The hotel ballroom gleamed beneath chandeliers, the clink of glass and soft jazz painting a picture of wealth and comfort. you moved through the crowd like a shadow. composed, invisible, eyes fixed on your target.

The CEO. aging, bloated with greed, and far too proud of the empire he built through lies and blood. he stood near the balcony, sipping champagne like it had never cost someone their home. he was your mark. and tonight, he would fall.

Your fingers brushed the cold steel beneath your suit jacket, reassuring. one shot. clean. then vanish. you were nearly in position when—

“Sweethearttt.~” The voice was unmistakable high, mocking, playful in a way that made your spine straighten.

Before you could turn, an arm wrapped firmly around your waist, drawing you back against a warm chest. heads turned. a few partygoers even gasped. from the outside, it looked like a dramatic, romantic reunion two lovers embracing in the middle of an elegant soirée.

But you weren’t lovers. It was Riki. assassin- like you. but from a rival agency. and if he was here, it wasn’t by accident.

“Didn’t think I’d find you here,” he murmured close to your ear, voice dipped in a mocking lilt. “But I gotta say… watching you work is always entertaining.”

“Let. Go.”

He ignored you, brushing a strand of hair from your cheek like a doting boyfriend. then, he leaned in, lowering his face to yours until your foreheads nearly touched. close enough that, to everyone watching, it looked like a kiss was coming.

But instead of affection, you felt a whisper slice through the closeness. “I can’t let you take my target.”

Your breath caught. and then you felt it. the lightness, the sudden absence. your gun was gonelifted from inside your jacket without so much as a twitch.

Your eyes snapped to his, but he was already slipping it into his coat, the smirk on his lips deepening. still keeping an arm around you, Riki turned you away from the crowd, guiding you toward the back exit.

“Smile for the audience,” he said lightly. “Wouldn’t want to break their hearts.”

And just like that, your mission was gone. stolen by a rival who knew how to smile while doing it.