It was another ordinary evening for Aria Moon. The hum of the city outside her small apartment window filled the room as she curled up on her couch with a book, sipping tea. Life had always been simple for her—steady, uneventful, and comfortable in its routine. She had long accepted that she wasn’t the star of her own story. That title belonged to her twin brother, Leo, the prodigy who shone brighter than anyone Aria had ever known.

But Aria didn’t mind. She liked her quiet life. At least, that’s what she told herself.

A sudden knock on the door disrupted her peace. Frowning, she set her cup down and padded across the room, pulling the door open to reveal her uncle, Victor Moon. He stood there in a sleek black coat, looking out of place in the homely setting of her apartment.

“Uncle Victor,” she greeted him with a surprised smile. “What are you doing here?”

Victor rarely visited unless there was something important to discuss. His expression was calm, but the way he glanced around made Aria feel like she was missing something. “Can I come in?” he asked.

Aria stepped aside, letting him in. “This is unexpected. Everything okay?”

Victor took a seat, his movements measured and deliberate. “Aria, I have an offer for you. It’s… a bit unconventional.”

She narrowed her eyes, already sensing that whatever he was about to say would turn her world upside down. “What kind of offer?”

He handed her a small, sealed envelope. “I need you to work for me—for the agency—just for six months.”

Aria blinked. “The agency? As in… what Leo does?”

Victor nodded. “Yes. But not the same type of work. I need someone who can blend in, who isn’t a genius like your brother but has charm and intelligence in her own right. It’s dangerous, but you’d be compensated handsomely, and it’s only for a short time.”

Her pulse quickened. “Dangerous? I’m not trained for that kind of work, Uncle.”

“I know, but you’re adaptable. You’ll have the best resources at your disposal. You can leave if it’s too much, but you’re the only one who can pull this off.” His tone was persuasive, but Aria couldn’t help but feel wary. Why her? Why now?

She turned the envelope over in her hands, feeling the weight of the decision. “What exactly would I be doing?”

Victor leaned forward. “You’d be working as an agent, infiltrating a private sector where we suspect illegal activity is taking place. There’s someone you need to watch—a man named Ethan Blackwood.”

Ethan Blackwood. The name sent a shiver down her spine, though she couldn’t quite place why. “And you think I’m the right person for this?”

Victor’s eyes softened. “You’re perfect for it, Aria. Just trust me.”

For a moment, she considered saying no, telling him she wasn’t cut out for the world of espionage and danger. But something inside her stirred—perhaps the quiet desire to break free from the mundane life she had built, to prove she wasn’t just Leo’s ordinary sister.

Against her better judgment, she took a deep breath. “Alright. I’ll do it.”

Victor smiled, though there was a hint of relief in his eyes. “Good. I’ll arrange for your training to start immediately.”

As Victor left her apartment, Aria stood in the middle of her living room, holding the envelope that would change her life. The excitement of the unknown coursed through her veins, but so did a cold dread.

Little did she know, this decision would lead her straight into the path of Ethan Blackwood—a man with a reputation as cold as ice and as dangerous as fire.

And once their lives collided, nothing would ever be the same age

...****************...

The abandoned industrial site was still as Ethan and Aria watched the group of men from their hidden vantage point. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made Aria’s pulse race as she tried to keep her breathing steady. The men, dressed in unremarkable clothes but with a certain air of authority, seemed to be engaged in a hushed conversation, their gestures animated but their words lost in the distance.

Ethan remained as stoic as ever, his dark eyes scanning the scene with practiced precision. Aria, despite her nerves, couldn’t help but marvel at his ability to remain so composed. It was clear he was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.

“We need to get closer,” Ethan finally said, his voice a low murmur. “Stay behind me and follow my lead.”

Aria nodded, her heart pounding as she moved to follow Ethan’s example. They crept closer, careful to stay hidden behind the rusted remnants of the industrial complex. The men’s conversation became a little clearer as they approached, though still muffled.

Ethan raised a hand, signaling for Aria to stop. He peered around a corner, his gaze fixed on the group. Aria watched him closely, trying to gauge his next move. He seemed to be waiting for something—perhaps a cue or a signal.

Suddenly, one of the men pulled out a small, black briefcase and handed it to another. The recipient opened it briefly, revealing stacks of cash and several documents. Aria’s eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of the papers—clearly marked with official-looking stamps and signatures. This was more than just an ordinary transaction.

Ethan tapped Aria’s shoulder, signaling her to follow as he moved silently towards a better vantage point. They edged closer, finding a position behind a stack of crates where they could observe without being seen.

“Do you recognize any of them?” Aria whispered, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.

Ethan shook his head. “No, but they’re clearly involved in something significant. We need to get as much information as we can.”

Aria nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. This was the type of mission she had signed up for, but it was one thing to be briefed about the danger and another to be in the thick of it. Her training had prepared her for many scenarios, but this was real—unpredictable, dangerous.

As the men continued their transaction, Ethan’s focus never wavered. His attention was split between the group and their surroundings, always alert for any signs of trouble. Aria could see how methodical he was, and despite the stories she had heard, she began to appreciate his skill and intensity.

After what felt like an eternity, the men finished their business and began to disperse. Ethan gave a quick nod, signaling for Aria to follow him. They retraced their steps back to the car, careful not to draw attention to themselves.

Once they were safely inside, Ethan started the engine and drove in silence. Aria glanced over at him, the intensity of their earlier encounter still fresh in her mind.

“Did you get a good look at the documents?” Ethan asked, breaking the silence.

“Just a glimpse, but they looked important,” Aria replied, her voice steady despite her nerves. “I’m not sure what they were about, but it definitely wasn’t ordinary.”

Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on the road, his expression thoughtful. “Good. That’s something. We’ll need to analyze them further. For now, we should head back and report our findings.”

As they made their way back to the compound, the tension between them seemed to shift. Ethan’s demeanor, while still reserved, seemed slightly less intimidating. Aria couldn’t help but feel a grudging respect for him—he was a man of action, not words, and his skill in the field was undeniable.

When they arrived at the compound, they went straight to Victor’s office to debrief. Victor listened intently as they recounted the details of their observation.

“Good work,” Victor said, his eyes narrowing as he took in the information. “The documents you saw could be critical. We’ll need to get them analyzed immediately.”

Aria glanced at Ethan, who remained silent throughout the briefing. She had hoped for some acknowledgment of their success, but he simply stood by, his expression unreadable.

After the briefing, Ethan finally spoke. “You did well today, Aria.”

She looked up, surprised by the compliment. “Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself.”

A hint of a smile touched his lips, though it was fleeting. “We make a good team, despite our differences.”

Aria nodded, feeling a strange mix of relief and anticipation. Working with Ethan was challenging, but it was also invigorating. There was something about him—something that made her want to understand him better, despite his cold exterior.

As the evening settled over the compound, Aria found herself reflecting on the day’s events. The mission had been successful, but it had also left her with more questions than answers. What were the men involved in? What did the documents mean? And most importantly, what was Ethan’s role in all of this?

As she prepared for bed, her thoughts drifted back to Ethan. Despite his enigmatic demeanor, she felt a growing curiosity about him. There was more to him than just the rumors and the stories she had heard. And as much as it frightened her, she couldn’t help but be drawn to the mystery of Ethan Blackwood.

She knew that understanding him—if that was even possible—would be key to unraveling the larger puzzle of her mission. But for now, all she could do was take it one step at a time, navigating the dangerous world she had entered and trying to make sense of the man who seemed to be at the heart of it all.

...****************...

The encounter with Ethan Blackwood left Aria rattled in a way she hadn’t expected. His presence was overwhelming, not just because of his reputation, but because of the way he looked at her—as if he already knew everything about her, as if her secrets were laid bare before him. It was unsettling. His words echoed in her mind. You’d better be prepared to handle the fire.

For the next few days, Aria focused on honing her skills, pouring herself into training and trying to ignore the gnawing sense of dread that came with the looming mission. Her interactions with Ethan were minimal. Whenever she saw him around the compound, he barely acknowledged her. It was as if their first meeting had been nothing more than a passing formality to him.

But for Aria, it had been far more than that. She couldn’t shake the coldness in his eyes, the way he seemed detached from everything around him, as if nothing really mattered to him. And yet, there was something else lurking beneath that surface—a mystery she couldn’t quite decipher.

One evening, as she was finishing a round of target practice at the training grounds, Elena approached her with a clipped expression. “You’re being reassigned.”

Aria lowered the gun and wiped the sweat from her brow, confusion settling in. “Reassigned?”

“To Blackwood. You’ll be working directly with him for the next phase of the mission.”

The pit in Aria’s stomach tightened. “What does that entail exactly?”

Elena folded her arms, her sharp gaze fixed on Aria. “You’re to shadow him. Learn how he operates, observe his behavior, and gather any information that could help us. It’s a dangerous position, but Victor believes you’re ready.”

“Victor believes I’m ready?” Aria asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. The idea of being assigned to Ethan wasn’t exactly thrilling. She had hoped her role would be more behind-the-scenes, gathering intel without getting too close to the flame. But now, it seemed she was being thrown right into the fire.

Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ll be fine. Just keep your wits about you. Blackwood’s methods may be unorthodox, but if you watch closely, you might learn something.”

Aria forced a nod, though her stomach churned with anxiety. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being in Ethan’s proximity, especially given the cryptic nature of his personality. But she didn’t have much of a choice, did she? This was what she’d signed up for.

---

Later that night, Aria stood in front of her mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a mix of apprehension and determination. She had been given strict instructions: meet Ethan at the compound’s main entrance at dawn. From there, they would head out on a reconnaissance mission together. Alone.

You can do this, she told herself, smoothing her hair back into a tight ponytail. Despite the uncertainty gnawing at her, she wasn’t going to let fear hold her back. This was her chance to prove herself.

When the early morning sun crept over the horizon, Aria found herself waiting by the main entrance, the crisp air biting at her skin. Ethan arrived moments later, his steps silent as he approached her. Dressed in his usual all-black attire, he exuded an aura of control, his eyes as cold and unreadable as ever.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice low and even.

Aria nodded, her mouth dry. “Yes.”

Without another word, Ethan turned and led her to a sleek, unmarked vehicle parked just outside the compound. As they drove in silence through the deserted streets, Aria glanced over at him, trying to get a read on the man beside her. But his expression gave away nothing. It was as if he were made of stone.

“You don’t talk much, do you?” she ventured, her voice breaking the oppressive silence.

Ethan’s eyes flicked toward her briefly before returning to the road. “Talking is a waste of time unless it serves a purpose.”

His curt response didn’t surprise her, but it still stung. She wasn’t used to this level of emotional detachment. “I guess you don’t think this mission is important enough to talk about.”

He remained silent for a moment before answering, “The mission is everything. I just don’t see the need for small talk.”

Aria sighed, turning her gaze out the window. Clearly, building any kind of rapport with Ethan was going to be a challenge. But she had to try. If she was going to be working closely with him, she needed to understand him, if only to navigate his unpredictable nature.

After an hour of driving, they arrived at their destination—a sprawling, abandoned industrial site on the outskirts of the city. The crumbling buildings and rusted metal structures cast long, eerie shadows as they parked near the entrance. The place had an air of desolation about it, as if it had been forgotten by the world.

Ethan stepped out of the car first, scanning the area with a practiced eye. “We’ll split up. You take the northern section, I’ll cover the south. Keep your coms on, and don’t engage with anyone unless absolutely necessary.”

Aria hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Got it.”

As she ventured into the northern part of the site, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled with unease. The silence was suffocating, the only sounds her own footsteps echoing against the concrete. She tried to focus on the task at hand—gathering intel, staying alert—but her thoughts kept drifting back to Ethan. His aloofness, his coldness. Why was he like that?

Half an hour passed before Aria’s com crackled to life. Ethan’s voice came through, steady and calm. “Aria. Report.”

“Nothing on my end,” she replied, her voice low. “What about you?”

“Movement in the southeast. Be ready. We might have company.”

Her heart rate spiked as she quickened her pace, weaving through the rusted structures to reach Ethan’s location. When she finally found him, he was crouched behind a pile of debris, his eyes fixed on a group of men near a dilapidated warehouse.

“They’re armed,” Ethan said quietly, his voice devoid of emotion. “Stay low. We’ll observe for now.”

As they watched the men from the shadows, the tension between them grew palpable. Ethan’s focus never wavered, but Aria couldn’t help the questions swirling in her mind. Who was Ethan Blackwood? And why, despite everything she had heard about him, did she feel drawn to him in a way that made her heart race?

She wasn’t sure if it was curiosity or something far more dangerous. But either way, she was about to find out.

...****************...