Valentina sat in her armchair, pouring another glass. Her suite had warm inviting, blue walls with see-through curtains that let the night air drift in.
Valentina, dressed in a red peplum pantsuit, glanced to her left.
The woman raised her pistol, silencer attached.
"Bang," she said, lips twisted into a smirk.
"Very hilarious," Valentina said dryly, setting down her glass. "Antiope."
Antiope walked around the chair, sitting on the bed. "Jaiden never liked my sense of humor."
"I can't imagine why," Valentina smiled.
Antiope's smug smile fell.
"You take that back," she growled.
The door closed, alerting the women of the Bear's presence. He walked in, setting down his suitcase.
He wore a grey hoodie and jeans, with untied converse sneakers.
"You went to work with that?" Antiope frowned.
"You didn't give me a suit," he glanced at Valentina. "Like I wanted."
Antiope smiled, glancing over at Valentina.
Valentina observed. "And you were most effective without, weren't you?"
The Bear simply turned and headed for the bathroom.
"You can use my products," she hollered after him with a smirk.
The Bear glanced back, slicking back his black hair. Antiope winked at him.
The Bear huffed, grumbling under his breath as he headed for the shower.
Swinging the door open, he slipped inside and slammed the door behind him.
"Who is he?" Antiope asked.
Valentina took a sip. "What do you mean? He's the Bear."
"No..." Antiope huffed. "I mean, who is he? I've known everyone in the criminal world, fought them as well, and I've never seen him before."
She hesitated. "He called me Foxy or Fox. Why? Who is he?"
Valentina sighed before setting down her cup.
"He's the Bear of Birmingham," Valentina said. "Or, accurately, the Bear of Boston."
"What?" Antiope blinked. "He's British."
"Yes," she nodded. "He went up to England when he was five, lived in Birmingham for thirteen years."
Valentina pointed at the door. "The man with a hundred stories. He doesn't even know his own."
"What's his name?" Antiope pushed.
Valentina got up from her seat, and headed for the bed. Antiope watched as she sat beside. Antiope leaned in and Valentina whispered his name in her ear.
Antiope sat back slowly, a smirk curling at the corner of her mouth.
"I see..."
Valentina nodded with a grin. "And I can use him."
"You mean we?" Antiope raised an eyebrow.
Valentina nodded. "Yes...we."
In the bathroom, the Bear stood before the mirror. He wiped the fog that gathered, his gaze intense and furlong. Behind him stood a ninja clad in red, her brown eyes meeting his. The Bear froze, gripping the edges of the sink.
He closed his eyes, feeling her cold touch on his bare shoulders.
"Don't be afraid," she whispered. "ダーリン -."
He re-opened his eyes.
She was gone.
He sighed, blowing cold air onto the mirror. Once the glass fogged up, he wiped at it again. He turned the faucet on, and cupped his hands under. Scooping up water, he splashed it onto his face.
He wiped it with a nearby tool, and once again stared into the glass.
He didn't understand...
Why did he call her Foxy?
He didn't understand.
-
The Amazons blinked, staring at the static screen. Since the attack in Sicily, there was no signal. T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. switched off, then came back on. She blinked, squinting with a grimace. Laila and Jada exchanged glances, and Ciema narrowed her gaze.
"The hell just happened?" Laila murmured, confused.
"I don't know Laila," T.I.F.F.A.N.Y. shrugged. "I guess Bowman's squad got slaughtered.
"I know that part," Laila rolled her eyes. "I mean the weird cryptic message we just received."
"It doesn't seem to good news," Ciema turned to Laila.
"Yeah..." Jada said, sinking back in the couch. "Now I know this might be a little mean, and very insensitive, but what about the Boss' birthday?"
"Yeah..." Jada said, sinking back in the couch. "Now I know this might be a little mean, and very insensitive, but what about the Boss' birthday?"
"That again?" Laila groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"What?" Jada shrugged, her southern drawl evident. "He's turning thirty-eight soon. We gotta throw something."
"We'll do that, Jada," Ciema assured her. "Don't worry. It'll happen."
Jada smiled, clasping her hands together. Laila face-palmed, groaning in annoyance.
-
Jaiden turned the channel, his eyes glued to the TV screen in his study. The door creaked open, and he looked up. The news hasn't been eventful. There hasn't been an instant of Valentina being sighted. And the girls haven't been dispatched on any influential missions.
He was growing tired of them being in the Mansion. He needed to be rid of them...for at least a day.
The girls walked in, swarming into his room. He narrowed his eyes, then leaned forward. He cupped his hands together, and arched an eyebrow.
"Can I help you, ladies?" He asked, putting on the charm. His heart sank.
"You're not going shopping are you?" He grimaced, terrified at the notion.
Jada scoffed, while Laila waved at his worry dismissively. "As if we've been irresponsible with your money," Laila laughed.
Jaiden leaned back, and opened the shelf. He simply whipped out a notebook, and opened it. The girls watched as he flipped through the pages.
Jada blinking, and asked, "What's that?"
Jaiden squinted at the pages, answering, "This is a record of all your silly expenses, and last month..."
He stopped, tapping on the page. "You spent 30k on food. Food."
He lowered the notebook, closing it. "I know I'm "Ultra-rich' but you wonder why I don't trust you three with my money."
Laila and Jada chuckled nervously. "Okay..." Laila murmured.
"That's one instance," Jada argued, "not an example of other—"
"400k on jewelry," he rattled off a list. "56k on clothing you've worn twice, and 200 worth on vacation."
Laila coughed, as Jada rubbed the back of her head. Ciema turned around, admiring the shelf as if she had nothing to do with their expenses.
Jaiden shelfed the notebook, and leaned forward. "So give me one good reason why I should give you my wallet."
"Uh..." Jada laughed, forehead breaking out into a cold sweat. "Um..."
"Exactly," Jaiden said, reclining in his seat. "So I'm not lending you my credit card."
"Ugh..." Laila said, waving him off. She turned to Jada, murmuring, "Whelp, we tried."
"We promise, it's for a good cause," Jada said, pleadingly. "Please, Jaiden."
"What cause may that be?" Jaiden asked, arching his brow.
"One of Jada's siblings' birthday is coming soon," Ciema butted in. "And we need to buy some supplies. We would appreciate if you could borrow your credit card."
She stepped forward, meeting his gaze. "And I promise, they'll use the money for only those reasons."
Jaiden sighed, raking his fingers through his red curls. "Fine...."
Jada and Laila jumped, before high-fiving each other. He pulled out his wallet, and produced his credit card. Ciema took it from him, nodding solemnly.
"You won't regret this, Jaiden," Jada laughed cheerfully.
"I already do," he groaned, propping his chin with his hand.
-
Climbing into the Chevy Camaro, Jada inserted the key and turned it. The car roared to life, and Jada put the vehicle into reverse. As they backed out of the garage, Laila clutched the sides of the seat.
Jada chuckled, "Relax. I mellowed out."
Laila narrowed her gaze at her. "That's what they all say. I don't trust you behind the wheel."
She glanced behind to Ciema. "Do you?"
"Let's just go and get a good present for Jaiden, okay?" Ciema said, looking around.
"You deflected!" Laila accused. "That's not giving me confidence."
"Hey," Jada said, fulling backing out the car. "We managed to trick Jaiden into giving us money. He has no idea what we're up to. And we wanna keep it that way. I'd say mission accomplished."
"Yeah right," Laila barked, chest heaving. "Not until we home in one piece."
"Hee-haw!" Jada cheered, mashing the accelerator. Laila leaned back, terrified, as Jada sped down the path.
The gate opened in time to allow the wild driver to zoom out. Laila's screams filled the air as Jada turned a bend, and drove down the road.
Jaiden watched them disappear before walking away from the window. His wish had come true, in an unexpected way.
The door opened as Mr. Mace walked in, bowing. "Sir," he spoke. "I've brought your herbal tea."
Jaiden groaned, sticking his tongue out. "What happened to the brandy? I need something strong."
"You're recovering remember?" Mr. Mace reminded him. "Also, that's not until 7 p.m."
Jaiden pouted his lips, heading back to his desk. "You're right."
Mr. Mace approached the desk, setting down the tea as Jaiden sank into his chair.
"Happy birthday in advance, sir," Mr. Mace bowed.
"No need," Jaiden said, lifting the cup to his lips. He blew on it, his gaze fixed to the tea.
"Is it because it's the anniversary to the incident?" Mr. Mace said.
Jaiden froze, his eyes snapping up to the butler. He lowered the cup, glaring.
"I'm sorry if I offended you, sir," Mr. Mace said quickly.
Jaiden set the cup down. "You are right," he replied softly. "But in general. I hate birthdays."
"I see..." Mr. Mace, bowing, before turning around. He swiftly exited the room, as Jaiden stared at the cup.
His frown deepened. He really hated birthdays.