The Liberal Assassin

"Yo! How's life?"

Ignacio's reaction was priceless. The pen he was holding fell and clattered onto the floor. I've never seen anyone go as pale as he did and frankly, it was a little scary.

Maroon hair? Checked.

Tan skin? Checked.

Arrogant smirk? Checked.

A teardrop shaped birthmark underneath his left violet eye? Checked.

I could almost see Ignacio's brain working overtime, bursting with questions that couldn't quite make it to his mouth. This reunion was so touching. It really was, I just wasn't very invested in other people's dramas.

"Rush?"

"The one and only…" the gang leader grinned. "However, from today onwards, I will be one of your employees in charge of the Pantiumite distribution logistics in the Slums. Nice to see you again Ignacio, it has been a while."

The effeminate man turned to me for answers and I shrugged. "I must leave now, still under trauma from the last time I witnessed a murder. The both of you need some time to get reacquainted so please go ahead. Nash has the Pantiumite formula so I expect it to be in production by the end of the week. Chairperson, please see that Luna Services expand its network. I may not be on the board but I am still the largest shareholder after Felix."

Without waiting for a reply, I left the two reunited friends. There was no time to waste on sob stories when I had some hacking to do.

Just as I left the building, I received a text message from a very impatient and grumpy Khronos who lost the bet. The text contained only six words and I sighed. What did he think I was? Even with Cain's processing power, I needed time!

"Kevin, send that madman a reply. Tell him to sit tight and wait. Also, get Cain to update his progress to the nutcase every hour. Be sure to send him the whole file once it is complete."

"Understood. One more thing, Nash is asking when you would be back in the Slums."

"Not today at the very least. Let Rush know that I might need an alibi for tonight and send him the stories I drafted last night. Keep tabs on Spencer please."

"Roger that."

I glanced at the time and sighed. I'll be at least fifteen minutes late to Lisa's and the woman will throw a fit.

***

"I knew you had it in you!"

Groaning, I can't believe I'd let Lisa do this.

"It's not like that…"

Lisa clearly wasn't listening as she bombarded questions about my progress with Ignacio.

"We're not in that kind of relationship! I told you it is for his girlfriend!"

"His girlfriend who has your measurements? What rubbish! I know you don't want this to leak out but you don't need to lie to me. I'll make you the most stunning dress you've ever worn!"

I've never felt like swimming in the ocean before but suddenly it was a tempting idea. Who cares if the weather was freezing? All the better way to die!

Jokes aside, I've never worn a dress before and from all the laces Lisa was measuring, I don't know if I know how to put it on. I hope she doesn't make something that would make me look like a hooker. I want to maintain my classiness even with shattered dignity as a man.

"You can't wear a dress without shoes and make-up. I was going to suggest a wig but I think you can do without one. Your hair is beautiful as it is and most girls would envy the length and silkiness! When will you be going on your date?"

I sighed, giving up on correcting her. "It's two weeks from now. I'll text you nearer to the date. Do you even know my shoe size?"

Lisa smiled mysteriously. "Twenty-three point five centimetres long, eleven centimetres wide with nine-centimetres ankle height."

Staring at the devilish woman in disbelief, Lisa winked at me and told me she would prepare two-inch heels for me for the occasion before shoving me out of her shop.

Once outside in the chilly weather, I shuddered. Lisa was a not force to be reckoned with.

***

"That was fast."

"Yes, it was." I was watching the news at Nash's place after a spar. Vox Madero's death was all over the news and this time it was stated clearly that the Night Walker was responsible even though no one had any evidence.

"We believe the perpetrator is no other than the Night Walker. Vox Madero is a member of the Parliament and their spokesperson. Previous victims, Juma West and Diango Prat, were also revealed to be Parliament members. The Night Walker had been on the scene of crime for Juma's death, traces of poison were found in Diango's Pantiumite and Vox's death through a power malfunction in her home are no simple coincidence. Someone, if not the Night Walker, is out to get the Parliament members. As of now, all Parliament members' identities are kept secret but no one is safe from the Night Walker. The Patrol Guards are offering discreet protection for all Parliament members until they can apprehend the murderer walking around."

I yawned loudly and Nash grunted. Spencer's overconfidence was starting to get stale. I can't believe that he of all people was my legal guardian. How lame! People wouldn't hesitate to point the murders to the Night Walker after Raoul's incident and that's fine. But how can he convince anyone that the Patrol Guards are putting effort into solving the case by providing 'discreet protection'?

"He's growing senile if he thinks he can pacify the public by offering discreet protection."

Nash rolled his eyes. "If that's the best the Patrol Guards can do, I think you can announce your presence instead of doing it the roundabout way. Just film your assassinations and send it to them or something."

"It wouldn't be an assassination if I did. You know better than to do that as a hitman. It simply won't be professional."

"Says the one who staged the hostage scene with a holographic image…"

"I needed an alibi and a way out of the business scene for good. That doesn't count. From now on, all my assassinations will be done discreetly."

The seriousness didn't last long when Nash started chortling at the "d" word. Discreet it is.

"Well, do your best. Let's see how discreet you can be in a dress."

I g.r.o.a.n.e.d. Trust Rush and Ignacio not to spoil my plans. Nash would never let me live it down after I've done it. I need to be careful not to have my pictures taken wearing one or Nash will pin it up to the wall proudly like a father who received his daughter's first hand-drawn portrait.