Nicole's First Mission with The Scarlet Ribbon Unveiled
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Chapter 1: Morning Routine
Despite recently joining the clandestine organization known as The Scarlet Ribbon, Nicole commenced her week in a familiar manner, rising from bed and heading straight for her beloved coffee maker.
Following the events of The Invitation
Nicole may have just joined a secret society, The Scarlet Ribbon, but she started her week as usual by rolling out of bed and going straight for some coffee. Ready to take on the day, she poured just enough creamer into her favorite coffee mug, followed by piping hot coffee and a quick stir. Then, she made her way to the couch nestled between her cat Jinx and her pug Athena. There she watched some TV and sipped her coffee trying to wake up. Once she felt awake enough, she had some breakfast, fed Jinx and Athena, and got ready for work.
As she stepped outside to her car, she felt a chill in the air due to the fog, prompting her to return for a jacket. After locking the door, she made her way down the sidewalk toward her vehicle. Just then, her phone buzzed with a text message:
"We have an assignment for you."
The message caught her off guard, considering it had been less than 48 hours since she had accepted her invitation to join The Scarlet Ribbon. What was the assignment? Would it involve danger? And why was she being contacted as a new member? Nicole wondered.
Once she reached her car, her phone buzzed again. This time, the message read:
"You will receive further instructions this afternoon. We'll provide a number you can call this evening for any questions you may have."
With that, she drove off to work, her mind racing with thoughts about the assignment. A blend of excitement and anxiety accompanied her throughout the day, often distracting her from her tasks. Finally, around 2 PM, she received another text.
Chapter 2: The Invitation
"You will be attending the Hawthorne Gala this weekend. We will ensure your name is on the guest list. Your invitation will arrive in the mail. You and an anonymous partner will be listening for signs of malicious activity among the elite members of the Hawthorne Club. The invitation will detail the dress code, time, and location. Be prepared."
Reading the message brought a sigh of relief from Nicole. Knowing the assignment wasn't perilous allowed her to focus better at work, yet she couldn't shake off the thrill of attending such an exclusive event. Dress shopping was now on her mind. Over the next few days, her anticipation for the Gala grew.
On Wednesday evening, after work, she checked her mailbox and found it—the invitation. It was stunning, adorned in deep burgundy with a gold wax seal. Once inside, she sat at her dining table, pushed aside the remaining mail, and eagerly opened the envelope. The invitation was inscribed in elegant gold ink and embellished with ornate designs.
The Hawthorne Gala
Saturday 7 PM
1437 W Violet Ave
Formal Dress Required
This marked the first time Nicole had been invited to such a prestigious gathering, and she was ecstatic about her upcoming dress shopping adventure. After taking Athena for a leisurely evening walk, she prepared dinner and settled in on the couch, opening her laptop to browse through local boutique websites, excited by the options ahead.
Chapter 3: Dress Shopping Dilemma
By Friday evening, she embarked on her dress-shopping quest. After trying on over a dozen outfits, she finally found the perfect dress that fit her flawlessly and accentuated her beauty. She felt confident that this choice would help her blend in at the Gala while executing her assignment.
As she drove toward the Gala just before 7 PM on Saturday, the sight of a valet parking station impressed her. This was indeed an elite affair. Even though darkness had settled in, the warm evening air wrapped around her as she handed her keys to the valet and stepped inside, clutching only a small purse containing her phone and wallet.
Chapter 4: The Gala Experience
Throughout the evening, Nicole mingled with the attendees. She overheard two men discussing the funding for the evening's events, and with further eavesdropping, she uncovered that the money originated from the mayoral campaign fund—an inappropriate allocation since the event had no connection to the campaign. However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
An hour into the evening, everyone was gathered in a grand hall with a stage at the front. Nicole quickly realized it was an auction, but the items being sold remained a mystery. As the auction progressed and she continued to listen in on conversations, a shocking realization dawned on her: the items being auctioned were antiques being traded illegally. Nicole was taken aback but maintained her composure as she continued to gather evidence.
As the Gala concluded, Nicole drove home, reflecting on the night's events. She crafted a detailed report of her findings and submitted it to The Scarlet Ribbon, documenting everything from the individuals she encountered to the campaign fund scandal and the illegal antiques trade. She felt like a character in a spy film, elegantly dressed to infiltrate an elite gathering and expose a major scandal. She hoped her future assignments would be equally thrilling yet safe. This was just the beginning of her journey with The Scarlet Ribbon.