JOSI

Life within the estate is dreadful. You see guards patrolling the place every second of the day, maids scouring the estate to keep it in tip top form, kidnapped victims making their way down to the cellar for some crime they did or did not commit.

Josi has grown accustomed to it all, but it is still painfully dry. There's not much to this life, contrast to the one she lived prior. The one where she was dutifully entitled to her own decisions.

That life ended, severed by none other than Idris Night Verdonni's selfishness. Even with their time spent together, he offers her limited freewill. She has not been granted access to the job she had before she was kidnapped. She has been permitted restricted time outside, but should Idris choose to travel out of range, she will be confined to the estate. Or the penthouse. This choice alone is left up to Josi.

To top it all off, she's been granted time to visit her family, though it is rather insulting given the time allocated to such visits. How ironic that she should be treated like the very kids she taught in school. Held inside for classes, then released for recess.

With no other hobby than reading, Josi has all the time she needs to divulge a plan. There lies the silver lining to this spider web she's been glued to. Idris's main source of power and wealth comes from the network of drug manufacturing he manages. Mostly cocaine, but he sometimes distributes cannabis.

He has warehouses stationed across the state where production takes place, and with how much he's gained from the business, it certainly will be tragic if it's all lost.

Idris's distribution of power lies within his underboss, three capos, and of course, his consigliere, which Josi sees less often than the rest. She has garnered research on each of them, though she suspects it may not be enough - such as the consigliere who still remains a mystery to her. The others are open books, as they love to live a life of extravagance. They will soon wish they followed the consigliere's footsteps.

To help in this quest for revenge, Josi has chosen none other than the most infamous assassin. They call her The Caméléonne, and true to her name not even the most experienced trackers have been able to disclose her true appearance or identity. Like the reptile, she changes her spots; shapeshifts into characters and blends among society. So even if one happens to run into her, they would never know.

The only way her victims have been identified is by the telltale bludgeoning of their left eye. Only that socket remains empty, carved out with perfection. It has been concluded that she keeps a collection. But then again, there's no way to confirm. She's a mystery, and mystery is just what Josi needs. Problem now is having her on board. But like everything else thus far, Josi has a plan in store for that.

Now as Josi sits out on the balcony looking out into the vast greenery, she realizes the time has finally come to set things in motion. Idris can be spotted by the pool in the near distance, accompanied by some colleague of his which Josi knows to be Kasper.

Kasper Morton, Idris's favorite gunsmith. He's the one who designed Idris's twin silver pistols. Idris trusts only him to handle the weapons, which is probably why he's paying a visit today. Josi has a plan in store for the gunsmith as well.

Minutes pass of Josi just sitting there, wrapped up in the warm wind as the memories of Bradley slip through the cracks and into her thoughts once again. She only sees still images of him from when life was still full of meaning.

But almost as soon as the thoughts unravel, Josi shuts them down. She cannot allow herself mourn over their separation, at least not in this prison where Idris Verdonni is a factor. His very presence serves as an anti-virus to the idea of Bradley. Funny, as the virus here is Idris himself.

Josi heads back into the bedroom, where Idris meets her a couple more minutes later after his meeting with Kasper has concluded. He enters with a cigar and a look that borders on irritation, but when he spots Josi by the dresser in nothing but undergarments and a robe, it instantly switches to delight. As expected.

"Was the meeting fun?"

Idris nods, not even bothering to remove the cigar from his mouth. He steps closer until he's face to face with Josi. Until the smoke from the cigar becomes the only bridge between them. Josi removes the stick from his mouth and, to Idris's surprise, takes a drag. A failed attempt. She begins coughing and has to open her mouth to air out the taste.

"This is disgusting." Says Josi through more coughs. "How do you smoke this?"

Idris simply chuckles to himself. He takes the cigar away and squashes it out on the dresser behind her, then leans in for a kiss.

But Josi's palm makes it to his lips, shielding it from hers. "No hello? No how are you?"

This only now seems to click for Idris. He grabs her hand and begins laying the kisses against her palm. "Hello." He places another kiss. "How are you?"

Josi rolls her eyes, fully intent on making it clear that his attempt is poor. Still she indulges him. "I'm fine, thank you."

"How was your day?"

"Very uneventful. Not much to talk to trees about."

"Really?"

Josi nods her head yes. "You'd be surprised how introverted they are."

Idris smiles and for a second time, leans in for a kiss. Josi allows him the opportunity. In the ways Idris kisses her is a strong need to fulfill a desire. He cradles her cheek and with the other hand, moves her body closer to his, as the space between them needs to be squashed out completely. Josi meets his tongue with her own and feels the desire for herself. He wants more. He wants something more fulfilling.

Finally, Idris brings the kiss to an end. He stares at her in that moment used to catch their breaths, then brings his gaze down to her breasts. Now the lust takes full charge. "Let's take a shower."

Again, as expected. At any other given time, Josi would have followed him to the shower, perhaps even lead the way. But with Bradley at the forefront of her thoughts mere moments ago, all the spark she had has sizzled and shrunk in size.

Josi gives to Idris instead a set smile. "I already took one." Then she heads for where her change of clothes are on the bed and begins changing out of the robe.

Idris just stands there and watches her do so. He's assessing her, computerizing. Gauging her demeanor. Until finally, he derives an answer. "I know that look."

Josi sighs, already exhausted. "What look?"

"You're thinking about him."

And there it is again. "Unbelievable. Can't I even have my own thoughts to myself?"

Idris's face hardens. "So you're not denying it."

Josi looks at him, visibly irritated. Even if his deductions are correct, must he always find some way to work up another conflict? It's not the first time he's blamed Bradley for some issue or the other, even if he wasn't the cause at all. Josi is slowly, but surely losing control over her own thoughts. Soon her mind will be sent to a prison where only Idris Night Verdonni can visit with a key only he possesses. He's so hung up on the past that he can never enjoy the present.

Josi walks up and stands in front of Idris, the same way he'd done earlier. Except there's no affection that comes with it. "Do you need me to hold your hand in the shower? Just tell me."

Idris's demeanor changes drastically; from confrontational to hostility. Well, not so much as hostile as it is cold and icy. But this is the definition of hostile in Josi's book. His eyes, and even his face, have grown distant. He's reverting.

Now Josi knows she's gone too far. She swallows a bit of anxiousness. "I'm sorry. I'm just exhausted, that's it."

They remain under that blanket of suspense for seconds longer, and Josi starts to wish she'd chosen her words more wisely. Finally, Idris melts the cool exterior. But his eyes are still on the brink of hollowness. "Then you should get some rest."

Josi slowly nods, only thankful that the situation has diffused. Idris still doesn't seem convinced, but give it time and he'll be back to the way he was earlier, fawning over her. Like he always does.

What Josi doesn't expect the very next day is Idris's own form of retaliation. She's dressed herself up in a lengthy skirt and boots combo, and to counter the wind, she's added a light coat. An outing with Mia and Clarissa has been long overdue for a while now, what with the limitations placed on Josi. But it seems even this little break won't be granted to her.

"You're not going."

Josi freezes where she is by the dresser, applying the finishing touches to her makeup. She turns to him with confusion that has ripened to the point of frustration. "You said I could."

"I changed my mind. Wouldn't want you exhausted." Then he leaves the bedroom, taking along with him Josi's little chance at normalcy.

This should have been expected, but to think he would still shut her down this late into the agreement is vexing. Josi gulps it all down and begins stuffing the last of her memories of Bradley into a trunk. She plans to have it locked away in some corner of mind, because soon it will no longer be an argument Idris chooses to start, but a plan to get rid of Bradley completely.

It seems in the end, Idris has control over her thoughts after all.

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