Zephaniah POV
We broaded the plane afterwards and the flight attendant identified me with chloe robertson. As instructed by carson i complimented her with a rather fake smile.
The flight was amusing. I was seated next to archie with carson and levi at our back.
From time to time i glanced at him. He seemed uncomfortable. Maybe he had a fear of flying.

As our eyes meet. We just looked straight ahead. What a awkward moment! God i'm being paranoid.

My body felt stiff so i stretched a little and i flinched as i felt a warm touch. I looked at my hand and it was lying on top of archie's.
Oh my fuck i don't know what to do. Should i withdraw my hand? What if he gets the wrong idea?

But what is the wrong idea? Argghhh my life is just frustrating. I looked at him expecting maybe a glare or a why the fuck did you touch me look but instead i got a bright smile showing the outline of his face.

Actually it was first time i saw his face apart from last night but the lightening was dark.

I guess my hand can stay there a little longer besides carson and levi was already snorting at my back which is annoying but i couldn't trade this moment of peace i felt for anything in the world.

*****
Soonafter the speaker sounded and the pilot said
"Buckle up passengers we're in the city of enjoyment LA"

With that i already woke up and archie was still next to me but our hands were separated. Did i do something in my sleep?

I don't know its hard to read his expression.
When the plane landed we got out and a black SUV drove right in front of us and everyone got in.

The drive was silence like any other trips we're had so far but then

"Carson you need to check the news" levi said urgently.
Carson reached out for the TV button in the car front.

Immediately the news started showing.

"Coming live from high tech academy it was earlier reported the school was under attack but the real question is by who. When the officials came it was assumed everyone was dead until they found a boy...."

Then the boy i supposed they were talking about came open to the screen. I went eye-wide as i saw it was jeffery vass.

I was so shocked i grasped lightly amd it seemed it was loud enough for everyone to hear as all eyes in the car was on me.

"Zephaniah do you know that person" carson asked as all eyes were on me.

I breathe deeply before I answered "his name is Jeffery vass, his a drug addict tho so I think while the bloodshed happened he was probably passed out in the toilet on drugs"

"He claims that he saw the ones those who attacked the school and are now reporting to the police officials at the school premises now" the news woman reported.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Carson cursed outwardly.

"I told I ordered for everyone to be killed except Zephaniah!" Carson continues as he said to Levi in an unsettling voice. Everyone was silence but that's when it hit me.

"So I was your main target from the beginning....so it wasn't coincidently " I thought out loud and the car was still silence. Feeling the anger and rage that killing everyone was a fucking order.

"Carson why did you do this?" I said screaming this time at him forcing him to look me in the eye but he just stared straight ahead.

For a moment I just froze nothing made sense and it never will. Afterwards we got to what seemed like his house. I was relieved caused being in that car with the tense air was suffocating. Once the door was opened I came down and the house structure was beyond exquisite. It was colored white and red in a very complex but elegant design with the well-trimmed grasses and a dolphin fountain at the left corner of the house where you also see a swimming pool there and a balcony.

"this way" levi demonstrated as maybe he noticed I was admiring the house maybe just a little. I am angry so I need to show it evident. I walked grudgingly to the front door and I thought the exterior of the house was exquisite don't get me started on the interior from the white carpet swirling stairs to the cold white tile that sting as I walked inside and the black and white furnitures and accessories. I swallowed neverously . How rich are these folks?

"your room is at the left corner" archie said stopping me in my train of thoughts.

"oh" was all I could muster. We were alone again. It felt weird and safe at the same time.

"I'll follow you there. This house can be too large for someone who even lived here" he said laughing nervously which actually makes him look cute.

Soonafter we walked through the halls in silence.

"you know I didn't want to keep your hand hanging in the plane" he said avoiding eye contact with me.

"oh" I said again. Seriously was that all I could say.

"did you know about the mission?" I asked instead.

"I didn't Zephaniah... you see all this gang bullshit I don't want any part in it.....i don't think I could ever raise a gun at someone" he said looking at me and as much as I didn't want to believe him just staring into their blue eyes made me feel so guilty.

"I killed people and I don't know how to feel" I said thinking out loud sounding sentimental and I hated that so I quickly said

"sorry I know your disgusted with me but......"

But he cut me short "I don't blame you Zephaniah....it's fine you did what you had to do" he said saying 'Zephaniah' with so much melody and I don't know but it felt good to hear it from him.

"Archie..." I was speechless but then he said .

"we're here" he said flashing a bright smile at me and I just nodded slowly because I was a little pained our conversation was cut short but I got a feeling we will talk soon.

I entered the room soon after and the room was simple but elegant. I just wanted to lay down cause like for the past two days I haven't had a goodnight sleep and I could already see dark circle around my heavy bags eyes.

After I had my bath. I slept for a while. When I woke up it was already dark GOSH how long did I sleep?. I got up and I decided to take a walk round the house. I started of with the hallway maybe I could find more information. I came across a painting. It was of a family, a man a woman and their son, the painting was beautiful. The outlining sharp and faint at the same time and the splash of color could anything every look so alive.

I continued my walk and damn are they a fan of antiques. Vases of different shapes and forms. African molded sculptures and pots. I literally gasped at the sight of all this and as I continued my walk. I encountered another painting. It was of a woman only. She looked beautiful with her massive black and curly hair with the mixture of gold and black attire and jewelry that compliments her smooth brown skin that almost made her seem surreal.

Unlike the other painting this one drawn me closer to it and with every step I took closer to the painting seem to take a more beautiful form. I was so immense in the painting before me all my senses were inactive but when I heard a familiar voice behind me that's when I realized I wasn't supposed to be wandering through the halls

"what are you doing here?" levi said.

I turned slowly facing him with a please-don't-tell look and he just shrugged.

"everyone is at the dinning room so move it" he said at last and not giving me any room to talk. Rude! But I didn't have anything to say actually so I just walked at the back of him till he stopped at a area of the house with a large table and sets of royal chairs and don't get me started on the luxurious amount of food on the table looking specially made .I could already feel my stomach rumbling at the sight.

As I continue sightseeing, Carson and Archie came along walking casually to the table as if it was a usually routine. Trying to remove the shock in my face I walked up to the table and the only place I saw fit to sit was next to Archie. Taking a deep breath I sat next to him and he didn't even try to hide the surprise in his face. I just chuckle at this.

Once Carson started eating off the apple cider pie everyone started digging into the food in front of them. I had mashed potatoes with peppered sauce and funny enough I needed two plates. Guess I was that hungry. Soon after, some maids came up and cleared the plates and that was my time to leave but once I stood up thinking no one paid attention to me. Carson just came out and asked me.

"Zephaniah sit back we have something to discuss". and like that everyone eyes were on me so I timidly sat down. Once all the maids were out we were the only in the silence eerie mansion.

"we have a mission" Carson said starting what I think to be is already a meeting.

"our target in this mission is a young business man name Mr. Wilson. Rumors has it that's he's part of a elite gang and they are against up. We need him alive so please no one should kill him. He has information that we need but unfortunately, I can't be part of this mission but our main agents is Archie and Zephaniah . he said and he and levi eyes were on us. Archie didn't seem fazed but I was trying to control the pounding of my heart. I have never gone on a mission before and with Archie?!? What if we fail?

" the mission will take place in the depth of night at a gambling club at Arizona street. It's a secret club so it obviously has a pass code. First of all knock three times and once asked for the code say 'who got the highest pay' and you're in. the place is always full with drunken rich guys so don't worry about ur appearances. Now Zephaniah...."

He continued as he gave me a stern look.

"you're gonna have to get Wilson attention and that's the hard part of the mission. His always at the gamble side of the game. Once you get his attention make safe to win the game and he will be more intrigued to you and once you lead him outside me and levi will be waiting outside to take him"

"why give me the hardest part of this mission?" I asked after trying to process all he said.

"you're smart and I know you won't fail me and Ican't do it because I'm already on the news so I'll be the bartender and leviwill be the go go man got that everyone?" he asked and everyone just gave aslight nod with the confused Zephaniah . afterwards we went to ur respectivebedrooms and as I lay on my bed I couldn't help but dwell on the mission. How amsuppose to gave a fucking rich guy attention? Oh lord please help me and withall my thoughts roaming round my head I drifted off t

Writer's note:
Sorry guys I took so long to publish this chapter I am once again so sorry. For those reading dark ecstasy I will love to finished cold embrace first. Plezase do to like, follow and comment. Can't wait for them. Love you all and stay tuned.