Contract Marriage with My Secret Partner in Crime-Chapter 88: Masks On, Game On

The crescent moon hung low over the city when Kendrick — now Obscura — pulled up two blocks away from the target mansion.

His dark clothes blended easily into the shadows, a plain black cap pulled low over a short-haired dark wig. Underneath, a simple, cheap mask covered the lower half of his face — something bought from a corner store.

Nothing fancy.

Just enough to make him someone no one would remember.

He checked his phone again for the location pin.

Eclipse was already nearby.

Obscura adjusted the small earpiece in his ear, tapping once.

The channel clicked open with a soft beep.

"You in position?" he asked coolly, voice slightly distorted by the cheap mic.

"Way ahead of you, slowpoke," came the lively reply.

Eclipse.

Kendrick allowed a tiny smirk behind his mask.

Same loud mouth as always.

From the roof of a nearby abandoned warehouse, Zephany — now Eclipse — crouched like a cat ready to pounce.

She wore a short silver wig tied in a messy ponytail, paired with dark combat clothes and a half-mask with neon blue lines running across it.

Stylish, but still practical.

It was her signature after all — looking loud, acting louder.

She peered through her small binoculars, scanning the mansion ahead.

High fences, double security patrols, cameras at every angle.

Tch. Typical rich guy fortress.

"You seeing what I’m seeing?" Eclipse muttered into the mic.

Obscura’s voice crackled back.

"Yeah. South fence is weakest. There’s a maintenance gap."

Eclipse grinned, bouncing lightly on her toes.

"Then let’s tango, partner."

Without another word, they moved.

Two shadows among shadows.

---

The mansion loomed larger as they got closer.

Obscura reached the fence first, kneeling down to inspect the gap. A narrow opening near the ground, hidden by bushes. Not enough for a full-grown man... unless you were flexible.

He glanced over as Eclipse slinked up beside him, her neon mask flashing briefly as she moved.

Obscura shook his head slightly. Always flashy. Always asking to get caught.

But no one could deny her skill.

"Your turn to go first, sunshine," Eclipse teased in a whisper.

Obscura grunted, slipped through the gap easily, and rolled into the shadows beyond.

Eclipse followed smoothly, landing beside him with a muffled thump.

They stayed low, darting from shadow to shadow across the massive lawn. The sound of guards patrolling was faint — careful footsteps, clipped radio chatter.

Obscura signaled with two fingers:

Kitchen entry. Southeast. Window unlocked.

Eclipse gave a lazy two-finger salute and followed.

Within minutes, they were crouched underneath the kitchen window. Obscura expertly popped the simple latch open with a small flat tool, barely making a sound.

"Ladies first," he murmured dryly.

"You’re such a gentleman," Eclipse whispered back before slipping inside.

The kitchen was huge — the size of a small restaurant — filled with gleaming appliances and marble counters. Everything looked new, untouched, almost sterile.

Obscura climbed in after her, landing silently.

They immediately got to work.

Obscura pulled up the blueprint he’d memorized — the confidential documents were supposed to be hidden in the study on the second floor.

"Left hallway, upstairs, end room," he said quietly.

"Roger that, boss man," Eclipse replied with a cocky grin he couldn’t see.

They moved like ghosts, slipping through the silent mansion, always keeping to the blind spots between security cameras.

Obscura’s precise, tactical movements complemented Eclipse’s nimble unpredictability.

It was why Team Bacon had one of the best success rates among Nulls.

But just as they reached the base of the grand staircase, Eclipse froze.

"You hear that?" she whispered sharply.

Obscura tilted his head.

A faint mechanical whirring...

His eyes snapped to the ceiling — a blinking red light.

Laser grid.

New.

Not on the blueprint.

"Back! Back!" he hissed.

They scrambled back toward the kitchen, but it was too late.

A soft click sounded, followed by an ear-splitting alarm.

WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Flashing lights burst into life. Sirens blared.

Eclipse swore under her breath.

Obscura was already moving, scanning for escape routes.

But then—

The entire mansion’s lights dimmed... and a giant LED screen rolled down over the kitchen island.

A cheerful, cartoonish jingle started playing.

WELCOME TO CHEF DUEL!

Tonight’s Secret Ingredient: BACON!

Both Eclipse and Obscura stared, dumbfounded, as a mechanical voice chirped from hidden speakers.

"Contestants! You have 30 minutes to create a dish featuring tonight’s ingredient! The host will judge your creations LIVE! Failure to participate will result in immediate security intervention!"

"...What the hell," Eclipse muttered, looking around wildly.

Obscura pinched the bridge of his nose through his mask.

A cooking challenge?

Here?

Now?

The LED screen showed cameras popping out of walls, focusing right on them. Somewhere, the mansion’s owner was watching everything — probably laughing his ass off.

Obscura’s mind raced.

They had two options:

Fight their way out (risking blowing their covers forever).

Play along.

He made a quick decision.

"Play the game," he said lowly.

"We win. We get close to the study during the distraction."

Eclipse groaned dramatically.

"I can’t cook to save my life!"

Obscura grunted.

"I can."

There was no time to argue.

The counters in front of them flipped open, revealing ingredients — flour, eggs, spices... and of course, trays of fresh bacon.

"Let’s do this!" Eclipse shouted, her voice brimming with fake enthusiasm.

Obscura rolled up his sleeves.

Time to show another hidden skill.

---

In seconds, Obscura was moving confidently around the kitchen.

He grabbed the bacon, laying it neatly on a preheated pan, managing the temperature with precise flicks of his wrist.

Meanwhile, Eclipse fumbled terribly.

She accidentally dropped a whole bottle of oil on the counter, sending it splashing everywhere.

"Oooops!" she sang out, laughing nervously. "That’s fine! Everything’s fine!"

Obscura bit back a sigh.

At least she was distracting the cameras.

While Eclipse accidentally burned a pan — causing smoke to pour out dramatically — Obscura worked silently.

He whipped up a quick batter for savory bacon pancakes, tossing the ingredients together with quick, practiced movements.

Flip. Stir. Plate.

Clean, efficient, focused.

Eclipse, meanwhile, had somehow managed to set off the fire alarm above her.

"Bonus effects! Fire! Excitement!" the mechanical announcer chirped, thrilled.

Obscura shot her a glare, but Eclipse only shrugged sheepishly.

"Maybe they’ll think it’s artistic," she whispered into the mic.

Obscura shook his head and plated the final dish.

Thirty minutes later, the mansion’s owner himself — a portly, cheerful man wearing a luxurious velvet robe — walked into the kitchen, clapping his hands.

"Bravo! Bravo!" he cried, laughing heartily.

He tasted both dishes.

He gagged slightly after Eclipse’s charred mess, politely setting his fork down.

Then he bit into Obscura’s bacon pancake... and his entire face lit up.

"My boy," he said, clapping Obscura on the back. "You have the hands of an artist!"

Eclipse bowed exaggeratedly behind him, earning a chuckle from the man.

Then, to their shock, the businessman snapped his fingers.

"Give them the files!" he shouted to his assistant.

A young man rushed forward with a sealed brown envelope.

Obscura and Eclipse stared at each other behind their masks.

Was this really happening?

The businessman leaned in, grinning.

"You two made my night. I haven’t laughed like this in years."

He winked.

"Consider the prize a tip."