Days later in the Order...
"Don’t you want to play anymore?" Kiara tilted her head to the side, looking at the twins who were idling under the tree with their feline friends — Renny and Chunchun.
The twins were stroking the black panther’s and the white cat’s fur, their wide eyes gleaming at Kiara.
"Auntie, is it okay for you to be here?" Chacha asked. "Auntie Ki always says she has work to do when you’re home."
Kiara smiled as she ruffled the little girl’s hair. "Your Second Uncle is home, so I don’t work as much whenever he’s around."
And that was true. It wasn’t like Hugo ever asked his wife to slow down, but the only time he actually accepted missions was when Kiara was busy with tons of things. Otherwise, he would stay around her, bothering her, or just idling nearby. Others might not understand that, but she preferred it that way.
"Auntie Ki, are Mommy and Daddy going to be alright?" Second’s voice echoed, making both Kiara and Chacha turn to him. "They’ve been working a lot lately."
"Does that make you both sad?"
They shook their heads, and then Second answered, "Mommy and Daddy are always busy, but they always make time for Chacha and Second."
"Second and Chacha are just worried," Chacha added with a sigh.
Kiara chuckled as she darted her eyes between the two of them. Sometimes, these two touched her heart so deeply that she wanted children of her own.
She ruffled their hair gently. "Don’t worry," she said. "Your mom and dad are really smart people. With everyone’s help, I’m sure they’ll be fine. Besides, your Second Uncle is here with them, right? He’s going to protect them."
"Your Second Uncle helps others and protects people, even animals he doesn’t know." Her eyes softened as she thought about her husband. "He gives his all for other things — what more for his family, right?"
The twins slowly smiled at Kiara’s words, nodding.
"Should we play now?" Kiara’s eyes widened playfully.
"Yes! Auntie Ki, you’re it!" Chacha touched her shoulder before jumping to her feet, giggling and running away. "Renny, let’s go!"
Second also laughed and ran off, letting go of Chunchun to chase after his sister.
Kiara sighed in relief as she watched them run, chuckling.
"Here I come!" she shouted. "You’d better run fast!"
Minutes later, Kiara would regret telling them to run fast, as she ended up panting and gasping for air.
*****
Meanwhile, in Atlas’s office, which was their temporary office...
Izu looked at everyone slumped around the table in exhaustion. Even Atlas was napping on the couch. To be honest, even Izu was mentally exhausted.
Since the time he came here and was told about the current problems they were facing — and that he was the first addition to this strategy team — he hadn’t had much sleep or rest. But unlike the rest, he couldn’t really complain.
Right now, all of them were investigating everyone, trying to determine whom they could trust. They had already chosen a few people who had gone to Ravah with them. Particularly Scarlet, Haji, and Chuck — those three had already left on a three-man mission.
No one suspected they were on a mission because others assumed Chuck was taking a break due to his current standing in the Order. As for Scarlet and Haji, people truly believed they had gone on a honeymoon — thanks to Himari, who couldn’t stop talking about grandchildren.
Then Pika was also chosen, but he was busy at the moment in his new office. He was making sure the team he had gathered consisted of people he could trust. Not that he didn’t trust them, but Atlas’s orders were absolute. Unless Pika was completely sure, he couldn’t let them in on this.
Ransom was also chosen and had been here the other day. However, he was given a different topic to investigate on his own.
Lastly...
Izu’s thoughts snapped when the door creaked. Shifting his gaze, his eyes landed on Florida, who was bringing a tray of coffee for everyone.
Yes, Florida had also been chosen for many reasons. From what Izu heard, he was actually Lola’s first choice. It just so happened that Izu came to Lola first that day, and she ended up dragging him into this office first.
"..." Florida tiptoed inside, scanning everyone, and carefully placed the tray on the table.
Then he approached Izu, stopping close to him.
"Are they alright?" he asked quietly so as not to wake them.
Izu rocked his head and glanced at everyone. "They’ll be fine... I think," he whispered back. "We just have to wait until the scent of coffee hits their noses."
Florida chuckled quietly, turning to the board behind them. "This board keeps growing."
"It wouldn’t be surprising if we end up using the entire wall," Izu muttered, turning to face the board squarely.
Since they joined, more evidence and information had been added — things they missed the first time, and new names included in the investigation.
Silence settled over them as both men stared at the board, a habit everyone in this room had picked up. Whenever they hit a dead end or had a moment of pause, they found themselves staring at it.
After a long silence, Florida whispered, "Who do you think is the mole?"
"I have no idea," Izu shrugged, his mouth pressing into a tight line. "If anything, I just wish there were no mole."
However, they both knew that was wishful thinking. Too many signs pointed to the existence of one or several. And since many people in the Order were friends or colleagues, they could only hope those people weren’t the traitors.
"Izu," Florida whispered, peeling his eyes from the board. "I didn’t ask before, but I’ve always wanted to."
He paused, glancing at the bosses in the room, who were taking a short break, then back at Izu.
"Why is Baby not here?"
Izu’s brows crinkled; he had been wondering the same thing. But before he could answer, "I don’t know," a ring echoed through the room.
Izu and Florida instinctively turned toward the sound, their eyes landing on Atlas on the couch.
Still lying down, Atlas raised his phone and held it near his face. He didn’t say anything at first, his eyes opening as he listened to the other end.
"Alright," he whispered. "I’ll meet with you."
Florida and Izu exchanged looks and shrugs. At the same time, Lola lifted her head and asked when Atlas hung up,
"Baby, who was that?"
Atlas sat up on the couch and answered, "Henrik. He said he wants to meet me in secret."