[MORNING – SCHOOL GATE]
The rumor mill was spinning.
"Did you see?" a girl whispered. "The Serpent King bought roses."
"And a box of chocolates. The expensive kind."
"Who is she? Is it a princess? An assassin?"
Lilly stood by her locker, listening. Her heart sank.
Noah has a target on his back. Any romantic interest is a vulnerability.
She slammed her locker shut.
Or a spy.
[LUNCH – ROOFTOP]
Noah was texting someone. He was smiling.
"So," Lilly said casually. "Doing anything later?"
"Yeah," Noah said, not looking up. "I have a meeting."
"A meeting?"
"With someone special. Nana said I should treat them."
Lilly felt a cold chill.
Nana approved it? That means the target is high-value.
"Where are you going?"
"The Blue Moon Cafe. At 4 PM."
Lilly nodded.
Blue Moon Cafe. Sector 3. High civilian traffic. Easy extraction point.
"Have fun," she said through gritted teeth.
[4:00 PM – BLUE MOON CAFE]
Lilly wore a disguise (sunglasses and a hat). She sat in a booth near the back, watching the entrance.
Noah walked in. He was holding the roses.
He sat at a table by the window. He checked his watch. He smoothed his hair.
He's nervous, Lilly noted. He really cares about this contact.
A figure approached the table.
Lilly held her breath.
Who is she? Is it the Sniper from the East? The Poisoner form the South?
The figure sat down.
It was... an old man with an eyepatch.
It was Blind Ivan.
Lilly blinked.
Blind Ivan? The Arms Dealer?
[THE DATE]
"Here," Noah said, handing Ivan the roses. "Nana said to give these to you. As an apology for... you know."
(For almost killing him during the Parent visit).
Ivan took the roses. He sniffed them. He looked like he was about to cry.
"Thank you, Noah," Ivan whispered. "She is terrifying but thoughtful."
"And the chocolates," Noah added. "For the stress."
Ivan opened the box.
"Dark chocolate. My favorite."
Lilly watched from her booth.
They are exchanging gifts. Is this... a courtship ritual? No. It's a peace offering between factions.
Suddenly, Ivan leaned in.
"Noah," Ivan whispered. "About the shipment."
"Yeah?"
"It arrives tonight. The Big One."
Lilly tensed.
The Big One. A nuclear device? A biological weapon?
"Is it heavy?" Noah asked.
"Very. We need your muscle."
"Okay! I'll wear my back brace."
Just then, a waiter walked by with a tray of cakes. He tripped.
The tray flew toward Ivan.
Noah caught it.
Without looking.
He balanced the tray on one finger while continuing his conversation.
"So, 8 PM?" Noah asked.
Ivan stared at the tray hovering perfectly in the air.
"Yes. 8 PM. Please put the cake down."
[THE INTERRUPTION]
Lilly couldn't take it anymore.
She stood up.
"NOAH!"
She marched over to the table. She slammed her hands down.
"Lilly?" Noah asked, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm saving you!" Lilly declared. "From this... this relationship!"
She pointed at Ivan.
"He's bad news, Noah! He's dangerous! He sells—"
"Antiques!" Noah interrupted. "He sells antiques!"
Lilly paused.
"What?"
"This is my boss, Mr. Smith. I told you about him."
Lilly looked at Ivan. Ivan looked at Lilly.
The Girl, Ivan realized. The Government Watchdog.
"Nice to meet you," Ivan squeaked. "I am just a humble merchant."
Lilly looked at the roses. The chocolates. The terrified old man.
"Oh," Lilly said. "I thought..."
"You thought what?" Noah asked.
"I thought you were on a date."
Noah laughed.
"With Mr. Smith? No! He's too old for me. Besides, he has a wife."
Ivan nodded vigorously. "Yes. A very scary wife."
[THE AFTERMATH]
Lilly sat down. She ordered a coffee.
"I feel silly," she admitted.
"Don't worry," Noah said. "You were just looking out for me. Like a bodyguard."
He pushed the chocolates toward her.
"Want one?"
Lilly took a chocolate.
"Thanks."
[CONTROL ROOM]
"Report," the Commander sighed.
"Target Noah was intercepted by Agent Lilly during a clandestine meeting with Arms Dealer Ivan," the analyst said.
"Did she arrest him?"
"No. She joined them for dessert. They are currently discussing the quality of the ganache."
The President shook his head.
"Corruption," the President said. "It starts with chocolate."