Chapter 16 - The Favor

Matthew and Angelina both looked at each other and had the same thought - "So he/she didn't know either." then they both looked at Sophie with a - 'What are you up to now?' gaze.

But she just ignored their gazes "Not here, let's find a more private spot, shall we? Lyzzie dear can you get us some drinks?"

"Certainly, what will each of you prefer?"

"An Appletini for me." 

Lysander looked at Angelina.

"I will again have the same thing you made me before."

Lysander nodded then looked at Matthew.

"A Corpse Reviver No.2."

"That's a name of a drink?" Angelina looked at Matthew as if he had just said the punchline of a questionable joke.

"You order the weirdest drinks, don't you?" Sophie.

Matthew just shrugged at both of them. Sophie then led them to a private booth.

"So here's the thing, Angelina here is a disciple of 'A Servant of The Abyss' and she needs your help with something only you can do. So, I plan to use that favor."

'Oh! It all makes sense now. Angelina's strength, and why Sophie is still kind of gets away with things even though she seems like a troublemaker. Angelina must be protecting her.' Matthew thought trying to connect the dots.

"You don't seem surprised?" Angelina asked Matthew as if trying to see through him.

"Well it only makes sense. You are strong." Matthew replied matter-of-factly.

The hazel eyed woman narrowed her eyes "And how did you find out that I was strong?" she continued digging.

"I can see it." Well, he was telling the truth, but Angelina was not convinced.

Angelina was about to say something again but Sophie interrupted their banter "Hellllooooo, guys." she demanded their attention by snapping her fingers "Vinopolis? My Favor? 'Servant of the Abyss?' Remember? We have more important things that Matthew's 'divine-sight-that-sees-through-all' okay? And trust me, even if you ask him, he is either not gonna tell you or, not give a straight answer. I speak from experience."

Angelina stopped for now but she wasn't going to give up on finding Matthew's secret. Sophie was not a Viable so she didn't know how big of a deal it was. If Matthew was indeed capable of seeing of what others are capable of - and access to information about the strengths and weaknesses of others - then he has a advantage where others don't - manipulation, tactical deception, psychological warfare, alliances, and adaptability to overcome physical limitations and gain an advantage in any situation. 

Angelina looked at Matthew as if she was seeing him for the first time. By this time Lysander had arrived with the drinks. The three of them pause for a bit to take a sip. For a drink literally named 'Corpse Reviver' it didn't look bad.

"So, as I was saying - Angie is a disciple of a 'Servant of the Abyss' and has been given a task. She has to infiltrate an upscale private art gala in Vinopolis to investigate a case of 'Breach of the Mandate', but its risky. I can forge the Invitation perfectly but if they found out who Angie is, her cover will be blown and the perpetrator may escape. That's where you come in Matthew."

"How do 'I' come in to this?"

"Well the thing is Matthew you are a bit of a special case. I tried to investigate you, but you sir, are a person without a trace. No Traces, no records, no history. It's like you never existed, at least not in eyes of Alpencia."

Angelina's eyes widened, she was genuinely surprised this time. She didn't doubt Sophie. And she knew how impossible it was to have to no proof of your existence. She looked at Matthew and she had to admit, she was a bit uncomfortable now. It was like if Matthew wished to he would find out everything about them and they will still be clueless about him. He truly was a mysterious man.

"So I am the perfect candidate for infiltration. Because if they investigate me before they won't find anything and after the deed is done they wont be able to find my whereabouts either." Matthew spoke his conclusion out loud, after all this was the only reason he was daring enough to buy that car.

"Precisely! Angelina gets her agent, and you get to repay the favor. It's a win-win!" Sophie exclaimed.

Angelina and Matthew both looked at each other and a silent agreement passed between them. Both of them were pretty desperate. So they just nodded in agreement.

Angelina, now fully invested in the plan, asked, "What about his background? Won't there be any questions? Having no identity is also a crime."

"Not after I am done weaving his identity. There will be no loopholes after I am done with it. I am not called 'The Weaver' for nothing" Sophie bragged. And even if she was speaking the truth Matthew and Angelina cringed a bit and smiled wryly.

"Speaking of Identity we need a Name and A Story. 'Matteo' - your new alias, dosen't have a last name and you won't be able to explain how you have returned to the city after being missing for over 10 years."

Matthew pondered for a bit "Well I like the name Matteo it sounds similar to my current name. As for the last name well, maybe be something similar to my current last name again."

"How about 'Marchesi' it will blend in nicely." Sophie suggested

"Matteo Marchesi, cool I like it." Matthew didn't know but that day he accepted the name which will be called as the 'Godfather' - of the largest, most powerful Crime Syndicate in the world - The Marchesi Crime Family.