Chapter 8: A contract between the tyrant and the secret agent
2027 Words
Every new mission Nichole grasp is always exceedingly challenging than the previous one. All finished mission is not only an honor to her but an exceptional lesson that she brings with her in life inside and outside from being an undercover agent. Lessons that open her eyes to a different aspect of life. Lessons that justify a lot of premonitions about the growing society.
Though every secret mission she undertakes undoubtedly puts her life at stake, the justice that she is able to attain at the end of each mission is beyond honorable to mention.
Nichole believes that it is better to fight for something than to live her life for nothing, no one forces her to enter a frightful profession. Where killings, hunting, and slaying wicked people become common things, and dangerous weapons like guns, firearms, and bombs become just a play toy for her.
She is already ten years in the business and no one knows about her secret profession aside from her best friend who is currently away and her sister Lorie whom she trusts the most. Even Jack, the man she once loved doesn't have the slightest idea about it.
The real her is feisty, a lover of hard challenges to the maximum level. Thrills in all forms are her desserts, playing with logic is her cup of tea and dealing with illegal syndicates is her favorite puzzle to solve.
Being merciful was out of the dictionary, Nichole decides to work in this kind of industry, at least this job was the only driving force for her to continue to live her life aside from compensating the debt she causes to her stepsister fake tragedy a few years ago. Now that the truth of Lorie's malicious idea of pretending comes to light, she sees no reason to stay anymore. She could leave at any time she wants, but she chooses not to. Her business to the organization is not yet done. Not for praise and glory, but for the greater good of humanity. Nichole still had two reasons to stay in her profession, firstly because of Henry's favor which is her boss to enter into a false marriage contract, and secondly, it's still a secret.
A secret she knows is that the more she digs deep information, the more she puts her life in danger. But who cares if she put her life at risk? When no one cares whether she's alive or not. Now that she has completely lost everything that she cares about, she becomes a stranger wielding no weaknesses.
There is always a time in life that we become tired of everything that is happening in our lives and just wants to give up and rest from problems and troubles for eternity. Others may find giving up as cowardly and stupid, but it is something Nichole desired for, she wants to give up struggling in everything but life always unexpectedly, knock at her door find ways and reason for her to not give up and continue her life despite the up and down moments, all sadness and pain she felt inside. Even though she keeps denying to herself that her life is useless only pain and sadness, at the bottom of her heart, she always wishes to be happy even at the slightest moment.
When Nichole heard the sound of the elevator opening, she raised her eyebrows at the people who came out of it and cannot help but smile in curiosity at what she saw. She finds it odd and amusing at the same time.
They're all men. Furthermore, based on their attires, Nichole wonders if they were anyhow going to attend a funeral or something considering how all of them were wearing black from head to toe.
From the entrance until she entered the hotel; she never spotted any female employee at all.
'How fascinating. . .' She thought to herself.
Nichole was assisted by the hotel's two employers. They entered the elevator and the black-suited man next to her pressed the button and inserted a gold key card which granted them access to the top floor.
When the elevator opened, the two men went out and stood politely by the wayside and waited for her to exit the elevator. While unbeknownst to the two, Nichole deliberately dropped her earring on the side of the elevator floor secretly before she went out in the private hallway.
When they arrived in the private room. The man went to open the door and place the gold key card he used earlier on the pad, when the light turned blue the door clicks indicating that it was already open.
"Miss. Gale, please wait patiently for the Vice President inside." The man said politely and bow before he left Nichole, while she just wordlessly walked into the room.
She undeviatingly went to the single-person sofa in the room and sat down comfortably and began to examine the room, it becomes the habit of her to be always cautious wherever she went since trouble always follow her, from how luxurious the room was designed it was indeed managed professionally. The room wasn't very private since the walls were made of glass, she can see vividly, her spitting image on the wall, for a hotel room, this place was huge for Nichole. It was four times bigger than her late mother's room in her father's villa.
After a few minutes of waiting, Nichole was bored of her seat, so she decided to get up and have a good look into the room, the hanging paintings in the transparent glass walls certainly attract her attention.
Everything must cos.t a good fortune to be able to acquire such a good painting that even black market owners had difficulty putting their hands on it. But, to think that they would just leisurely display it to a room where it would be visible to anyone, Nichole doubts whether they were bragging or are simply sure that no one could steal it.
In deep thoughts, Nichole could not help but wonder how Henry would react if he learned about it, 'knowing him for so many years... Surely his face will be worth to tease.’ She thought unknowingly a small mischievous smile skip to her face
While staring at the paintings hanging on the glass wall. Her sharp eyes fell on the man standing at the door, who seems to be one of the hotel's employees. Like all the other men who assist her in the room, the man standing before her was also standing firm in a black suit, apart from the fact that he also had a virile appearance of being just a guard.
Remembering Henry words. . . (Flashback. . .)
(Henry: ‘Don’t be reckless, Reine. Remember, you must act as an innocent kind woman to them. Avoid causing problems, raising suspicions, and endangering yourself. Knowing you for so long, I know that your temperament will be the first cause, still if you failed your mission. . . I'm afraid I can't keep my promise to you.
Nichole: ‘Are you giving me an early warning?
Henry: ‘Just in case you fail.’
Sky: ‘Losing is something Reine won’t do. Magnus, couldn’t you have faith in her?’
Henry: Then, what are you suggesting to do?
Sky: Just. . . Just let her act as a naïve woman then!’
Henry: Wah. . . That is very impressive of you Sky! As expected from our top agent. Your idea is completely...
Nichole and Henry: ‘Absurd.’
Sky: Hey! What's that supposed to mean, huh? What's wrong with pretending to be a naïve woman?’
Henry: ‘No offense, Skylar. What I mean is Reine Won’t do it.’
Sky: ‘Huh, why not?’ (Glance to Nichole.)
Henry: (Slightly laughs) Because it is not her character to pretend something she is not, she’s more like a blunt person. She hates fake people and so she won’t want to be a fake person she hates. That's why I passionately believe she can’t and won’t do it. Although, your idea is impressive. It won't work for her.
Nichole: (Burning glares) What are you trying to say, Henry?’
Henry: N- nothing. . .
Nichole: (sigh) The two of you don't have to worry about me, I can handle this matter by myself, you should worry about what would the higher-ups planning to do this time than just sitting here and idling.
Sky: Surely, the higher-ups already know what kind of crazy task that woman has assigned us, but they keep feigning ignorance. Don’t they know how troubling it is to us?’
Henry: Keep your voice down, Sky. What if someone hears you badmouthing them? The walls have ears, too. Do you want to put your name on one of their blacklists?
Sky: I don’t care, I'm just voicing my opinion is that a crime?
Nichole: Anyways, let’s end this discussion here. I’m sleepy. I'm gonna take a long nap. (Stand to her seat)
Henry: Still. . . Thank you, Reine. For saving my neck, and accepting my request even though you're going through a difficult time.
Nichole: You don't have to thank me. You moron, just because I'm helping you doesn’t mean I care. Your death would be a small inconvenience to me, that's all.
Henry: Hah. Suit yourself. So how are you going to deal with them, and carry out your mission without them being suspicious of your identity?
Nichole: Simple. (She smirks) Mixed the truth with a lie.’)
***
“Miss Gale.”
“Miss Gale.”
Nicholas blinked. “H-huh?”
"Is there anything wrong, Miss Gale?" The man asked her with concern.
“Yes?” She responded when she heard the man's voice.
“Is something is bothering you, Miss Gale?” He repeats.
She flinches from where she was standing. “No, nothing.”
Hearing her response, the man felt relieved. “Ah, that’s a relief. The young miss keeps spacing out I thought something bad had happened. Here, you might be thirsty from waiting so I get you bottled water.” He said and gave her the bottle.
“Ah, that's so kind of you. Thanks.” she expressed.
He smiles widely, a bit too cheerful. “It’s nothing. Oh, please have a seat.” He proposed, and Nichole followed.
She was about to open the bottled water when suddenly. . . She heard the sounds of footsteps touching the ground swiftly and distinctive coming up toward the door.
Her eyes narrowed. “Someone’s coming.”
"Someone’s coming? Who?" He asks, he seems confused.
"Dunno. Can you go out and check who is it?"
"Yeah?" He said in surprise. “Why me?”
She looked at him and lifted her eyebrows. "So should a guest open the door and check who it was?” Her tone was sarcastic.
“That’s partly true but. . . How'd you know someone was coming?"
‘s**t’
“Err. . . Instinct?” Even before she realized it, she had almost exposed herself to him.
“Instinct?” He doubted it. His eyes shone with distrust. Nichole felt it too.
“Nothing just forgot what I said.” She takes it back.
“But you already said that someone is coming.”
“Then open it.” She suggested.
“Aiya, let’s just not open it. What if a snake came in instead of a person?” He uttered playing with words.
She fiercely gazes toward him and hissed. "Are you saying that you are going to ignore my words twice?" Her face darkened, and the man instantly felt an air of authority emanating from her.
Nichole starts to feel irritated and assumes that he is not just a mere ordinary guard, as if he is trying to catch her in the act.
'Just who on earth is this man?'
- Writer
