Top Assassins Call Me The Lady Boss-Chapter 118: Eighteenth Birthday

Chapter Hundred and Eighteen

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Asli’s Villa, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floors.

Matilda stood in the grand hallway, her eyes fixed on the entrance, with anticipation fluttering in her chest.

Who was she waiting for?

Today was her eighteenth birthday, and it was a milestone she had been eagerly waiting for. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

The sound of footsteps echoed, and her heart skipped a beat. She knew who would be walking in any moment from now.

As expected, Markus entered, his expression as stoic as ever, dressed in his usual training attire. He barely glanced at her as he walked past.

She had almost forgotten it was time for her training. She was still feeling the aches from the previous session. She needed to dodge it today. And what was the perfect excuse to use?

"Good morning, Markus," she called out, trying to mask her excitement. "How was your day off?"

He nodded curtly, not breaking his stride.

Matilda’s smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. "It’s my birthday today," she announced, hoping to elicit a reaction.

But, Markus paused, turning slightly to look at her. "Happy birthday," he said, his tone neutral.

"I was thinking," she began, stepping closer, "maybe you could take me out to celebrate?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I don’t think that is appropriate."

Before Matilda could respond, Asli entered the hallway, with her presence commanding attention.

"Asli!" Matilda exclaimed, seizing the opportunity. "Since you are busy and Cole is on vacation, I was hoping Markus could take me out for my birthday."

Asli glanced between the two, her gaze lingering on Markus. "Don’t bother him, Matilda. He has a lot to do. And also here for your training."

Matilda pouted, her eyes pleading. "But this is my transition to adulthood. I have never celebrated birthdays before, but this one is special. I just want a moment to cherish."

Asli sighed, considering her yearning tone and words. "Perhaps your aunt can accompany you."

"But who will take care of my mother?" Matilda countered.

They all fell silent, the weight of responsibility settling over them. They couldn’t trust anyone to take care of Matilda’s mother other than her aunt. Not even Matilda... not even Asli.

After a moment, Asli relented. "Alright. The three of you will go out together then."

Matilda’s heart sank. This was not the plan. She had hoped to spend time alone with Markus, to find a way to connect with him beyond their training sessions.

For some reason, she found him interesting. The way he was care free and foolish around everyone but serious around her, made her want to know him even more.

She forced a smile, but her appetite vanished. She barely touched her breakfast, pushing the food around her plate.

Everyone noticed but didn’t say anything. They just watched her till it became unbearable.

Asli was last to have noticed. "Not hungry?"

Matilda shook her head. "Just not feeling well."

Asli exchanged a glance with Markus. "Perhaps Demir can take you out instead."

At the mention of Demir’s name, Matilda’s eyes widened. She quickly interjected, "Actually, if it is alright, I don’t have any bug stuff on my schedule. It’s our training session I have today and a few stops but I can do them at midnight."

Markus looked up, surprised at how fast he had spoken.

Asli raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?" Asli asked.

Matilda nodded, her expression earnest. "Yes. I think it would be nice."

There was something about her excitement that threw him off. He hesitated, then finally agreed. "I will take you out."

Matilda’s face lit up, a genuine smile spreading across her lips.

Matilda shoved her chair back with a noisy scrape, pushing to her feet. "Alright, let’s go."

Her aunt blinked in surprise. "So soon?"

Matilda threw her hands up. "How else am I supposed to enjoy the day?"

Without waiting for a reply, she dashed up the stairs two at a time. Her excitement hummed under her skin, even if it wasn’t the innocent kind. She wasn’t hoping for a cake or a candle. She wanted Markus. Alone. With time.

She changed into a soft brown sundress that hugged her waist and left her arms bare. Her hair she left down, brushing it quickly before grabbing a small bag and hurrying back down the stairs.

In the hallway,

Asli stood with one hand on her waist, and a sleek black card pinched between two fingers of the other hand. Her eyes skimmed over Matilda before locking on Markus. "You better protect her."

She held the card out, her voice casual but edged. "Here. Take this."

Markus did not reach for it. His mouth curved barely with a silver smile that passed more as a habit than warmth. He tilted his head, and his eyes unreadable.

"I will protect her," he said, his voice cool with the faintest trace of sarcasm. "What do you take me for?"

He made no move toward the card.

Asli arched an eyebrow.

He smirked and added, "Keep your card."

Matilda watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. ’That smile. That soft expression... Why does Asli get that look? And I? I get a hard glare one. Always stone.’

Asli gave a small sigh and turned to Matilda instead, slipping the card into her hand. "Don’t let him deny you anything," she said lightly, though her gaze lingered on Markus, meaning threading through the words.

Markus didn’t argue. He just slid his hands into his pockets and stared at a fixed spot on the wall. But there was something in his jaw, it was too tight, and the slight roll of his eyes that told Matilda he had no intention of letting her use that card.

Still, she bit her tongue and followed him outside.

When they slid into the car, Markus adjusted his seat and looked over at her. "Where to?"

She smirked. "Surprise me."

He let out a dry laugh. "If you want to see a pile of dead bodies, then you are with the right person."

Her eyes widened, fear flickering through her chest. She coughed and turned her face toward the window, blinking it away. Of course, he would say that.

"I meant something normal, Markus," she muttered. "Haven’t you celebrated your birthday before? What did you do for your eighteenth?"

"Oh, I have," he replied, voice light. "We had a bloodbath."

She groaned, slumping in her seat. "Seriously?"

Markus did not answer. He pulled out of the Villa’s driveway, one hand on the wheel, the other draped loosely across his lap. He drove fast, with sharp turns and easy confidence.

Matilda barely noticed the scenery; her eyes were fixed on him, how his jaw flexed when he changed lanes, the way his mouth settled into a flat line whenever they hit traffic.

They drove into the city. She kept suggesting places: the new boardwalk that opened near the west docks, the little café with open mic poetry night, even the shady fairground that only showed up once every few months. Every time she pointed to something, he yawned.

The third time, she slammed her palm lightly against the dashboard. "Are you serious? You are bored already?"

"I am here, aren’t I?" he replied, yawning again. "Is that not what you wanted?"

She crossed her arms. "You could at least pretend to be having fun. You could just act like I didn’t force you."

"I do not pretend, Matilda. Unless it is needed. Also, I don’t get forced to do things," he said without missing a beat. He meant those words. He noticed how serious the air had become and added, "If you want fun, there is a gym I know. Shady, but they will let you kill."

"Not helping!" she yelled. How then did he say ’but’ when the gym was already shady?

He chuckled under his breath. "Alright. Then pick a place you actually want to go to. Not just the first bright sign you see. The shiner they look, the darker it is inside."

"Who told you that? Your profession is really ruining your judgment." Matilda tapped her foot, considering.

The car rolled to a red light. She glanced at him; how he leaned slightly forward, one hand gripping the wheel tighter than necessary.

He was not going to enjoy her kind of fun and she wasn’t going to enjoy his kind of fun either. However, it was her day.

"Fine," she said finally. "There is a rooftop park near the museum. Nobody really goes there during the day. It is quiet."

His eyes flicked toward her. "That’s better. See? You can plan things like a normal person... as you are."

She rolled her eyes. "And who said you aren’t normal? Shut up and drive."

Markus smirked and turned the car in the direction of the museum. She did not know what this was... this not-quite-date, not-quite-war zone but as long as it kept her out of training and close to him, she was counting it as a win.