As I left for the office, the weight of the conversation with Sancho still heavy on my mind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I now have a better ally. If I could get the gang to be very skillful and professional, then that is a powerful tool at my disposal.

I went to the bar to refresh myself before I got to the office. I wiped down the counter with newfound determination. The dimly lit dive bar had always been my sanctuary, a place where I could escape from the harsh realities of life. The patrons, rough as they were, had become a sort of family over the few months I had worked with Marvin. I wished Marvin had been there with me.

I left the bar and went straight to my office. I was wondering why Marvin had not shown up when I saw Rose walk by.

“Hello Rose, I thought you were coming to see me," I said.

“No Cass, I was not, but since you have seen me here I am,” she said.

“I thought we were friends. What happened?” I asked.

“I should be asking you,” she said.

“What do you mean?” I asked again.

“First you did not tell me you knew Uncle Jonah, only for me to notice you were at his place and the next thing we know here comes your promotion. Even when I celebrated with you. I hardly see you around. It was like you were avoiding me,” She said.

So Rose was at Uncle Jonah’s place the day I and Marvin visited. So there was a possibility that Rose’s husband was working with Ken and Uncle Jonah. I could not place the pieces together, there was something still looking like a puzzle with what Rose just informed me.

“I am sure you were busy with your husband and that’s why you couldn’t say hi at Uncle Jonah’s place. That was not my fault,” I said.

Yeah, you are correct. He did not want me to disturb your meeting. He said it was business,” Rose said.

My phone rang and it was Larry. I had to excuse myself from Rose and told her we would talk later. Larry asked where I was and how Sancho saw our deal. I told him we would need to talk but I felt that Sancho would keep his part of his deal.

As I worked, I couldn't help but wonder what would become of Sancho. I had come to care for him and hoped he knew how to handle the gang and its members. I knew that he was struggling with his wife and the life he had chosen. My hope was that he could find a way to reconcile with his family and start anew.

As I settled into my new armchair, I couldn't help but replay the conversation with Sancho in my mind. I knew I had made the right decision, but that didn't make it any easier for either of us. A part of me knew it would be difficult to convince the gang to have a woman as their leader. I wished that things could have been different, but the reality of our circumstances was far too complex and I have an empire to build.

My phone buzzed on the table, snapping me out of my thoughts. It was a text message from an unknown number. Curious, I opened it to read:

"Thank you, Cassie. You've done a great thing."

The message was cryptic, and I had no idea who it was from. I replied, "Who is this?"

Almost immediately, a response came in, "It's Sancho. I can't thank you enough for your help."

Relief washed over me as I realized that my decision had indirectly helped Sancho and his family.

I texted back, "I'm glad your family is safe, Sancho. I hope you find the peace and happiness you deserve. Keep our deal alive"

With that, we exchanged a few more messages, and it was clear that we both needed time to move our own paths forward. As I set my phone down, I couldn't help but hope that the unity of the gang and the chance to lead the gang someday would help me find the redemption I sought.

The next day, I awoke with a sense of purpose. While my heart was still heavy with the weight of the previous night's conversation, and the rescue mission I had successfully carried out, I knew I had to focus on my office life and responsibilities. I had a job to do, and that meant dealing with the likes of Marvin.

I headed to the office without Marvin. He had left with the guards before I could finish dressing. It seemed like he was avoiding me. When I got to the office, I went straight to his office.

“Good morning Marvin, Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Hello, Cass, is there any problem?” He asked back.

“I thought we lived in the same house,” I said.

“I know that or have you moved out?” he asked.

“Marvin! Stop this! I am your head of security. I tried reaching you all through yesterday to no avail and you left me at home this morning even when you knew I was at home. Am I missing something?” I said.

“No Cass, I was just busy, my office is always open, so why didn’t you come in?” He asked me.

“You said you were in a meeting all through. Please what is happening?” I asked.

“Have you done the Lisandro job?” he asked.

“I am not telling you anything. I wanted to tell you yesterday and you were evasive all through,” I said.

Though Marvin apologized, I still could not understand why he behaved the way he did. My thoughts went to the documents. Had he figured he had a fake one? My thoughts also went to my identity. Had he figured out who I was?

I had to be careful because both situations were not good for me. I had fallen in love with him and grew so fond of the office job that I was losing focus on who I was and the job I was supposed to do.

I left Marvin’s office in anger. I had only a month to kill him and he had only about three months to get a wife. The complexity of my every situation sometimes makes me sick.

It looked like the contractor knew the complications of the job before choosing his hire. I was the only one told to get the documents. One of the very good things about this contract to kill Marvin was that I had grown to be the number one assassin and I had found love.

After a brief security meeting at the office, I decided to visit the hospital.

“Are you sure you are okay?” Marvin asked when I told him I needed to see the doctor.

“Yes! I just need some rest but I am sure I would be more convinced if it was coming from a doctor,” I said.

I went to see Doctor Jake and after a few discussions, he did some tests and came back to me smiling.

“Cass, you are pregnant,” said Doctor Jakes.

“That’s not possible,” I said, even when I knew it was a hundred percent possible. I have slept with Marvin several times without protection and now I am carrying his baby.

I sat down there at the doctor’s office, looking at the doctor and looking at my belly. I was not sure of my next move.