When you think that life is easy, then think again. Life would be so much boring if it is easy. We live to survive. We live with a different purpose and it’s up to us on how we gonna live it.

    “Hey Berry, you seemed so pre-occupied. Anything that bothers you?”

    I look up from typing on my laptop when Helen suddenly talk. She’s my friend ever since I was a kid. She’s the only one that I trusted the most yet she often annoys me. She’s also a secret agent like me and we’re both on field. We prefer physical combat than sitting inside a room and think for a new invention.

    We are both physically strong and we won’t waste it from other teams.

    “It’s Berille” I corrected. I lean on the couch since I’m sitting on a carpeted floor. “And will you continue manicuring your nails on your house? I can’t concentrate when there is a devil in my house.”

    She rolled her eyes at me and throw the pillow at my direction. I just catch it and put it back on my couch.

    “Whatever Agent Snow. I thought you already caught the assassin? What makes you busy again?” she asked while blowing her nails.

    I shook my head at her. She is so nosy.

    “I got a new mission Helen” I replied and rested my head on my palm “It’s making me frustrated so if I were you, stop pestering me. I haven’t got any sleep for three days straight. Hence, if you still want to live, get out of my house now.”

    “Uh oh, why so grumpy? I was just asking Berry” she answered not minding my threat.

    I massage my temple and look at her. She’s still busy with her nails. Helen Morozova or also known as Agent H. One of the rule breakers of agency. A very stubborn woman. She decides what to do during missions and no one can stop her. She’s usually assigned with the drug lords of the country. She’s petite but she’s really strong. I won’t deny that she’s beautiful with her long curly blonde hair. One factor that makes her charming, I guess. She got a heart-shaped face, a perfectly trimmed eyebrows, a black orbs covered with thick eyelashes, a creamy-white nose and a thin pinkish lips. She looks so kind and very angelic but she’s truly an evil and a pain in the ass. Her motto in life is, ‘What Helen wants, Helen gets’. A spoiled brat in other words. Her mother passed away when she’s ten year old and her father is one of the boss in agency, but he isn’t a founder. He just got promoted overtime.

    I sip on my coffee and close my laptop.

    “I’m just pissed” I replied and brush my hair with my fingers “Do you happen to know Eliza Lim?”

    “Eliza Lim? I never heard such a name. But if she’s from agency, maybe my father knew her.”

    Hmm, from agency? It can be. But why would Sir Nicholas ordered me to kill her? I shook my head in disagreement. She’s not from agency.

    “What about we ask my father about her?” she suggested and wink at me “Come at seven in our house so we can eat dinner together. Dad always told me to invite you over dinner but I don’t know where to find you. You’re not even picking up my calls, bitch. You’ve been so hook up with work, why not try to loosen up? You’re not going to die if you’ll rest a bit” she scolded me and rolled her eyes after.

    “I will, maybe after my new mission”

    I wasn’t really the type of person who works like there’s no tomorrow. I’m not workaholic. I am just obedient enough to follow orders from higher officials who chose me to do those missions.

    “Is she your new mission?” she asked that made me gulp.

    I look away. Am I going to tell her? Maybe not.

     “Just a random girl I’ve met when I’m on a mission” I lied. Well, Helen doesn’t need to know about it. She have her own mission to solve and Sir Nicholas already warned me not to tell it to other people, not even to my best friend.

    This mission is really strange. And I can’t believe that Eliza Lim doesn’t have any social media account. Oh my goodness, isn’t she’s informed that we are in 21st Century where social media are the trends? Or perhaps she’s too old to know about these stuffs.

    “Wow! Are you starting to date someone again?” she asked while moving her brows up and down.

    I smirk at her and kick her legs.

    “Ouch! Why do you have to kick me Snow?” she whined and smacked my head also. What the fuck?

    “That’s for you to shut up Helen. Stop spitting out something that is obviously won’t happen.” I said.

    “Why not? You’re only twenty-four. And may I remind you that we are not getting any younger? You must find someone who can understand you and most especially a person who won’t tolerate your grumpiness and sensitiveness”

    I smirk “Coming from a girl who’s still single and afraid to love someone eh”

    She smacked my head again and look at her fingernails “You’re gonna ruin my manicure, Snow. And will you please stop saying that all the time? I love my freedom so much and I will enjoy it until I find someone worthy of my love.”

    I grimace. What a mushy topic. I feel like I need to puke. Tsk!

    I stood up from sitting on the floor and carry my laptop with me.

    “I’ll go outside. Just lock the doors when you leave and never touch my foods at the cabinet. Buy your own meal okay?” I said while playfully smiling at her.

    She look at me angrily “Excuse me, Berille Adams! I paid for your electric bill, water bill and paid people to clean your house when you weren’t home for four months. And now, you’re telling me not to touch your foods? You’re very stingy!”

    I laugh at her reaction “I was just kidding okay? Chill! Do whatever you want but never touch my things inside my room. You know about my rules already so I just see you later” I said and wave my hand at her.

    She even tried to throw the pillow again but I just dodge it away and shouted “Put it back to where it is, Helen!”

    I went outside and hailed a taxi. I don’t own any car but it doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to drive one. I prefer commuting and saving lots of money. My own house isn’t that big also compare to the house and rest house of Helen. It was just a two-storey house with a basement. I have a living room on the first floor, a kitchen, a bathroom and one guest room. While you can find the master’s bedroom which is my room on the basement, together with two guests room and an indoor swimming pool. On the second floor, you can find my not-so-big gym. It is where I train myself and do my exercises everyday. You can also find there my library and a room for my weapons. My whole house is fully secure with CCTV cameras and deadly traps. I have a garden outside which has a little manmade falls and a small garage if ever I change my mind and buy myself a car.

    I’ve said that my house isn’t big compare to Helen’s house but I guess it wasn’t a house anymore since it really looks like a Palace or a very huge mansion. No wonder, she acts like a Queen to everybody.

    I live alone in my house since my parents died in an early age. We are not wealthy but we used to be happy back then. I have a little sister or maybe she’s teenager now and became taller than me, but she’s not with me. My relatives are the one taking care of her—through my request of course. Ever since I chose to become an agent, I left my past behind. I even left the only family I have. But I’ve never stop supporting her financially. Every month, I sent them money for my sister but I didn’t bother to tell them my address. It would be much better and much safer if she’s away from me.

    “We are here, Ma’am” the taxi driver said that snapped me back to reality.

    “Oh yes” I said and give him some money.

    I went to my favorite coffee shop. It’s not because it is a famous café but because it’s not crowded. People who drink coffee here are very quiet. It is a place where you can have a peaceful mind. And I totally need it right now.

    I went inside and the guard greeted me while smiling, so I smiled back at him. I walk going to the counter and order a black americano and a blueberry cheesecake before I scan the whole place and walk going to a vacant table I found on the side.

    As I sat down, I opened my laptop and connect it with my X-s98 cellphone. It was the cell phone that Sir Nicholas gave me. More high-tech than my X-s95. Aside from it contains all the files of WBO, it can also be turned as a dagger. More handy than a real dagger alone. I also put my fingerprints on it and if ever someone tries to open it with a different fingerprint, it will self-destruct. The internet is also faster than my old phone. And only a few agents has this kind of phone. You can only have a cellphone like this if you’re nearly promoted as boss.

    In a field team, we always have the status that is base not in wealth but in agent’s accomplished missions. The first and the lowest rank is the newbie. A new agents recruited by different bosses of the agency and had already passed the physical, emotional and mental examination. The examination is handled by the Hiring team led by Ma’am Dianna Stoney—one of the boss. After they passed, they will undergo a life-taking trainings handled by Grim Reaper team led by Sir Mir Smith and Ma’am Hana Moore. When they received promotions, they will be called as junior agents. They still need a training under the Grim Reaper team but they will now have a real field missions. Junior agents are led by Sir Scott. After a years of experience and successful missions they did, they will be promoted as senior agents led by Sir Nicholas Patterson, Sir Ben Anderson and Ma’am Myrna Tiu. I was also a senior agent for years but since I got promoted, I am now a junior ace. It is the time when you can have all the files you needed. And I swear, the trio are not easy to be swayed to promote you. After becoming a junior ace, you’ll become one of the Aces of the agency. They are the bosses. They are the one assigning the agents to a mission.  Some of the Aces are the founder of WBO but the one who built this agency is unknown to everyone except from the founders who live as an agent ever since they were still teenager. He was called ‘the big boss’ and the ‘real founder’ of World Black Organization. But I guess he’s not here in Asia.

    After I connected the phone. I scroll all the files on the laptop hoping to find a name Eliza Lim. But I can’t find anything about her.

    “Damn it” I hissed and tried to type the name of Sir Nicholas. I read all the files under his name until I saw folder named as ‘threat’. I automatically clicked it.

    My forehead creased in confusion after I saw what’s on the folder. It is a list of names of different people I don’t even know. I tried to scroll down and damn there are really a lot of names here. And what shock me is the name of Lim, Eliza Via. I tried to click it but it was already an unsupported file. Maybe they had deleted this file before.

    I scratch my eyebrow and lean on the chair.

    Is she a threat to everyone? Who is really Eliza Via Lim? I closed my eyes and think for a reason why there is a strange folder under my boss name. Damn this! I don’t even have a clue about this.

    “Why are you sitting here on my table?” I heard someone asked. I can feel her presence in front of me. But I remained silent.

    “I’m asking you” she said in a cold voice. I literally have goosebumps all over my arms and nape after hearing her deadly cold voice.

    I opened my eyes and saw a woman who’s wearing an eyeglasses while looking at me as if I’m nothing. She is crossing her arms over her chest while her things are on top of the table. It’s a book, a cell phone and a black coffee.

    I took a quick glance over her face since she kinda look intimidating. Her shiny black hair is in a messy bun while few strands escape from the ponytail and fell onto her face. She has a round-shape face, a good complexion of skin and indescribable emotion. Her eyebrows are thick and had almost connect with one another because of her creasing forehead. Her eyes are small with an ocean blue orbs covered with black thick eyelashes. Her nose is pointed that suit her face well. Her cheeks are pinkish and I know it’s natural since she seems not wearing any makeup today. And her lips that are thick and red in color like an apple looks so luscious. She looks like a goddess. A goddess of intimidating aura, if there is really a goddess like that.

    She’s wearing a white polo, denim jeans and a white rubber shoes.

    “Are you just going to stare at me?” she asked me again while raising her brow.

    I smirk and crosses my arms “No. I just took a glance to the person who own this table” I answered sarcastically.

    She sat down in front of me and stare at my eyes intently “Funny”

    I shrugged my shoulders.

    “I didn’t know you own this place, Miss…” I paused and look at her book “…Bookish”

    “I have a name, stupid and ignorant woman” she said rudely.

    “My pleasure to know your name, then” I said and offered my hand “I’m Berille”

    Instead of accepting my hands, she just stared at it blankly and smirk. I embarrassedly put down my hand. She’s really rude, no doubt.

    “I personally knew the owner of this coffee shop and it’s not you. How come you own this place especially this table?” I asked and sip on my coffee “Is it a new way of asking if we can share the table?”

    She laugh on a low and cold voice. And I swear, it sounded like I’m on a horror movie and she’s the vengeful ghost.

    “Whatever. Just shut up there” she said and grab her book. I saw her eyes diverted to my phone on the table so I quickly remove it and the connector before hiding it on my pocket.

    She shook her head and started reading her book.

    Meanwhile, I received an email from Helen reminding me about the dinner at seven but I didn’t bother to reply. I also received an e-mails from the agents who are close to me. They are congratulating me for my promotion—which I think they found out on the day I got promoted. Well, that’s how fast the news are. They even joked and called me ‘boss’.

    I smiled a little and replied thanks to everyone.

    I opened an email from the bosses. It was all reminders from the upcoming events of the agency. Some emails contains the mission that will be given to me if ever I’m available. And I made myself busy reading some of the case that caught my attention.

    Time flew fast and I found out that it’s almost six now. I stretch my arms and look at the person in front of me who’s very engrossed on reading her book. Her eyes are focused on what she’s reading while her phone are buzzing up since a while ago. I know she can feel it so I didn’t bother to tell her.

    I fix my things on the table and look at my wristwatch again. I need to be home at six since I also need to prepare myself for the dinner later.

    I was about to stand up from my seat when I heard someone yelled my codename. I look at her direction and I saw someone walking towards me. Her face is familiar and I often see her on agency but I don’t exactly know her.

    “Yes?” I asked formally.

    She breathe fast and hard while her hands are on her knees. She looks tired.

    “I was asked to give you this personally, Snow” she said while catching her breath. I didn’t bother to reprimand her for her manners since we’re outside the agency and specifically in a public place.

    “Okay, is that all?” I asked before I open the envelope.

    It’s an invitation for a wedding of two well-known agents. I put it back on the envelope and grimace. Nah, I’m not interested of attending such ceremonies.

    “Yes” she answered and look at me.

    “What’s the catch?” I asked.

    Invitations are always sent directly to my mailbox. And it was too odd if the couples asked her to give me this envelope when in fact we don’t know each other personally unless someone sent her to say something to me.

    She close the gap between us and hug my shoulder that made me shock.

    “Sir Nicholas sent me here to tell you to report everything you will find about your mission to him” she whispered while still hugging me.

    I felt very uneasy with the stares I’m receiving from the girl in front of me. Aside from that, I don’t like the feeling of being hug by a stranger.

    “Tell him to wait and never send someone again. I know what to do already” I replied back on a very low voice and tap her back.

    She pulled out from the tight hug and smiled at me “Sure, I will”

    I mentally rolled my eyes and carry my things “I’ll go ahead” I said. Actually not to the agent, but to the rude stranger in front.

    “Do you need help?” the agent asked but I shook my head. I also signalled her to go. She nodded her head before leaving first.

    I look at the rude girl and I caught her looking at me too. But she immediately look away that made me smile a little.

    I turn my back at her and bought a cake before leaving the coffee shop. Then I hailed a taxi immediately going back home. And thank goodness, Helen never forget to lock my door.

    I went down to my room and took a quick bath then I wore a white shorts and a plain black shirt revealing my white-pearl legs. I also braided my long red hair and put my eyeglasses on.

    I took a quick glance on the mirror and I’m off to go. I only brought with me my wallet, an ordinary cellphone and the cake. When I stormed outside my house, my jaw dropped after seeing a limousine in front of my house and a driver who’s currently waiting for me.

    I scratch my neck in annoyance because I know this is Helen’s doing. She really made sure that I will come tonight.

    The driver opened the door for me so I went inside while mentally cursing Helen. She really does what she wants. Like damn, is she freaking serious? Their house was only a few blocks away from my house. I can walk going there if I want to.

    I rolled my eyes but never commented a thing. She really need a good beating in the head.

    In a minute, I’m already in front of their mansion. Their maids are waiting outside and trying to help me in carrying the cake. Some are asking me what I want and some are pointing me the direction of where to go.

    “Talk one by one okay? I can’t understand you all if you are all going to talk in chorus. And please stop treating me like a Princess, I can handle my stuffs and myself” I said out of annoyance.

    They still smiled at me although I can feel that it’s a fake one. I know they are just doing their jobs but I really can handle myself. I don’t want someone taking care of something I can do. For Pete’s sake I’m neither old nor blind.

    “Oh hey Berry! I’m glad that you’re already here, come inside” Helen said from my side and shooed away her maids.

    I rolled my eyes at her “Seriously Helen? Can I just apply as your maid also?” I asked sarcastically that made her laugh. She grab the box of cake on my hand and carry it.

    “Stop being so sensitive to them Berry. They are nice” she answered and wrinkled her nose “Anyway, daddy is waiting inside the dining room”

    She escorted me going to their dining hall and I saw Sir Gabriel Morozova sitting in the center wearing his tuxedo while Helen is wearing her elegant dress.

    “Why didn’t you tell me to dress formally?” I whispered to her and she just laugh at me again.

    “Silly, I have a party to attend later, maybe ten o’clock and dad just came from the agency. He had a meeting with the other bosses” she answered while laughing.

    I frowned and pulled a chair for her before sitting beside her.

    “Good evening Sir” I greeted first.

    Sir Gabriel looked at me amusedly and wave his hand “Cut the formalities Berille and good evening to you too”

    I smiled at him “Alright Uncle Gab”

    “Long time no see, Berille. I heard you got your promotions again. Congratulations to you” he said smiling and signalled the maids to serve the foods. They put a lot of foods on the long dining table and poured the glass with red wine and water.

    “Yeah, I recently finished my mission so I wasn’t home for a while. Good thing that Sir Nicholas finally promoted me Uncle. I already surpassed the strict trio’s” I joked that made them laugh.

    “Well, good for you Berry. Ma’am Tiu never gets tired of sending me into missions. I’m seriously sick of it” Helen commented and rolled her eyes.

    “Of course, if it is hard to be promoted as senior agent, it is harder to be promoted as junior ace” Uncle Gab said and started eating.

    I drink a water first before eating.

    “Very hard, dad. It’s hard to get in the favor of those trio’s. They are all crazy! Sir Patterson smiles often but his smiles aren’t for good. If he smiled at you, it only means that he find you amusing and put you in trouble sometimes. Sir Anderson never smile and he totally look scary. He loved embarrassing agents. While Ma’am Tiu is the worst. She doesn’t know how to smile and if she did, be careful not to meet her eyes or else she’ll choose you to do a very deadly mission. It’s thrilling but I still love my life”

    I smirk at Helen “They are still the boss. We don’t have a choice but to follow them”

    “Or you can switch teams my dear daughter. You can apply at my team anytime” Uncle Gab said while smirking at her daughter. But the latter just rolled her eyes.

    “Never dad. I am no genius compare to you. So I’ll never betray the field team” she answered smiling.

    Uncle Gab is one of the bosses of Sinful Hands team. I don’t exactly know which team he handles but he’s also great on his job. He totally got a useful brain.

    “It runs on our blood Helen. You just don’t like the idea of sitting the whole day inside a room. You prefer drug-addicts than chemists” her father stated which is true.

    Helen laughed and nodded her head.

    “How about you Berille?” Uncle Gab looked at my direction so I immediately wipe the side of my lips “Would you like to apply on my team?”

    I shook my head repeatedly “I went too far just to get promoted Uncle, so no thanks”

    He smiled at us and nodded his head “If you say so, girls”

    We just continue to eat in silence. And I’m contemplating whether I am going to ask him now or maybe after we finish the main course.

    “I have a question Uncle Gab” I said after I finally decided. I sip on my wine before looking at him “Do you know a person named Eliza Lim?”

    Uncle Gab coughed so Helen gave him a water which he drink immediately.

    “Why did you ask? How did you know her?” he ask and I saw how his hands shake a little, his eyes blink many times and I can see a drop of sweat on his forehead.

    Helen’s right. Uncle Gab knew her.

    “I just met her when I’m on a mission” I lied again, but this time to Uncle Gab “I was just curious about her”

    Uncle Gab cleared his throat and loosen up his necktie “Well yeah, I heard her name. She was I think in an age like yours. I once saw her somewhere and some agents knew something about her. She was said to be dangerous so if ever you encounter her again, be careful”

    I stiffened to what he said “What else?”

    “I don’t know a lot of things about her. But I heard she loves competing in a drag racing. And if you can stop your curiosity, please do so. Just seeing her face made me scared. She’s dangerous Berille” he said and look away.

    I even saw him fidgeting his fingers. And looking away means lying. Is he lying to me? Or just a normal reaction for a person who’s scared?

    What he said is a big help to start my mission. But does it really helpful? Or I am only being stopped on knowing her? But one thing is for sure, higher officials knew about her.