Dark clouds loomed over the night sky leaving the moon to quiver alone as they completely devoured the stars. Though the clouds were trying to engulf the moon, it was headstrong enough to not give itself in; it emerged radiant every time the dark tried to capture it.
Observing the moon's struggle might evoke a sense of pity from one's perspective. Yet, the woman sitting in the taxi felt perplexed as she gazed at the moon, seeing a reflection of herself. She was torn between feeling sympathy for her bleak, lifeless state and feeling a sense of pride for the fighter she saw before her.
Like the moon, the woman could be seen as a lonely warrior, seeking answers while battling a harsh society. Humanity's brutality had constantly thwarted her quest, yet it only intensified her determination to find a resolution.
"Look at the state she is in. So pathetic"
"What an orphan like you can even do?"
"You are not selected for this role due to a suspicious activity recorded in the Criminal History System. You may leave now, Miss."
"Does she think she stands a chance with her non-existent abilities?"
This was how the woman was belittled, undermining her confidence and obstructing her from pursuing her quest in every possible way, leading her to lose hope. It felt as though she was navigating a river of cruelty alone, striving to reach the shore but being obstructed by invisible forces. Despite this, she managed to endure in the river, clinging to a dwindling hope.
As she gazed at the moon, her eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions, she noticed a tiny star appear in the distant, dark sky. It seemed as though the moon wasn't entirely alone, offering a glimmer of hope in her solitary journey. Dark clouds drifted toward the star, making it seem as if the moon was desperately pursuing this newfound hope in an otherwise desolate place.
This scene reminded the vulnerable woman of the small glimmer of hope she had discovered a few days earlier—a hope that might lead her to the doorway of her quest and provide answers to all her questions. This tiny beacon could even explain why her life had taken such a drastic turn and why she had become what she was today; emotionless, selfish, inhumane.
Contemplating her current state, a resolute and determined expression replaced her earlier helplessness. This shift caused the temperature around her to drop slightly, and even the taxi driver was struck by a sudden sense of intimidation from her aura while driving, which gave him chills.
The woman in the elegant dress checked the time and knew it was her moment to step into the scene. She gave the driver a generous tip, earning a genuinely wide grin in return. He handed her his card with his contact details and thanked her profusely. She smiled, then walked a short distance down the empty street to her destination. Upon arriving, she gazed at the building with determined resolve, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
...
A woman entered the hall with grace, immediately capturing everyone's attention at the party. She wore a stunning red silk gown with a shoulderless design, evoking classic Hollywood glamour, and paired it with high heels. The red dress beautifully accentuated her radiant, smooth skin. As she walked, the subtle slit on her right thigh revealed a glimpse of her alluring figure, drawing the gaze of many men.
The woman couldn't suppress an arrogant smirk on her red lips as she felt the weight of everyone's gaze. She paused at the center of the room, scanning the hall with her piercing blue eyes. Spotting her target, she locked her gaze onto the man with a glint of intent.
Once she confirmed that the handsome man was focused on her, she turned left and made her way to an empty table. The waiter handed her a drink, which she held to her lips, pretending to sip while fully aware of the potential consequences of becoming inebriated.
Although everyone was wearing masks as part of the party's theme, many of the guests could still identify some of their colleagues. However, none of them could figure out who the lady was.
The mysterious aura she exuded heightened the enthusiasm in men to get to know her. As they began to approach, she shot them a fierce glance, silently signaling them to stay away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her target approaching with a drink in hand and a subtle smirk on his face. She glanced around the hall, taking in the party decorations and keeping herself occupied. Soft music played in the background, and guests swayed gently to its rhythm.
"It's quite surprising to find a beautiful woman working at Hawk Agency, and even more surprising is that I only just learned about it," he flirted, attempting to capture her attention.
Hawk Agency, founded by the government, oversees the flow of sensitive data within the country and manages confidential government matters. The attractive man in his mid-thirties holds a C-level executive position within this government-established agency.
The girl glanced at the man before her and chuckled at his inept flirting, which led to a misunderstanding. The man misinterpreted her reaction, thinking that the compliment had won her over.
"A pity," she said casually, pretending to take a small sip.
"At least now you did, Mr. Jason Miller" Expecting a typical response, for he was never turned down, the lady's reply initially shocked him, but soon turned into a chuckle.
She ended the conversation to halt any further advances, effectively rejecting his attempts.
The confidence and subtle haughtiness in her voice captured his attention, which he had previously overlooked. He recognized that she was the type who played hard to get. To him, women were all similar; a bit more flirting was often enough to win over someone as attractive as her before spending the night together.
The only variation was the time and effort he invested, but the outcome was always the same.
"What can you do for this pitiful man, young lady?" Jason asked with a playful glint in his eyes, adopting a sad expression and referring to her earlier comment.
She looked around and signaled a waitress carrying wine. She leaned in and whispered something to the waitress, who responded in a soft voice. After quietly thanking her, she turned back to Jason and handed him the glass.
"Young lady here is 4 years old. Tastes divine. She can lift every one of your sorrows. A perfect companion for you right now." Jason eagerly watched every move she made after he stopped speaking. Her actions and words completely exceeded his expectations, causing him to burst into laughter. Despite his persistent flirting and repeated rejections, the handsome man continued his efforts.
In short, he pursued her from every angle, but she rejected him at every turn. Although Jason was growing impatient, his eagerness to win her over and take her to bed remained undiminished.
The enigmatic lady checked the time and realized it was time to wrap up her task. She then subtly started to play along with Jason's flirting creating turmoil in his head.
"It's quite hot in here, isn't it?" Jason could no longer endure the company of the dull crowd. He was eager to leave the party as soon as possible, ideally with the captivating woman by his side for some entertainment.
"Yes, it's quite warm. I assume the ACs in the hall aren't working properly. However, I've heard the hotel rooms here are exceptional." The young woman did not decline his offer.
"Shall we give it a try, Lady in Red?" Jason extended his hand, inviting her to take it. The lady nodded and placed her hand in his. They left the hall together, with the man leading her, his face beaming with anticipation as he looked forward to the night ahead with this mysterious lady.
As the couple departed from the party, some men felt envious, aware of where they were headed, while others regretted not knowing the identity of the mysterious woman.
As the couple entered the elevator, Jason attempted to kiss her, but she slipped away from him and crouched down.
Glancing up at the handsome man, who looked at her with confusion, she removed her shoes. "I couldn't stand the pain in my legs any longer! I had to take them off."
"Yeah, it's fine, no worries!" Jason said, his words strained as he struggled to handle the rising heat.
After removing her shoes, the haughty lady stood up and moved close enough that her breath brushed against his ears.
"Impatient, are we?" she whispered, exhaling slowly and sending a tickling sensation across Jason's skin.
Just then, the elevator doors slid open, giving the woman an opportunity to escape while Jason hurried after her.
"Wait, this is my room," Jason said, stopping her and pointing to a door. As he opened it, the woman slipped inside before him.
"Who's the impatient one now?" Jason chuckled as he closed the door. Upon entering, he found the lady leaning against a table, giving him a sharp, intense look. Though he sensed something odd, he dismissed it.
"Strip!"