A recap of the previous chapter
The Malkietor was gone.
Its self-destruct sequence had erased the machine that had caused years of suffering. The explosion lit up the night sky, and the shockwave consumed everything nearby.
The Vega Mansion stood no chance.
Flames swallowed the historic estate as emergency sirens echoed through the city. News stations reported the destruction while another story spread just as quickly.
"ISS President Dan Schinder is facing calls for impeachment following the Malkietor incident..."
The world had changed overnight.
Flashback
Sam sprinted across the empty road, refusing to look back.
Behind her, the Malkietor's countdown reached zero.
A deafening explosion erupted, shaking the ground beneath her feet. She stumbled, finally stopping several meters away. Turning around, she watched a pillar of fire rise into the night sky.
"It... it's finally over," she whispered.
The distant roar of an engine interrupted her thoughts.
A motorcycle sped through the smoke toward her.
The rider was dressed entirely in black, his face hidden behind a dark helmet.
The bike slid to a stop in front of her.
The rider removed his helmet.
"Jace..."
A smile appeared on his face.
"You missed me?"
Before he could say another word, Sam rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Jace smiled softly before gently returning the hug.
"I thought I'd lost you," Sam said quietly.
"You'd have to try harder than that."
He stepped back and nodded toward the motorcycle.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
Moments later, they rode away, leaving the burning mansion behind.
---
The motorcycle eventually stopped beside a quiet beach.
The waves rolled peacefully onto the shore, completely unaware of the chaos the world had just survived.
Sam climbed off the bike.
She stared at the ocean before turning to Jace.
"Thank you."
He looked at her.
"For saving me... and for helping my family."
Jace shook his head.
"It was nothing."
He paused before continuing.
"Actually... I'm the one who should be thanking you."
Sam looked at him, confused.
"If you hadn't believed in me... if you hadn't given me the courage to fight... I would've kept running."
He laughed quietly.
"I never would've stood up to Laspa."
A gentle silence settled between them.
Finally, Jace broke it.
"So..."
"What does Miss Bani plan to do now that her home is gone?"
Sam chuckled.
"Miss Bani is a billionaire."
Jace raised an eyebrow.
"She lost one house."
She smiled.
"She still owns more than three homes across Sownsville."
"They'll be fine... at least for now."
Jace nodded.
"That's good."
The two of them stood quietly, listening to the waves as the first light of a new day slowly appeared on the horizon.
For the first time in a long while...
There was peace.Jace looked out at the endless sea before speaking again.
"You know... I was supposed to be on a flight to France today."
Sam turned toward him.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"I cancelled it."
"Why?"
"Because I found them."
Sam frowned slightly.
"My parents."
He smiled, though there was sadness behind it.
"Laspa lied to me my entire life. He always told me I was an orphan... that nobody wanted me."
He looked down at the sand.
"But I wasn't an orphan."
"I was just... a lost child."
"He found me first... and turned me into a weapon."
Sam listened quietly.
"He trained me to become an assassin."
She blinked.
"...An assassin?"
Jace scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Well... technically."
"I never actually killed anyone."
Sam stared at him before laughing.
"You?"
"What?"
"An assassin?"
She smiled warmly.
"Who would believe that?"
"You have those dark eyes, dark hair... and a face that looks far too innocent to hurt anyone."
Jace couldn't help laughing.
"So..."
He stepped a little closer.
"You think I'm handsome?"
Sam immediately looked away.
"I didn't say that."
"You practically did."
He grinned.
"I'll gladly accept the compliment."
Sam rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile.
"So..."
"You're leaving tomorrow?"
Jace nodded.
"I'll rebook my flight for tomorrow night."
Silence settled between them again.
Jace simply looked at her.
For several seconds.
Long enough for Sam to become nervous.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
He smiled softly.
"I just wanted to remember your face."
His voice became quieter.
"I like you, Sam Brooks."
Sam immediately corrected him.
"Vega."
Jace chuckled.
"They're still the same person."
Before she could answer...
He gently placed a hand against her cheek.
Then he leaned forward.
Their lips met.
It was soft.
Careful.
Almost hesitant.
Sam's eyes widened in surprise.
She completely froze.
When Jace pulled away, he immediately looked embarrassed.
"...I'm sorry."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Was that... your first kiss?"
Still stunned, Sam slowly nodded.
Jace sighed.
"I really am sorry."
He hesitated.
"...Did you at least like it?"
Sam looked into his eyes.
Still blushing, she gave a tiny nod.
A relieved smile spread across Jace's face.
"Then..."
"Let me make it a proper first kiss."
He leaned in once more.
This time...
Sam met him halfway.
Their lips touched again, slower than before.
The world around them seemed to disappear.
Only the sound of the waves remained.
For nearly a minute, neither of them spoke.
They simply stayed there, expressing everything words couldn't.
Eventually, Sam gently pulled away.
She rested her forehead against his.
"What are we?"
Jace looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"You just kissed me."
"You're leaving tomorrow."
"So..."
"What does that make us?"
Jace smiled as though the answer was obvious.
"I thought that was clear."
"You are my girlfriend."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Just like that?"
"You're the first girl I've ever kissed."
"So... I'd say that's official."
She laughed quietly before her smile slowly faded.
"I'm not sure."
Jace's expression changed.
"Why?"
"I don't like long-distance relationships."
Without hesitation, Jace answered,
"Then I'll cancel the trip."
Sam quickly shook her head.
"No."
"You just found your parents."
"I won't be the reason you lose that chance."
She took his hand.
"I've never tried a long-distance relationship before..."
She smiled nervously.
"But..."
"I'm willing to try something new."
Jace intertwined his fingers with hers.
"I'll make it worth trying."
They smiled at one another as the morning sun rose over the ocean.
For the first time in years...
Neither of them was running from the past.
They were walking toward the future.
A Few Days Later
Reporters and television cameras crowded the ISS headquarters as President Dan Schinder stepped onto the podium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today marks the end of one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history."
He addressed the destruction caused by the Malkietor, the investigation into the ISS scandal, and the public's demand for accountability.
"I am aware that the Government Council is currently considering impeachment proceedings against me. Should they decide to remove me from office, I will respect that decision and step down as President of the ISS."
Murmurs spread through the crowd before Dan continued.
"But today is not about me."
"It is about courage."
He invited Sam Vega to the stage.
Standing behind her were Miss Bani Vega, Sarah, Sander, and the rest of the Vega family.
Dan smiled as he placed a medal around Sam's neck before shaking her hand.
"On behalf of the ISS, thank you for your bravery."
Camera flashes lit up the stage.
Sam stepped toward the microphone.
"I couldn't have done this alone."
She looked toward her sisters and family.
"My sisters, my family, and my friends stood beside me every step of the way."
"This medal belongs to all of us."
The audience erupted into applause.
Miss Bani walked over and wrapped Sam in a warm hug before kissing both of her cheeks.
"I'm proud of you," she whispered.
The Vega family gathered together with President Dan as photographers captured the moment.
For the first time in a long while...
They looked like a family.
---
Weeks Later...
Sam entered President Dan Schinder's office.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
Dan stood by the window, a classified file resting on his desk.
"I have a new assignment for you."
Sam picked up the file.
Across the front, in bold black letters, was a single name.
BLACK ROSE
She looked up.
"Who... or what... is Black Rose?"
Dan folded his arms.
"That's exactly what we need to find out."
"Our intelligence confirms Black Rose controls a vast criminal network dealing in illegal narcotics."
"Cocaine. Marijuana. Synthetic drugs."
"The organization stretches across several countries."
He paused.
"But here's the problem."
"No one agrees on who Black Rose really is."
"Some believe Black Rose is one person."
"Others believe it's merely a title passed from one leader to another."
"There are even rumors Black Rose doesn't exist at all."
Sam frowned.
"So... we don't even know who I'm looking for."
Dan nodded.
"Our latest intelligence places Black Rose somewhere between Colombia, Mexico... and possibly Sownsville."
"If the reports are accurate..."
"...Black Rose is coming here."
Sam closed the file.
"What are my orders?"
"Confirm Black Rose's identity."
"Find out why they're coming."
"And keep this mission confidential."
"You'll have assistance from contacts within the DEA."
"The Drug Enforcement Agency?"
"Exactly."
Sam nodded.
"I understand."
She reached the door before stopping.
"Sir..."
"There was never a body."
"What if Laspa survived?"
Dan answered confidently.
"The explosion left behind his clothing."
"Our investigators concluded no one could have escaped."
Sam wasn't entirely convinced.
"...Understood."
She left.
Dan remained alone, staring out the window.
---
Somewhere Unknown...
A luxurious office overlooked a city skyline.
Lander Spencer...
Laspa...
Sat quietly across from Nathalie and Aliena Du Cheng.
The room was silent.
Finally, Aliena closed a folder.
"The authorities still believe you're dead."
Laspa smiled.
"Good."
"They'll keep searching for a corpse they'll never find."
"My business remains untouched."
"My family suspects nothing."
Aliena leaned forward.
"The LSA survived."
"But after everything that's happened..."
"It may be time for the organization to evolve."
Laspa nodded.
"I was thinking the same."
Aliena slid another file across the table.
"We've also secured a new investor."
Laspa glanced at the cover.
Only two words were written on it.
BLACK ROSE
His expression changed ever so slightly.
"...Interesting."
Aliena smiled.
"Our meeting has already been arranged."
Before Laspa could ask another question...
The office lights flickered.
The camera slowly zoomed in on the file.
A black rose emblem.
Nothing else.
No name.
No photograph.
No clues.
Only a symbol.
End of Season One.