❝It was me. I was there, the whole time. Being unable to see me doesn't mean I don't exist.
To you, I am just an illusion.❞
Y/N's P.O.V-
'I will take ramen and bibimbap, please.'
'Kimchi for me. Thank you.'
It was a cold winter night.
As time passed, the clock hour hand shifting merry-go-round to the digit nine, the number of customers slowly decreased until becoming completely zero. The sharp blows of icy wind hitting the window made the glasses tremble as if in fear of breaking down into pieces. Haneul shifted the small board hanging on the front entrance backward, showing the 'open' written side now to the inside of the restaurant. The waiters were busy giving a last wipe to the place. All were in an obvious rush, as the cold atmosphere outside was getting intensified and none was eager to experience shivers on the way back home.
The place was now left with just me, Liza, Haneul and Joshua behind.
'Hani, I am done. Guess I will be leaving too. Liza?' I stared at the dirty blonde girl who was massively giving a wipe on one of the booths as if to burnish it anew. 'Yes, yes I am done too. Let's go.' she jogged inside to put on her overcoat and bring her handbag while I stood near the front door waiting for her.
'Bye guys.' We bid and went out. Immediately the paralyzing breeze welcomed us in, giving vibes of frostiness as a gift.
'Damn it's so cold tonight. It's nearly the end of winter yet look at the temperature!' Liza hugged the overcoat to herself. Her mouth shaped in 'o' was smoking air in and out fast to warm her frozen body up. I replied.
'You are right. Whoever outside their home now must be the unluckiest person in the world. Let's walk faster.' I increased my walking speed. Liza laughed, 'You are so very right.'
It didn't much time to reach my house. We both stood before the gate. Liza said, 'Your house is pretty big. It must be really warm inside.' I chuckled at her words, 'Well, thank my parents for that. They are always worried for me, they send me off enough money to live well off until now. I do the restaurant job only to carry the side expenses.'
'Well, it's bigger than mine for sure.' I laughed again, almost laughing at myself for speaking something that wasn't true. Since the time I joined the job in the restaurant, I had grown more close to this one girl. However, not close enough to reveal out everything about me. Lying, which had become an integral part of my life by then. For which I get money. So, why should I regret it?
A beeping sound from inside my pocket interrupted my motion thoughts. I brought my phone out then clicked to find out its source, no sooner my protruded lips turned down to an impassive form.
'What is it, Y/N?' I fixed my wrinkled forehead then smiled looking at her, 'Nothing. You should go now. It's getting late. Thanks for accompanying me.' I waved at her and hurriedly paced towards my front door. She waved back and started for her own way.
As soon as her figure disappeared from sight, I came out. Taking further look around, I sped placing long steps through the way illuminated by the side lampposts, the dark edges waving me in.
I stood leaning against the sidewall and took out my phone. I clicked on the message again, the one I viewed a mere while ago. It said-
Agent 47. A car will be waiting for you outside the lane of your house. Be sure to get there on time. There's an emergency.
My forehead wrinkled central again, trying to guess a somewhat exact reason. What could it be? The reason that required my presence even though I am on my break?
PEEP! I started as a loud honk hauled from my back. Fixing a shot of glare on my face, I pulled the car door open and hopped in.
'You didn't really need to startle me, Gary.' I spoke with an irk. 'Hihi, one point for me! An agent should always remain cautious and prepared no matter wherever he or she is, even if it's the slightest thing.'
'I don't really require your advice. Anyways, what's up with the base?'
'Well, you'll get to see yourself.'
As soon as my fingers left their print and my ID card swiped on the particular area, the automatic door slid aside, revealing the big spacious room. Standing from where I was, the place would look like a general office, well until stepped in and proceeded a bit further. Two of the walls were hidden under the shelter of several complex structured computers and devices. Couches aligned on the other side. The lights were dimmed a bit to partly create a mysterious atmosphere for the moment for some reason, yet clear enough to help me recognize the fewer creatures present in the room, waiting for my arrival.
'Welcome Y/N, err…shouldn't I call Agent 47 instead?' Moonbyul greeted, no sooner I had entered the room. 'We don't really have to call each other by code names in the base. It seems a bit weird to me.' Momo brushed her hair, providing a small no-teeth smile at me.
'Anyway, wondering why the base is almost vacant, where is everybody?' I asked, getting myself down on one of the couches. 'It's an odd hour, also, almost everybody is engaged in different tasks, relating to both their missions and other activities. Let's come to the main point.'
'Yes, I wanna know, what is it?' I added, 'What is that emergency mentioned in that text?'
'The detail will come following soon. You will be sent on a tiny mission tonight.'
'Huh?' I widened my eyes, soon composing myself. I wasn't ready for it for sure, 'I wasn't informed of anything on hand. What is it that came by all sudden?'
'Actually, the whole mission was assigned to one of your co-agents. He became unable to carry out the task for a reason so; you will be going to his proxy to perform this small task on his behalf. The task is easy, but none other from the eligible rank is available at the moment so, we couldn't but engage you even though you are on your leave. You just have to sneak into a place and bring some files to us.'
'Tell me.' I sat calmly leaning back, waiting for her to speak out the whole thing.
'First, do you know about BTS?'
'Eh, BTS? Umm…not much, if you mean that gang whose name has been going around the headquarter lately for their uprise of crimes? But my knowledge is too scant.'
'That's normal because this gang's identity is still now hidden. The authority is currently giving special attention to this case. It isn't something silly.'
'And the mission is about-? Them?'
'Yeah. According to the collected information of our source, it is stated that the gang members will be out of their dorm tonight and will not come back before tomorrow morning. This is the only time to bring those files to our safe hands.'
'I am curious, what are in those files?'
'I am sorry I can't tell you about it. You know, the authority is protective in not disclosing anything about any mission that assigned to someone else, even if it comes to his co-agents. Except for this time, it was ought to loosen up a bit for the mission's sake. Yet I can't tell more than you are required to know.'
'It's alright. But what if they come back before time?'
'They won't. Momo carried out the research part. Woozi will be on the line with you, he'll be informing you throughout the whole time, ensuring that you get enough time to escape even if something comes by.' She pointed at the small figure of the boy who was silently sitting before one of the monitors the whole time. I muttered a small 'okay.'
'That's it for you. You can start for the location now. Other details will be sent off to you on the way.' I stood up, 'It had been a while since I did these sneaking missions.'
'The authority was quick to suggest your name to send an agent for performing the task, so that elaborates the reputation you have in the headquarter, Y/N. Be sure to keep up with it. Good luck.' Moon came forward to throw me a high five.
'Shall I drive you to the spot?' Gary asked, leaning casually against the front of the car. 'Not required. I am fine on my own.' I took the key from his hand then hopped in the car.
'Are you on the line, Woozi?' I asked, fixing the earpiece on my ear.
'Yes, I am. Tell me when you are back on the road.' 'Stay tuned.' I pulled the gear.
I guess this one night will be a long tiring night for me.