Ruler of the Mask

Chapter 5 - Meeting my Enemy

The next morning, Maui had to present herself at the Special Crime Unit building to report. Although hints of confusion and doubt filled her heart and mind, she had nowhere else to go and no reason to cover up her absence. She has friends that could be helpful in concreting an alibi. If it wasn’t Mr. Daniel who called her, she wouldn’t come even if she would be block listed.

She marched to the front door, bounding to the elevator. The building has 20 floors. That’s how massive and rich the government is, at least that was what she thought. However, she knew that the government was corrupt. The people of this country have no idea, but as a detective, she knew a lot of things that normal citizens must not know. As she was inside the elevator, she clicked to the third floor. She was alone inside, but that was great for her. As the elevator stopped and opened its doors, Maui immediately moved out while Sky was entering. The lad looked familiar to her but she didn’t mind as she continued walking towards Mr. Daniel’s office.

She knocked on the door.

“You may come in,” said the voice from the inside. It was probably Mr. Daniel. However, Maui hasn’t seen him for a while, she has forgotten his voice. She walked passing through statues of silver armor and stared at the old man. The aura of Mr. Daniel was screaming for authority and the uniform he was wearing made her stand straight.

‘At the age of 60, he should just retire,’ Maui thought. She showed her reverence by saluting.

“How was your vacation, Ms. Harper?” the Deputy Chief asked her. She could not comprehend why this old man was asking her about what she had been doing after their failed mission. Perhaps it was his way of mocking her for failing again.

“It was great, sir. Right now, I feel energized,” she responded in the most respectful way. Even if she hated this man, she must never dare to test his limits, for he could be a wild tiger if he wanted to.

“I haven’t signed your resignation letter. So that means you’re still on duty. Let’s just say you went AWOL last time, but I will still keep you as a good and wonderful detective. You know this organization cannot lose a skilled professional like you. You know you were just in the wrong place,” Mr. Daniel said.

Boredom was slowly striking her; she would rather listen to a comedy show than stay in this tacky office. Despite what she felt, she remained calm and decent.

“May I know what you are trying to say, sir?”

Mr. Daniel leaned on his office chair and smiled.

“I do not accept your resignation and you are assigned to a new department; the Drug Enforcement Department.”

Those last words he uttered rang the bell in her ears. The buried memories lying at the bottom of her heart gradually forced their way into her broken inner child. No, she would never accept this offer. She had already decided to quit and move out of the city, and find a perfect place to live in. She wanted a peaceful life but it looks like it won’t happen. She had already packed the things in her office to leave but this old man was stopping her. She wanted to be free from all the corrupted memories that kept on banging in her head. She wishes for a life in the countryside, a life of a peaceful and independent woman. When will she experience the true beauty of life?

The sound of the engine of her Audi car made her realize that she should just take the opportunity and try it. Perhaps it would change her life for the better. Perhaps she would finally find her parents. Perhaps by choosing this field, she could finally find someone to love. She shook her head.

“I’m pretty sure. Even if I pray for someone to love, that would still be impossible. Guys these days are jerks. No, I cannot find someone to love just by choosing this path, but we’ll see what it can give to me,” she mumbled.

She drove through the busy roads of New York City. Minutes passed and she arrived at the New York Police Department. This building is massive with mirror-like windows that reflect the white clouds and ocean-like sky. She couldn’t stop admiring the beauty of the sky and clouds. She shook her head because of the heat that made her feel nauseous.

As she was inside the building, Chief Inspector Franco approached her while sipping on a disposable cup of coffee. The warmth of his smile made her feel comfortable. Thankfully, Maui knew this man.

“Ms. Maui Harper, right?” Franco asked, wanting to be sure that she was entertaining the right person. She saluted and nodded her head.

“Yes, sir. I am Maui Harper,” she responded.

The old man replied with a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness, it is finally you. I’ve been waiting for you. Mr. Daniel told me of how skilled and professional you are at solving cases. Now I don’t want to lose any seconds because I have a lot of things to do,” the chief Inspector explained while walking. She followed him.

Maui and Chief Inspector Franco were working on a serial case before. They know a lot about each other. But things changed because she was punished for training newbies because of one reason: she almost killed a suspect.

“I’m not that good at this field. I don’t know what he told you but I just want to say that I have never accomplished any case yet,” Maui denied. Why did Mr. Daniel say such nonsense things? She knew that she wasn’t good enough in this field.

“Oh, a humble one. I wonder where Sky is right now. It would be better if you met him,” he added, with a hint of excitement in his eyes. Whoever Sky was, Maui didn’t wish to meet and talk to him. She was not in the mood to talk to anyone except to Mr. Franco. It would be rude if she would just leave without a valid reason to someone superior than her.

“I’m not humble, sir. Anyway, who’s Sky?” she acted as if she was interested.

“Sky is an FBI agent. I know you met him before, you just forget when and where,” Mr. Franco answered, even his voice was loud and proud.

Who is this man he was talking about? It seems that this man is taking on her interest. He is probably someone with good grades and is good at solving cases. Well, she will not know if she won’t meet him.

They stopped in front of the Drug Enforcement office. The Inspector opened the door for her and they walked in. Maui was confident as she roamed her eyes around and looked at everyone. The people inside were busy doing their desk jobs but they instantaneously stood up and showed reverence.

“Everyone, we have a new member of our family. This is Maui Harper.” Mr. Franco introduced her proudly to them. “She was my co-worker before and she’s good at solving cases.”

Maui bowed her head and mumbled. “You don’t have to say that, Sir Franco.” The embarrassment she felt made her anxious and shy as she was thinking of the things that they would expect from her. Expectations only lead to disappointments; she doesn’t want to pressure herself with these people. Then she added, “I don’t want them to expect more from me, sir.”

“Expectations can cause disappointments, but it can be a driving force to make you do the best. Don’t be pressured, you’re too young to be anxious about what people may think of you. Just do what you can,” Mr. Franco advised her.

Since then, Mr. Franco was always there to guide, teach and motivate her. During those days that they were partners, they solved cases with victims being killed mercilessly. She wanted to quit but the inspector tried to encourage her.

Jonathan Mayers, Flora Sinclaire, Ace Denver, Marcus Vazquez introduced themselves just the same as the way they were acquainted with Sky Miller.

“And I am Chief Inspector Franco. I know you already know me better than they do. But wait…” The chief looked around, searching for someone. “Where is Sky Miller?”

“He went outside to buy coffee. He will be here soon,” Flora informed him, and then he nodded his head.

“Okay, we cannot wait for him. Ms. Harper, your desk is beside Sky Miller. I have important matters to attend to. Make yourself comfortable okay, they will not bite you,” The inspector promptly said. His soft laugh resounded in the four corners of the room. He was only laughing at his joke because Maui didn’t understand it.

“Yes, sir.”

The inspector left her with the others. She sat on the black swivel chair. She placed her box and arranged her belongings. She has nothing to do either, as the inspector didn’t give her a task yet.

Flora sat on Sky’s chair and smiled at Maui as she looked into her eyes. Her presence was warm and charming.

“Hi, Miss Maui. What department were you in before?” Flora asked enthusiastically.

Despite the exhaustion and frustration, she answered, “Hello, Miss Flora. I was in the Special Crime Unit department.” She wanted to close the discussion, however, Flora wasn't done talking yet.

“Would you like to come with us tonight? It is a welcome party for the two of you,” she said while looking at the person behind Maui. She checked if there was someone behind her, and she wasn’t mistaken. It was a young man, the same man who kissed her thigh at the club. Suddenly, her blood was boiling in anger. She stood up and walked closer to Sky.

“Oh, finally you’re here. This is Miss Harper,” Flora added.

She clenched her fists and was ready to pounce on him. The young man was surprised to see her, it could be seen through his eyes and actions. “Yeah, I know who he is.” Then she punched the poor lad on his right cheek. Flora screamed and the others were silently watching them. Sky was like glue, he didn’t move away as he just touched his swelling cheek and bleeding nose.

“Miss. Harper, what have you done?!” Jonathan Mayers exclaimed.