THE ART OF DISGUISE

June POV

I tossed and turned around the bed, clutching tightly to the sides of my small bed, as sweat poured down my whole body like rain. My nightmares kept reminding me of my painful past, a past filled with pain and revenge, a past that became the main reason for my existence.

My ringing tone echoed through the small room causing me to jolt up from my very tormenting dream. I sat up on my bed panting heavily as I tried to calm my thumping heart.

My phone began to ring again which reminded me that I had a call. Lazily I put my hand underneath my pillow where I normally stash my phone to avoid pushing the phone down in sleep and pulled out my phone.

The call had stopped but a message popped up almost immediately. I opened the message and saw that it was from Ava.

*Help!* a short yet an agonizing message

Immediately my eyes dilated in horror as I realized that this was a distress message and it was from my best friend. Without any further thought, I dashed out of the apartment still in my pajamas.

Panic struck as I kept trying to call Ava again and again to get information about her whereabouts, but the calls kept going straight to voicemail.

I could feel my chest constricting as a wave of fear washed over me, I felt powerless and confused. I stared deep into the space as my eyes danced around the street looking for anything that might point me to where Ava might be. I never believe in miracles but for a split second I prayed for one

Almost immediately my mind ambled back to my earlier discussion with Ava.

"I heard that Leon is hosting a party at a club tonight, guess what?" She asked and paused for a while. "He specifically invited me to it," Ava announced beaming with smiles, she has always had a crush on Leon.

"That's nice," I replied nonchalantly.

"Common!" Ava exclaimed, throwing one hand in the air as she rolls her eyes

"What?" I asked, focusing my attention on the book I was reading and on Ava. "Do you need me to congratulate you as well? well then congratulations my dear " I said with a fake accent and a smudged smile before positioning my eyes back on the book I was reading

"Is that it? Don't you want to come with me?" Ava asked, confused.

"Most certainly not." I retorted

" why?" Ava whined with a pout

"Aww, you look cute with that face on. But For starters, I don't like that crush of yours, secondly I, most certainly am not a party kind of person so thanks but no thanks go have fun yourself " I explained flashing Ava an apologetic smile.

"You are such a boring miss, I'm leaving you, our relationship is over, I tell you." Ava jokingly threatened, causing me to roll her eyes, with a little chuckle.

"That's not news anymore," I muttered a little smile dancing on my lips.

"I am going to have fun at the 'drunken club' without you.* Ava stated before stomping out of the room.

"Have fun."

Realizing my friend's location I broke out of the short trance and hailed down a carb, told him the address, and tried to calm myself down.

I spent the whole thirty minutes of the ride, blaming myself for any possible thing that might happen to Ava if I had just gone with her then maybe she wouldn't be in trouble

I kept trying her phone but still the same news my call gets kicked off to voicemail and this made the matter worst for me, maybe even worst for Ava I reasoned

'i'm a failure' was all I kept muttering under my breath as unannounced tears rolled down

"Faster driver" I shouted again for the tenth, but what could the poor can man do he was already going as fast as he possibly can but in a situation like this reasoning gets pushed to a curb

I considered my reviled as I kept on losing the people that mattered most to me. My heart kept beating erratically as I wished there was a way to get the carb teleported right to where Ava was, but I knew it was impossible and all I could do at the moment was chew at the bottom of my lips hard that my taste bud met with a metallic taste as I try to be as patient as I possibly can.

The carb man arrived at the destination after a very long while, with me jolting out of the carb in haste. I could hear the carb man calling out to me for his pay, but I was in so much haste to delay any further.

I tried getting into the club, but the bouncers stopped me immediately and eyed me with disgust only at this moment did I realize that I was still in my PJs

"I'm sorry miss but you can't go in." one of the huge bouncers said sternly.

Fighting my way in was no problem for the Rebel in me but for June it will be a whole load of trouble, and I knew very well not to create a scene or I might end up buying unnecessary attention and I might end up blocking all chances of going into the club and finding my friend, so I took a detour quickly ran towards the parking lot.

At the entrance, I was taken aback to see two bodies lying in the pull of their blood. I was almost sure that they were security in charge of safeguarding the parking lot. Their uniforms gave it away. I immediately sensed danger but I was too preoccupied to care about anything other than getting Ava at the moment.

Taking note of the CCTV camera I maneuvered my way past them cause I know that whatever I am about to do is considered buying a trailer load of trouble but who cares I don't.

I looked around to confirm no one was there, luckily it was so quiet that even a pin sound could echo in it, I passed all sorts of luxurious cars until I finally stopped dead in my tracks when I found the one car I was looking, without a warning I picked up a fire extinguisher and smashed the glass to pieces, Immediately tearing out a wire, which stopped the car's alarm.

I had the urge to reduce this car to ruins but time was not on my side. I did make a mental note to deal with Leon once Ava's safety is secured.

I took off my pajamas and skilfully redesigned them by putting both my legs in one of my pajama trousers legs and the other empty leg around my neck. My pajama pants now hung around her body like a beautiful dress, exposing her back and shoulders. Although I was smothered by how tight I felt in this, I just had to make do with it for now.

I picked up some broken piece of glass and scraped the paint off Leon's car, picked a lip balm that I happened to find in his car, applied it on my eyelid, and then poured the car paint which I had just scraped on the eyelid, the balm helped it stick and this looked almost like glitter though a little rough but great for an alternative.

I rubbed the balm on my brow and lip-picked up a little ash from the ashtray inside Leon's car. I patted it gently on my lower lips to create an ashy kind of lipstick color. I proceed to slap my cheeks hard to get a blush effect. Sprinkling a little bit of alcohol on my hair and clothes, I smiled with satisfaction. 'perks of coming from the 'AOD' clan'

"Time to play the drunk card," I muttered before finally exiting the parking lot staggering. Leaving behind the feeling of being watched I had no time to be paranoid cause I have a friend to get to

"Let's get the party rolling baby," I yelled as I forcefully took a large gulp of the whisky from the bottle of alcohol I took from Leon's car. Standing in front of the bouncer he stared at me from head to toe but immediately stopped at my foot. I noticed this but remained calm, with a smile I had to ditch the Crocs I came here with because it wasn't flowing with the vibe I was going for.

"Who wears shoes when they are ready to rock and roll? " She asked the bouncer with a wink. "But I'm sure Leon wouldn't mind since I dropped my shoes with him" I leaned over and acted like I was whispering that part

I added that last part knowingly, but I had already seen through the bouncer's stern face and realized that he was a softie inside, I also noticed that his hands were looking rough with lots of small cuts which means that he has been working hard on various jobs for a while now, this brought me to the conclusion that he needs this Job so if anything he wouldn't want to mess with his bosses or their acquaintance.

On hearing Leon's name the bouncer's eyes immediately softened and allowed me to without further hesitation

"Have a pleasant night." He gestured and I almost resisted the urge to burst out laughing

Still playing the drunk card, I scavenged the club in search of Ava; trying hard to avoid being smudged by crazy drunk men who kept hauling me over for a drink.

Until I noticed five men exiting a room with lots of bodyguards keeping them in place, one of them holding Leon's hand tightly. I clenched my fist tightly upon seeing Leon and I had to stop myself from doing anything stupid. at least not until I find Ava and. After making sure the area was clear I decided to search the room those men exited from earlier.

I looked around the room but couldn't find a single soul, so I resigned after finding the lounge messy but devoid of a human soul and decided to search elsewhere for Ava.

As I made to step out a little whimper caught my attention thanks to the soundproof door. The music did not stop me from investigating the source of the noise as I had a strong feeling that it could be Ava.

At the back of a couch, I found the source of the whimper, and although I wished it was from Ava my heart fell at that painful tone and I wished it wasn't her, but it was my friend lying on the floor covered in bruises and blood, almost naked if not for a blazer covering her up.

I had the urge to punch the living daylights out of that son of a b**ch. I have always known he was bad news but I couldn't stop Ava's undying crush on him. Seeing Ava lying there, I didn't need any other explanation for what had happened.

I held back a tear that was threatening to slip. I knew I couldn't have Ava see me being weak. It would demolish her. She has been through a lot. The least I can do is be strong for her because just like me she hates it when people pity her or feel sorry for her.

"Y_you came," Ava stuttered softly with a little smile. I can't believe she is trying to act strong after all she has been through this night

"Of course I did, I wouldn't dare ignore your calls," I said, assuring her with my forced smile.

I helped hoist Ava from the floor, and helped her wear the blazer, thankfully it was long enough to reach her mid-thigh, placing one hand around her neck. I held her firmly as she casually limped alongside my support.

I was pretty sure that animal went hard on her, gosh I can't just begin to imagine it.

After a while, we finally made our way out of the club, with a lot of gawking eyes passing weird looks towards Ava. At some point, she buried her face in the crook of my neck. I could feel her hot tears on my neck as they streamed down her cheeks, which fuelled the rage in my heart.

Luckily the angry crab man I came with still patiently waited, after taking note of Ava's situation. He decided not to say anything and opened the back door for me. I helped Ava sit at the back as I tried to sit beside her, just then my eyes landed on outside the car window, someone that made my blood boil, someone to whom my newfound anger is addressed. guess who ....* Leon*.

June POV

After taking Ava home I stayed with her despite itching to zoom off to a private place and calm my boiling rage but I wasn't ready to leave her alone not even for a moment, I had accompanied her into the bathroom because she insisted that she needed to wash off the filth on her body and needed me to help because her legs still felt jelly and she can't quite stand tall on her own without support.

Although I tried to persuade her to go to the police before washing off any remaining evidence. Instead, she shook her head violently, disapproving that it ended up triggering pain from her facial injuries. She hissed in pain after that action and it felt like thousands of pins were forced to stab my heart. I took a glance at all the other injuries those bastards inflicted and my chest constricted probably from being too angry.

I took a moment to wonder how much pain she must be in and the sight of those belt marks, slaps and cigarette burns just weren't letting me agree with Ava on not reporting them

"Common Ava We need to report them to local authorities else they will escape and..." I started, trying to persuade her once more but she cut me off almost immediately tears threatening to roll out of her eyes

"Just stop June, please. Do you think reporting will change anything, didn't you see that they were elites in society? The world is corrupt. Who will look in the face of justice and fight my cause? If I report them I will only be creating a huge stage for myself where everybody can butt in and believe in the conclusions they've come up with. It will only be a show for public spectacle where people who don't even care will act as if they do care. And what about the system? In the face of wealth, it will find a way to make it look like it never happened, and what then becomes of me when it happens? So please June let this matter die. I've been through a lot already and I don't want to go through much, please." She ended quite bravely as she didn't end up tearing up after this long speech.

"F*uck the system," I cussed "I wish I had done more damage to that jerk, but I do promise to beat him till he is disfigured beyond recognition" I muttered with a clenched fist that I felt my fingers digging into my palm.

Ava let the black blazer drop standing completely stacked naked and that was when I realized that I haven't even seen half of the injuries they inflicted on her, my eyes had only seen the wounds on her chest face hands, and legs but this development made me angry and for a split second there I was ready to take an irrational decision but my anger quenched down when my eyes landed on her butt particularly on the nice little tattoo on her right butt cheek I was stunned because I never took Ava as one who was into tattoos that too choosing a skull to be permanently tattooed on her rear end, but I guess you never really know a person well enough.

But her tattooed a*s was the least of my worries now, I now have to babysit my roommate and nurse her back to health. I gave her a quick bath and led her to the bedroom

After putting her in comfortable sleeping wear I laid her down to sleep and in a matter of minutes she dozed off. I stood beside her bed and stared at her for a while

"You have been through enough," I muttered before I jolted out of the apartment and immediately got on my motorbike. It took me three years to save up for this baby and boy was that the best and most patient decision I have ever made.

I roared the engine of my motorbike to life and placed my helmet above my hair making sure to buckle it tightly, without warning I drove through the city at the highest speed possible allowing the night breeze to grace my skin causing goosebumps which I didn't mind. I stopped at a well-familiar building and alighted my motorbike making sure to pack it safely.

I knocked like a maniac on the well-built wooden door without minding if it irritated anyone, that was purely my way of life, I was a humble scaredy-cat in the morning, the definition of perfect face and character but at night I was nothing but a badass which I was trained to be and I love being.

I am sure Alexis has gotten so irritated by now trying to ignore my knocks by covering up her ears with pillows to muffle the sound but I wasn't going to back down from irritating her until she opens up, I need to be in there.

In a matter of minutes, she yanked the door open holding a pistol to my head

"The f*CK I hate it when you do that. You know Nobody f* disturbed my sleep and went free." She threatened.

"The next time you cause me my precious sleep again then I swear to have your blood as paint on my floor," Alexis added with so much venom. And this only caused me to smirk. I took Alexis unaware by skilfully playing a trick that now has the pistol pointed at the bearer without leaving the bearer's hand.

"Before my blood thinks of spilling under the influence of your pistol, then your blood must have been completely drained off your body, then maybe your ghost can try, and let's see how it goes ." I threatened back causing Alexis to stomp her leg in annoyance as I made my way to step

In the gym, Alexis placed the pistol down and worked on closing the door while I proceed to the gym room

Pouncing on a punching bag as my mind got overclouded, recent events had got me thinking about my life. I only ever come here at hours like this when I fail to trace a sworn enemy I have a course to settle with but today I am here feeling choked and helpless. I have since felt bloated with pain and defeat but Ava's case added a little cherry on top of the icing cake, and I just can't seem to work it off.

"I don't know what happened this time lad, and trust me I don't wish to know, but what I do know is that it's not your fault," Alexis tried to reassure me before journeying back to her room upstairs, leaving me all sorrowful my eyes are now clouded in tears.

I don't know if she is right but I do feel responsible for everything, even when I do not need to feel that way. With this thought, I leaned against the wall and slid down sitting on the floor buried deep in the thought of anger, confusion, and defeat.

Xavier pov

I sit up, my swivel chair fist clenched, my hand banging against the mahogany table right in front of me, resisting the urge to sweep it clean with my hands in a fit of rage.

I held my phone over my ear so tightly that I heard a little crack only then did I calm myself down to avoid ruining another perfectly good phone all for nothing. The main aim here is self-control if I had clenched on that phone any longer that would be the end of that phone and the third phone I have rained this week all sponsored by Leon and his nefarious actions

Leon broke my number one rule which is never to get high on any of my products not forgetting Raping and extortion misusing of power among the many other things he had done leaving him on my blacklist of enemies to be executed.

I know I'm no Saint but there is a limit to the number of sins I wish to commit in this lifetime.

Right now I just received a phone call asking to let Leon go you can only imagine how angry that made me get but the cherry on the icing cake is the fact that my father is initiating Leon's release if you haven't guessed it yet I am not fond of my old man but I'm not surprised at this either.

People mostly say that an apple never falls far from the tree but I beg to differ. I fell way over the fence. My father has no limit to the number of sins he's willing to commit in this lifetime but I do. I sometimes see it as a blessing that I took after my mother's kindness though I am still saddled with the curse of taking over the family business so there is a limit to how nice I can get.

I wanted Leon bruised beyond recognition for tramping my rules. But as far as power goes I have no choice but to let him go. All my powers are still limited in the mafia world as I have yet to become the supremo (ultimate ruler). Having no other choice I ordered the release of Leon and a nice trip back to Italy.

Though annoyed but my annoyance fell when my eyes landed on the pajama shirt lying in my opened drawer gently I picked it up and took a gentle sniff the scent from it forced me to relax back on my chair relieve of all anger and anxiety

I was in my car the whole time, and though her thoughts and actions were careful, she completely did not realize my gawking eyes following all of her stealthy movements.

I exited my car once she left and picked up the souvenir which she tossed off I must admit she had good strength form and pose but she still lacked a little in the careful zone if I wasn't there then her PJ shirt would have exposed her if not for anything but for ruining a very expensive car that too one that belonged to Leon. Knowing Leon's temperament then he would have gone to the end of the earth to catch the perpetrator who ruined his car.

" l'arte del travestimento, interessante" (The art of disguise, interesting.)" I muttered in Italian before making my way out of the underground parking lot, intending to see all that this mystery woman had installed for the dusk

Her feistiness alleviated my anger thinking back to how humiliated Leon was in public leaving him a little face to return to, I may not have hurt Leon but il mio grintoso (my feisty) did more than enough and boy was I proud.

Leon had jumped through a moving car window but was immediately tackled by some of my guards. He fought and I must say he was good. But my feisty was better she was fueled with anger and that helped her cause.

She rushed out of the cab and lunged toward Leon in a bolt of lightning, ignoring all other guards. She landed a punch on his jaw, which he returned with a punch to her stomach. It was unexpected for her because she underestimated her opponent but the game was so on after that

I signal for my guards to stop giving her all the room she needs to vent her anger, she did great but her moves were still sloppy although she was at a disadvantage due to her tight dress constraining the easy flow of her legs lucky for her she had arm muscles relying on that she took Leon down after a few punches

Alas, victory was hers, I could tell that she was aching to do more damage to Leon but she resigned and headed toward the car

Getting in the car her eyes met mine through the darkness I was hiding behind, I was caught in the awe of the moment before the cab drove out of sight

The thought of this got me deep in thought sat at his chair playing with two large dice placed on my office table leisurely my eyes fixed on space

Though the skills this mystery woman uses were diminutive actions, up to her fight with Leon she had a unique style l one that most arguably belonged to the art of disguise clan, I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't paid extra attention to her that night. Picking up my phone I dialed a number

"I want to know everything there is to know about the art of disguise, dig into all the history about them, and find out if they happen to pass down the knowledge of their art to anybody other than family members who may be alive." I, commanded

"And" I continued, " I will send you a picture. I need background information on her both relevant and non-relevant."

"Sì capo (Yes Boss). But I think Lucas should know more than enough about the art of disguise since he....." ken my investigator started but I cut him off

" And you don't think I know that?" I asked, "if a word about this spills to Lucas then I will have you become super for my baby boys." I threatened before dropping the call, sending the picture I secretly took of my feisty in the parking lot.

Almost immediately Lucas barged into my office.

"I can't believe you had a clue on the art of disguise and decided to keep it from me," Lucas asked in rage. I sighed in defeat and obvious signs of annoyance

"Ken and his big lousy mouth," I muttered, with an angry sigh. I pondered for a while as to whether I should tell Lucas of the girl, as I may be getting his hopes up only to get futile results at the end

After pondering for a while I spilled the whole information, Lucas' eyes moistened as he fought back a surge of tears as he tried to digest this new information.

"After so many years a glimmer of hope knocked at the gate of my life's sole mission," Lucas muttered and clenched his fist so hard that his blood came gushing out. I closed my eyes and sighed hoping that this lead would not end up like the rest. A wild goose chase.