The morning had barely settled in when Arora called for the guard waiting outside her office. Her tone was sharp, but not quite as cold as usual.
"What is Jack doing?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent.
The guard bowed slightly. "He woke up, Leader. He's been served breakfast."
Arora leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other. "Did you give him the hangover soup?"
"Yes, as per your order. He drank it and said he's getting ready for today."
"Good," she murmured, nodding once. "That'll keep him from passing out again."
Her gaze shifted to Edwin, who stood nervously a few feet away — hands clasped together, avoiding her eyes like a guilty child.
"Now," Arora said, her voice deceptively calm. "We have a task today. You're going to handle it, Edwin."
Edwin blinked, surprised. The lack of anger in her tone made him almost suspicious. "R–really, Leader? You're assigning me the next task?"
Arora gave a small smirk. "Yes. Be grateful."
His posture straightened instantly. "It's my pleasure! What's the mission?"
Before Arora could answer, the door opened.
Jack stepped in.
The sunlight from the hallway caught his hair, turning it gold for a brief moment. He wore a simple white shirt and dark trousers, but somehow he looked like he belonged in a place brighter than this.
Arora's gaze — unintentional, yet unrestrained — swept over him from head to toe, pausing when she noticed the faint bruise on his lip.
Her breath caught. A flash of last night's memory hit her — the kiss, his warmth, the storm she'd walked away from.
The room went silent. Even Edwin felt the tension.
Jack blinked innocently. "Why is everyone so quiet?"
Arora quickly cleared her throat, straightening up. "Ahem! Jack, you're here."
He smiled softly. "Yes, babe. Your guard said you needed a favor from me?"
Arora froze at the word babe. Edwin's jaw nearly hit the floor, and the guard suddenly found the floor very interesting.
"Yes," she said quickly, forcing her eyes away. "I need a makeover."
Jack's eyes widened. "You need a makeover?"
Arora picked up a pile of papers from her desk, pretending to read them. "Not for me."
He tilted his head, amused. "Then who's it for?"
She pointed at Edwin. "For him."
The room fell dead silent again.
Edwin looked like he'd been struck by lightning. "Me? Makeover? Why me!?"
Arora glanced up, her tone all business. "Because we have a task that requires disguise. You'll be going undercover."
Edwin blinked twice. "Disguise as what?"
"A woman."
Jack burst out laughing so hard he had to clutch the back of a chair for support.
Edwin's mouth fell open. "You've got to be kidding me, Leader! Why me? Miso's right here! She's already a woman!"
"Miso is our tech specialist," Arora replied smoothly. "You're physically stronger, and we need someone who can fight if things go wrong."
Edwin groaned. "Leader, please—"
"No arguments," Arora said, her tone firm. "It's final."
Jack finally straightened, still grinning. "I'll help with the makeover, babe. I'll make him the most beautiful woman in the entire city."
Arora glared at him, but there was a faint twitch of amusement at the corner of her mouth. "Just get it done."
Jack winked. "Of course. Though I doubt I could make anyone more beautiful than you."
Her hand froze mid-motion over the papers. The air seemed to pause.
"Wh–what did you just say?" she stammered slightly.
Jack leaned closer, voice soft. "I said… you're way more beautiful than anyone."
For a second, her heart forgot its rhythm. She turned away quickly, hiding her face behind a sheet of paper. "I… I'm going out now."
Jack chuckled, watching her leave with that same teasing spark in his eyes.
Behind him, Edwin sighed dramatically. "Leader, please save me from this crazy man!"
Jack flashed a grin. "Relax, brother. I promise, you'll be a masterpiece by the time I'm done."
---
To Be Continued…