My phone beeps for a few, lifting my eyes towards it I'm fully aware of the reason it does so, my hands move to snatch it off my desk as my book falls close.

The short lived breeze from its pages slaps my face with a familiar inhale of my cologne over ruling the strong scent of refined paper and spewed ink.

It doesn't take long for the lock on the other side of the door to click, knob turning, the metal entry way opens revealing Gareth, who is neither a friend nor an acquaintance.

He just happened to be part of the organisation and I just unfortunately seemed to be in too, his dirty boots press against my clean floors, leaving a trail for me to clean after.

Nelly, raises her furry head in my lap going under my arms to view the intruder that interjected our quiet time together, I rub soothing circles behind her ears in a bid for her to calm down, her russet eyes stared right into mine, before hoping off and striding towards my room.

He halts just a metre away from my desk chair. I refuse to indulge in small talk and let him relay whatever he has come here for as my eyes wander to the clock on my desk then on my once lit up laptop, mouse discarded, the lavender scented candle holds a muzzle flame.

The scent clung onto everything, mostly in the air with the humidifier doing little of its work, which I was too lazy to get that fixed.

The rubbing of gloves alerts my ears, Gareth could seem mute but he was a whole chatterbox if you'll let him, guessing from his absurd silence this must be something serious.

The slap of paper falls on my desk, five at most lay in disarray dragging my attention to it, brain thinking forth of what information they may hold, "the boss wanted you to look into this" He blows out, taking a deep inhale of the brunt he held.

Taking the files, I wave my hands for him to exhale through the open window, cigarettes were something I couldn't condone, it's addictive nature irked my being and would certainly corrupt my lavender scent floating up in the air.

I stop the vinyl record player, skimming the files her picture catches my interest, hair cut low, big cinnamon toned eyes stare right back at mine, the black lip liner sort of magnifies the fullness of her lips coated in heavy shimmery gloss.

It's only a profile photo which has if not all her details scribbled to the side, from full length to other photos of her working in a supermarket, then attending church services, there's also one with having heavy make up on in a way to change her appearance with shimmery brown wavy wig, there's only one thing the boss would want from me.

To either stalk or keep an eye on her.

"Why her?" Caring less of whatever beef the boss held with this twenty two year old, anaesthesiology student who shared an apartment with her cousin, I skim through the rest of the files to acquire more knowledge on my newest prospect.

I joined the organisation, five months ago meeting Gareth at that night club did good to settle my bills and help me gather my savings, born into a middle class home makes one thankful for the little you have and wanting more that there is to have.

I didn't indulge deep into it though the boss just wanted me to get all the information he wanted or used me to hack into tougher systems he couldn't get his grip on.

Suddenly my throat yearned for the richness of creamy sugary coffee, tossing the papers aside, I listen to what Gareth began to choke out whilst puffing out more clouds and staring at the street underneath us.

"You'll watch her, if need be, get closer to her, find whatever dirt you can and then blackmail her with it, it's that simple" he crushes the cigarette in his hand, adjusting his hat he folds his arm across his chest.

Her face doesn't ring a bell though we do attend the same school, who am I kidding I barely socialise for crying out loud. Plus from the information here she barely does too.

"He will send the cash tomorrow and says to let him know if you need anything else" I nod as he begins to take his leave, "by the way I managed to get a heads up for you, be at Flip's by ten or later, " his footprints stare me in the eye, can't he take his shoes off for once.

The clock reads fifteen more minutes to ten, what better way to start than to be on time, clad in plain washed jeans, I head for my bedroom and meet Nelly all curled up on my bed, stuffing my trusty pocket knife I crafted at a reachable place, I select the cologne for the night.

Flip's would be rowdy, sweaty bodies and all, totally not my scene and I wonder what a girl like Rosa would be doing in such a place, going back to retrieve her file, I shove it under my bed.

Picking out a black tee I spritz the warm lavender scent and top it with that of pinewood, taking my keys, I go over to Nelly and give her a firm Pat and a peck, saying I'll be back later, if only she could understand me.

Turning the lights off, the footprints I have on my floors would face my cleaning later, with my own feet covered in boots of their own, I head for the garage, at least I wouldn't have to suffer through Troy and Vera's shenanigans tonight.

Reaching my motorcycle, I do my routine check, helmet on with my ears blocked by the ear buds, I start my drive and hop on the Street.

I didn't frequent Flip's much, so the location was a bit foggy in my brain, after some swerves and a doubtful mind, I found my way onto the right street, parking somewhere safe, I alight and slipped off my helmet.

The surroundings seemed as usual as a typically night here would be, the bar was at a farther part of town, an hour away from town which is where Gregory's college is at, the rumours here where a bit outlandish, saying the car dump way behind it was owned by a retired mafia don.

The crap people spread.

Entering, the sight of women in attires that had me wishing I endured Troy and Vera instead glared back at me, carrying shot glasses on trays like this was some fancy stuff they had going on here.

The men were roughly my age and the ones that looked like they were more unapproachable than the drunks slurring on their words, "what can I get you?" I still didn't know how any of this could give me the information I wanted.

"Something light" I reply to the barrister, who has more clothing on, her hair is held in a pony tail that swings back and forth as she reaches for a glass and then a bottle, surveying the area again, my brain begins to contort ways on what exactly would help me.

I've never been one to begin small talk but I had no choice but to "why's everyone so buzzed up?" I nod in appreciation to the drink before me, she looks around and takes in my appearance.

"Is this your first time here?" Her confused stare has me wondering if answering questions with questions is the new norm now.

"Nope a friend of mine said if I wanted a show this is the place" she continues to dry the glasses, squinting at me with thinned brows and pinkish lips, her blush cheeks show how sweaty she really is.

A card moves through her fingers and lands onto my side of the counter, the first instinct is to cover it up, listen keenly, and ignore the stench of this place, "Gareth sent you didn't he, I'm Pamela by the way, it's a close drive from here but be careful, use this to enter" she returns to doing her job as I hope off the stool and head back out.

Clean oxygen infiltrates my lungs and I'm glad it did, heading to my vehicle of choice, I use the direction she gave and end up in a crappy car shed, the iron gates barely stand as a creak is heard, cars are heaped in a pile, leaving my bike, I go through the only entrance in my foresight.

Working with no heading whatsoever I continue till not only my footsteps are heard, I begin to see humans such as myself, thankfully the direction is a bit shabby but this partway is only in one narrow path.

I continue till I'm on the other side of somewhere else where the fuel stench competes with basic air "pass?" A scruffy voice from a bulky build smacks a palm on my chest, we are almost standing at the same height, with him a foot lower I just keep my usual face and show him what Pamela handed me.

It had a number behind and then a Flip's sigh as well, I couldn't even care less what it was, the veering of engines coat the air followed by cheer like screams, clanking of drinks and the pungent smell of burning of tires.

Pushing through the crowd of people, I ignore how this is totally not my scene and continue going for the money I'm being paid for.

I don't think this would be the perfect place for Rosa to be.

Finding a drink stand I head there first, the perfect place to get all the details I need, unfortunately feather like hand brush my bicep and give a gentle squeeze, "are you racing tonight?" Her head full of silky brunette hair shakes in her eyes before a girl comes dragging her off me muttering, "he's not Johnny, that's a stranger"

Ignoring that as well.

I salute the man in control of the liquids, drinks that didn't really pick my fancy either, "who's your pick tonight?" I whisper waiting for his reaction, he hands a couple of glasses to more of his customers before he points in the direction behind my seated position.

"It definitely is Fay, She's racing tonight, and would probably make Bernie eat her dust," he slaps hands with someone who agrees with his motive, "that's going to be a really tough race won't it?" I add, unsure of where this is headed, still I try every means possible to gain my needed information.

"She's so in control of the wheels you'll think she shared a womb with it" he cheers, keeping me in more suspense.

"Rosa is it?" I try my luck to be sure I'm in the right place, "who the hell is that it's Fay man she's a road runner but with wheels" "I heard she's even better on a motorcycle" his talk mate adds, looking at me like I will prolong their excited chatter.

"You haven't watched her race? I bet that's why you're here man" he nods, pointing a finger once more, "in a few minutes you'll clearly miss this second round, so you better hurry up" saying an unwilling thanks, I jog towards the forming crowd and squeeze my way to the front, indeed the strong smell of burning tires hit me, again.

A few people gather around two cars, the brand my brain is too foggy to recollect, but it's sleek and good for what ever they intend to do, the dark hair guy keeps glaring in the opposite direction as a girl continues to rub his arm and a guy from behind pats his back, there words inaudible as the cheers increase almost killing my eardrums.

The said opposite direction, has two girls backing me talking with a rather tall caramel skinned guy, cornrows crowning his scalp as he seems to be in a heated conversation with both women.

A blowhorn is blared the noise seizes and I feel my ear drums jump up in relief, the first car swings open as the dark haired guy gets into his seat, hitting her right palm on the left, she swerves around.

Rosa?

If she's the one, she's going to be in deep shit, Gregory holds a reputation that forbids any illegal activities, well I'm the word forbidden but if this goes out she would be kicked out, for sure.

Possibly lose that anaesthesiology degree before gaining it, okay I confess I was intrigued at her field of study.

This is what Gareth wants, this is what the boss needs but why...

Getting to hers, the front light flicks on, the picture was utter rubbish in comparison to the woman before me, I get the reason for the heavy make up, it has given her an utterly different look.

The blonde wig on her head highlights the circle shaped loops in her ears, the piercings the picture failed to garner adorned her ears, beads laced her slim hands, she wore a firm fitted top and flared jeans, her thumb had a ring to it that pressed against the leather of the steering.

Eyes laced with so much determination, I almost pitied who was racing against her, then a wicked smirk appeared on her stained lips, which was indeed heavily coated with gloss, she faced her opponent and let him eat her dust.

I didn't even hear the horn go off until her car basically dashed past my line of vision in such blazing speed you'll think she bet her life on it.

Step one, never get on her bad side.

A/N
Happy new year everyone so thank you all for giving illicit ruins a chance I'm grateful we get to celebrate this year together as well and I pray it's going to be a good year for all of us.

Thank you once again to my old readers and new ones so I'll try and keep up with my updating schedule cos of classes but either way i'll be consistent with this one so happy reading everyone 💓