Chapter 2

I parked my Aventador Lp 780-4 Ultimae in front of the N.S.A.H headquarters. I hadn't been in front of N.S.A.H. in a long time. Beyond the main building were the dorms, which also had more columns and statues. The building was surrounded by large gyms, fields, and training facilities.

It was absolutely stunning— the land I both adored and hated. Now that I've seen it again, I realize how much I've missed it... as well as my grandfather.

As I walked towards the main building's door, my footsteps felt heavy as I strolled along the familiar hallway. I try to escape the stares that other agents give me. They are taken aback by my sudden appearance. I should have gone to the back door to avoid drawing attention to myself. I made every effort to walk quicker in order to reach the stairs. I don't want to take the elevator since it would divert too much attention away from others. I turn to the left side of the corridor and climb the absurdly long set of stairs that leads to the Chief's office.

My first impression of the office when I walked in was that it was precisely as I remembered it: elegant and well-designed. Several leather chairs were arranged in front of the enormous Vendome cherry oak office desk.

When someone moved into my line of sight, I froze, and my lips parted when I knew who it was. I hadn't seen him in a long time. My gaze couldn't leave him; he reminded me of Grandpa...They even had the same look.

"Anastasia” He greeted me with a deep and cultured voice making me snap back into the room.   Following my grandfather's premiership is now the head of N.S.A.H. Davidson Grey, my grandfather's older son, and my father's brother.

“Good morning, old man”

"Sit down," Davidson said, motioning to a chair. "We have a lot to talk about," he said as he sat behind his desk. He then folded his hands and looked me in the eyes.

Uncle and I were never close; he never sounded like a close family member, yet his presence reminds me so much of Grandpa. I've always been with him on training and missions before, but grandfather taught us to be so formal and distant from each other due to the nature of our work. He always claimed that a cold heart is better than a fragile one.

"How are you?" he asked, but my lips did not even attempt to open to respond. I've been hearing the same question for the past month, and it’s giving me desiderium feeling.

"I know you've been doing your own investigation, Anastasia," he says, his eyes frigid.

"I know you won't call me if you don't know," I said. His expression remained unchanged. "You realize you're not supposed to do that, right?" I shrugged. Of course, I'm aware that it's not permitted, especially since I've handed my badge to them.

"You've been the Head of the N.S.A.H. since Grandpa died, and it's been a year and you still haven't found his killer" He was taken aback by my response. He shifts his gaze swiftly and clears his throat.

"Everyone is doing their best to identify dad's killer. We already discovered clues and no one is stopping in the investigation" He said "And you must stop," he added. When I took him in the eyes, my face goes blank. "You have no power over me," I say.

"Anastasia, you must trust me” trust? Inside my head, I laugh. "What do you truly want, old man?" I ask, knowing that he summoned me here for another reason.

Davidson's expression became colder. As he stared at me in silence, a muscle ticked along his jaw. I observed him open a file on his desk and spread out the lined paper in front of him. I leaned forward to get it.

 "Santiago Grey's last will and testament," I read out loud making me stunned into silence. I swiftly let grip of the paper since my hands are trembling.

"one of Dad's last will and testament is for you to return as the captain of the Alpha team." He leaned back in his chair.

"I can work on my own," I told him, but he just ignored me and took grandpa's final will and testament in his hand. "I know you'd say that, but as I am the new Head of N.S.A.H," I shuddered.

"That is why you must have faith in me, Anastasia."

"I'm no longer a minor; I'm 26 for god's sake!" I protested.

"It's better if we work; we both want justice, and if we want it sooner, we need to help each other," he responds. I shook my head and forced the suggestion out of my mind. Other than dealing with him, I had enough immediate concerns.

"You are the best agent Anastasia. Dad taught you and gave you everything.  I hope you don’t forget that—-You don't have to say that, I am doing my best uncle! I can't even sleep one more day thinking the killer is just wandering around the street!" I interrupted his words, yelling at him.

"I know it's horrible for you and it hurts you so much that he's gone, but we both know one of the reasons he's dead is because of you," he said.

Davidson, of course, is one of those who blame me for my grandfather's death. This is also one of the reasons I did not attend my grandfather's funeral since I am aware that everyone is blaming me.

 "Grandpa also said in his last will and testament that you have no authority over me and my team, Old man," I said directly staring at him in the eyes.

He looked dissatisfied, but he nodded to me. He opened one of his table's drawers. He handed me my badge as well as my gun. I grabbed it and touched it closely. My heart fell as I remembered how I started and how I handed it back to my grandfather.

"I'll start training with my team tomorrow," I told him as I walked away.

I walked out of his office without looking back. Being inside the office makes me feel as though I'm losing my breath. I sighed and returned to the empty corridor. The trainees and Agents were separated into dorms and buildings. Because they are also students at Havvard, the trainee is on the right side of the building.

And because most of the agents have missions every day, the left half of the building, where I am now, is empty. However, there are multiple artworks on the walls that make the hallway appear lively and colorful. I tried to remember what it was like to be here. The rigorous schedules, the absurd class work studying that had bored me to tears, and all of the unending missions we had.

I know it's best if I return to find the murderer, but staying here kills me as well.

It used to feel like home to me since Grandpa was here. I miss him a lot.

After exploring the empty corridor. I made my way to the Alpha Team's headquarters. Every team has its own headquarters, complete with sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a meeting room. I slowed as I approached the room. The laughter and crash emanating from the room confirmed they were there.

Something inside me flipped: would they be happy to see me again?

I take a deep breath and push open the door. The room was immediately filled with silence once more. They looked where I was standing with wide eyes as if they saw a dead girl rise from the grave.

“Holy crop” Sabina stated who was the first to snap from shock.

I shook my head and chuckled. Her mouth isn't all that pleasant.

"Where in the hell have you been?" Primo exclaimed. He'd reached across the room and snatched me into a tight hug. Then he grabbed my arm and swung me around. Primo Colton, the Alpha group's Quatro, is 28 years old.

Fayre and Khalil were both silently staring at me. However, I was taken aback when they rose up and softly hugged me tightly. And when they began to cry, I was caught off guard.

"How could you abandon us like that?" wailed Fayre. Hearing her question, my heart fell. My lips did not open to explain, but two words came out of my mouth: "I'm sorry," I muttered, and I held her back to calm her. After a minute, I broke the hug and turned to face them.

"We need to work," I told them, grinning. They exchange smirking glances.

We laughed as Primo started telling jokes and stories about what had happened before. Memories of how we worked as a team and how we sacrificed everything for one another.

"Welcome back, Uno!" they exclaimed in unison. I shook my head and laughed.

Indeed welcome back to me...