Chapter 4: Masks can't hide you

DJ:

This is practically the first part for the Venice party. It will take some chapters longer.

Disclaimer Guy: DJ only owns Miyuki, Michael, Anna, Mr. Fogg and Frederick.

DJ: Sorry for the many OC's.

Masks can't hide you

'Miyuki!'

The young woman turned around to see one of her old friends calling her. She gave him a brief smile as he walked beside her. Talking with Michael usually made her some more relaxed.

'I thought you were gone for the weekend. Italy wasn't big enough for you?'

Miyuki grinned in reply. 'The perfect Julia came up for replacement, so I won't let our Romeo wait any longer. I'm actually excited about how this will turn out.'

'Yeah,' Michael said. 'But I never saw you as a matchmaker.'

'Maybe I'm not.'

I was way too happy when our driver announced that we had reached the hotel. Flying wasn't actually my kind of thing and I was worn out. The only thing I wanted now was sleep, but I wasn't allowed to rest yet. First I had to talk to my fellow body-guard about our task.

Frederick was not half as serious as I had imagined. He loved to fool people and told a lot of silly jokes, but he was surprisingly passionate about his job. Something I self could not really understand.

'Today is very important for our temporally boss, Mr. Fogg.' He told me. 'On the SCORPIA party tonight, he will try to win their trust and make a deal. So that MI6 will have more insider information about them in the future.'

I listened closely and my expression became a worried frown. Did they know for sure that Gregorovitch wouldn't be there. He would recognize me with ease.

Frederick patted my shoulder. 'No worries. We will try to give you a more decent look for the party.' I scowled at him, but he just continued like nothing was wrong. 'This is like high society you know. You will have to dress up for a little bit.' He was about to leave, but turned around again. 'You will not function as a real bodyguard tonight. SCORPIA believes you're Fogg's daughter Elena and I'm the son William. Behave like it.'

Three hours later I couldn't even recognize myself anymore. They had done an incredible job.

My long black hair was now decorated with several expensive hairclips and stuff. My dress was a deep sea blue and it hid the gun strapped to my thigh well. The mask covering my face had some tiny shining rubies on it. I didn't feel like myself at all right now.

'Let's go,' Frederick said enthusiastically.

Yassen had a huge problem with dress codes for SCORPIA 'parties'. Those were the only moments in his life when he felt vulnerable, but on the other side: no one actually expected seeing him there. They were all so easy to fool. Only the heads of the organization knew of his appearance on the party.

Miyuki had carefully chosen his black tuxedo, although she had said grey suited him better. What goes on in the mind of a woman? There was a little problem: she had seemed to forgotten that he could not hide a weapon very well. The only thing he had on him was a small, but very sharp, knife. If a fight broke out, he wouldn't be able do defend himself very long.

There was a soft knock on the door and his chauffeur's voice was heard from outside: 'We're ready to bring you to Venice, sir.'

Yassen answered coldly: 'Wait for me downstairs.'

The party could almost begin…

I watched in amazement as we entered the SCORPIA building. You could defiantly see that a lot of 'meetings' were given here. Our host came towards us and shook both our hands, while smiling mysteriously. Her name was Julia Rothman. She was one of the heads of SCORPIA. Then she disappeared with Mr. Fogg to make the deal.

I was just hanging around with Frederick when I saw him first. Even with the mask and the unusual clothes I would recognize him. The blue eyes that were not hidden by the mask revealed caution. His pose on the other hand was relaxed. Then he met my gaze for a short moment and I unconsciously held my breath. His eyes showed nothing of recognition.

I could almost jump from happiness: he didn't recognize me! I was safe!

My inner cheering was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder and held my breath for the second time. I had underestimated him, again.

Yassen could see the surprise in her eyes and had again the strange urge to laugh with her. In real life he didn't even grant her a smile.

'What are you doing here?' He asked coldly. His voice sounded almost like it had real ice in it. Anna shivered like she was going to freeze to death, but didn't answer. She still had that bewildered look in her eyes.

Yassen sighed. This wasn't working. Thinking about Miyuki's words, he chose another way then. 'Dance with me.' It was more an order than a request.

Now she was in shock. Her grey eyes widened, but she got in control again. With the most pride she could bring, she threw her hair back and shook 'no'. After that she gracefully walked away from him. Anna knew her role well.

Yassen had watched it all with an amused smile. She was playing hard on him.

I thought to have found a safe place close to Frederick, but he came after me yet again. He had this determined look in his face that gave me a very scary feeling. Please don't come closer, my mind begged. Of course he didn't hear that.

'Do you mind if I steal her away from you?' I heard him ask Frederick.

My colleague looked at me and I fervently started shaking my head, while trying to make clear what the problem was.

'I don't mind.' I could have killed him right there.

A minute later I was dancing a slow waltz with him and I tried not to think about how close we were. It probably wouldn't keep my thoughts very clear. Whenever I got a glimpse of Frederick I would glare. He had put me in this situation after all.

'It's not his fault.' Yassen spoke suddenly. 'He works for us after all.'

I nearly choked and stumbled over my own feet. Yassen kept me safely on my feet. A low hiss escaped from my throat: 'What?'

'You tell your part in this first.' The assassin started to interrogate me. 'You're Miyuki's replacement.' It was more a statement than a question. Luckily I didn't know anything about a Miyuki. So he couldn't get much information on that part, but he asked me a lot more.

'How long do you work for MI6?'

I saw no problem with answering that question. 'Two months next week.' I could see the grin he tried to hide. 'What?'

'So you're a newbie. No wonder. You seemed quite careless at the airport. Nobody would think about following an assassin without back-up.'

I was ashamed. Yes, I had been careless, I admitted it, but what was his reason to mock me with it? Who did he think he was?

'I still want my ID back.' I said while trying my hardest to stay calm.

'There's no need for haste.' He suddenly brought his face close to mine. I froze and tried to hide my blush. What was happening here? 'You could earn it back of course…' He whispered in my ear.

I stared back blankly. Some very girlish part of me liked that idea, but my mind interfered. I found myself shoving him away harshly. He didn't even stumble. Graceful as always, I thought bitter.

'What are you insinuating, Gregorovitch?' I asked in the most demanding tone I could muster against him.

'You're not a child anymore, so why should I explain?'

My anger took over and without thinking about the consequences I slapped him hard in the face. He looked kind of shocked as a red mark started to take form on his cheek. Not able to stand this closeness any longer, I made my way outside. MI6 had to get me out of here.

DJ: Problems in the next chapter!