Japheth

"What do you mean you found a better candidate? You already gave me this mission!" I yelled out in sheer frustration but the captain didn't budge one bit.

"Hand over the damn files, Jared. You know better than to give me a headache this fine morning." He replied, stretching out his hand toward me and I ran my hand through my hair, finally understanding that the universe wasn't my best friend.

I took out the documents from my bag and threw them on the table instead of handing them to him, and the way the veins in his forehead bulged, I knew he wasn't impressed. But I didn't care anymore. He can go fuck himself.

He turned away from me with a dismissive wave, and I turned around, ready to walk away, but for reasons unknown to me, my legs wouldn't move. Was I disappointed? Angry? Frustrated?

Hell yeah.

Why do they all love to treat me like shit? Was I such a pushover? Someone they could use whenever they pleased and discard like a useless piece of shit?

I've had enough.

With that thought, I turned toward the captain, and his eyes met mine, his expression questioning why I hadn't left his office yet. Without thinking, I said something I wouldn't have dared to say in my entire life.

"Fuck you, captain." I spat in anger and his eyes widened in shock, like he wasn't expecting those words from me. Then his expression immediately contorted into anger and he shot up from his seat like it was burning his butt.

"How dare you-"

His words were cut short when an officer barged into the office like he was being chased and I immediately got into a defensive position, looking out for any attacker. But to my surprise, there was none.

"I can't do it!" He yelled as he barged into the office and I straightened up, my brows raised in confusion and amusement.

"What do you mean you can't do it? You're the only person who can do this perfectly!" Captain retorted, his face red with anger as he slammed his palm on the table, and the officer shook his head in terror.

"You can fire me, Captain! But there's no way I'm going after the son of Don Martinez!" He yelled and it finally dawned on me that this was the candidate who was "supposedly" perfect for this job.

"What's so bad about his son?" I chirped in before the captain could speak and the officer turned to look at me like I had two horns on my head.

"Everyone knows how ruthless the Martinez' are. They have no mercy on people and they kill like it's a normal daily activity!" He blurted before turning to look at the captain. "I only agreed to take this mission because I thought the suspect was a mediocre person. Not Aaron Martinez!" He yelled with pure horror written all over his face.

I stood by the side with a small smile on my face, watching the whole drama unfold like a high school play. Perfect candidate, my ass. Such a scaredy cat wasn't even fit to be a police officer.

Before the captain could try to counter his words, he dropped his badge on the desk, and without hesitation, he ran out of the office the same way he came in. Silence reigned for a moment and my lips curved into a small smile as I clutched my bag tightly.

"I'll take my leave now, captain," I muttered and turned around but just as I expected, he called out to me, causing me to halt in my tracks.

"Jared, I was wrong. You are the only person worthy and perfect enough to take on this mission. How could I be so blind?" He muttered, his voice suddenly calm and smooth as silk, causing me to nearly let out a scoff of amusement.

"Oh no, captain," I replied, turning to look at him with a solemn look on my face. "I already left the documents with you and you already have a perfect candidate for the job. What could a mere constable like me do?" I asked and an expression of panic formed on his face as he grabbed the documents before making his way to my side.

"Don't mind my dumb words, Jared. I just wanted to test you and see? You passed! This job was originally meant for you. No one else can do it as good as you-"

"You mean no one is as naive as I to take on the mission, right?" I interrupted him, and he froze, his left eye twitching in annoyance, but he quickly covered it up with a smile.

"Jared, the benefits that come with taking on this mission aren't something that you should pass over so easily. Why don't you give it a second thought?" He asked, placing his hand on my shoulder and I let out a scoff of disbelief.

"What benefits? Are they worth endangering my life?"

I was gonna take the mission without him trying to sugarcoat me, but if there were indeed benefits that came apart from getting promoted, it wouldn't hurt to play hard-to-get for now.

"Jared," He sucked in a sharp breath and took out another document from the drawers of his desk before handing it to me. "Take a look at that."

With my brows raised, I scanned the documents in front of me, and for a moment, I was confused. Until I finally registered what it meant.

"You're not going on any mediocre mission. You're leaving this small city and moving to California. I'm assuming you already know this." He explained and I blinked in confusion. I didn't realize that I had to leave Denver for California.

I've never left this city before... And the adrenaline rush that suddenly coursed through me made me giddy with excitement.

"You'll be taking on a new identity. Everything you own from now on will be taken care of by the police department. We'll have eyes watching you over there so you won't be alone. You'll have a new life, Jared. And not a life of suffering." Captain explained softly while my eyes were still glued to the paper I was clutching tightly.

A new identity. A new profession. A new house. A new car. A new city. It felt like I was starting my life over again.

"But, captain-"

"Did I mention you'll be given a million dollars for this mission?" He interrupted and I choked on air instantly, my eyes widening at his words.

Japheth

"A million dollars!?" I asked in sheer shock, not wanting to believe what I just heard but Captain nodded to prove that I didn't hear him wrong.

"This mission is a matter of national security. Which is why we're sending you because you've always kept a low profile." He replied and I tsked softly.

Low profile? What does he expect of a low-life constable?

"So, what you're trying to say is, I get to travel to California, get a new life and identity, which includes a new house and car, and then I still get a million dollars?" I asked to be sure I wasn't dreaming or tweaking and when Captain nodded with a smile on his lips, I nearly punched the air in excitement.

"But-"

Of course, there's always a but.

"You only get half the payment now. You'll use that to take care of yourself for the next six months. Once you complete the mission, the rest will be yours." He explained and I nodded in understanding.

"So, I have six months to complete this mission?"

"This is why I like you, Jared. You're so smart." He said in satisfaction and I scoffed lightly, not wanting to admit that I was a sucker for compliments.

"What now?" I asked and he clicked his fingers before gesturing for me to come over to his table.

"This is your new identity. Japheth Wilson." He pointed to his computer and my face scrunched into a frown.

"Why Japheth? You could have chosen a better name-"

"Are you arguing with the higher-ups now?" He asked in annoyance and I immediately mimicked zipping my lips. "Everything about your new identity is in here. I've sent it to you. Take your time and go through it, study every detail so you don't mess up. You'll be a professor at the university where the suspect studies. You've always been good at teaching anyway so this should be a piece of cake for you."

I let out a sigh, feeling slightly overwhelmed but I knew that this mission held excitement that I couldn't just let go of.

"Alright, Captain. Thank you for entrusting me with this mission." Even though he had almost given it to someone else. Such a two-faced man. "When do I leave for California?"

"By Monday. Here," He took out a big file from his drawer and my lips thinned into a small line. Why didn't he just give me everything at once?

"This contains your new identity passport, ID card, everything you might need as Japheth the professor." He said and handed me the file while I nodded in response. "The whole nation is putting their trust in you. Don't let us down."

Monday. Three days. Three days until my life changes. Until I take on a new identity.

And I would give it my all.

"Yes, Sir!"

**************************

Three days had passed, slowly at first, then like a flash. I had spent every hour researching on the Martinez'. I avoided my family as much as I could but Jackson remained a huge thorn in my flesh. When I packed the few things I needed from the house, he had mocked me, telling me that I couldn't run away from him.

Like hell, I was running away. None of them knew of this mission. None of them even knew where I was headed or why I was leaving. My stepmom had a look of satisfaction on her face when I dragged my small suitcase out. My Dad? He didn't even acknowledge my presence.

I could tell Jackson was curious with the way he followed me around until I got into my pickup car. Shifting the gear into reverse mode, I nearly let out a yelp when I saw Jackson right beside the window.

"Tell me the truth. Who are you going to live with? Do I trouble you that much?" He asked, but I simply let out a sigh and tried to raise the windows, which, of course, didn't care about me.

"You wanted me out so I'm leaving. Shouldn't you be happy?" I replied and he smiled, his hand moving to touch my hair, causing me to flinch instantly.

"You're so gullible and fragile... look at you. You have such a small, lean frame that if you weren't tall, no one would believe you're in your thirties. The world out there isn't kind and it'll break you before you know it." He muttered, his eyes holding a weird kind of emotion that had my skin crawling.

"Fuck off, Jackson." I spat in anger, my hand reaching out to push him away from the car, but he suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me closer, so close that our faces were only inches apart, and I yelped in shock.

"Only I can treat you better. I don't care where you're going. I will find you, make your life miserable, and bring you back to where you belong." He mumbled, his eyes trained on my lips and everything in me recoiled as I yanked my hand out of his grip immediately.

I stepped on the accelerator and the car immediately reversed out of the parking lot before speeding out of the house. I glanced at the rearview mirror to see that he was standing by the gate, his eyes fixed on my car as I sped away.

What the fuck was that all about? I shuddered slightly, feeling weirded out by the way he stared at me and the words he uttered. That fucking prick.

He was just a lawyer, and I am a police officer. There's no way in hell that I'll let him make my life miserable again. Besides, how would he even find me in California with a new identity?

I drove to the station and the car finally came to a stop. The moment I stepped into the building, everyone's eyes were on me. Like I was some kind of unreal being.

Pushing my way to the Captain's office, I saw him standing by the window with a lost look on his face. When he finally noticed me, he cleared his throat and gave me a very serious stare.

"Everyone's waiting at the airport." He muttered and I sucked in a sharp breath, my hands getting clammy all of a sudden due to nervousness.

Japheth

The flight took three hours. Three hours that felt like three years. I was anxious and nervous. One, I had never been in a plane before. Two, I had six months to apprehend the most dangerous tycoon's son and I have no idea what will happen to me if I get caught.

I tried not to think negatively but I couldn't help it. I wouldn't admit that I wasn't scared. The moment the plane touched the ground, my heart finally left my throat and returned to my chest. I walked into the airport, with no idea where I was going but when I saw someone holding a board with the name "Japheth" on it, I realized I was probably scared for nothing.

I wasn't alone.

"Mr Japheth Wilson?" The man holding the board asked when I walked up to him and I nodded slowly in response. "Nice to meet you, I'm Stephen. I'm also a police officer but I'm undercover like you." He whispered and I nodded slowly, not knowing what to respond with.

"Your phone." He asked and I raised a brow in confusion before handing it to him. He smiled at me before dropping it to the ground and stepping on it harshly.

"Hey! That's my phone! What did you do?" I asked in horror, picking up the now damaged phone, but he simply took out another from his pocket and gave it to me.

"My apologies. But that phone could get you in trouble since it still has everything from your past identity. Besides, this phone is better and more... sophisticated." He replied with a smile as he grabbed my luggage and started to walk away.

The ride to my apartment was silent, and I could tell that he was staring at me, but I didn't care. It was already nighttime by the time the car finally came to a stop, and the moment I stepped out of the vehicle, my jaw dropped to the ground.

"This is your apartment. If you have any questions, you can call me, my contact is already saved in your phone. I have to run. Welcome to California, Japheth." He said, dropping a key into my hand, and with that, he drove away.

I spotted the Mercedes AMG sitting by the garage and I let out a laugh of disbelief. Stepping inside the apartment was like stepping into paradise. It was big enough and beautiful. Nothing like the dull-looking walls I was used to.

For the first time in a long time, I laughed and ran around the house like I was a kid. I was finally living the life I've been dreaming of. The closet was fully packed with clothes that I would have never been able to afford. Everything felt so unreal.

Just then, my new phone dinged with a message and a shocked scream escaped my lips when I saw the notification. Five hundred thousand dollars. Credited to Japheth Wilson. The captain wasn't lying after all.

After that came a notification from my captain. "Good luck, Japheth. Make us proud."

He already knew about the phone. This was the life I've always wanted to live... Away from my sick family, with enough money to live a comfortable life.

Collapsing onto the bed, I didn't bother to change my clothes or get something to eat. I wanted to finally sleep in a comfortable bed and man, the bed was bouncy. In no time, I had fallen asleep like I had no worries in the world.

************************

One week has passed since my arrival in California. I took my time and got used to how things worked here. I made sure to blend in and not raise any kind of suspicion. The captain had pulled his strings and gotten me a spot at SAU as a substitute professor.

St. Aurelis University was a very prestigious university. Only the top kids with intelligent minds could attend that school. Captain warned me not to be deceived because the university wasn't as clean as it seemed. I had to keep my guard up.

My first day showing up at the college and I was nervous as fuck. My hands were clammy and I stumbled a couple of times while walking. I had to return to my car, slap myself a few times, give myself that pep talk, and then start over.

I made my way to the Dean's office and I couldn't ignore the stares I got as I walked by. Not stares of contempt. But of awe. Of surprise. Even seduction.

"Mr Japheth Wilson?" Dean Laurence asked and I nodded with a smile as I took his hand for a shake. "Welcome to SAU. Please read the rules and regulations before proceeding to the professor's hall." He said sternly, his eyes watching me like a hawk stalking its prey and I gulped nervously.

My eyes skimmed through the paper containing the rules before finally dropping it in front of him.

"I understand the rules, Dean," I said softly and he finally smiled at me, one that gave me chills, before taking my hand for a shake again.

"You're free to leave. Here's your staff ID card."

I took the card from him and left his office before letting out a breath I didn't realize that I was holding. I suddenly needed to find the restroom because I had been too nervous this morning, so I drank three bottles of water.

I was too nervous to ask any student who passed me by, so I simply tried to find it on my own. When I finally saw the sign "restroom", I let out a sigh of relief and hurried in there to ease myself.

The moment I stepped out, I bumped into a tall figure and took a step backward immediately, but I ended up tripping over my leg, causing me to fall backward. To my surprise, someone grabbed me by my waist and pulled me back up, causing me to let out a sigh of relief.

"You have such a small waist." I heard him say and I froze, my head lifting slightly to look at who it was.

To say I froze was an understatement. My entire body stopped working when I met his eyes. Blue, cold, depthless.

"Are you okay?" He asked, and I opened my mouth to say something, but my words got stuck in my throat. His voice was unlike anything I've heard before. Smooth as silk, but held depths of danger.

He still didn't let go of me, and I didn't try to push him away either. It was like I was under some kind of hypnotic spell that he placed on me.

"You're a professor, right?" He asked again and since I couldn't speak, I simply nodded like a child. His eyes twinkled in amusement at my reaction and his lips curved into a slight smirk.

"Are you an impostor? What is a professor doing in the student's restroom?" He asked, this time his voice had taken a lower tone and his face contorted into a frown that made me scared instantly.

Fuck, it was him. Aaron.

Aaron Martinez. The one I was sent to infiltrate, and now he had already seen me as an impostor.