Top Assassins Call Me The Lady Boss novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Long-standing grudge

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-Eight

Ahmet returned just before dawn, exhaustion sitting deep in his bones. He stripped, showered, and let the hot water pound the grit of the night off him until his shoulders finally sagged. He cleaned and dressed the wound with practiced care, taped it down, then pulled on clean clothes that smelled faintly of detergent and something citrus, Markus’ doing.

The apartment didn’t feel like his anymore.

The lights were dimmed low, warm instead of harsh, like always. A soft glow spilled from lamps he never turned on. The fridge hummed fuller than it ever was. It was stacked with containers labeled in Markus’s blocky handwriting, notes stuck to the door with instructions that boiled down to: ’Microwave them when she returns. Eat in love. None of you two should die before tomorrow.’

There were bottles of juice, a carton of milk, and even fruit arranged like someone expected him to choose it. On the counter sat gift bags, tissue peeking out, and a bouquet resting in water like it had been waiting all night.

He stepped away from the counter, the soft glow of the kitchen lights following him only halfway before the bedroom swallowed the rest. The door clicked shut behind him, muting the apartment even further.

He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling, the quiet pressing in around him. Markus had come through earlier; set the place, filled the fridge, and ordered gifts. Flowers, too. Ahmet exhaled, a small sound that might’ve been a laugh if he weren’t so tired.

He scoffed under his breath and shook his head. "Son of a..." His mind went to the counter, the fridge, the neatly lined bottles. Juice. Milk. Water. Fruit. Markus knew he didn’t like fruits that much. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Not a single alcohol in sight. He let out a low laugh, rubbing a hand over his face. Markus had done this on purpose. The man believed no one drank on dates and worse, he was still salty that Ahmet had turned down drinks with him. So this was his revenge, Ahmet thought, amused despite himself. He could really use one right now, but Markus had made a point. No alcohol. He snorted. "Silly bastard," he muttered, fondness creeping into the insult whether he liked it or not.

Footsteps.

They were soft and familiar.

Ahmet swung his legs off the bed and moved toward the hallway, drawn by the sound like it had weight.

He pushed himself upright, a smile finding him before he could stop it.

Asli’s face appeared in the doorway, her hair loose, eyes alert despite the hour. She took him in; his bandage, damp hair, the way he sat like he’d been holding the spot for her. His shirt stayed on his body without being buttoned.

"I thought you’d be sleeping by now," she said.

"I was waiting for you," he replied easily. "Like I told you."

She stepped inside, eyes drifting. The room spoke before he did; the lowered lights, the clean lines softened by warmth, the table set simply but deliberately. Candles unlit, as if waiting for her. The flowers on the counter. The gift bags. It was careful without being flashy, intentional without trying too hard.

Her mouth twitched. Whatever fluttered through her chest, she kept it locked down.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Our first official date."

She let out a small chuckle, surprised despite herself. He crossed the room and handed her the bouquet and the bags. She took them, fingers brushing his, gaze skimming the petals like she didn’t want to linger.

"Do you like them?" he asked.

"Yeah, whatever," she said, biting back the smile that betrayed her anyway.

He saw it and his eyes softened.

"You know," she added, glancing at the bags, "I can’t go back with these."

"You’re a celebrity too," he said lightly and quickly. "You can lie... say one of your fans met you..."

She shook her head. "First of all, Asli doesn’t walk around looking like Lisa unless Lisa is needed. I’ve been off that persona for quite some time." A beat. "Secondly, I have never brought home anything from fans. My staff picks them and my father knows that. Everyone knows that."

The words were neat, however, the tone wasn’t. There was something under it, carefully tucked away.

"Okay," he said gently, not pushing. "I will keep the flowers here. So whenever you come, you’ll see them. Smell them." He nodded at the bags. "But these, you can keep those. They look ordinary. Anyone would think you got them yourself."

She smiled briefly, the kind that passed and left a trace. "I don’t buy gifts for myself. If I needed anything, my nanny knows."

It hit him anyway. But, he didn’t show it. Though he had a lot of questions he wanted to ask.

"This could be a first," he said softly. "Let them know you got them for yourself."

She looked at him then, really looked, like she was deciding whether to believe him. And for a moment, just a moment, she did.

"Alright, I guess you are right. Thank you, I guess." She said.

That earned him a look. She took another bite, slower this time.

"What about you?" she asked. "Other than missions and you being heartless."

He huffed a quiet laugh. "I do care. I just ration it." He thought for a moment. "I like fixing things. This is something not everyone knows about me. Doesn’t matter what. If it’s broken, I want to fix it."

Her lips twitched despite herself. Then she asked, carefully, "Is that why you want me? Because you think I’m broken?"

He shook his head immediately. "No." Firmer now. "You’re not broken." A beat, then softer, almost wry. "Unless you think I am too."

She didn’t answer and stayed quiet. He smiled and then asked, "Which of your identities do you prefer?"

She thought for a while. "I don’t think you know that Persona."

He smiled. "Which is it? The Midnight Reaper?"

Her eyes widened, genuine shock flashing across her face. "How did you know?"

"Asli," he said lightly, a corner of his mouth lifting, "I’m a man of many ways. Don’t ask me how I found out. When I’m interested, I find out about everything."

She studied him for a second, then looked away. "I won’t." A pause. "You still haven’t answered me. What’s your deal with my father?"

"I’ll tell you soon," he said quietly.

"You’re coming after my father," she pressed.

He didn’t deny it. "You know how the Mafia world works," he replied evenly. "It wouldn’t affect us."

She let out a short breath. "Then know this, I also have a bone to pick with your father."

That made him turn fully to her, surprise clear on his face. "Because you think I’m doing the same thing to your dad?" he asked. "Mine has retired, if you have any fight, it should be with me."

"It’s a long-standing grudge," she said simply. "One that didn’t start with you."