sending it to the butcher, which in this case, happens to be the mama lamb." I frowned, not exactly happy with this mission.
"Look who's finally developing a Hart." Matthew cracks a pathetic dad-joke, making me wanna jump outta the car and die. "Whatever happened to Nyx the Hartless." He rolls his eyes, not appreciating my lack of enthusiasm for his joke.
"She's still right here. It's just... If he wanted his son dead, he could've just asked me to do it, you see." I talk about what was bothering me. "But he didn't. And you're gonna have to respect it the way it is." Matthew says, taking a left turn.
"But then I'd just be babysitting the guy." I scoff. "He's older than you." Matthew corrects. "Is he?" I wonder aloud. "Didn't you read any of the files I sent you last night?" He asks. "No, I thought I'd read it when I would get the time to after settling in." I answer honestly.
"Very well." He nods, understandingly. "If you would've read them, you'd know that he's a 20 year old boy majoring in Communications." He informs. "Oh..." I nod. "Sounds like a nerd to me." I shrug, not seeing how this boy could've ever posed a threat to his father.
"What's his name?" I question. "Ivan Rudolf Smirnov." Matthew answers monotonously. The moment those words left his mouth, my jaw dropped. "No way..." I whisper. "It couldn't be-" My hand goes to my mouth. "Yep. It really is him." Matthew nods, his own eyes widened too.
"His middle name is Rudolf?!" I exclaim, horrified by this useless piece of information. Matthew immediately palmed his face, letting out a frustrated groan. "That is NOT the point you idiot!" He scolds, making me laugh a little.
"He's the runaway everyone in the academy always spoke about!" He scoffs. "Can you really blame him though?" I simply ask. "I would've too if my parents would've named me anything that ridiculous-" I snort, making him laugh a little too.
"Again, not the point Nyx. Please take this seriously. We don't have much time left together. We're almost there" He sighs, taking another left. "You have the job of befriending the Boss's son, and turning him in without him realizing that." He reminds.
"Though this mission may not seem like much to you for now... It still is the definition of an undercover one. And you're underestimating the danger level." He says. "It's a clear demotion, Matt." I scoff. "Face it. I'm just rearing meat." I groan.
"You've always wanted to go undercover, Nini. And now you've been granted this opportunity at last. So just... Make the most of it without exposing yourself to more danger." He shrugs. "I guess you're right." I agree, giving in.
"I guess I'm just nervous I won't pass as a college student." I admit. "Um, child, you do realize that you're exactly the age of what a college student should be, right?" Matthew looks at me weirdly. "18?" I ask. "Mmhmm" He nods.
I mean, I kinda thought so too, but I wasn't too sure about it because I never really mixed with normal people unless if it was to kill them. And most of my targets were just middle-aged men. "I know this is all new for you... But just don't stress on it." He advices.
"You'll be fine. It'll be fun." He promises, pulling over, and stopping the car once we reached the campus. "Holy shit- Is that it?" My jaw dropped the moment I stepped outta the car. "Maybe it won't be that bad after all." I grin to myself, relaxing a little. "Oh yeah, for sure." Matthew rubs his neck, sounding somewhat skeptical.
Wait, what's he hiding?216Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIFtGnXiC3
He does that whenever he's keeping something from me. "Matthew, what are you not telling me?" I confront him. "Wow- nothing really slips that hawk eye of yours, now does it." He laughs nervously.
"What is it?" I ask, tensing up a little, knowing that whatever it is that I'm gonna hear, is not gonna be good. "I might have sorta forgot to mention one teeny tiny thing about your... uh, victim." He rubs his arm. "And what would that be?" I question.
"They also call him, The Fallen Devil..."
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