ELEVEN

DAMON

I watched as Miss Selena's lips grew into a smile. My response seemed to delight her greatly.

"This is awesome," she said excitedly. "We should celebrate."

"What's there to celebrate?" I grumbled from where I was. "I am not doing this because I find your offer interesting. No, working with a gang leader has never been my plan. I am doing this to protect my family."

"You might as well think that you are doing it for the money," Selena spoke. "You don't have to be so hard on yourself especially now that you have two good-paying jobs."

"Isn't my life so great?" I asked, a sarcastic tone in my voice.

"Damon Jones," the thickness of her voice snapped me out of my complaining state. "I gave you a choice, so stop making it seem like I forced you to do this. You can decide to change your decision now before we sign a contract."

"There's a contract?" My brows lifted accordingly as my nagging side disappeared instantly.

"Why?" She crossed her arms. "Did you think you would work for the Dangerous Dame without any word binding the both of us? There are requirements penalties which are better written in words than uttered by mouth."

"There's a contract," I repeated, already wondering whether to change my mind.

I soon shook that thought away as my head danced for a second.

I can't risk having my family exposed to the wickedness of The Pretties gang.

I have to do all I can to protect them.

Miss Selena sighed from where she was as she got up from her seat. "I can see you are thinking about changing your mind."

She began to walk towards me, her steps calculative and somewhat seductive.

When she got to where I was seated, her slender hands slid over mine, a small smile on her face.

"If you are going to change your mind," her face moved closer and her eyes gently glanced at my lips, "that will be terrible. I have so much I wish to do with you."

I swallowed hard as her lips inched closer while I remained glued to that seat.

For some reason, I wasn't repulsed.

Her scent, the look in her eyes, the way her body hovered mine... these things made me want to stay still in that moment.

For a second, I could see myself yanking her body closer to mine so she could straddle me while I think of many ways to explore her skin.

For a minute, I wanted to finally explore the possibilities of sexual intercourse with her.

I was almost looking down at her lips which caught my attention the first time we met when I felt a little tug at my mind.

I instantly snapped out of my thoughts and fully faced the woman who was staring into my eyes with a particular look I was not able to decipher.

"Miss Selena..."

"Stop making me sound old, Damon." Damn, even her voice made me want to do those things I thought of. "Call me Selena."

"Right... Can you take a step back? You are making me feel uncomfortable."

She was making me feel uncomfortable in a good way... if that makes sense. But I was not willing to explore that thought that wanted to draw her closer.

I barely know her, so thinking about sleeping with her would be stupid on my end. Besides, she is going to become my boss. While there's something sexy about it, I found it improper.

Like I always tell myself, my first time will be with someone I actually love. Not a stranger who happens to be a gang leader.

"Oh. Sorry." She smiled as she stood upright while dusting her gown. "I can't believe I was about to kiss you." My eyes quickly darted toward her. She then shrugged as she said, "But can you blame me? You have such fine lips. Your face is attractive as well. I can only imagine what's hiding behind your pants."

"Selena!" I cautioned her without thinking.

"Whoever gets to be with you is a lucky woman," she completed her words as she ran her hands through her hair. "Have you changed your mind?"

"About what?" I was starting to imagine kissing her. I could see her closing her eyes as our lips meet...

Oh my goodness! What is wrong with me?

"Are you going to work for me or not?"

I cleared my throat to compose myself. With seriousness on my face, I replied, "How about I see the contract first?"

"The contract is still being drafted. It won't be ready till next week. But I can take you on a quick tour to help you get familiar with the Damish Gang."

"A quick tour where?" My eyes narrowed as I could not help but feel uneasy at her suggestion.

"You will find out soon." She motioned toward me as she began to walk. "Let's go."

"I need to know where," I insisted as I walked after her, the both of us approaching the exit.

" If you want to know so bad, we are going to the Damish Gang's main base." She quickly glanced at me. "Is that a problem for you?"

"Uh..."

"Good."

What the hell? I didn't even get to give a reply. I guess I am into this shit already.

As we walked past the dark and deadly corridors from earlier, I thought about my mother. I began to imagine what she would say if she ever finds out about the deal I have made.

I know I am doing it for her, but I won't hear the last of it. I already know she will highly criticize my decision.

I guess it is for the best to have a job at TIANOR. It is indeed the perfect cover job.

It just sucks that I'll have to lie to my mother in the long run and I hate doing such.

This job I have found has successfully changed my life and I hope the job wouldn't be harsh on me.

But really, how hard could being a Mafia Photographer be?

'At least it is better than your bear dancing job.' I could hear Linda's voice uttering those words. Though I have no intention to tell her about the deal, I bet she'd be excited to learn about my new job at TIANOR.

"Get the car," Selena said to one of the women from earlier as we gradually approached the main exit.

Once we were outside and waiting for the car to arrive, I stood beside Selena who had her sight trained on the atmosphere ahead.

The more I looked at her, the more it became difficult to believe that the woman was the Dangerous Dame.

As her rosy cheek kept getting teased by some strands of her hair, I wondered what would happen if I take the chance and expose her to the whole country.

As I looked away to avoid being caught staring weirdly, I knew one thing. If I proceed with that thought, my head will roll to the ground.

Soon, the car arrived and we both entered.

As soon as we hit the road, I noticed how bubbly everything was. It was nice to see the city looking alive at that moment. Cars moved freely, people walked without issues, conversations were being held in different places... It was nice to see such a sight.

It was just a pity that everything was bound to become quiet once the clock strikes nine pm.

Yes, the whole of Población is plunged into silence from nine pm till the next morning.

It is the effect of the numerous gangs we have in the country.

Most gangs operated at night, so the government decided to impose a curfew to prevent a citizen from falling into the hands of any gang member that could either be feeling murderous or under the influence of hard substances.

Ever since the curfew, sudden deaths and unexplained disappearances reduced drastically. There are still cases of young people being victims. But it is often rumoured that the victims are usually willing to be taken for the reason of living like a gangster.

They saw that as the only way to enjoy life in the country they have found themselves in.

It's just so pitiful that I have found my way into that gangster life. I have seen and heard about the evil these people can cause and now that I am a part of the system, I feel terrible.

But I need to be selfish and take the offer to prevent my bastard father's choices from affecting me and my family.

The car ride was silent. Selena didn't talk, and neither did the driver.

As I looked to her side curiously, I saw that she had her eyes closed while her hands gripped the iPad she had picked from the car's safe. She looked like she was sleeping, so I didn't say anything.

Staring at her, I contemplated taking a picture of her in that position. She looked so peaceful and I felt pushed to capture that moment.

'Why not start my job, right now?' I thought.

But, I didn't have a phone or camera with me, and taking the iPad tucked firmly in her hands could be likened to waking up a tiger.

So, I just leaned back and copied her resting position. As my eyes made contact with the ceiling, I closed them and began to think about the recent and sudden changes in my life.