𝟷𝟿. "... 𝙸𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗?"

PEARL'S P.O.V

I crossed one leg over the other, sinking back into my seat as the relentless flashes of cameras illuminated my features. The steady hum of conversation mixed with the rhythmic clinking of heels against the glass runway, each step sharp, deliberate, commanding attention.

A model strode past in a thin-strapped top, black shorts, and striking red heels that gleamed under the lights. The next followed seamlessly-a vision in a black strap dress that hugged her frame, her expression poised, unreadable. More flashes erupted as the audience murmured in quiet appraisal, their lenses capturing every detail of the showcase.

But I remained unmoved. Arms folded, gaze sharp, I watched with growing displeasure.

𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐫 has done better. And the one time I wasn't there to oversee things, it's all gone to hell.

I hissed and glanced at my phone as it beeped with a notification. Reading it through, my gaze moved up to Tobi who stood put right opposite on the other side, he stood in the shadows lurking, waiting for my orders.

And he just got one, nodding, he headed out and so did I. I got up, picking up my bag as I headed out. There was nothing more to watch.

Tobi was by my side in seconds and he pulled the door open for me and we headed out the hallway, walking past models who were getting ready to strut the runway.

"Miss Vega. Miss Vega" I was called from behind but I didn't turn, I knew who it was. "Miss Vega" I halted in my tracks and turned around this time, the caller persistent.

The blonde lanky man shot me a bright smile, rubbing his hands together, he couldn't take another step further ad he took in my cold expression.

"Miss Vega, you're leaving so soon. Aren't you gonna wait for the second act-"

"Is that my spring collection?" I inquired and his throat ran dry, "That is...just the first act, the full showcase-"

"I've seen enough"

He chuckled uneasily. "This is just a pre showcase, the main one is in New York in few weeks and we are working on-"

"Riccardo" I called him as I fixed the bracelet on my wrist, "yes, miss Vega" he answered and my eyes slowly met his again.

"Do you job"

He slowly nodded at my words and with that I turned on my heels and headed out. The cold air whipped my skin as we stepped outside. Kendra, was already pacing around by the far, nervous.

She stopped at once she saw us approaching, she hastened and pulled the door to the car opened and I climbed in without shooting her a glance.

She got in beside and Tobi took the driver's seat and we drove out. The ride was silent for a minute before, "I'm sorry your disappointed" she blurted, not seeming to hold herself back.

"Don't" I said coldly and she got quiet again, I threw my gaze out the window to the street of LA as we drove.

I traveled back yesterday as I promised, I don't think staying in Italy for a while longer was a good idea.

The Volkovs was in shambles, Josephine was wrong, of course, the Society wouldn't go down, when it's him in charge. He has changed the whole narrative.

How unpredictable can he be?

Memories of that night shot through my head and I learned back on my seat. That was our first encounter, I stabbed him out of reflexes but I would have done it anyway even if I knew it was him.

It was something I've wanted to do for the longest time, I just didn't strike hard. And I lost something precious too. The dagger.

My jaw ticked as I stared ahead, the night ended with Cassian finding me again and putting me on the next ride out of there and I haven't seen him since them.

And I'm sure that's why Josephine wanted to see me right now. "Stop" I called and he pulled up at once, I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the car before he could.

"Take a lap around till I'm done" I ordered and he nodded before getting back into the car and driving out.

My grip on my bag tightened as I stood at the park's entrance, staring at the unfamiliar scenery before me. The lush greenery, the scattered groups of people with their toddlers and dogs, the floating bubbles catching the sunlight-it all felt oddly surreal, like stepping into a scene from someone else's life.

Why would she choose to meet me here?

I shifted uneasily, stepping back slightly as a woman passed by with a stroller, her baby gurgling happily. With a flick of my hair over my shoulder, I pressed forward, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path. Finding her shouldn't be too difficult-she always stood out, overdressed and impossible to miss.

Yet, as my gaze roamed the park, taking in the peaceful ambiance, I found myself unwittingly relaxing. The sound of children's laughter rang through the air, mixing with the rhythmic barking of dogs and the occasional wail of a distressed child.

A classic park scene, so ordinary and untroubled, that for a fleeting moment, I almost forgot why I was irritated in the first place. That awful fashion show and everything that came with it felt like a distant memory.

And then, my eyes found her.

A quiet sigh slipped from my lips.

Today, she looked different-subdued, almost unrecognizable. Gone were the dramatic outfits and attention-seeking accessories. Instead, she wore fitted denim pants, a crisp white button-up, and a blue baseball cap that cast a shadow over her delicate features. Understated. Simple.

I approached without a word and sank onto the bench beside her, my gaze following hers.

She was watching a group of children playing, their shrieks of joy filling the air.

I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease just a little.

Maybe-just maybe-this meeting wouldn't be as unbearable as I thought. For a moment, I forgot why I was here until she spoke, "He looks like his father"

Tearing my gaze from them, I glanced at her, she was now taking a sip from a little flask. "The one in the silly red hat" she pointed and my gaze followed her fingers and landed on boy who sat on the grass, away from the rest, throwing pebbles into the little lake.

"They always do" I replied, my gaze still on him. "But she... " she pointed at another, a little girl running around in a purple princess dress, "... She's me, I feel bad for her"

I glanced back at her. "How old?"

She met my eyes this time, a little smile on her lips. "He's 10 and she's 8" she answered, taking another gulp from the flask.

I met out a low breath and glanced back at them again. "Should you really be back here?" I asked, leaning back and crossing my hands over my chest.

"I could be asking you the same thing?" She answered and I sighed and picked up my bag again to search for my pack of cigarettes. "Safe to smoke here?" I asked first. "There are gonna turn out like their parents anyways" she murmured.

And I got out the pack only to find it empty. Hissing, I threw it down. "The revolution has began" she mentioned.

"It never ended. He was just giving everyone time to fix themselves somewhere" I replied and she leaned back too. "A new Prime Minister will get up soon"

"At least, Cicatrici still got the power" I pointed out. "He has the power, no one else, just him. Those fools gave it all to him" she cursed, taking another large gulp from the can.

"He's working with the Bratvaz" I informed and she let out a long breath. "We didn't see that one coming. The Volkovs are in hiding, any words from Cassian?" She inquired.

"It's for the best"

"This isn't over, Pearl" she said, turning to me fully. "For you, it isn't. The Society have been running the system for the longest time and it never for once affected me, so why would it now?"

"Because, now you're involved" she answered and I smirked, looking back at the children on the park. "You're now interested, Pearl. I know, it's been years...don't you want answers?"

I turned to her again, she is always good at playing this sky games. "Answers on what?"

"What kinda man he now is. Cause he sure as hell isn't the Travis you use to know" she said, taking another deliberate sip from the flask as she glanced back at them.

My gaze unrelenting on hers. "I never knew him" I stated and a smile spread across her lips. "Of course, we are all tryna forget all that transpired-"

"Perhaps killing him would have made things easier" I cut her off. "It would have" she agreed. "I mean, look at me now. His 2 kids are doing healthy and fine and that's all thanks to his absence"

"Does she know him? The girl" I asked, glancing back at her. "Do we really know our fathers?" She asked back and I tore my gaze from hers.

Silence followed once again, "This is our second chance, to make things right. Power doesn't deserve to be in the men's hand, they are reckless and impulsive"

I turned to her again, really listening now. "I can give you the answers you want" she whispered that part, that familiar glint in her eyes.

She was now desperate. With the sudden turn of events not in her powers any longer, she could do anything now. "The Labyrinth"

The world went still for a second as she said that word and I guess my surprise expression was evident on her face which made her laugh.

"Now, you're interested" she mused. She knew about it too, they all do, that means it wasn't much of a secret. The location might be if it's a place.

I opened my mouth to say something but, "Mommy! Mommy!" The voice interrupted and we turned. "Look what I found!" The little girl raised up whatever she had in hand.

"Is that a dead duck? What the hell, Crystal?!" Jo shouted, startling the shit out of me. "Keep it back! "

"But it's all alone!" She whined as she approached us, "it's dead! Don't you take another step, throw it away!" Josephine ordered and the little girl pouted before running off again.

Letting out a resigned sigh, she took a long gulp from the flask before saying, "Kids"

But my mind was already clouded by her earlier statement and she noticed. "What is it?" I managed to ask and her smile widened.

"Power"