Chapter 2: The Mission

   Meanwhile, on the other side of the facility. Cristopher ran over to a certain table near the cafeteria. He smiled upon seeing the person he was looking for, the person he always hangs out with whenever he is free from missions and tasks assigned to him. Being a trained assassin of the association called ‘Blood in Roses” gave him very little time for himself. Although he knew, the best thing he ever experienced in the said association was to have an awesome partner alongside him.

   “Hey, Crissy!” he shouted over the sea of people chattering in the area, slipping through busy bodies and finally arrived over at a table. Sitting across another woman who seemed to be only in her early 20s. she raised an eyebrow over at Cristopher as she bit onto the sandwich that she was currently eating; hence, it was lunchtime.

   “What ya’ got there?” Cristopher questioned, although it was already pretty obvious in the woman’s perspective.

   “My lunch and please call me by my real name. I hate it the most hen people give me silly nicknames.” she stated and continued her meal. A bottle of water right beside her. “We are still not that close.” She added in quote, finally placing her sandwich down on the paper plate and drank a mouthful of mineral water.

   The statement caused Cristopher to rub the back of his neck in an awkward manner and advert his gaze.

   “Right… Crystal. Anyhow, have you heard about the news recently?” Cristopher inquired, placing his elbows on the table and leaning forward to the woman, who’s name is Crystal.

   She seemed to be preoccupied with finishing her meal before giving any care or concern to whatever news which her companion has to gossip about.

   “Let me guess, it has something to do with VGC?” she guessed, which earned her a grin from Cristopher as he slammed his palms over at the table in enthusiasm.

   “Bingo!—wait, how did you know?” he questioned in sheer surprise. “I’m pretty sure you don’t give a damn about anything. So, how did you know?” he questioned once again.

   A sigh left the female’s lips as she finally finished her meal and drank a sufficient amount of water for her fill. Finishing the entire bottle in the process before crumpling it within her hand and throwing it far away, shooting it straight towards the rubbish bin which was a few feet away.

   “Of course, I know. You are assigned to keep an eye on them, and your news and gossips are always related to the Valencia household,” she stated, crossing her arms and leaning back on the chair where she sat on, with her leg over the other. “I have a feeling, that the Boss will take action after so many years of surveillance.” she continued, flicking her tongue over at the mention of her superior.

   ‘If it weren’t for the fact that he is useful, I wouldn’t dare place myself to commence on doing his dirty work.’ she thought, her fists clenching over her lap.

   Cristopher noticed this and placed his hand over hers, causing Crystal to snap out of her thoughts and gaze over at her partner.

   “Chill out, if he takes action then so what? It’s not our business anyways. If he has a personal grudge then so be it, it’s not like we know anyone from that household anyways, why worry about them?” he scoffed and leaned on his seat with his arms crossed behind his head. He lifted his feet and rested them on top of the table which got Crystal to grunt in disgust.

   “You always say that you’re a decent man, but your actions say otherwise.” she flicked her tongue in disgust and stood, placing her hands underneath the table and gripped on the edges. With hard effort, she lifted one side of the table and flipped it over.

   The action caused a couple of disturbing gasps from the people around due to her action.

   Cristopher yelped as his legs suddenly swayed off as the table flipped over, he has no choice but to quickly jump up to his feet in order to evade damage. He then gazed over at the woman with his eyes wide and haste from the sudden action. “What was that for?!” he shouted in brief anger mixed with surprise. He placed a hand over his chest to calm his heart from bursting out of his throbbing chest, if that’s even possible.

   Crystal rolled her eyes in annoyance, shifting her weight from leg to another whilst crossing her arms in contempt. “I don’t like your manners. So, I flipped them off.” she flicked her tongue once again with a contented grin at her companion’s hasty state.

   “Enough.” A voice echoed throughout the whole area, causing all the people inside to freeze in utter fear. For the voice belonged to none other than the superior of the association himself, their Boss; Harry Burton. The tall man that Cristopher spoke with earlier today.

   “You two, come with me. The rest, continue on with your businesses.” he spoke in a strict manner, eyeing the two youngsters before turning on his back and walking off.

   Two of his bodyguards waited for the two before they followed their superior. Crystal and Cristopher could do nothing but to oblige, after all, who knows what their superior could do if they dare show any sign of disobedience.

   It wasn’t long until they arrived on the office, the room where their superior works. The room that is completely sound proof, that a ferocious roar of a nuclear explosion will go unnoticed. Who knows that horrors could one perform while inside that office?

   The doors slammed shut after they went inside along with their superior, the bodyguards stationing outside after the doors shut. An eerie silence followed afterwards as their superior sat on a large swivel chair behind his desk, quietly observing the two who stood very still before both of them made a bow of respect to their superior, staying in that position.

   It amused him as much as the scene earlier that he had witnessed. “Lift your heads up, I want to see your faces.” he commanded.

   Cristopher did as he told and lifted his head up, but Crystal on the other hand slightly hesitated. Her eyes darting anywhere on the ground in hopes of not being noticed but he did.

   “I said, lift your head. I want to see your face, Crystal Fei.” The superior known as Harry Burton spoke once more, his voice sounded more domineering than earlier.

   Without any more moment of hesitation, she lifted her head up, straightened her poise and faced her superior whose eyes seemed to bore into her soul.

   “Are you beginning to defy my orders, Crystal Fei?” Harry spoke once more, his voice getting more domineering every time he spoke, and it gave Crystal goosebumps that somewhat frightens her. Could it be that she fears the man, or she fears his voice? She doesn’t know.

   “I… I dare not… Sir.” she stammered, adverting her eyes down to the polished wooden floor beneath her. A brief silence followed afterwards, and it is very uncomfortable for both Crystal and Cristopher.

   The room gained a heavy tension despite the air conditioner being present, they stayed in their positions in utter silence.

   A sigh left Harry’s lips as he shook his head. “Why the long faces? The both of you didn’t possess such expressions when you were causing a ruckus a moment ago.” he spoke, breaking the uncomfortable silence which lasted only for a couple of minutes. But to Cristopher and Crystal, they felt like hours.

   “This… This lowly subordinate begs for your forgiveness, we will dare not cause any more trouble from now on.” Cristopher lowered his head as he spoke, trying with his best effort to cease his superior’s anger.

   This caused Harry to release a hearty laugh, a laugh so vivid that it sent shivers down the spine of the two. Harry then wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye after his laughter ceased, his expression became serious and dark. The expression that caused Crystal to shift and gaze away whilst crossing her arms whilst rubbing her elbows, not wanting to meet eye to eye with him.

   “I called the both of you here, not to reprimand you for your foolishness, but to inform you about a mission in which the both of you will take on. Specifically, Crystal Fei.” he spoke once more, placing a file down on the polished wooden desk in front of him.

   It piqued their interest as Cristopher hesitantly reached down for the file.

   “You… you mean…?” Cristopher hesitantly spoke, his eyes focused on the bold letters in the first page of the file.

   Harry nodded, knowing what he wants to say. “The fiancé candidacy event for the young master of the Valencia household. I want Crystal Fei to take the job of undercover. The purpose and the objectives as well as the limitations of this mission is stated in the file. I believe, you won’t disappoint me, would you, Crystal?” he questioned, his eyes sharp as he intertwined his fingers together. Over the table, resting his chin on top of his fingers as he did so. He observed how Crystal seemed hesitant to open the file, yet she did.

   It was unusual indeed...