Chapter 1

Scarlett

My boyfriend died 2 years ago...Or so I thought.



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Flashback

I kissed Jayden on his cheek.

"Remember when I first asked you out? I sent you a love letter and it accidentally went to the teacher," he chuckled and wrapped an arm around my neck.

"Luckily he was a good teacher and gave the letter back."

I go back to that moment. Two years ago, I remember sitting in class, taking down my notes in the 11th grade, when a letter was thrown beside my table, but before I could pick it up, Mr. Brown bent down, blessing me with the honor to see his ass-crack from a close range before standing up and opening the letter. He read it to himself and laughed. His gaze shifted between Jayden and me before folding the letter and leaving it on my table.

"Fantasizing is spelled as f-a-n-t-a-s-i-z-i-n-g and not F-a-n-t-e-r-z-i-z-i-n-g," Mr. Brown spelled out, correcting Jayden's mistake.

I would never forget that day.

Jayden and I shared another laugh. "Do you still have the letter?" Jayden asked.

"Of course I do. I will never throw it away, no matter what."

(Current day)

"Here you go, boss." I hand over the file to her with all the information that was needed.

She raises an eyebrow and rewards me with a smile. "I knew it, agent Pèrez. I knew you'd get the job done."

I nod my head and give Casey an energetic smile. "Well, of course, I couldn't do it without my partner, Casey."

Casey gives me a side smile and squeezes my hand in hers.

"Yes, I'm proud of you too, Casey." She puts her hand out and I shake it, "You both will get an increase. For now, you may be dismissed."

I nod my head and I walk out of the room.

When I'm out of my boss's sight, I squeeze Casey into a tight embrace. "We did it, Casey! We actually did it!"

She smiles. "I think it's time to celebrate. What do you say we go out and do that, huh?"

I nod my head and give her a high-five. "That's exactly what I need."

Four drinks down and I shake my head. "Alright, I'm done. That's enough for one night," I say as I gulp down the last sip.

I look over at Casey as she bangs the bottle onto the table. "No, no. I need one more," she looks at the bartender. "Give me one more."

The bartender gives her a flirty smile and nods.

Casey looks at me with narrowed eyes. "I think he likes me," she points out while pointing at the bartender.

That's no lie. Wherever we seem to go, Casey always has eyes on her. Although, I'm the type of lady who'd break your hand if you even think of laying a finger on me.

"Yeah, I think he does," I whisper as I scan him from head to toe.

Casey can't take her eyes off him as he places a new bottle of beer in front of her.

"Okay, enough fun. It's time we go home," I swipe the bottle out of her hand.

She nods but turns toward me nearly falling off the stool. She's a mess when she's drunk.

"Do you think maybe you can get his number for me? I'm quite shy."

Indeed she is.

"Of course, I can. Just go wait in the car. I'll be there in a few minutes."

She nods and walks as if she's in a sinking ship. I roll my eyes. I wake up and help her to walk to my car and then I settle her inside.

I then walk back into the bar. It looks as if they're closing up.

"My friend, Casie thinks you're hot."

He smiles and looks outside where my car is parked. I look at his name tag which reads 'Richard.'

"She wants your number. The question is, do you like her back?"

I try not to sound threatening.

"Yeah. I think she's beautiful. Is she single?"

Yeah, she is. She'd never take the first step even if it was a dare.

I smile. "Do you have a car?" I question.

"Yes, although it's nothing too fancy."

"That's not my question," I let out.

"So, Richard. I'm under the influence of alcohol right now, that's why I can't drive my friend home." I point my index finger at him. "That's why you're going to drive her."

He raises an eyebrow. "Me?"

Is this guy dumb or what?

"Yes." I take a pen and a piece of paper and I proceed to write down her address.

I hand it over to him. "Take her to that address. Now, if you even think of laying a finger on her or if you have any bad intentions," I tap on my gun which is positioned in my right jean pocket. "I will blow your brains out, not before I make you scream out for your mother."

He gulps and nods his head. "I won't let anything happen to her."

"Good, I hope you understand. Casey is my best friend and I'd hate for something bad to happen to her because of me."

She's like my sister.

He nods and after a few minutes, he closes up.

"Okay, Casey. You're going with this guy. His name is Richard." I gently help her out of my car and into his, he stands next to her and she trips, going to fall, but he puts his hands out, catching her.

His eyes widen and his head snaps in my direction. "I didn't mean to touch..."

"It's okay. You can help her to walk 'cause even if she falls, you're in trouble."

He gulps and nods, helping her into his car.

I wait for them to speed off and I jump in my car, starting it. I'm not drunk, but I wouldn't want to put Casey's life in danger 'coz of my negligence. I start my car and I speed off to my own house.

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"So how's Richard?" I ask while dashing her.

It's been two days since she met him and she's in love with him, I can tell you that much.

"He's really sweet and I think he's the one, although I'm really afraid to tell him that I like him."

"I think he already knows that," I joke and I nudge her again.

She blushes and tucks her blonde hair behind her ears. We wander on the streets of New York as buzzing cars passes us.

"When are you going to get someone, Scarlett?"

I bite my bottom lip. I don't think dating is my thing anymore. What's the use? You fall in love with someone and then get lied to when it's too late.

Jayden.

I can't get that name out of my head.

"Not anytime soon," I answer.

She shakes her head.

"Well, at least promise me that you would find someone soon."

I know arguing with her will lead to nothing but an unpleasant atmosphere.

"I promise. Now, Let's get some coffee," I suggest, so we walk to the nearest cafe and order for both of us before sitting down.

I blow on my coffee before taking a sip. "Don't you ever get tired of wearing so much black?" Casey asks me.

I shake my head. "Nope. But I don't use black all the time."

"Well, most of the time you do."

I smile.

I scan Casey. She wears a white crop top with black jeans, her blonde hair is tied back into a neat ponytail. "You look good in anything," I compliment and she looks up from her phone, surprised.

"Wow, where did that come from?" she asks.

I don't answer, instead, I shrug my shoulders and smile at her. Changing the subject. "Are there any other missions that we have that we aren't aware of?"

Casey shakes her head. "Nope. We only needed to get information on Adriano Rossi, and we have already done that."

I nod. I get bored when there are no missions. I don't want to just collect information on someone. I want to be a part of the action.

"Casey, I have something for you," I reach in my pocket and pull out a heart shape necklace. "You take half, and I keep the other."

I unclip the heart and it breaks into two parts.

"It's beautiful," she whispers as she softly takes it from my hand.

"I know right? We can always stay connected by this necklace."

She smiles and wipes a tear away.

"No. Don't you dare cry," I threaten, and she giggles.

I put my hand out to clasp the heart that sits on her chest but before I know it...

A gunshot fires.

The sound is deafening.

Before I know what had happened, Casey falls off her chair and I jump out of mine. I fall beside her.

"Casey?"

Her once-white shirt has turned blood red.

I look up scanning who had shot her, and just then, a car speeds off. No number plate.

I hold Casey close to my chest, tears spilling down my face.

"Casey? Are you okay?"

Such a stupid question.

She smiles at me and squeezes my hand in hers. "Take care...of yourself when I'm gone."

My heart hammers in my chest. "No, you will be there with me, Casey. Don't go. Don't you dare leave me!"

I move her shirt and I see that she has been shot in the chest.

No.

I add pressure trying to stop the blood. "Casey, you can't leave me. You can't," I shout but she coughs and her breathing slows.

I take my phone, trying to phone for help. I try to press the buttons on my phone but with the amount of blood that's on my hand, it's difficult.

She stops my hand with the little strength she has left.

I look over at her, her grip on my hand loosens, and her eyes narrow.

It's too late.

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