Niko’s Eye

Chapter 6.

Completeness and perfection.

This can only be achieved by the number seven, both physically and spiritually. A large part of its significance originates from its direct connection to the genesis of all things by God. This was why the number seven was so important to Niko. She lived by it, marked her work by it, and even believed that her high intuition, mysticism, inner wisdom and deep inward knowledge were because of her connection to the number 7. For Niko, it was more than just a number. To her, it meant perfection, a very sacred state. One that she vowed to always execute. She glared at the many screens that showed Akio Asahi going about his daily shady businesses with the biggest grin on his aging face. His posture was torpid, which Niko thought to be quite an advantage for the way in which they were thinking of dealing with Asahi. They would not have much work to do with this particular target because he was not a fast thinker, neither was he physically active. It would take him a while to realize the predicament in which he would find himself in.

"This one is slow. I want us to take a little bit more time with him. It should be fun, " said Niko, her lips curling into a sneering smile. Master Akimitsu snickered as he realized that Niko shared the same desire as him. Nice and slow. Rubbing his hands together, he then pointed towards the display of Kenya, together with Akio Asahi. "Atta girl," whispered Niko, as she carefully analyzed the screen. Niko had sent Kenya to set up a meeting with Asahi in Italy. She was to pose as a member of the Costra Nostra, an Italian mafia, and propose a business deal which included the purchase of shares in Belacci and Milento, both companies belonging to Akio Asahi. Their plan was to escalate from that plinth. They listened in on the conversation that transpired between Kenya and Asahi, through a wired bug that was carefully placed in Kenya's wristwatch. "But you can't die I said to her, you're not ill!" protested Akio Asahi, on his story about how his mother had once walked to Japan all the way from North Korea. That must have been difficult for such an old woman. To be able to trek thousands of miles across the war-torn borders of North Korea and Japan. It's amazing that she reached here with all of those security measures in place. It sounded like a fanciful story, but Niko was taken by the narrative and felt a pinch of pity for the old woman, who they soon learnt to be dead due to a case of acute intestinal obstruction. It was not like Niko was heartless, she was still human after all. With Akimitsu hovering in the background, Niko cleared her throat and shifted her focus to the mission at hand. Business transactions had been dealt with over fine glasses of Scotch whiskey and Israeli wine, accompanied by Italian food. Niko sighed in frustration. "This is taking quite a bit of time isn't it?" she asked with raised eyebrows. Master Akimitsu nodded in agreement. Her mind travelled to her adoptive father. He was an alcoholic, a womanizer, a chronic gambler, a cheapskate, a deadbeat, and on his worst days, a poet. And for decades, his work was rejected by every publisher that he had ever submitted to. The stacks of rejection slips pushed him deep into an alcohol-fueled depression that followed him all the way to his death. That was why as soon as she had finished her military service, she was able to get her adoptive mother and sister away from him. Two years later, he had died from a drug overdose. She had felt nothing, which was the reason why she had always contemplated whether she was capable of loving or if her affection only went as far as caring and feeling responsible for a life, such as her adoptive family. The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one's negative experience is itself a positive experience. Niko lived by this, never expecting anything from anyone. The idea that the more you pursue feeling better all the time, the less satisfied you become, as pursuing something only reinforces the lack thereof. Niko believed that she would never be happy if she continued to search for what happiness consists of. She was the epitome of 'no f***s given.' While not giving a f**k may seem simple on the surface, it was a whole new bag of burritos under the hood. "They're done Jin-Ae." Niko turned, snapping out of her thoughts. "Hmm." Niko propelled back towards the many screens and glanced at her wristwatch. "It might have taken a lot of time, but according to the time zone in Italy, she is right on time."

Blazing sunbeams flooded Niko's eyes as the doors of the elevator opened into the main atrium of their hiding place. The light had always made her feel like a ship on the periphery of a storm, tossed but detached. I thought I'd be used to this by now. But no matter how many times the light greeted her eyes after being in an unlit place for so long, they just did not want to adjust. They pained in such a concerning manner that she made a note to get her eyes checked, just in case. Too much screen time I guess.

The car ride back to civilization was always bumpy and dangerous, but Niko and her team had already considered all of the dangers. "Rome?", she demanded. Akimitsu nodded, without looking at her. She fell silent and looked over at him, his head buried in their next plan. As usual. She always felt as if her team members were more invested than she was. Or maybe they wanted to prove themselves, in manners that seemed more competitive than anything. She tapped her chin as she explored her thoughts. It was as if a mystic threshold had just been breached. Niko's better judgement had convinced her that she was most probably right, but as she continued to observe Akimitsu, she noticed something else. They accelerated up the manicured road past a squatters camp. Smiling to herself, she got out of the vehicle as they had reached the hangar where their jet was waiting for them. It was a beautiful Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. "Aigoo!" Master Akimitsu clutched his chest as he looked up at the aircraft with fascination and enchantment. "Geunyeoneun aleumdabda." "She is indeed," whispered Niko. "Let's go. Nice and slow remember." Niko pressed towards the aircraft, with Akimitsu trailing behind her. After making sure that they were well-belted and comfortable, they signaled the pilot. Looking at each other, they smiled. Seven.

“I looked down the aisle, my eyes focusing on my soon to be husband at the end. The music hadn’t quite started yet and there was a gentle buzz of chatter coming from the rows of people waiting for my wedding to start. The large wooden pews were occupied by mine and George’s family and close friends; all of them ready to watch the biggest moment of my life.

George stood straight by the vicars alter, his legs moved nervously underneath him. His best man had one hand on his shoulder for support and hopefully not to stop him running. We had been looking forward to this day for years and now it was finally here. My past was behind me and my future stood mere metres away.

I took my first step forward down the marble path and the wedding march started immediately.”

“My eyes drifted around the room, everyone was dressed in their finest and all of them were wearing different shades of gold and red. They matched my golden laced dress and the deep red of the bridesmaid’s gowns. Even the rows of flowers leading my way had specks of red amidst the white roses.

The sight looked as though it was out of a fairy tale, everything I had ever dreamt of; almost. Soft light from the summer sun drifted in through the stained glass windows illuminating my path in a warm red glow.”

“George still stood with his back to me; his gentle brown curls just reached his starched white collar. His suit was the deepest black with tails that almost reached the floor. It was more his taste than my own, but I couldn’t deny his one decision on our big day.

Deciding to turn to my guests one last time before reaching him I shifted my gaze. Dozens of smiling faces met me, a few with tears already in their eyes. The image made me chuckle slightly, even I wasn’t crying yet. I recognised every face immediately; that was until my eyes reached the back of the room. My heart thudded in my chest as a pair of piercing blue eyes met my own; the same pair I thought I would never see again.”