บท 5: The Mission Countdown Had Begun

Day One…

[ Mission Strategy Number 1: Approach the Devil through a 'Chance Encounter' ]

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'Uh-oh, here comes the Devil!' She gasped inwardly.

Badum! Badum!

The short moment of meeting the Devil's eyes raised Abigail's heartbeat fast. It seemed too loud in her ears. She couldn't understand why her body was reacting like this. It was so unlikely for her to feel anxious and intimidated by someone.

However, this man before her was able to affect her emotions. She wondered if this was a natural reaction of the original owner of this body or if she was the one feeling this towards Nathan Sparks.

Was she anxious, thinking that Nathan might recognize her? She didn't know the exact answer.

'Come on. Don't ruin this opportunity. Calm down.' Abigail reminded herself. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to relax.

She could hear the footsteps coming in. Little Ethan and his father were walking towards her. The moment she opened her eyes, a pair of handsome men (a boy and a guy) greeted her sight.

The young boy was smiling charmingly at her while the guy next to him was giving her a stern look. His scrutinizing gaze wandered over her face and shifted on her body, moving from head to toe and vice versa.

Momentarily she forgot about her goal of getting into his good side as she lifted her eyebrow as if her eyes were asking him 'What are you looking at?'

"Miss Abi!" Little Ethan excitedly greeted Abigail. He was about to come forward to hold her hand when Nathan stopped him, grabbing his son's shoulders.

"Who are you? Did you intentionally approach my son to gain some rewards?" Nathan uttered bluntly.

His action made Abi crumple her face in annoyance. But she couldn't blame him. Nathan was just being cautious and protective of Ethan. With a cap and a black mask, her current appearance looked very suspicious as if she was up to something no good.

It's only been three hours since she was awakened. Phantomflake's soul possessed Abigail's body and now she decided to use this identity. The hundred-day countdown of her special mission had begun and today was the Day One!

Using her previous knowledge and information gathered about the Supreme Leader of Syphiruz Mafia, she drew up a plan of how she would properly approach Nathan Sparks without being suspicious. Maybe a fake 'chance encounter' would do!

She racked her brain so hard only to come up with the best strategy! As far as she could remember, the woman whom she assassinated two years ago had a son out of wedlock with the Devil. Ethan Sparks!

If truth be told, the Devil's instinct was not wrong. She was indeed scheming something against him and she had a personal motive for approaching them. But Abigail would only have to feign innocence in front of this father and son duo.

"Oh Sir," Abigail gasped, covering her mouth as if she was shocked to hear his accusation.

"Are you sure you are the father of this charming boy?" she asked him with a silly smile on her face.

"Your son doesn't look like you. He is an angel while his father is a devil," Abigail murmured. But Nathan still heard her words making his expression turn sour and ugly.

'Oops!' Abigail gently hit her mouth as she was not able to control herself from mocking Nathan. It was just a slip of the tongue!

'Damn. I am supposed to gain his recognition and catch his attention! Not to offend him.' Abigail scolded herself inwardly. She bit her lip and lowered her head to avoid Nathan's deathly glare. "I'm doomed!" She continued murmuring.

There was a moment of silence. Though she was not looking at him, Abigail could still feel a chill run through her as Nathan's attention was fixed on hers.

'Why do I feel this way? Is the owner's body always nervous around men?' She kept blaming these absurd and unfamiliar feelings on the original owner of her temporary body.

Phantomflake was always fearless. But somehow, Nathan's overbearing presence was affecting her right now. Maybe she was not yet used to her newly acquired body.

After a while, a crisp laugh of a little boy reverberated around them, breaking the awkward silence. The two finally remembered that they were not alone. They had almost forgotten about Little Ethan's presence a while ago.

The two shifted their eyes to the young boy who was darting his gaze back and forth between Abigail and Nathan.

Afraid that more tension would be created between Nathan and Abigail, Little Ethan had decided to intervene.

"Miss Abi, believe it or not, this is my real dad. Though our appearances don't have a strong resemblance, he is as handsome as me, isn't he?" Little Ethan said cheerfully, lightening the mood.

Abigail could only smile wryly, not denying nor confirming Little Ethan's claim. On the other hand, Nathan maintained his cold and indifferent expression. If not for his son, he would have gone back to his office by now.

"Dad, this is the Lady whom I mentioned to you a while ago. She is coming with us tonight to Grandpa's birthday party! I hope you don't have any objections." Little Ethan used his charm to make his father agree. He was staring at him with his puppy-eyed look matched with his adorable face.

Abigail just stayed silent, anxiously waiting for the devil's response. The first step towards the success of her mission relied on this critical moment. She had to get closer to Nathan and his family. And this was the first opportunity to do that!

'Please say yes,' Abigail gulped hard, her eyes fixed on him.

After god knows how long, Nathan finally spoke up, giving them his response. "Fine. We can bring her. But she had to wear a proper dress." He didn't bother to hide his displeasure over her current appearance.

"Yey! Thanks, Dad! You are the best." Little Ethan jumped and hugged his father's right leg while thanking and complimenting him.

'Yes!' Abigail could now breathe normally.