SSS-Class Profession: The Path to Mastery

The official announcement of the Brazil project's success was conducted by President Santos in front of international media and Brazilian government officials. She spoke eloquently about environmental restoration, international cooperation, and the remarkable achievement of restoring a park twice the size of New York City through innovative ecological techniques. Her speech was polished and professional, making no mention of criminal cooperation, moral compromises, or the complex negotiations that had actually made the project possible.

I listened to the announcement from an aircraft seat somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, having made my departure from Brazil before the formal ceremonies were even completed. Anthony and Evelyn were already on the plane with me, all of us having agreed that lingering in São Paulo after the project's conclusion would only create opportunities for complications we didn't need to deal with.

The cabin lights dimmed as the pilot announced our descent into Canadian airspace. I stared out the window, watching the sprawling forests give way to the familiar cityscape below. A month in Brazil felt like a lifetime—between navigating political minefields, coordinating with gang members, and somehow managing to address an ecological crisis, I'd barely had time to breathe.

"You look tired," Evelyn said from across the aisle, her blindfold perfectly in place despite the long flight.

"Says the woman who hasn't slept for the last what? 20 hours?" I replied, noting the slight slump in her usually perfect posture.

Anthony, seated behind us, let out an exaggerated yawn. "If we're playing 'who's more exhausted,' I win. Do you know how stressful it is being the only responsible person in this operation?"

Evelyn's lips twitched. "You got tired faster than most of the on site workers we had."

"Hey! I did my part, didn't I?"

I couldn't help but smile. The banter felt normal, grounding. After weeks of high-stakes meetings and careful political maneuvering, this simple exchange reminded me why I valued my team.

The plane touched down smoothly, and the next hour blurred into a mix of customs, baggage claim, and the familiar routine of returning home. Anthony split off at the airport entrance with a lazy salute.

"I've got some business to handle. Try not to start any international incidents while I'm gone, alright Boss?" He winked before disappearing into the crowd.

The car ride to the penthouse was quiet. Evelyn sat with her head tilted back against the seat, her breathing steady but not quite sleep. I found myself looking forward to the comfort of home—real food, a proper bed, and faces I'd missed more than I'd realized.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than usual. I shifted the bag on my shoulder, exhaustion settling into my bones. Beside me, Evelyn remained silent, though her fingers drummed against her thigh—a rare tell that she was thinking about something.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Fine. Just… ready to be home."

It's clear that she was tired, exhausted even. These last couple days were probably stressful for her. Especially since me and Santos had that disagreement. I should do something for her.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal our penthouse entrance. I'd barely gotten my key in the lock when the door flew open.

"REY!"

I had approximately half a second to brace myself before Camille launched into my arms, nearly knocking me backward. Her lips peppered my cheeks with rapid kisses, each one accompanied by an enthusiastic declaration.

"I missed you—" kiss "—so much—" kiss "—you can't just—" kiss "—disappear for a month—" kiss "—like that!"

"Camille, let the man breathe," Sienna's voice came from inside, warm with amusement.

"No! I refuse! He abandoned us!" Another flurry of kisses followed, and I couldn't help but laugh, wrapping my arms around her waist to steady us both.

"I was working, not abandoning anyone," I managed between her assault of affection.

"A month, Reynard! A whole month!" Camille pulled back just enough to look at me, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief and genuine happiness. "Do you know how boring fashion week was without you there to suffer through it with me?"

"I'm sure you managed just fine."

"That's not the point!"

Sienna appeared in the doorway, her auburn hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, wearing one of those comfortable home outfits that somehow made her look even more beautiful. "Are you going to let him inside, or are we doing this in the hallway?"

Camille reluctantly loosened her grip, and I stepped into the penthouse properly. Evelyn slipped past us, making a beeline for the couch where she collapsed with an exhausted sigh.

Before I could even set my bag down, Sienna wrapped her arms around me, her embrace gentler than Camille's but no less heartfelt. She pressed a soft kiss to my lips, then my forehead.

"Welcome home," she murmured. "We really did miss you."

"I missed you all too." And I meant it. The penthouse felt more alive with them here, more like home than any building could be on its own.

Alexis left her office, likely due to hearing all the commotion about me and Evelyn returning. Her platinum hair catching the light as she gave me a clinical once-over before stepping into my arms. Her kiss was brief but intense, and when she pulled back, her serious expression had softened just slightly.

"You look terrible," she said bluntly.

"Thanks. You look great too."

She huffed, but I caught the hint of a smile. "I'm serious. When was the last time you slept properly?"

"I'll sleep when I'm dead."

"That can be arranged if you don't take care of yourself."

Sienna's attention shifted to the couch where Evelyn lay sprawled, her blindfold still in place but her entire body radiating exhaustion. "Reynard, please tell me you've been treating Evelyn right while you were gone."

I felt a pang of guilt. "I… honestly didn't really have the chance to do anything for her. Things were pretty hectic the entire time."

Three pairs of eyes turned on me with varying degrees of disapproval. I could already tell that I messed up and that I was going to get scolded.

"A month," Camille said, crossing her arms. "You had an entire month alone with Evelyn, and you did nothing?"

"Well, not nothing. We solved an ecological crisis, negotiated with politicians and gang members, gathered crucial intelligence—"

"That's work, dummy," Camille interrupted. "I'm talking about treating her like a human being. Taking care of her."

Sienna shook her head, though her smile took the edge off her words. "Honestly, Rey. If you can't manage to look after one person for a month, what am I supposed to think about when I'm alone with you?"

"Hey now—"

"She has a point," Alexis added. "Evelyn looks like she hasn't had a proper meal or rest in weeks."

From the couch, Evelyn's voice drifted over, flat and tired. "I'm fine. This is normal."

"See? That's the problem right there," Camille said, pointing dramatically. "When 'exhausted to the point of collapse' becomes 'normal,' someone isn't doing their job."

I held up my hands in surrender, chuckling despite myself. "Alright, alright. I get it. I'll make it up to her, I promise. But before anything else, I need to check something."

Their teasing expressions shifted to curiosity as I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper—a copy of the information Gabriel had given me. The numbers and details were burned into my memory, but having the physical copy felt important somehow.

"What's that?" Sienna asked.

"Information," I said simply, walking to the coffee table and pulling out my phone. "About someone who might be able to help us."

Evelyn sat up slightly on the couch, and I knew she understood what I was doing. We'd discussed about Alessandro Vieri back in Brazil, the informant who supposedly could identify the World President's secret identity. This was the next step, the thread we needed to pull.

Camille, Sienna, and Alexis gathered closer, their curiosity evident. I unfolded the paper, found the number, and dialed carefully. My finger hovered over the speaker button for just a moment before I pressed it.

The dial tone echoed through the suddenly quiet penthouse.

One ring.

Two rings.

I could feel my heartbeat in my ears. This person—Alessandro Vieri—held information that could change everything. The World President had remained a mystery for so long, a shadowy figure pulling strings from behind an impenetrable veil. If this informant really could identify them…

Three rings.

Sienna's hand found mine, giving it a gentle squeeze. Camille had gone uncharacteristically still, her eyes fixed on my phone. Even Alexis, usually so composed, leaned forward slightly.

Four rings.

Maybe he wouldn't answer. Maybe Gabriel's information was outdated, or maybe Alessandro had already been compromised. A thousand possibilities ran through my mind, each one less optimistic than the last.

Five rings.

Then, just as I was beginning to think no one would pick up, there was a click. The ambient noise changed, the silence replaced by the faint sound of breathing and distant city traffic.

A pause stretched between us, heavy with anticipation.

Then, a voice came through the speaker, smooth and measured, with just a hint of caution.

"Hello?"​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​