Tsamina mina, eh eh… Waka waka, eh eh…"
From somewhere beyond the thin apartment walls, a woman's voice suddenly rose through the open window, sharp but familiar, carrying the restless energy of someone already exhausted by the day.
"¡Oye! ¡La ropa todavía está mojada! ¡No tengo tiempo para esperar todo el día!" the woman shouted, her words echoing across the narrow space between buildings as fabric snapped against a metal railing outside.
Luna slowed her spin, turning her head toward the window where the afternoon breeze pushed the curtains inward. She stepped closer, resting her elbow against the frame as she leaned slightly outward, her lips curving into an amused smile.
"¡Paciencia, señora! El sol todavía está trabajando," Luna called back lightly, her tone playful yet warm, her accent smooth and natural as it carried across the open air.
A brief silence followed before the woman huffed loudly.
"¡Siempre dices eso!" the voice complained, though irritation softened beneath reluctant humor.
Luna laughed under her breath, lifting her shoulders in a careless shrug before stepping back inside, the music reclaiming her attention as though the interruption had simply become part of the rhythm.
Her singing was playful rather than perfect, her laughter slipping between the lyrics as she swayed her hips and pointed a wooden spoon toward the ceiling like she was performing for an invisible crowd. Her hair brushed against her shoulders while she danced past the counter, the soft glow of the overhead light wrapping around her movements.
The rhythm carried her forward, guiding her hands as she reached for the chopping board and began slicing garlic with steady precision, her body still moving with the beat. The sharp scent of crushed garlic filled the air while onions followed, releasing their sweetness as she worked through them without breaking her flow.
She hummed through the chorus again, louder this time, letting herself forget the weight resting at the back of her thoughts. Cooking gave her permission to feel normal, even if the feeling never lasted long enough to trust.
The pan warmed as she poured oil into it, watching it spread slowly before dropping the garlic and onions inside. The sizzling sound rose instantly, lively and warm, blending with the rhythm of the song. She tossed in strips of marinated chicken next, stirring while her shoulders bounced lightly with the music.
The smell deepened, comforting and rich, wrapping around the apartment like an embrace she never asked for but always accepted.
She stepped back from the stove during the next chorus, dancing freely across the small kitchen, her fingers snapping to the rhythm while she sang along without caring whether her voice stayed on pitch.
A sudden bark cut through the music.
"Arf! Arf!"
Luna turned with a bright grin spreading across her face.
A tiny cream-colored Pomeranian rushed toward her, its fluffy tail shaking wildly as its small paws skidded slightly across the floor before reaching her feet. The dog barked again, spinning in excitement while looking up at her with shining eyes.
"Mochi, you dramatic little queen," Luna laughed, lowering herself and scooping the dog into her arms.
Mochi responded by licking her chin repeatedly, small paws pressing into Luna's shoulder while soft whining noises escaped between happy breaths. Luna kissed the top of the dog's head, rubbing her cheek against its soft fur.
"You heard the music and thought it was a party, didn't you?"
The dog barked again as if answering her, tail still moving like it had its own heartbeat.
Luna carried Mochi toward the feeding corner and poured dry food into the bowl. She placed it down gently, patting the dog's head once before standing again.
"Eat first. I'm almost done."
Mochi hurried to the bowl, crunching happily while Luna returned to the stove. She stirred the chicken, adding sliced carrots and bell peppers, letting the colors brighten the pan while steam curled upward in slow waves. Soy sauce followed, darkening the mixture while releasing a deeper aroma that made her stomach tighten with hunger.
She reduced the heat and folded rice into the pan, mixing carefully until everything blended into a single warm dish.
The music continued playing as she plated the food and carried it to the small dining table near the window. Outside, distant lights shimmered across neighboring buildings, their reflections flickering against the glass while faint sounds of passing vehicles drifted upward from the street below.
Mochi finished eating and padded toward Luna, settling beside her chair while staring upward with hopeful eyes.
Luna smiled faintly and placed a small portion of plain chicken into the dog's bowl.
"Only because you're cute," she whispered.
Mochi wagged her tail rapidly before returning to the bowl, while Luna leaned back slightly, eating slower than she intended. Her body relaxed, but her thoughts continued circling the same name she had tried to ignore since earlier that day.
After finishing her meal, she cleaned the table and walked toward the couch, reaching into her bag and pulling out a dark folder. She sat down and opened it carefully, revealing Theodero photograph and documents stacked neatly behind it.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the paper while her gaze lingered on his image longer than she expected.
"He really is very handsome. Such a shame… he'll be dead soon. Some elites already want you gone, darling Theo. They're all wishing you were dead." she murmured quietly.
She placed the folder beside her and grabbed her laptop, opening it across her lap. The screen illuminated her face as she began typing his name across social media platforms.
His public life unfolded across her screen like a carefully edited film.
Photographs showed him laughing beside tall glasses filled with expensive drinks, standing near private yachts, dancing among crowds inside exclusive clubs, and walking across white beaches while ocean waves curled behind him. Each post carried hundreds of comments filled with admiration and envy.
Luna studied every image with patient focus, her expression soft but distant, absorbing details others would ignore. The people surrounding him, the locations tagged in the background, the time stamps buried under captions filled with shallow praise.
Her lips pressed together slightly.
"Your life looks untouchable," she whispered, her voice carrying a faint edge. "Let's see how real it is."
She opened another search tab and typed the names of his family members, scrolling slowly through the results. Business articles appeared repeatedly, praising the success of their company, De La Vga G. Holdings, a corporation known for luxury infrastructure and international investments connected to the synopsis introduced earlier through financial dominance and quiet political influence.
There were interviews discussing expansion projects and economic partnerships, yet none of them revealed anything personal. No family photos. No casual mentions and no birthdays or celebrations.
Luna frowned slightly, leaning closer to the screen as she searched Alejandro's name next. More company statements appeared, referencing his leadership years ago before his presence disappeared from public appearances without explanation.
Her fingers paused above the keyboard.
"That's strange," she muttered, tilting her head while scanning each article again.
Mochi climbed onto the couch beside her, curling comfortably against her thigh. Luna absently stroked the dog's fur while her eyes remained locked on the screen.
She opened Instagram again, scrolling through Theodero's newest post showing him at a seaside bar, laughing with friends while neon lights glowed behind him.
Her jaw tightened faintly.
"Fuck… you really don't know how lucky you are," she whispered under her breath, though the words carried more calculation than bitterness.
Her phone vibrated suddenly against the table.
The sound broke her focus.
She glanced down and saw the caller ID flashing across the screen.
Don C.
Her expression shifted instantly, calm replacing every trace of personal emotion.
Before Luna answered the call, she rolled her eyes. She picked up the phone and answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Don C's voice spoke smoothly from the other side, controlled and direct.
"The dress is already on its way to your apartment. You'll receive it tonight. Everything you requested is included."
Luna leaned back slowly, her fingers brushing Mochi's fur while she listened.
"And the tools?" she asked quietly.
"They're secured inside the packaging," Don C replied. "They're high value equipment Luna, You understand what they meant for, right? ."
Her eyes drifted toward Matteo's photograph resting beside her laptop.
"Yes," she said softly.
"Good," Don C continued. "Stick to the plan. Mistakes aren't survivable in this kind of work." Silence stretched between them for a moment before Luna spoke again, her voice steady.
"I don't make mistakes."
She ended the call without waiting for a response and placed the phone on the table. Mochi lifted her head slightly, sensing the shift in Luna's breathing, but settled again when Luna resumed stroking her fur.
Luna stared at the photograph beside her laptop, her reflection faintly visible across the glossy surface of the screen.
The song from earlier had ended, leaving the apartment wrapped in quiet stillness, broken only by the soft hum of electricity and Mochi's gentle breathing.
Her fingers closed the laptop slowly.
The night around her felt patient, waiting for something that had already begun moving long before she pressed play on a simple song.
---
The headquarters of Valinies S.E. stood like a monument of power against the night sky. The corporation was known across elite business circles as a union of wealth, alliances, family legacies, and silent negotiations that shaped industries from behind closed doors. Every year, Valinies S.E. hosted a private masquerade ball, an event where partnerships were strengthened and secrets were exchanged beneath jeweled masks.
Inside a polished black vehicle gliding along the curved marble driveway, Luna sat quietly, watching the towering estate grow closer through tinted glass. Golden lights spilled from enormous arched windows, glowing warmly against the darkness. Music faintly drifted outside, the sound of a live orchestra carried by the cold evening air.
Her fingers brushed the fabric of her gown as she studied her reflection in the small mirror resting against the door.
The dress clung to her figure with deliberate elegance. The deep crimson satin caught even the faintest light, creating a rich, liquid shine across the surface. A structured corset hugged her waist, embroidered with delicate black lace patterns that climbed upward like creeping shadows. The gown extended downward into a long flowing skirt, its edges brushing the floor with quiet grace. Transparent lace sleeves draped from her shoulders and arms, soft and delicate, moving like smoke each time she shifted.
Her heels, sharp and slender, carried gold metal detailing along the back, catching reflections with each small movement. Around her neck rested a necklace bearing a dark red gemstone surrounded by thin silver framing. Matching earrings swayed gently beside her jawline, small flashes of crimson flickering whenever she turned her head.
The car slowed before stopping beneath the grand entrance staircase.
"We have arrived, Miss," the driver announced calmly.
Luna closed the mirror and nodded once. "Thank you."
Before stepping out, she reached for her mask resting beside her. The masquerade piece was crafted from black porcelain-like material, shaped to fit the contours of her face. Thin feather accents stretched outward from one side, layered carefully to form a graceful arc. The edges were lined with small obsidian stones that reflected faint sparks of gold from the mansion lights. The mask concealed the upper half of her face, leaving only her lips and chin visible, giving her presence an air of mystery and control.
She secured it carefully, ensuring every strap rested perfectly, then opened the car door.
Cold evening air brushed against her skin as she stepped onto the stone pathway. Around her, women descended from luxurious vehicles, each wearing extravagant gowns shimmering with gemstones and silk. Men in tailored suits and elaborate masks escorted them toward the entrance, their conversations hushed beneath polite laughter.
Luna's hand tightened slightly around the invitation she carried. The card bore the official seal of Valinies S.E., embossed in gold. Her client had passed the invitation through Don Carsero, making her presence here both authorized and dangerous.
She approached the entrance where guards stood motionless beside towering doors carved with intricate designs. Their uniforms were formal yet imposing, their masked faces offering no hint of emotion. Luna presented the invitation without hesitation. One guard examined it under the chandelier light before stepping aside.
The moment she crossed the threshold, sound faded into a quiet corridor lined with marble pillars and velvet drapery. Her heels echoed softly across the polished floor. Another set of massive double doors stood at the end of the hallway, guarded from the inside. The guards pushed them open with synchronized precision.
The ballroom revealed itself slowly, like a stage unveiling its grandest performance.
Chandeliers cascaded from the high ceiling in endless layers of crystal and gold, flooding the hall with warm light. The polished wooden dance floor reflected the glow, creating the illusion of walking across molten gold. Dozens of couples moved gracefully across the center, their steps guided by the orchestra performing on a raised balcony. Violins, cellos, and piano blended into a smooth melody that filled every corner of the vast chamber.
Luna paused just inside the entrance, allowing her eyes to adjust while absorbing every detail. Servants glided between guests carrying trays of wine and delicacies. Tall pillars wrapped in silk banners displayed the insignia of Valinies S.E., marking the corporation's dominance over the gathering.
Several men turned toward her almost immediately. Their black masks concealed their expressions, but their attention was unmistakable. Luna remained composed, her posture straight, her movements controlled. She was accustomed to attention, and she allowed it to pass over her like background noise.
She moved toward the banquet tables arranged along the edge of the ballroom. Crystal glasses lined the surface beside silver trays filled with carefully prepared dishes. Nearby, several women stood in gowns that displayed their figures boldly, fabrics cut low or designed to shimmer under every beam of light. They laughed together, admiring one another, exchanging subtle glances toward passing men.
Luna ignored them entirely.
She reached for a glass of deep red wine and lifted it slowly. The aroma rose first, sharp and rich. She took a measured sip, letting the taste settle as her gaze traveled across the room, memorizing faces, studying movements, searching patterns within the crowd.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?"
The voice appeared beside her like a gentle interruption.
Luna turned her head slightly. A woman stood near her, wearing a pale silver gown that sparkled softly beneath the chandelier light. Her mask matched the color, designed with delicate filigree that framed her eyes.
"It is," Luna answered calmly.
"Elisha," the woman introduced herself, offering a polite smile.
"Luna."
Their conversation remained casual, filled with polite remarks about the event, the music, and the elegance of the gathering. Yet Luna watched her carefully, measuring tone, posture, and choice of words. Elisha spoke easily, her voice smooth and confident, as if she belonged within the highest ranks of Valinies S.E.
Together, they turned toward the dance floor. Couples spun beneath the glowing chandeliers, gowns swirling like waves of color. The orchestra's melody drifted upward, blending with quiet laughter and the faint clinking of glass.
Beyond the performance of elegance, Luna's attention never rested. Her eyes moved from balcony to pillar, from dance partners to quiet corners where shadows gathered. Every face became a possibility. Every masked figure carried potential danger.
The beauty of the ballroom masked the tension that pressed quietly against her thoughts.
Somewhere inside this palace of gold and music, her target was present.
Her grip tightened slightly around the stem of her glass as her gaze swept across the crowd once more.
Where the hell is Theodero? That fucking man is nowhere to be seen.