I walked out of the building after signing the contract to work for Douglas's company.
The company's name was DoS, though he never explained what it stood for.
It was a production company — producing films, music videos, TV shows, video games, and more.
The problem was that the audio department I worked in handled everything. No separate teams for different media.
I don't know how they're going to manage that.
I took an Uber back home.
As I was enjoying the evening scenery through the window, my phone rang.
Mom.
Oh, what a coincidence — I was planning to call her anyway.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hi, Sweetie~ How've you been? It's been a while!"
Her voice — soft and warm — instantly calmed me, like always.
"I'm doing well. How about you, Mom?"
"Oh, everything's great over here. Don't you worry your cute little butt. Sooo... anything new you wanna tell me?"
She knew I had something.
"Yeah, a few things, actually..."
I told her about Ashley first — and as expected:
"Ooh, a potential daughter-in-law?! When are you bringing her home? I can't wait to see how cute she is!"
She has always wanted grandchildren ever since my older sister, Sienna, turned 18.
Mom, you're getting way ahead of yourself...
Still, I smiled and told her about Ashley. She sounded so happy, it made me feel lighter.
The cab dropped me at home. Zack's door was closed — usual.
I flopped down on the living room couch, phone still against my ear.
"Oh, and... I got a new job. No more convenience store."
"Really?! I'm so proud of you, honey! I wish I could be there to celebrate!"
Hearing her excitement made my heart swell.
Of course, I couldn't tell her everything. So, I gave her the half-truth version of my new job.
Sorry, Mom.
We talked for a few more hours until the sun had completely set.
"Okay, Mom. We'll talk more soon, alright? It's getting late."
"Aww, alright. Call me soon! Love you!"
"Love you too."
I hung up and rested my head against the back of the couch.
Man, I missed her.
It was almost 11 p.m.
I'd had dinner, cleaned up, even left a plate for Zack.
He didn't come out — no surprise.
I sat on my bed, hair damp from a hot shower, scrolling through my phone.
My finger hovered over Ashley's contact.
She deserves to know too.
I called.
She picked up immediately.
"Hi, Vin. I didn't expect you to call this late."
"Hey, Ash. Sorry — were you about to sleep?"
"No, don't worry. I was just working on an assignment. I always have time for my boyfriend."
Hearing her say that still gave me butterflies.
"Glad to hear it. Got some news: I got a new job."
"REALLY?! Oh my God, I'm so happy for you, baby!"
Did she just call me 'baby'?
"Oops... sorry! I got carried away," she giggled.
I told her the same half-truth I told my mom.
She listened intently, congratulating me after every part of the story.
We talked for about an hour before she said:
"Sorry, Vin. It's midnight. I need to finish this assignment. Talk to you soon, okay? Goodnight~"
"Goodnight, Ash. Sweet dreams."
I smiled as I placed my phone down and turned off the lights. I plop down on the soft bed as my eyes were heavy.
Finally, peace.
Ring, Ring!
I jolted awake, heart pounding.
The fuck...?
Groggily, I looked at my phone.
Tyler.
I answered.
"Yes? What do you want?" My voice was thick with sleep — and irritation.
"I'm outside. Come out. New job."
The hell you mean, "new job" at midnight?
"Just come before your roommate notices."
"...Fine."
I groaned, grabbed my wallet and phone, and headed out.
A van was parked in front of my house.
Tyler sat at the driver's seat, window open.
"Get in," he ordered, jerking his thumb toward the sliding door.
I pulled it open — and found Elliot and Darius inside.
"You guys too?" I asked, stepping in.
"Uhm, yeah. Tyler picked me up a few minutes ago," Elliot said, looking half-asleep. "Darius too."
As the van rolled onto the road, I asked Tyler:
"Why are we gathering?"
"Sent the mission to your phones. One of our members got kidnapped. We're rescuing him."
Kidnapped?
Tyler sounded serious. Way more serious than usual.
I checked my phone.
Rescue mission. Midnight op. High risk.
"...Where?" Darius asked — a rare thing for him.
"Abandoned building. South of here. Intel just came in.
Grab guns from the bag."
Beside me was a duffle bag. I unzipped it — handguns, silencers, mags, holsters.
"Good stuff," Darius muttered.
Elliot looked like he was going to puke.
He refused to even touch a gun.
Seriously, dude? Why even join the mafia?
The van eventually slowed down.
We parked near a wrecked, abandoned building.
Cracked windows, overgrown vines, broken walls.
But lights flickered inside — proof that someone was there.
Tyler got out first and slid open the side door.
"Gear up. We'll leave a trail of dead bodies tonight."
He strapped a gun to his waist, screwing on a silencer.
Darius did the same — expertly, like he'd done it a hundred times.
I hesitated.
The memory of shooting that man still haunted me.
Still, I grabbed a gun, holstered it.
But then—
"W-wait! Can I stay in the van? I'll just be a burden!"
Elliot's voice cracked.
Tyler shot him a cold glare.
Elliot flinched, trembling.
I stepped between them.
"Wait," I said quickly. "He can hack their phones. Monitor them, overhear communications." I looked over at Elliot. "You brought your laptop, right?"
Elliot blinked — surprised.
"Y-yes! I-I can!"
"See? He's useful."
I looked back at Tyler.
My heart hammered in my chest.
After a long moment, Tyler nodded.
"Fine. He stays. Hide the van well."
"Understood."
I drove the van off the main road, parking it behind thick bushes.
Almost invisible from the street.
Handing Elliot a pair of wireless earpieces, I said:
"Stay quiet. Report anything. Understand?"
"Y-yes! Thank you..."
He got to work, booting up his laptop.
I stepped out, slid the door shut behind me, and jogged back to where Darius and Tyler waited.
Gun holstered.
Mind steeled.
Deep breath.
Tonight... might be the most dangerous mission yet.