Emersyn was sitting beside Ashford, which was at end of the table, facing the white screen. People in suits with grave expressions sat parallel to each other. She was the odd one out since she was the only woman present in the meeting. She fixed her posture to appeared dignified in front of these men of high standing.
"Loosen up, woman," Fidor, who was at the prime of his age, said to her from Emersyn's side. "We won't eat you."
Emersyn heaved a sigh of relief as she loosened up her tensed muscles. She gazed at Ashford for a brief moment before turning her attention towards the man who stood up from his seat.
"Everybody know here about the Hanson's Laboratory, right?"
They all nodded their heads as the man, named Guren, walked to the front as an image of a white building appeared on the screen.
"For Emersyn here, we are ordered to destroy this laboratory in the span of one week. This lab deals with human trafficking, illegal organ dealings and illegal human experimentation. Apparently, few of our men were tasked to spy on this lab and never returned. At first, we sent more experienced spies, but they returned with records in hand that a lot of our family perished in their hands. We won't permit this to happen to the family of Voltaire. They are our enemies. Every one of us here are the leaders of our respected divisions. In this meeting, we will be conducting our strategy to completely destroy this place down to its core. Is this all clear to you, Emersyn?"
"Yes," she replied with a nod.
"Good. Then, we will proceed."
The last slide of the powerpoint slid to the side and a new slide was presented. It was the 3D layout of the entire one floor building and their underground floors. Then, red dots appeared in floors.
"We will install bombs in the indicated locations as you see in the screen."
"How do we enter the lab though?"
"Someone arranged a tour for a student project for their immersions. We would sneak in in the group and act as students. Since we couldn't enter the underground floors, we decided one person will enter as a specimen," Guren said as he looked over at Emersyn.
They respectively looked at her as they nodded with their arms crossed.
"Emersyn would enter the laboratory filled with bomb in her body. Remember that you have to place the bombs hidden from sight. Have you already memorized the locations?"
"Yes, sir."
"That's very impressive. Since the experiments happens at the bottom floor, your part would be very important. We will rely on you in this entire mission, Emersyn."
"Yes, sir."
"Now then, once the bombs are installed, you have to try your best to stay alive until we rescue you. If you didn't survive, try your best to do your part before you die."
"Yes, sir."
"Onto the other procedures, once the entrance is cleared, we will bomb it and the back door. Once the chaos start, those people would escape underground and the students would most likely follow them. The undercover agents we already planted ahead of time will act and kill those people escaping to the underpass. Of course, someone will most likely call the police and ambulance. So, we have to do it fast and precise. And so..."
***
After the meeting, Emersyn found the garden and decided to stay there, alone, for an hour or two. She sat on the bench as she gazed at her hand, holding a part of her whitened hair. She rubbed it between her fingers, sighing.
"Madame!"
She turned to look at Penelope who was heaving heavily.
"What is it?"
"Sir Ashford was looking for you---"
"No need, Penelope," a man emerged out from the arch.
"Yes… sir," then she went and left Emersyn and Ashford behind.
Emersyn stood up as she lightly greeted, "Hello, sir. What can I do for you?"
However, the man only pointed his chin at the bench. Emersyn understood then sat down, her gaze at the beautiful garden. Ashford, later, also sat down beside her.
"Emersyn..."
"Yes, sir."
"... do you feel anything? Do you remember anything?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"... nothing. Anyway, I give you my best regards tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
"... well then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, sir."
Once he rounded the corner, Penelope appeared from the pathway with a perplexed look in her eyes. "Madame, it's time for lunch. Do you want to eat in your room or in the dining hall?"
"The dining hall. Thanks, Penelope."
"It is only my duty," she said as she gestured at the arch where it led towards the main mansion. Emersyn nodded then led the way towards the main dining hall. When she arrived in the dining hall, everyone quitened then they whispered to each of their seatmates. She sighed as she sat on an empty corner table, noticing that Penelope was no longer at her side. She looked around and saw the maid standing at the far corner with the other servants. Suddenly, the door from the large kitchen opened and a lot of food were lined up on the long table.
A scene appeared in her mind. The floor was tiled, the people were wearing dresses and suits, there was a long table filled with food, and her hand that held a plate brimming with a variety of dishes. Where could it possibly be? She never had this grand of an event in her whole life. Her head started aching, but she tried her best to appear not to. Just when she stopped thinking about it, the pain subsided. Before she knew it, there was a plate in front of her, including side dishes and a glass of water.
Then people started eating as they talk. While Emersyn, who was alone, just ate in silence until… Ashford came with a tray of his food. Emersyn tilted her head as Ashford sat in front of her.
"What are you staring for? Continue eating," he loudly said as it reverberated inside the silent hall.
"???" Emersyn was confused but she chose to ignore it then continued eating.
When the feast --- which occured almost everyday --- Emersyn stood up with a tray in hand then returned it at the window that separates the dining hall from the kitchen. The people looked at her as she confusedly looked around. The chef came to her and said as he took her tray, "Young Lady, we will get them for you if you just simply left it on your table."
"Oh. Is it bad giving it here?"
"Of course not, you are welcome to come here after your meals; and at any time. By the way, your hair and eyes looks stunning."
Emersyn smiled, "Thanks."
"Sorry, but I still have a lot of work to do. See you later?"
"Yes, see you later."
When she turned her heels around, Penelope was already beside her with her hands clutched in her front. "Madame, what do you want to do from now on?"
"... it is strange, but I want to go to the library. Is there one?"
"Of course. I will lead you there."
"Thanks again, Penelope. You've been a great help to me."
"It's fine, Madame. It is my duty."
***
The door leading to the library suddenly opened. It was loud and sudden as the people inside bolted from whatever they were reading and glared at the man who entered. Upon seeing his figure, they immediately shut their mouths as their gaze never left the stunning man in his suit.
"Maajidanashi!" That man shouted.
The woman jolted on her chair as she suddenly stood up.
"Yes, sir!"
His eyebrows furrowed as he marched towards Emersyn.
"What is it, sir?" Noticing that the man in front of her, Boris, who was her previous boss, she shuddered.
With his fingers against his sinus, he sighed in exasperation. Then, he quickly grabbed Emersyn's wrist and stomped his way out of the library. The female looked back at the abandoned book which was handled by Penelope back into the shelf. However, Penelope didn't follow and just watched her get dragged into a place she didn't know.
When they arrived in a place where they couldn't see anyone wandering, he flung her on the stone wall.
"Nashi..."
"Yes, sir?"
"Didn't you see the letter I sent to you?"
"No, sir. I was in the library all the time."
"You stupid girl! When did you get interested in books? You are supposed to attend the farewell party we arranged for you! You went to the library to escape from us, huh? Did you really not want to see your old colleagues that much?"
"What? No, sir! I would never dare do that!"
Boris sighed, "Haa… fine. Everyone is waiting for you. Be grateful that I came to find you when you were one minute late. Come now."
"Yes, sir," she said meekly.
When they arrived in front of a room, Boris opened it and poppers erupted from anywhere to welcome Emersyn's arrival.
"Nashi! I heard you got promoted!"
Emersyn was perplexed. "What do you mean..."
"You went missing three days ago and you didn't even come and tell us that you were promoted!"
Three days ago… three days… ah. She ran away three days ago and got caught immediately the day after that. They were imprisoned and Emersyn pleaded for the boy's life to be freed. They asked for an impossible condition though. To be tortured and die. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, she lived and all her wounds healed. It was… mysterious. Reminded of that time, she faced her palm as her gaze went to and fro between her colleagues and her hand.
She smiled at them, "Sorry, I forgot to tell you," she said as she scratched her head.
"Hahaha!!! You're as stupid as ever, Nashi!"
"Let's celebrate now and put the formalities later!" Boris shouted merrily.