You were sitting in the small café on the corner, sipping your coffee and scrolling through your phone, when Forty slid into the seat across from you. He looked different—distracted, tense, his usual easy grin replaced with a seriousness that immediately set your instincts on edge.

“Hey,” he said, voice low, almost too casual. “We need to talk.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Now? What’s going on?”

Forty glanced around, checking the room, then leaned in closer. “I haven’t told anyone this, not even you, because it’s… complicated. I’ve been working undercover.”

You blinked. “Undercover? As in… spy-level undercover?”

He nodded, his gaze sharp. “Yeah. It’s dangerous. And now… you’re part of it.”

Your heart skipped. “Me? Why me?”

“Because you’re the only one I can trust,” Forty admitted. “I didn’t want to drag you into this, but they’re coming, and I need your help. You’re smart, resourceful… and I know you can handle it.”

Your mind raced. “Wait, who’s coming? What mission?”

“Targets,” Forty said simply. “A covert operation I’ve been building for months. They’re after critical information, and if it falls into the wrong hands…” He let the sentence hang.

You swallowed hard. “So, what do we do?”

Forty’s lips curved into that half-smile you knew so well—the one that made your stomach flip even in normal circumstances. “First, we disappear for a while. No phones, no social media, no routine. I’ll brief you on the mission as we go.”

“Disappear?” You echoed. “You mean… run?”

“Exactly,” he said, already pulling a small, nondescript case from under the table. “Grab this. You’ll need it.”

You opened it to find gadgets you didn’t recognize, a few passports, and an encrypted laptop. Your hands shook slightly, adrenaline flooding your system.

“You’re really serious about this, huh?” you asked, locking eyes with him.

Forty’s eyes softened for just a moment before the intensity returned. “I’ve never been more serious about anything. And I’ve never trusted anyone like I trust you.”

A thrill of fear and excitement mingled in your chest. “Alright,” you said, taking a deep breath. “Let’s do it.”

Forty stood, offering his hand. “Welcome to the mission.”