Kiss or Kill- The Female Assassin

1- Recruitment

"The truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just have to find the ones worth suffering for."-Bob Marley

Two years ago

"Do you really believe he will propose tonight?" I implored my best friend, Ryan. He was seated across the bed from me.

He glared at me with an annoyed eye roll. "If you ask me one more time, I'm leaving."
I stared at him, batting my lashes. "Sorry," Ryan sighed aloud, and he settled his phone next to the lamp. "Ava, you've been with Jason for four years. You're both old enough to get married, so I don't see a reason why he wouldn't propose," he further commented. I let out a scream of frustration on my pillow.

"It's about time he proposed. It's Valentine's Day for crying out loud and also your anniversary." Ryan squeezed my arm to reassure me.

"I won't have a problem if he doesn't propose tonight. It's just that he's been giving me subtle hints since last week, and I can't help but think of the possibility." I ran my fingers through my dark brown hair. "He told me that he was going to the jewelry store, but he refused to tell me what he was going there for. Then this morning he called and told me that he's taking me out tonight and I should wear a dress."

"Okay, listen, I'll help you choose something to wear, and you just go on ahead with him and see what's up. If he proposes, you say yes, of course. If not, dose him with a glass of wine in his face, yeah?" He replied confidently.

I chuckled, and he joined in. "Okay sir."

"Besides, he'd be stupid not to propose. You're perfect," Ryan added, just to boost my confidence. It worked.

He and I have been best friends since we were four years old. His family left their hometown and moved in next door. My mom decided to make a casserole as a welcome gift and dragged me along with her. It was Ryan's mother who answered the door. "Hello. I'm Isabella, and this is my daughter, Avanelle," my mom introduced us. I was clinging on to the hem of her floral skirt when I heard footsteps storming down the stairs.

"Mom!" It was a boy. "I can't find my—" His words were cut off as he spotted me. "Who are they?" He asked his mom, his eyes filled with curiosity as he stared at me.

"These are our new neighbors. Why don't you introduce yourself?"The little boy tried to get a better view of me, but I hid my face further behind my mother.

"Hi, I'm Ryan. Do you like chocolate chip cookies?" He asked me. I gave him a shy nod, and with surprise, he dragged me by the hand inside his house. I glanced back at my mom, and she gave me an encouraging nod. I looked towards the boy who held my hand in his, alarmed.
Suddenly, he stopped.

"Mom, is it snack time?" He asked. "Can we have chocolate chip cookies?"
A few baked goodies later, and the next thing I know, we're covered in paint because he decided he wanted to showcase his 'amazing' skills.