The first part of Operation Ner was to successfully access the area and their place of attack within a mere five hours. While five hours may seem like a great deal of time to others, it was barely sufficient time as they still had to gain some level of trust between those high-profile attendees of the gala to avoid suspicion- suspicion that they cannot afford especially when the pointless, pretentious event had not even started yet.

Alara had never been more grateful for choosing to master art and the skill of manipulation and cunning as she knew that these soft skills would serve her well. Thank you, profiling training!

Twirling in her dress, Alara couldn't help but feel a deep sense of pride and admiration for herself. Even though the Governors' gala strict dress code required their guests to wear thin fabrics and dresses or gowns of a short length which would be challenging to sneak in weapons with, Alara Berrera had achieved the impossible.

"I am a genius." Alara could not help but compliment herself as she checked out her invention in the mirror. With nothing but her wits and brains, she had solved the issue of hiding weapons in her dress.

It had taken less than three hours to figure and plan it out, and on the surface, her dress for the night's event- a sangria-coloured fringe sheath dress- was just a dress designed in a lavish style and one that flaunted every curve of her body.

But of course it was more than that. She didn't choose this dress for tonight just because of how attractive she would look in it.

It wasn't your typical sangria fringe sheath dress with inset lace panels. After thorough planning with Rielle, both of them had managed to make use of the lace panels by making some adjustments to allow Alara to hide her daggers beneath the fabric.

Later, while Rielle and her were still trying to adjust the inset lace panels, Tania had come in to check on them and gotten rid of any worries Alara had of being discovered. "It may be a short dress, but that is going to play in your favour." Tania had assured her, and elaborated, "Nobody will suspect that you are carrying three weapons in that short dress, and nobody will dare to check too. The upper-class society will be outraged and whoever does that will be labelled as a lewd pervert and forever ostracised by the charming society. And believe me, Alara, you aren't worth all that trouble."

Leave it to Tania to deliver a smart compliment and insult at the same time.

The only issue about the dress Alara had was that due to the shortness of her dress, the dagger had to be placed higher and hence she could always feel the harsh, frigid coldness of her blade. She was only worried that she might accidentally stab herself with it during a dance or some activity during the gala. If she bled during the event, their cover would be blown.

Besides that issue, Alara was glad that she could feel the coldness of her blade for it reminded her of her duty, of the reasons why Operation Ner had to be a success. It reminded her of her thirst of vengeance, and it kept her on task and focused.

Truth be told, no matter how much she disliked the superficiality of such occasions, she couldn't help but be exultant over the fact that this allowed her to indulge in such frivolities. Without these, she would never experience such joy over dressing up, let alone be in touch with her feminine side.

As soon as her friends were gone, Alara indulged in a silly desire of hers- she twirled again in her dress, relishing the beautiful way the skirt of her dress swished. Beaming in the mirror, Alara lost herself in her imagination for one perfect moment that she was dressing up for herself, because she wanted to and deserved it, and not for an assignment. Not for an assignment that would, at the end of wee hours in the morning, assassinate people and may even result in her losing her friends.

Deep down in her gut, she had an ominous premonition that at least two people from the Agency would perish.

Her light mood vanished when she pictured herself grieving over her friends' death. No. That will not happen. Though her dress was nowhere near discreet, it was something that would go unnoticed especially in the dim light that the Governors so preferred whenever their gala dinners were held. The vividness of her dress became a dark shade of wine under that lighting, and hence she would attract less attention when she made her first kill.

Quickly re-applying her eyeliner, Alara re-examined her appearance. At first, she had planned to do without jewellery, but even she noted that something was missing. What could complement the overall outfit? Ah-ha! Taking out her small teardrop-shaped diamond earrings- a gift from Rielle, Alara wore them and smiled when she saw them sparkling even in the dim light of her room. she could picture how brilliant they would gleam under the chandelier of the gala as whenever the small, charming diamonds caught the rays of light, they would glister iridescently.

"Let's go," she muttered to herself, fervently hoping that her premonitions about the first stage of Operation were nothing but a foolish worry.

___

It's a little too early to be discovered so soon, isn't it?

Alara was beginning to suspect that they had solely looked down on the reliability and skills of the Governors' security system.

It had been already ten minutes into Operation Ner, and she hadn't even made it to the door of the Governors' Ball.

"You are Amissa Kereias?" the guard surveyed her dress suspiciously, clearly circumspect in even the most mundane line of work. "I have memorised every face of the Governors' Ball's guests, and you, Miss, are not a face on the list."

Oh no... how am I going to bluff my way through this? An idea struck her, and Alara decided to resort to the most shameless method.

Putting on an air of haughtiness and privilege, she rolled her eyes, giving the guard a little shove. As soon as he recovered, she smirked bewitchingly. "I can't believe you don't know who I am. But it's fine, darling; after tonight, you will know the grandeur that is Amissa Kereias."

The guard, clearly flustered, flushed. "Miss, look. Your name is not on the-"

"Look here. Amissa Kereias in the flesh, being denied entry to the Governors' Ball? Amissa, my love, did you fall so much after our break up that even society refuses to take you back into its fold?"

What the Hell- It took every self-control that she had in her to not slap Maren. Break up? Dream on, Maren- as if you ever can have the goddess that is Alara Berrera.

"Sir, you are?"

"Son of Diondre Armante." Maren put his face in such close proximity with the guard's that the guard visibly flinched and took a few steps back.

"See, Amissa? He stepped back for me. For Diondre Armante. An Armante never needs permission." He flashed Alara a wink and returned his attention to the bewildered guard.

Patting the poor guard, Maren continued, "You good man. Working so hard to protect us- believe me, I will let my father know of your hard work. I know you've heard of Amissa's and my scandal. I may have jilted her, but there's nothing a little kiss cannot amend. Don't worry, good man. My father won't mind her presence."

Suddenly, Maren spun her into his arms, cupping her face and looking with a fierce intensity that she had never seen before in those steel-blue eyes of his. Before she could say anything, his lips were on hers, kissing her with fervour.

Stunned by the unexpected gesture, Alara remained still for a moment and impulsively returned the act. When he let her go, his eyes were full of an emotion that she could not name. Flustered, she hastily removed herself from his embrace and walked into the Governors' Ball room.

Looking at the now red-faced simpleton of a guard. "Our connection surprises even me. Err, well. Good man. Good job. My father will reward you for diligence."

With that, he marched briskly into the ballroom as nonchalantly as he could. When he neared Alara, he blushed when he could feel the rapid beat of his heart. When his lips had met hers, he... I... I...

In an attempt to return to his normal self, he joked, "You know, Alara, your magnetic charm was too strong for me." He squeezed her cheeks when a blush crept up her neck.

"Don't squeeze my cheeks, you!" she floundered, and Maren laughed when he saw even her ears reddening as the seconds flew by.

"Okay, I won't squeeze your cheeks if you dance with me."

"Eh?"

"Dance with me," he repeated, so softly that it took her a while to register his words.

Perhaps she still wasn't in the right frame of mind. Perhaps he had a strong charm on her too. Whatever it was, she nodded, gracefully walking towards him and placing her hand in his.

As if on cue, the string quartet started playing a melodious symphony and as it filled the room, she became lost in him.

And he, lost in her.

If it was not for the fact that she was could still feel the lightning quick beats of her rapidly beating heart; or the fact that she could still feel Maren's lips on hers even though they weren't; or the fact that he was still holding her hand, gently rubbing her thumb subconsciously, Alara would have been awestruck by the splendour of the gala.

After all, it was not everyday where she visited a place that was literally decked in both gold and diamonds, every room filled to the brim of the most decadent luxuries that the human mind can fathom.

But nothing- not even being in a room full of invaluable precious jewels- could take her breath away more than Maren Santos.

Her focus was on him, and his attention was on her.

The dance that they had- no, that they just shared- was more than a dance. It felt like a conversation in the form of a passionate dance, a dance of thoughts only disclosed to the parties involved.

And what a dance it was. No words were uttered, but Alara could feel the emotions and thoughts she just communicated with Maren just as intensely as they had during the dance.

"I have never seen your cheeks so pink before," Maren commented slyly as the two clinked their glasses of champagne.

Eyes bright, she winked at him. "I wonder why." As she sipped the sweet wine, she boldly leaned in close to Maren's embrace, and all the playful mood was gone with that one simple action.

Setting their glasses down, Maren brought her even closer to his embrace, planting a kiss on her forehead. Tucking a strand of golden-brown hair behind her ear, Maren looked at her nervously, his typically cool steel-blue suddenly gazing at her shiftily.

"What's up, Mare?" Alara questioned when she noted his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "Are you feeling alright?"

Sucking in a deep breath, Maren finally confessed, "Alara, you know that I have feelings for you, don't you?"

Blushing furiously when the reason for Maren's fidgetiness registered in her mind, she replied, "I... Maren. When this is all over, after all of this- well, you know," Alara lowered her tone for fear of being overheard, "we can try it out."

"The dating thing?" She could feel her cheeks and ears heating up even more when he grinned widely.

Suddenly shy, she nodded her head.

"I'd love to."

Her heart raced when he leaned in close to her as he brought his lips to hers. When his lips had crashed into hers, Alara lost all of her train of thought. With the crash of their lips, her train of thoughts derailed, save but one thought remained in her mind. I think I've-

It was a sweet, gentle kiss this time, and a long one at that. They kissed as if they had all the time in the world, and when they broke apart, he twirled her around. The more he twirled her around, the more she felt like they were but two ends of a string, intertwining with each other tightly, inseparable till the end of time.