Crimson Rose

»♠« Due: What?!

Scarlett's POV

Wake up in the morning without hearing the alarm is so peaceful. I slowly start to stand up from the bed and walk to the bathroom. Splashing some cold water on my face to fresh up my face.

Heading to the kitchen, I go to the refrigerator and took out some strawberry flavor yogurt, some strawberries and blueberries. After putting it on the table, I start to put some cereal in the bowl. Cutting the strawberry and blueberries into small pieces before putting it in the same bowl. Last but not least, I put the yogurt before walking to the living room.

The clock shows that it's still around 9 A.M. I plan to meet with Rei around noon so I can get lunch at the same time and avoid the other. If not for Rei, I was planning to be lazy today. Damn you Rei!

Switching on the plasma TV, I start to look through the channel. Hoping that something will catch my interest. After finding some interressting drama, I threw the remote aside and start to eat my breakfast.

Hours pass and when I saw the clock pointing at 12:15. It's time for me to get ready. Marching to the bathroom I took a shower. With a towel wrapped around my body. I search for an outfit I'll wear to meet Rei with. I don't want to wear something fancy because it's not like I want to impress anyone nor catch anyone attention.

After searching for quite some time I finally decided to wear a white v neck shirt with black stripes, a brown short and high knee stocking. Before I forget I take my green jacket with me.

After searching for quite some time I finally decided to wear a white v neck shirt with black stripes, a brown short and high knee stocking. Before I forget I take my green jacket with me.

I swing my bag on my shoulder before walking out of my house with my keys of course. Riding the elevator to the basement took some time. Before starting the journey to see Rei, I stop by some store and buy some sweet. If you're asking why because I have sweet tooth and no. It's for me, not Rei.

Before long I arrived in front of Black Op headquarters. Driving to the basement parking lot, I park my bike there before walking to the elevator to go to the ground floor. While waiting for the elevator I eat the lollipop I bought earlier. I also put my earphones on but I don't turn the music on. Pulling the hood of my jacket over my head I wait for my destination.

The elevator 'ding' signaling that the elevator has arrived. Thank God there no one was in there. Pushing the ground floor button, I watch as the elevator door close. If you are wondering why I didn't use the elevator to go see Rei straight away? Well, the elevator that connects to Rei's floor only can be accessed from the ground floor with the permission of Rei of course.

So much work just to see one person. As I walk out of the elevator the whispers and murmurs start.

"Isn't that Scarlett Drachen?".

"Why is she even doing here?".

"She shouldn't ever step her foot in this building".

"She has some nerves to come here".

"She is nothing but trash here. She should know it by now. I wonder why Director Rei still keep her here."

"She has the lowest rank in this company".

"She must have cheated during the entrance exam and besides her name is on the lowest part of 'The Board'".

"She always fails all her mission. She is a disgrace to Black Op".

And so much more but I just turn deaf ear. What is this? Highschool? You guessed it. They don't like me. Let me rephrase the last sentence. They never liked me, just because on the first day I pour coffee on some 'popular' girl. She talked to me like I'm a dirt on her shoes just because I'm new. So yeah.

I go to the front desk. "Rei asked me to see him today" I said in a monotone.

The girl behind the desk looks at me and sneered. "I'll call him. You can sit in the chair while I call him and for your information, it's Director Rei for you, loser".

I just rolled my eyes before walking to the waiting chair. While waiting I heard a group talking among themselves.

"Did you see 'The Board' today?".

'The Board' is a digital board that was put on the ground floor. The function of 'The Board' is to show the agent's place in Black Op. The name in the board also shows your achievements for the missions. Either they have success or fail the mission.

"Yeah, I saw it. The Slayer is still taking the 1st place".

"You know last night I was called to clean up The Slayer's scene".

"Is it true that The Slayer never leaves anything behind? Even the monster's corpse?".

"I didn't know the scene that we were cleaning was The Slayer's scene until I saw a rose was stabbed in a pile of ashes and it's true that 'The Slayer' leaves nothing behind. Not even the monster corpse or part was found. The only thing that shows there was a fight, was a pool of blood".

"If we only knew the identity of The Slayer?".

"I think it's a man because you know, he's strong. Do you ever see his achievements? He beat high-rank monster mission less than a day".

"I know The Slayer is strong but I don't agree that it's male. I think she is a grown woman. After all, she did put a rose at all her mission scenes, right? Don't you think females like that kind of thing?".

"Even the guys from weapon department don't even know The Slayers identity. They said The Slayer never took a weapon from there".

"The identity of The Slayer is one of the 7 wonders in Black Op," the other just nodded their head.

The reason why no one knows the identity of The Slayer is because I never told them about my code name. Besides, I hate attention. I rather have them hate me than give me too much attention. Why the people from the weapon department never see me there? Well that's because I have my own weapon.

When I heard my name being called I stand up and go to Rei's personal elevator. Before the elevator door could close the girl from the front desk smirk and said: "I hope you get fired".

I just c****d my eyebrow at that statement. Working here reminds me back to high school. Because Rei's office on the top office it will take a while before the elevator reaches Rei's office. I quickly hurried out of the elevator when the door open. Better get this business done quickly and I can continue with my lazy day.

I knocked on the door. A few seconds later the door opens itself. Walking inside the office I saw Rei sitting behind the desk while reading something.

"Do whatever you want while I handle this thing. Ergh, I hate paperwork” he states as he starts to focus back to the paper.

I walk around the office and stop at the window. I can see the view of the city from this angle more than from my balcony. I don't know how long I watch the view but Rei voice broke me from my daze.

"Sit down first Scarlett-chan. Would you like a drink?" he asked looking at me.

Sitting on one of the sofas I look at Rei before answering. "Strawberry flavor milk please."

When Rei c**k his eyebrow, I raised my eyebrow right back at him challenging him to say something. Rei smiled innocently before getting something from the mini refrigerator beside his desk and walk towards my direction. Rei passes the carton of strawberry milk to me. I finished the lollipop a while back.

Rei is 35 years old man but doesn't look that old. Well, that's what people say. He has dark silvery hair that reaches his shoulder. His left eye is covered with hair, dark bluish pair of eyes and he always wore gloves. Though I never knew the reason why. Right now, he is wearing a black military coat with gold threading. He called it his work clothes.

Drinking from the carton I study Rei. When I saw he started to drink mineral water, I asked: "So what the reason you calling me Rei old man?".

"I'm still young" he mumbles and put the mineral water down before glaring at me. I just smirk.

"Actually, I called you because I have made some decision that involves you, Scarlett-chan".

I look at him suspiciously "And what is it?".

"It's better for me to show you. Now, finish your milk and we'll head out," he said then throw the empty bottle into the bin.

After finishing the milk, he starts to walk with me follow closing behind him. He steps inside the elevator and pushes the ground button.

"Where are we going again?" I asked while we riding down the elevator.

He smirks. Ok, it official that Rei planning something that I don't like. "You'll find out later".

When we arrived at the ground floor the murmurs start yet again.

"Why is the Director with the loser?".

"Is the Director finally going to fire her?".

And a lot more but you don't need to know. Rei just act like he doesn't hear anything. Right now, we are on the elevator to the basement parking lot.

Before I could ask any more questions, he said "I'll drive my car. You can either ride with me or follow me from behind with your bike. Your choice".

"I'll follow you. I'm not crazy enough to leave my bike here".

While Rei walks to his black Ferrari, I walk to my bike. Pulling my hood back I wore my helmet before starting the bike. I wait for Rei at the entrance. I let Rei go first because I have to follow him to God know where.

———————————————

After quite sometimes we finally arrived at a gate. I know behind this gate is a house because I saw along the way was a row of big houses. Rei said something to the intercom before the gate was open. I just follow behind Rei until we reach in front of 3 story house. It big almost like a mansion maybe it is a mansion. Well, I'll have to ask Rei about that later.

But right now, I just want to know the reason why I'm here. Rei parked his car in front the entrance of the house. I can saw someone getting out of the house. He looks at me for a few second. Confusion shows all over his face before he walked to Rei's car. I turned off the bike and sat there waiting for Rei to get out.

When Rei get out of the car, they talk about something before looking at my direction. Rei motion for me to come with them.

With a sigh, I pull my helmet off before getting off the bike. I slowly walked to them and pulled my hood over.

"Scarlett-chan meet Bennet Vlac" When the guy smile at me, I gave him one of my rare smiles.

"Hello, Mr. Vlac. My name is Scarlett Drachen. But call me Scar," we shook hands.

"You are the loser?" he blurts out shock by the truth. He then starts to blush when he realized what he just did. Before clearing his throat and said "Sorry about earlier," I just nodded my head signaling he was forgiven. "Call me Bennet. Mr. make sound old. Besides, you asked me to call you Scar so it's only fair for you to call me Bennet".

Bennet Vlac has blonde hair with orange tips. He has yellowish green eyes. It's unusual color but the unique color attracts me to it. He's not too pale nor too tanned. I think he may be around 6'5" or something. He wears orange stripe shirt with a black jacket. He has feather bracelet on his right hand.

"Alright, Bennet. Do you still remember what I said yesterday?" Rei's question pulls me out of my thought.

"Yeah. About our new teammate, right?" New teammate?

Rei smile while looking at me "Yes, that's right" My face turned stoic.

Oh god please don't be what I think it is.

"Well, Scarlett-chan here will be your new teammate" he said patting my back.

Bennet and I look dumbfounded and said at the same time "What?!".

"I'll repeat again. Scarlett-chan will be your new teammate".

I turned to face Bennet "Can you give us a few minutes, Bennet. Okay, thank you" I dragged Rei away from Bennet by his tie. Glaring at him I ask, "What's the meaning of this Rei old man?".

"Well..." he trails off without looking at me.

"Well, what?" I asked harshly.

"You see...erm...well...the agency kind of made a new rule three days ago," I just nod for him to continue "There's an accident that happened...it kind of forced me...to make this new rule and everyone have to follow it," he still never looked me in the eyes.

"What is this new rule?" I asked while emphasizing on the word new.

"The new rule is that everyone must be in a team. Regarding the number," he blurts out.

I looked at him wide eyes before it turns to glare "You know my style. The Slayer style. I don't work with anybody. Alone is how I work. You out of everybody should know about it. Or are you trying to reveal The Slayer identity?" I didn't realize that I grip his collar until he was face to face with me to the point our nose almost touched. I release him and turned around. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

He hugs me from behind "Scarlett-chan don't be angry. I did this to protect you. I got an information that a monster much high rank has started to show up recently" He kisses my hair covered hood. "And 15 of my people was badly injured and that monster was still on the loose. He was able to possess one of the agents before going rampage on the headquarters. It was awful and I don't want anything to happen to you. You are my precious Scarlett-chan." He turned me around and kissed my forehead.

I sigh "Alright, I understand but please don't do anything behind my back again. I don't want to think badly about you".

"So, you are not angry at me?" he asked hopefully. I smiled and nodded. He swings me around making my hood fall off my head. "So, let's meet your new teammates and if you still want to keep The Slayer identity a secret I'll respect that."