KILLER IN THE SHADOWS

ava strolled to her seat, lost in thought about the new case. Just then, she sighted Ryan and Ethan approaching her.

"Hey, guys," she said with a smile. "I never knew you two had become so close."

Ryan and Ethan exchanged a glance, and Ethan asked, "Is there a new case?"

ava nodded. "Yes, a woman who committed suicide. Or at least, that's what it looks like. She was found hanged."

As they continued discussing the case, the room suddenly erupted into chaos. Voices rose, and Hava looked up to see Kira bursting into the police station, carrying multiple bags of food.

"Hi, guys!" Kira exclaimed, setting down the bags. "I'm ava's friend. Who's the chief around here?"

The chief emerged from his office, looking flustered. "What's going on here? Who are you?"

Kira smiled sweetly. "I brought food for everyone. But first, I need to ask permission from the chief. Hava's been working too hard, and I want to take her out for a break."

The chief raised an eyebrow. "What's your reason for asking for permission? There's a lot of work to be done."

Kira grinned mischievously. "I have a very good reason, and I'll submit it to your table. Don't worry about it."

Before the chief could respond, Kira arranged the foods on the table and announced, "Everyone, eat up! You can eat, eat, eat!"

As the room erupted into chaos, Kira scanned the area, searching for ava. Spotting her sitting at her desk, Kira strode over and said, "Here you are!

ava looked up, surprised. "What are you doing here, Kira?"

Ava gestured for Kira to take a seat, and Kira plopped down, smiling sweetly.

Ethan and Ryan couldn't help but stare at Kira, intrigued by her boldness.

Kira turned to Ava and said, "Since I told you to take a break, we're going shopping and then to that party. You can't refuse – it seems like you're scared of asking the chief for permission."

Ava whispered, "What do you mean I'm scared of asking the chief for permission? Besides, I clearly told you there's lots of work to do. We're still working on the Shadow Killer case."

Kira leaned back in her chair and said, "Oh, spare me the lyrics... Working on the Shadow Killer case, so that means you shouldn't take a break? In this life, you only live once. At least, that party we're going to... Who knows, you might meet your soulmate there."

Kira's eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, "Look, Ava, you're almost thirty, and you don't even have a guy in your life. What's going on?"

Ava hesitated, then looked at Kira and said, "You don't give up, right? Like, you seriously don't give up. Okay, fine. If you find a way to ask the chief, and if he gives me permission, I'll go with you."

Kira grinned triumphantly. "Exactly! That's what you should be saying. Ah ah."

Kira finally noticed Ethan and Ryan and turned to them. "Hey! Are these your colleagues?"

Ava nodded. "Yes, they're working under me."

Kira's eyes sparkled. "Oh, you guys are working under my best friend. I hope you're not giving her the stress of her life, because she's my dear bestie."

Kira turned to Ethan and said, "Oh, besides, you look cute. How old are you?"

Ethan replied, "I'm thirty."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "You're thirty, huh? Do you have a girlfriend or are you married?"

Ethan held up his hand, showing off his bare ring finger. "Look, as you can see, there's no ring. So, I'm not married."

Kira's grin turned sly. "What if I tell you I'm interested in you?"

Ava's eyes widened in shock, and she swiftly slapped Kira on the back of her neck.

"Ouch!" Kira shouted, rubbing her neck and glaring at Alva.

Ava looked at Ethan and Ryan and said, "Can you please just excuse us? Leave us alone for a minute."

Ryan and Ethan nodded and left the area.

Ava turned to Kira, her expression stern. "What's gotten into you? Why would you be flirting with him in front of me?"

Kira shrugged. "It's a free world. It doesn't concern you, and being interested in him doesn't mean he's special. We're all human beings, and I have to be truthful. Besides, he's not married. Or are you interested in him?"

Alva slammed her hand on the table. "What do you mean?"

Kira smirked. "Exactly, you're not interested in him.but I am."

Ava shook her head. "Kira, you're crazy. You're interested in someone you just met?"

Kira waved her hand dismissively. "Scratch that, spare me the lyrics. I'm interested in him, and I'm going to go for him."

Ava raised an eyebrow. "But why?"

Kira grinned mischievously. "Ava, you seem to be blind. This guy is hot, and let's just say it's love at first sight."

Ava rolled her eyes. "What if he doesn't like you?"

Kira's confidence didn't waver. "Ah, I'll make sure he likes me. End of discussion. I'm going to go talk to your chief now."

****************************

Julian emerged from the mansion, surrounded by his entourage of bodyguards. Suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere, his face twisted in accusation.

"You're behind all this, aren't you?" the man spat. "What's your plan? Why are you doing this?"

Julian smirked, unfazed by the confrontation. "I'm taking over TM Company soon, and there's nothing anyone can do about it."

The man's eyes blazed with anger. "I know you're behind the president's and the CEO's murders! You're going to pay for this!"

Julian laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Can you prove that? Can you prove anything? No, right? So, just get lost."

With a flick of his wrist, Julian summoned his bodyguards. "Throw him out. He's just a nuisance."

As the bodyguards dragged the man away, he struggled and shouted, "You'll regret this, Julian! You'll regret this!"

Julian sneered, his eyes glinting with contempt. "You can't do anything to me. You're nothing but a dead rat."

The man's angry face disappeared from view as the bodyguards tossed him out of the mansion grounds. Julian watched him go, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

A guy came running to a guy in black, came running to Julian, and he asked, "So, have you found out the detective working on the Shadow Killer case?"

Then the guy said, "Yes, her name is Detective Ava Morales. She's a detective on the Shadows Killer case, and she's really trying a lot to make sure she exposes the Shadow Killer." Then he told the guy, "Go for now. I will tell you what to do with that detective, but for now, silently watch her."

"but she isn't the only one working on the case,she's just the lead investigator"

"That's why you should watch her,go!"

*****************************

Kira was seen in the chief's office, sitting with her leg crossed. She looked stunning, dressed in black jeans and boots that hugged her body perfectly, paired with an off-shoulder white top. Her hair was neatly packed in a ponytail, and she wore cute sunglasses. She crossed her leg as she stared at the chief.

The chief said, "Okay, now that we're alone, what do you want? What permission do you want to ask for?"

Kira replied, "Hold on, do you want money or what? I have the money." She opened her bag, pulled out a huge bundle of dollars, and dropped it on the table. "This money is just for you to give my friend a break. After all, she's not the only one working on this case. You have other people to continue the case, right? So, what's your say?"

The chief was taken aback, stuttering, "Ehm, ehm..." Kira urged, "Don't waste my time, please. Just tell me."

The chief reached for the money, but Kira quickly pulled it back. "What's your say? Are you giving her permission or not?"

The chief replied, "When do you want her to take the leave?"

Kira tried to remember the date of the party, which was next week. "Next week. She'll take two days off, okay?"

The chief agreed, "Okay, fine by me."

Kira pushed the money towards him, saying, "You can have the money." She stood up, concluding, "I'm done for today. Thank you, chief, for the permission."