So, I married the Mafia Boss

"Aren't you exhausted from having so many part-time jobs? You're getting thinner now because of your duties. Are you a robot?", my friend KZ said while her mouth is being full of the vanilla cake she was eating.

"It makes me wealthy though. Can't you see that I'm now treating you in a fancy restaurant?", I said as I snickered a little bit and pointed at all the foods on our table using the fork I'm holding.

I can see the golden chandelier's reflection on the fork and it seems to hurt my eyes so I looked back at Kat.

"Well, that's exhausting to have so many jobs.", Kat said as she continues eating.

"Eat slowly. Don't forget to drink as well. You might choke for eating too fast.", I said and handed her my handkerchief that I just pulled out from my bag.

To be honest, having multiple jobs aren't the reason why my income's increasing so high. It was because...

"Oh, I got a call. Wait for a moment, I'll go outside for a second."

"Take your time!", she replied with a bright smile and continued eating.

"How's the suspect doing?", my boss said with a gravelly voice.

My cheerful face went serious as I search around to see if someone was peeking.

"He hasn't arrived yet. I checked all over the restaurant, but he ain't coming yet. And also, I'm off duty at my part-time job so can I have a little bonding with my friend?"

"You may be off duty on your part-time jobs, but not as a secret agent.", boss

The reason my salary went high, was because of my full-time job as a secret agent.

"Alright boss. But, can I still have a bond with my friend while waiting for the...", I didn't make it to continue what I'm saying because...

"That ruby necklace."

I quickly clasped the man's collar without noticing that I did grab his collar. Such an embarrassing thing that I did.

"Who are you, miss?", he asked as I remained frozen like a human that was made of ice.

I simply ended the call and then let go of my hands to him as I put my phone into my pocket.

I pretended to cough as I tried to calm down myself.

"Oh? I'm so sorry, I just thought that you were the friend I was waiting for.", I said while not being able to look straightly at him.

"What kind of a person will grab her friend like that?", he asked again.

Yeah? What kind of person I am to do this to a friend?!

"I'm so sorry, Mr.!", I quickly bowed and walked swiftly inside the restaurant.

"You're back, Astra.", my friend said as I quickly get down on my seat as if nothing happened.

I tried to pretend to look at the menu book just to hide my face from him but I can't see him because I was hiding. Silly me.

I slowly put down the menu book at the table and the first thing that I noticed is that...

"Where's the cake?"

"I ate it all. But- I just thought that you ran away again.", she replied, and then she makes a small smile at me.

"Well, I do that whenever my boss calls me for backup for the work. I'm off duty today."

"I didn't know that."

"It's okay. I'll just order another one. The desserts' also coming after a few more minutes."

"Astra Celeny?", a man's voice came out from my back, and as I turn around, I saw that it was the suspect... who just mentioned my full name.

How did he know my name?

"How did you know my name, Mr.?"

Does he know my identity too?

"Because I know you. What else?", he replied.

What if he knows that I'm a secret agent?

Agh! I will be doomed!

"You know me?"

"OMG! This was so rare, Astra, to have a handsome man in front of you, and was even talking to you!"

"As if I never talked to multiple handsome men at my part-time job?", I responded to my friend who's now turning as red as a tomato.

Geez, if she knew who that guy was, she'll presumably be terrified right now.

"Excuse me? Can I borrow your friend? Her fiancé wanted to talk to her.", he said.

"Fiance? Since when did I have a fiance?", I annoyingly asked.

"Just yesterday."

"And who are you to talk about such nonsense stuff?"

"Your fiance?"

"You're what?"

I hastily grabbed him outside then I let go of my hands immediately.

"Are you insane, Mr.? You just asked who am I earlier, and now, you're saying that I'm your fiance?"

This man is the first suspect out of all suspects that made me mad. And he even said those non-sense words in front of my friend?

"From the moment that I knew that you're Astra Celeny, I knew that it was you."

"Huh? I know that I am Astra Celeny, but why the hell am I your fiance?"

Hearing and speaking the word fiance hurts my mind.

"I guess that I got the wrong Astra Celeny.", he said.

"I do hope that there's another Astra Celeny.", I said as I looked away.

I saw a man coming but I can't see him clearly for he was covered with the shadow of the building.

Words can't describe how I feel right now when he now stepped away from the shadows.

It was...

"Oh, my precious niece. I was about to go early to this fancy restaurant, but, no one's going to guard the house since your aunt went abroad.", Boss said as he acted like I'm her niece.

Aww... so glad to have that kind of attitude towards me. But, why is he acting like he's my uncle?

What's happening right now?

My boss walked toward me and patted my head.

"Oh! you must be Mr. Zhen Tuazon? You finally have met your fiance.", my boss said, then he chuckles.

Now, I'm being hinted at. Boss Lawrence won't pretend like this if Mr. Zhen was the suspect of killing 3 billionaires and stealing money from 17 banks as well as even having multiple girlfriends. But why am I being in this ridiculous plan? Maybe that's why Boss offered me $3,000 for this mission? Geez, I didn't know that this was coming.

I watched my fake uncle talk to Mr. Zhen as if they were close. The Boss was good at acting up.

"Uncle Rence!", my friend KZ shouted as she went out of the restaurant as well.

Uncle?

"Uncle?"

"Nah, I just called him uncle because he was your uncle. I didn't even know that my favorite baseball player was your uncle.", KZ said while turning red now.

Yeah, uncle, I mean, Boss Lawrence was a baseball player back then, he was now a coach and left the team as a player. Maybe because of his hassle schedule, I guess?

"So nice to meet a fan here!", Boss said.

Conversation's now getting longer and while Boss Lawrence and KZ were chatting, Mr. Zhen gave me perfume.

"Amoirem Rose?!"

I was shocked when I saw the name of the perfume. It was one of the most expensive perfumes in the world. I searched its name on google, and there, it said that it costs $3,000. It feels like I'm now paid by boss Lawrence. But, lucky me, this is not my salary yet. Should I sell this perfume? I'm not into perfumes though.

"Do you like it?", he asked.

To be honest... I cannot neglect this perfume. It was so rare to receive an expensive gift like this.

"Of course, I like it.", I said while looking deeply into the perfume.

He smiled at me but my face went frowning when I see him like that.

Minutes passed by...

"Oh, right, uncle, I need to go back to the company now.", Mr. Zhen

Yeah, right! Go away! Quick!

A minute later, a black car stopped in front of us.

"I'll be going home now. No one's guarding the house so I need to get home quickly.", Boss Lawrence.

"Stay safe, uncle!", I said while starting deadly at his deep brown eyes then he smiled at me.

"You must be KZ, right? Take care of my little Astra when you both go back to your apartment.", he said to my friend while smiling again.

Of course, my friend was now as red as a tomato.

She then sighed and said, "Luckily, he's not my uncle."

"Why?"

"Do you think that I have a chance on him?", she asked.

But, honestly, many female secret agents were also in love with him.

"I guess so?"

"You guess so? What do you mean?", KZ

"It's just that-"

He's not into love.

"He has so many fans that think the same about him as you do. He's a baseball player, right? And even if he had stopped being a player, he still gained fans for being a coach."

"You do get a point. But I'm luckier because he's my best friend's uncle. Uhh... Uncle? Then what old is he?", KZ

Darn it! He's just 5 years older than me, yet he pretends to be my uncle?

"He's 5 years older than us. He's my mother's youngest brother."

What an incredible fake fact made by me.

"Gosh. How long I didn't know that you were related to him? But anyway, should we go home now?", KZ

"We should. It's past 8 pm now. Let's just pack the desserts we haven't eaten yet."

"Yeah!", KZ

So, my mission is actually to be his wife huh? I cannot do anything now since that's the only way to spy on him more safely.

We finally went home and I immediately jumped into the bed even though my shoes were still on. I noticed KZ looking for something in her bag.

"What are you looking for, KZ?", I said.

"This!", she said as she quickly pulled out the C.D. from her bag.

"I bought these 10 C.D.s last week but I haven't watched them yet since we're too busy for the past few weeks.", KZ

"You bought 10 C.D.s? You spent your money on that."

"It was all horror movies so it was worthful to watch.", she then lean closer to me while holding 3 C.D.s on her both hands spread like a fan.

"Which movie should we watch first?", she asked.

After a few minutes of deciding which movie should we watch, an anonymous number suddenly called on my phone.

Dream, is always where I wanted to be. My dream to be the richest person in town doesn't define that I'm selfish, but defines the result of my hard work. My blood, sweat, and tears had continued dropping as I do my jobs where I never felt the heaviness of it on me, despite having so many jobs that I take. Because in the end, feeling the smooth texture and unforgettable scent of money makes me feel like I'm on a cloud nine. It erases all my struggles in life, and in the end, my hardship will be meaningful to my future.

But what future do I even want to achieve? It's not about being rich, but about continuing to live with my only family, my grandmother. Ever since I was young, I never felt like I'm in a fantasy dream, I never felt like I'm a princess, but I felt like I'm inside of a jar, filled with nightmares, and it suffocates me.

Every time that I sleep... it never satisfies me... but it tortures me.

"Mother!", I screamed as I had risen from a dark nightmare.

"That nightmare again.", I said to myself while feeling the tears all over my cheeks.

Last night, my grandma's nurse called me. She said that her treatment will end by the end of the week and needed to renew my grandmother's treatment since her status was still as weak as before.

I heard a loud ping from my phone so I quickly rubbed the tears on my sore face with the brown sweater that was beside me on the sofa and checked the notification.

"17 unread messages and 4 missed calls from boss?!"

Am I going to get fired from this? What time is it?

I checked the time on my phone and it was 12:46 pm which makes my heart race. I forgot that I have duties today! Forgive me! Stupid Nightmare!

I quickly stood up which makes me feel like the world is spinning around me.

"What time did we even sleep?", I said to myself with a questionable emotion on my face and as I looked down... saw KZ lying on the floor, sleeping.

Why is she sleeping on the floor? We have two bedrooms. And also, why am I on a couch? I checked around and saw many popcorns all over the floor.

"Oh? I remember it now."

We watched 5 movies last night and fell asleep to that last boring movie. The 3 other movies were horror movies picked by KZ, yet, she's the one who got scared and even accidentally spilled the popcorn all over the place.

"Gosh..."

But... Since I'm late today, shouldn't KZ be late too?

I noticed her phone at the small table beside the sofa so I grabbed it and checked the notifications on her phone, but I saw nothing. Strange.

I gently put down KZ's phone and checked again on my phone and read the unread messages.

"Please don't fire me. Please don't fire me. Please don't fire me.", I said as I tried closing my eyes for the fear that I might see a message that can ruin my career so I clicked the message box and saw...

"Wait, what?"

My bosses were asking me where am I because Mr. Zhen was looking for me?

Oh... It's because KZ and I went to another apartment, so we're no longer living in our former apartment where according to our application forms, we lived in that former apartment.

But, should I reply? And also, why is Mr. Zhen looking for me?

"Agh... Why do we look like we just got a hangover last night?", I said as I smack my palm on my forehead, regretting what we did last night that makes us make up so late.

"KZ! Wake up! We're late!", I yelled near at her ears as I continue shaking her up but she was still sleeping like a dead log, so I continued shaking her until...

"H-Huh?", she said while a rough voice as she tries to open her eyes.

"Should I leave you now? No. Get changed.", I said, then I pat her shoulder before I stood up.

"I guess that I also need to go to the shower. Soft drinks were spilled all over my clothes. I might get smelled like soft drinks.", KZ

"Nah, It's okay. We're working on a café anyway."

But, to be honest, I just don't want to get scolded alone by the boss. Hehe.

We now quickly get changed and went inside the taxi.

"How long are we late?", KZ asked as she was still waking herself up and rubbing her eyes.

"We're 16 minutes late from the Café we worked in. And I missed my shift as a cashier on the mall."

Once the taxi stopped at the Café, we quickly opened the door and went out and I even almost forgot to pay the driver so I went inside again as I pulled out the money from my wallet.

"Don't rush.", the driver.

"I'm sorry.", I said as I gave him the money.

I quickly rushed toward the café and I even bumped into some customers.

"Sorry ms.!", I said while fixing the collar of my blouse.

"Sorry boss! We're late.", KZ and I synchronically said and bowed.

"It's okay. What a lucky day that you came late.", the boss said with a smile that makes me and KZ confused.

"Why?"

"Are we fired?", KZ

"Did you just find a new worker?"

I still have my mission in this café as well. I shouldn't be fired.

"No, no, no. You two are both the most hardworking worker in my café, why would I fire you for just being late? It's just that, when Mr. Zhen asked me here on where are you, many customers went here to dine in and buy on my café just to see him.", boss

"Since when did he come?"

"12:35 pm, I guess?", boss

"That quick? We're just 11 minutes ahead of when I woke up. When did he leave?"

"I'm still here.", Mr. Zhen said while sitting at table number four, drinking a black coffee.

"This is not a dream.", KZ said while turning red... again.

I hope that I was dreaming.

"Why are you looking for me?"

"I just want to remind you to pack your things up before 10 pm.", Mr. Zhen.

"Mr. Zhen, I-"

"Just call me, Zhen.", Zhen

"Okay, okay. I'll pack my things up before 10 pm. But, could you please not bother me with my work?"

"Sure, honey. I'll be your customer for today.", He said as he smiled back at me and take the last sip of black coffee.

There are so many women outside, but they cannot get in for all seats were taken.

After an hour of serving customers, I saw him chatting with four girls at the table.

"Flirty as I expected.", I murmured as I prepare some of the customer's ordered desserts.

It's already 3 pm, and my co-worker Justine had now finally arrived.

"Luckily, you now went on time, Justine.", I said as I passed my papers to him quickly.

"I promised myself not to get late anymore. I can't believe that there are so many customers today.", he said as he looks around feeling happy.

I can't even look around at this cafe for I hate that my eyes might meet Mr. Zhen's eyes looking at me.

"That's why I'm now going to leave. You still have so many orders to list. There's a long queue outside.", I said as I smiled, and then I grabbed my bag at the counter and left the café as soon as I saw Zhen being busy chatting with other customers.

"What a nice day to be free! But I only have seven more hours to enjoy my life before I'll now live in his house."

I remembered the rumors.

"Is it even true that he had adopted four kids to be his slave? Well, I'll find it out later."

"What's the fuss?", KZ said as she leans her head on my shoulder.

"Are you done with your work? There arere so many costumes. You might not want to miss the opportunity.", I said as we continued to walk ahead.

"I don't want to extend my shift. Shaila was already there to work as well as Justine too. Your fiance said that you need to pack your things before ten at night, so I want to help you pack your things too.", KZ said with puppy eyes.

That fiance word again...

"Yeah. That's why we need to spend our time with each other now before I'll pack my things."

"It's not that you'll be isolated with me. You'll be just going home to a different place. We can still meet in your free time or at work. And also, don't forget to invite me on your wedding day, okay?", she said and gently punched my shoulder to tease me.

"Alright, I'll take that on my mind."

Once I went on to that house, my tasks inside the mission will begin. Once I went on to that house, there was no coming back. Once I went on to that house, I now need to be more careful.

I pulled out my phone and called Marcus.

"Marcus? Are you free?"

"Yes, I am. Why?", Marcus

Agh! It's already 9:30 pm?!

"30 minutes left.", I said as I walked around my room while looking at the time on my black Rolex watch.

Why do I feel like I'm in those historical times when parents sold their daughters to marry a man in exchange for money? Why does it look like Boss was paying me to marry him??

"Wake up, self. That was just a fake marriage. And also, being a fiance and a soon-to-be wife is just an act. Nothing serious about that.", I murmured to myself as I slapped my face and then I sat on my bed but continued thinking and looking at the time on my watch.

"I should solve things faster! What if we need to kiss during the marriage? Even though I won't put feeling into it, I will never have my first kiss..."

To someone, I wanted to be in forever...

I slapped my face again.

"If I do solve things faster, then he can be in jail before the marriage, right? That's the only solution.", I said to myself and then I nodded with a serious face.

"I can see you slapping yourself many times. What's happening to you?", KZ said as she puts down her headset.

"Oh, you're here in my room?", I quickly replied as soon as I realized that she was in my room, sitting on my chair in front of my laptop.

Luckily, she's on the headset before that.

"Didn't you know? I'm here all along before you came, yet you didn't even notice me. I felt hurt.", she said while making a sad expression on her face.

"Sorry. Why are you here anyway?"

"Oh? I'm just borrowing your laptop for a while. My laptop's battery had a problem and I don't want to use it for a while because I fear that it might explode. I'm planning to buy a new battery for it once I got my salary for the next month.", KZ said as she continues browsing on my laptop.

"Then, you can have mine now."

"Really? How about yours?"

"It's impossible to have no laptops in Mr. Zhen's mansion."

There might be some hidden data or files on his laptop...

"He told you to call him Zhen only.", she said as she chuckled and looked deeply into my hazel brown eyes.

"I'm not used to calling someone directly using his name like that whom I'm not close with."

"So, get close to him. Once you got married, it's a must to have a bond, you know? Because if you don't, the house will look like there are two strangers living in it. Geez, you should also know why is he your husband. It's not like your uncle sold you to him, didn't he?", KZ

That's what I'm thinking earlier.

"Of course, he won't sell me to anyone.", I said then I crossed my arms in front of me.

After some chitchats, I heard my phone ringing from the living room.

"Someone's calling. I guess I had left my phone on the sofa. I need to pick it up.", I said as I left the room and she continued typing something on my laptop.

"Boss Lawrence?", I said as soon as I saw his name and picked up the call.

"Mr. Henry Tuazon has posted an announcement of the hiring a bodyguard to his son's mansion. It can be easier for us now to solve all Mr. Zhen's mysteries because Cyrus had applied and got accepted to that job. Cyrus was one of our team, and you know it. It'll be easier for you too to investigate and find the hidden money stolen from different companies, as well as that missing worker under the bankrupted companies.", Boss Lawrence said with a deep voice.

"I got it, sir. I only have a few minutes left. Mr. Zhen will arrive here soon."

Geez. I even told Mr. Zhen my exact address. What if I get doomed on my mission? What about KZ? What if they'll target her next?

"Uhh, boss Law?", I said with hesitation that Boss might get mad at me.

"Is there anything you need to say?", Boss Lawrence

"There is. Just one favor. Since I'll be leaving my friend later, there might be a danger to her in the future. And also, I can't bring my laptop to Mr. Zhen's house. It was filled with forms and data that was about my background information as a secret agent. KZ shouldn't be involved as well."

"How many bedrooms does your apartment have?", Boss Lawrence

"There are two separated bedrooms."

"Then I'll live there for a while.", Boss Lawrence

"Are you sure? What about your house?"

"I'm your uncle as an act, so it's not strange for me to live there. My mom was here last week with my aunt and my brother. I like living alone isolated from them, just so that, I can focus our investigation. KZ is not a loud person, right? And she often goes to work as well. So I better be there. Is there anything you need to ask? And also, once you got there, be careful about our answering my calls. Check around before picking it up. Or if someone's around, call me uncle so that I can have a hint on whether it's okay to talk about the mission or what. Always check your phone. We might not know whether he'll put a hidden camera or sneakily records your calls.", Boss Lawrence

"Noted, boss."

The call ended and as I put my phone in my pocket, I heard a knock on my door, and when I opened it, it was Mr. Zhen.

"I need to get my baggage upstairs and say goodbye to my friend.", I said as I quickly went upstairs.

After that, I went inside the black car with him, and as he drove the car away, I can't neglect to look at my apartment and make a sad look while being away.

I had solved so many crimes, but this was my first time solving the mafia's crime. We can't just point out that he is the mafia without any evidence and knowing where they hide all the missing people and money as well.

As soon as we arrived at the house, I expected that the house will be so loud for it has four kids in it.

Are they dead? Or are they threatened or had lost consciousness?

"My house is too big, but, make yourself at home. My dad's here to meet you before he'll go for a business trip.", Mr. When said.

I don't know what to reply, because, everything seems new to me.

His butler went and grabbed my baggage.

"Ms. Astra, which room do you prefer to sleep in? Room near the balcony, room near Mr. Zhen's room, or his sister's old room?", said the butler.

"Sister? He had one?"

"I do have one. But, she got married to a man, so she lived in Canada after that.", Zhen.

"Then, I'll choose his sister's room since it was used by a lady."

We went upstairs and entered Mr. Henry's office. I was expecting to see his dad being a serious-looking man, but...

"My daughter-in-law! How come we didn't see you for 18 years? We missed you! We didn't have any contact with you or even of your parents when we went back to this country from America.", he said as he hugged me tightly. I can't even breathe.

Looks like I won't die from his guns, but by his hugs.

"How is your family now?", Mr. Henry

Oh, right, the script.

I cried and said... "My mom died before I went to high school. She died because she was killed! My grandma? She's still at the hospital so I need to take more than 10 part-time jobs just to earn money for the weekly hospital bills and my living!"

I only have 6 part-time jobs though, boss Lawrence just exaggerated it.

But, how lucky am I to have the same situation as Mr. Zhen's real fiance? Luckily, that girl is still not aware that Mr. Zhen was here in the country, or else, I will be doomed for faking as his fiance.

"How much money do you earn? Why do you have to work at 10 jobs? Look! Look at you now. You used to have a chubby face when you were young, but now, your face went slimmer. Always look for your health as well. Don't let your grandma be upset and worried about your situation.", Mr. Henry

"About her family matters, dad, I think that we shouldn't bring it up yet. What if her pain was still in her heart?", Mr. Zhen

My pain for seeing you two being a wolf dressing as a lamb.

I went to the room that Mr. Zhen's sister owned in the past.

"I didn't expect this to be so clean even though it's empty."

"My sister was allergic to dust. She sneezes when she went to something dusty. She's as well allergic to animal furs, so you won't see any pet in here except for fishes.", Mr. Zhen

"Then, I would arrange my things and get some rest now."

"You can call any of the maids in here to prepare food for you when you're hungry.", Mr. Zhen

"It's okay. I know how to cook."

What if your maid will put poison on my food? I should be careful about trusting someone in here.

I quickly arranged my things all together and then I quickly jumped to the bed.

"So soft... it feels good to my back."

I heard my phone ring, so I picked it up, but I didn't expect that KZ would be so loud on call.

"Ahhhh! Astra! Did you know? Your uncle will be here in the meantime?! Is it fate? Is this fate? What should I do now? I will be living with a man and he will start to be here tomorrow!", she loudly said.

I even put my phone away from my ear because her voice was just so great to break someone's eardrums.

"Good luck, KZ. Don't explode like a bomb there. Control your feelings when you're around or uncle will leave that apartment."

"I will behave myself as long as I can!", KZ said and then, she hang up the call.

"Did she just call me to talk only about this? She didn't even ask me how am I doing now."

Because it's just 1 hour since I left the apartment.

After a few minutes of wandering around my room, nothing seems suspicious.

"I'm safe in this place."

I went downstairs to find the kitchen, but since his house was too big, I can't help but ask one of the maids.

"The kitchen was near the living room, ms. You can see it once you walk through that way.", the maid said as she points in the direction where there was a hallway.

This place was indeed huge. I need to get to know this house just in case I'll be chased, I won't be cornered by them.

As I walk through the hallway, I saw a big picture hanging at the door of a room. It was a picture of the four kids.

"So it means that they're indeed here."

I finally went to the kitchen. While finding some ingredients to use for cooking my meal, I saw a large box of cereals and milk in the cabinet and refrigerator.

"They are still here..."

I tried to open each door in the hallway carefully, but nothing there but some stuff that I need to investigate next time.

I went upstairs and checked all the rooms, but then...

"Why are you here? You missed me?", Mr. Zhen said as he was trying to take off his clothes.

"Pervert!", I said as I slammed the door.

I once went to his dad's office room, so I'm sure that there are no kids in there.

"Where are they?", I murmured to myself.

I suddenly remembered the other room that was beside my room and it seems locked.

I went there and I tried to open the door with the code, but I can't guess the code. I leaned my head toward that door but I can't hear anything. I tried and tried to use any possible codes but none of the codes I entered were working.

"It's 126116626. That's the code.", said the man beside me.

"Oh?", I said as I clicked the number he said and it finally opens.

I slowly opened the door, and now, I hear someone crying so I quickly opened it and saw the four kids along with the four maids.

"Didn't I tell you all to take care of them?", Mr. Zhen said.

So it was him who talked recently.

"Sorry, Sir. They just fought because of a toy.", said the maid.

"Daddy! Ben stepped on my puzzles and it's now broken!", the kid said as he continues crying.

"I said I didn't mean it! It was Gab who pulled my robot toy from my hands, that's why I accidentally stepped on Kei's puzzle!", said the kid who I guess that it was Ben.

"This was my toy! You never had a robot toy! You never shared your car toy so am I!", said the kid named Gab.

"They're so loud. I thought that something happened to them."

"Happened like what?", Mr. Zhen

"Nothing. Just- I thought that something bad happened to them because they are crying."

"How did you know about this room?", Mr. Zhen

"Oh? This room?"

How should I explain this?

"While I was walking in the hallway, I saw a picture of these four kids, so I just went from door to door to find them. Don't think anything bad! I just like kids."

"Me too. They're just so noisy so I put them here.", Mr. Zhen said as he looked at me.

"Stop looking like that!", I annoyingly said.

"Once we get married, I'll be looking at you like this more and more.", he said as he chuckled.

"Tsk! But anyway, why is there a lock from the outside?"

It still seems suspicious though. Many rumors said that the kids wanted to escape the house but Mr. Zhen lifted them and grabbed them back inside the house while they were all crying.

"Oh, that? Two months ago, someone breaks into the house. They were all wearing a black masks and it was at night. At first, I thought that they just stole something, but they kidnapped the four kids. Luckily, I had called all the guards so early so they had fought those men in black while I took those kids inside the house. They were traumatized by what happened, so I put a code lock on the door so that only my maids, guards, and my relatives know the code. The door can be unlocked from the inside so I still told them not to open the door to any strangers.", Mr. Zhen

What a long explanation, huh?

So that's what happened?

"What's the name of that kid?"

"Who?", Mr. Zhen

"The kid that was sleeping."

"Oh, his name was Jake. But everyone calls him Jay.", Mr. Zhen

Is it true?

"Is it true that you adopted them?"

"No. They are from my ex-girlfriend. After we broke up, she abandoned her sons at the orphanage for the fear that when she went back to her family, they might know that she had four babies at the age of 18.", Mr. Zhen

"Age of 18? How could she manage to have those at a young age? And also, you're too young to make up with her.", I said as I make a long facial expression on him.

Teenage pregnancy?!

"I'm 20 at that time and I'm drunk. I didn't know what I did to her at that time. Are you upset? That's from the past.", Mr. Zhen

"I'm not upset about your past. I'm just upset about how your kids live without their mother. But, it's your life, so, I don't care.", I said while looking at those kids being asleep by the maids.

"One day, you'll care more about my life soon.", Mr. Zhen mumbled while looking deeply into my eyes.

It was my first time seeing his expression like this, making me notice how deep his black with some considered dark brown color on his eyes was.

"Huh?"

Is this prediction or what?

"I'm just kidding.", Mr. Zhen said as he laughed softly and shook his head.

"Yeah right.", I said sarcastically.

"You seem very pissed at me."

My anger was boiling inside, but I kept my smile on my face.

"Yeah, I'm still confused. Why am I engaged to you?"

He was about to say a word, but then, Boss Lawrence called me on the phone, so I left the room and answered the call I went inside my bedroom and locked it, so no one would eavesdrop on my conversation with my boss.

"Yeah, boss?", I asked in a serious tone as I sat on my bed.

"Hey, Astra? I just found out about some things regarding the missing person cases, so... I decided to inform you immediately.", said Boss Lawrence in a serious manner.

"Boss, you know about the rumor that Mr. Zhen adopted 4 kids to be his slave, right?", I said as I tried to lower my voice.

"Yes. Do you have any updates regarding that issue?", Boss Lawrence

"I had inspected each door of his house. It seems like all of the doors were soundproof and the room where I found the four kids had a padlock. When I entered the room, there were maids taking care of them and there seems to be no problem with them. Mr. Zhen explained that he just uses padlocks for the kids' safety because they almost got kidnapped in the past."

"So, that explains why his house was silent despite having four kids?", Boss Lawrence

"Indeed, Boss.", I replied.

"Do you know who is the father and mother of these children?"

"Yes. It was his biological child that his girlfriend left at the orphanage, so he adopted the kids to be with him."

"What do you mean?", Boss Lawrence

"His ex."

"Okay. Is there anything else about these kids?"

"Just the fact that there are 4 of them, that's it."

"Alright, thanks for informing me about the rumors about Mr. Zhen adopting people, but I have to go now. We're going to the HQ tomorrow since we can't let them disappear anytime soon."

"Okay. See you later boss."

I hanged the phone after I ended our conversation.

As usual, I went downstairs and prepared for another night of staying up.

The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual today.

As I opened my bedroom door, I heard a few screams coming from downstairs which made me walk down to see what happened. I was curious since usually, the maids would come to wake us up at 7 mmmm Usually, it would be 10:30 am.

But this time they were not waking us up. So maybe there was ng wrong. As I walked down the stairs, I heard some loud sounds coming from the kitchen. What are they doing?! I walked to the kitchen and noticed that they weren't there anymore. Did the maids wake us up?

When I reached the hen, I turned on the lights.

I froze in front of my sight.

They were there, sitting at the table, eating breakfast with smiles on their faces. The maids were talking happily and laughing.

"Good morning, Ms. Astra.", one of the maids said.

"Why did I hear scream lately?", I asked.

"Oh? It was because we were just happy when the boss said that the maids can have a 1 week's vacation. We've been serving him for 2 years and it's our first time to have a vacation except for our day offs.", one of the maids said as she continues eating the pancake on the table.

"It's too early, Ms. Did our noise wake you up? Should we make you some breakfast as well?", the maid asked.

"Sure.", I said.

This was weird. I was expecting that they are serious or not optimistic since their boss is a suspect mafia boss. How could they be so cheerful? Everything from my expectations was was different from what I'm seeing right now.

Oh! I got it!

Since the maids work for the boss,

it is not possible that they are just acting for the salary.

Hah! Mr. Zhen Tuazon, you can't fool me by making me believe that there's nothing wrong in this place! I must focus on my mission, and that is to confirm all the rumors and mysteries suspected at the family of Tuazon.

If there's even the slightest possibility that there could be some truth in those rumors I won't give up!

After breakfast, I went back upstairs. Once again, the two kids were in the same position and snoozing away. I felt sorry for them since they didn't sleep well last night. But I should leave them alone since it's obvious that their father is a bad guy. I don't want to get myself involved with a criminal family like that.

Well, that means that if the rumor about Mr. Zhen was true, it meant that there is someone close to the boss whose family were the criminals. They might be also related to the death of my mother...