Chapter 4 Where Are You

MIRELLA'S POV

"Mom! Why do you have to spray her face like that? I only told her my name. She didn't know who I am." My mother just dragged me away from the hotel room, wearing only the hotel robe that she found inside the bathroom. "I told you to save her. Not bringing her to a hotel room and do- oh my God. I never knew my daughter is a whore. Perhaps I've been a bad influence on you, my dear." Now she's doing the blaming card. "But do you have to spray her face with whatever concoction inside that bottle? What if it's harmful for her?" My mother shakes her head, no. "It's a simple sedative spray that The Academy scientists had created. It's not harmful to humans- well, it is supposed to be safe. The side effect includes headache, nausea, irritation on the skin, and memory loss." My mother whispered the last part. My eyes widen.

"Memory loss?! Is knowing who I am that dangerous? She seems so sweet and innocent when we-," I couldn't finish my thoughts without blushing in a deep shade of red. "I don't think you're aware of your current situation here. You do realize that you're in the way of The Academy's mission to assassinate Haraya. Even if you wore a mask to cover your identity; they will bound to know who you are. But for now, all we can do is to pretend that you have no idea what is going on. And let us pray that Haraya doesn't remember who you are." Why do I feel conflicted about this? Part of me wants to forget what just happened, but most of me want Haraya to find me. When we arrived home, I immediately went to my room and remove my contact lenses and the mask I've been wearing all this time. To think that my mother has this kind mask lying around her workshop is creepy. I wonder about what purpose does she need to have this.

Hmmm, I can't seem to be functioning well after meeting such a woman. I feel so hollow down here. I hope she's okay. To be sprayed on the face like that must be painful. It's been quite a night. I should get some shut-eye since I have to be at The Academy tomorrow. Besides, I have to keep a nonchalant expression to attend tomorrow's banquet for welcoming the new head of The Academy. I'm optimistic that tomorrow will be a battlefield.

***

When I arrived at The Academy, the attention I got from the students was too much for me to handle. Some scoffed at my presence while some somehow felt pity over me. "Perhaps it is time for you to give back the car you took from The Academy. Daddy is gone, princess. Andrei is the new head after all." I stopped and turned around to face the owner of the voice.

"Perhaps it's time for you to wash your mouth with soup. Rather, should I bring some acid from the lab and pour it into your mouth instead. There's a limit to my patience. Right now, that very patience is currently sitting on a thin line," I took a step forward while he took a step back.

"That's what I thought," I smirked before going my way to the main building where I have to take my attendance. I wonder why did my father call this organisation as The Academy. A typical school doesn't have a subject that teaches you how to kill someone, right? I sighed as I let the machine scan my palm. Once I've been verified, I decided to go to the lounging area to kill time.

"Did you heard? Haraya Convington is currently in Russia. It seems like last night, the killing machine targeted one of our elders. Luckily, some of the students lead by agent 1 were there to prevent that." I scoffed as they praised agent 1's achievement while I was the one who stops that madwoman from her killing spree. As I ordered my breakfast at the counter, someone whom I didn't expect to be here suddenly appeared.

"Nice hickeys, Mirella. Last night must be fun for you. While others mourned for the former head's death, you went on to find a man to sleep with? Hmm, I don't judge if that's how you deal with the sadness." What a toxic person.

"You? Mourned my father's death? Don't make me laugh. It is your choice to kiss Andrei's ass but does that give you the power to be rude to me? As someone who works behind the scene rather than out on the field. I suggest that you fix your attitude before I do something you'll probably regret. Now, leave me alone. I need to enjoy my breakfast." I waved my hands to tell her that she should go before I go berserk. Of course, this woman just has to annoy me first thing in the morning. Did they simply forget that I currently hold the highest killing streak in this Academy? Should I remind them who reigns superior? Even their new head hasn't killed anyone! I finally managed to find myself a good table and decided to have a seat.

"Oh! I didn't expect you to be here. Are you busy?" Before I could even taste my mouth-watering scrambled egg, a technician from the weaponry department suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Well, as you can see, I want to eat my breakfast." This man smiled and didn't even ask for my permission to sit on my table. It seems like today is just not my day. "I mean, do you have a mission after this?" I shake my head no as I eat.

"Good! Will you be able to be the first to try the department's latest invention? Of course, we could try them ourselves, but we have no experience working in the field, as verified assassins do. I hope you could do us the honors to try them out first." Oh, new weapons?

"Sure. Let me finish my meal, and then I'll come to the weaponry department." The technician smiled from ear to ear after hearing that. Since I have nothing to do, I might as well do something productive.

***

"Miss Mirella! Welcome!" The department head was ecstatic to see me. Well, of course, they do; I'm here to put myself in danger of testing their newly developed weapon. Other students had probably declined their offer since there's no guarantee that this session will leave them unscathed.

"So, what kind of weapons are we testing today?" I smiled at the technician. "Well, follow me, please." The technician leads me to a vault. As I walked inside the vault, My eyes widen by the many types of guns, blades, and even- to my surprise, whips. Even so, there is one unfinished prototype that caught my attention.

"What is that?" I asked. "The new head told us to create a weapon that produces shockwaves that will interfere with all kinds of communication devices, so it's easier for us to hacked into the enemy's mainframe." I see. So they came up with a fancy ball?

"Of course, the project is still under development. Even though it caused The Academy staggering amount of money, the new head wants us to continue." Hmm, that cousin of mine probably plans on suck the funds dry with his ridiculous visions. I decided to test out several guns and even tried the new blade that they claimed will make my job an assassin easier for close-range combat. I was intrigued and decided to use the sword to cut down a whole cow that was hanging on the ceiling. They weren't kidding.

"Is it possible for me to have the whole set?" The technician nodded and packed a whole case for me. "What do you think of our progress?" The technician was intrigued to know what I think. Well, as someone who risks their lives every day for a mission, I just tell them the truth.

"I don't like this gun. In an emergency, before I could even load on a new magazine, the enemy would have shot my head first. It's stuck midway as I was reloading." The technician took some notes as I continue to comment on the issues of the other weapons. After I'm done, my father's former secretary was waiting for me outside of the vault.

"Why are you here?" I inquired. "Headmaster Andrei wishes to meet you now. Would you please follow me to his office." Huh? But the banquet is tonight. What is his reason for requesting my presence now?

***

"Mirella, come. Have a seat." I entered my father's former office and just sat on the armchair. "Were you inform of what happened this morning?" I shake my head, no. "One of The Academy's elders were killed in the comfort of his own home. The student who was supposed to guard him didn't even have a chance to survive. Our intel believes that Haraya has made her move against our organization." That madwoman didn't even wait until the coast is clear before completing her mission, huh? To think that she even goes as far as to kill the students of this Academy; that's too much!

"And, I'm here for-,?" Andrei sighed. "Haraya is searching for someone named Mirella. What did you do? That woman is coming all her way to find our organization. Because just hours ago, I was informed that she attacked another one of our elders! Mirella, please tell me what is going on." Andrei begged. Why should I even bother to tell you anything?

"I'm not sure. I never met Haraya before. So does this mean you're going to send me to kill this woman?" Andrei shakes his head no. "You have to stay hidden for the time being. Haraya is trying to get to you. Even if you hate me, I'm still your cousin, and I care for you and aunty's safety. I'll use my power to find someone to protect you. You're strong, Mirella. But even you need some protection from someone like Haraya." I'm happy that Andrei is taking the initiative to do this, but why?

"Why? I thought you are happy to know that I'm gone, my dear cousin." Andrei seems offended. "To be honest, Mirella. I hate it here. The only reason I am sitting on this chair is because of the elders who want me to take uncle's place as the head. I would rather have you as the head, but I can't say anything." I find that his words amusing.

"Oh, don't be such a kidder. I'm sure you're happy that I gave you everything that you always wanted. Just be happy since all your hard is paid off after the old man is dead. Anyway, about the bodyguard. It will be nice if you could find someone who's not going to let me die a painful death. If Haraya is searching for me- for whatever reason it is- I need someone who can protect me with their life." My cousin clears his throat.

"Of course. You're an important asset to this Academy. As the head, I can't let you be in harm's way." Andrei smiled. Hmmm. What a fake ass man he turns out to be; no wonder both you and that old man like each other. It's because you two share the same ways of thinking.

"Well, if that is all, I should go. It's almost time for my class with Agent 12. You know how he likes to punish those who came late to his class." Andrei nodded. Before I walked out of his office, he called my name.

"Mirella, I do care for your safety. Whatever happens, we're still family. Please be careful." Care? Without replying to him, I closed the door behind me and made my way towards Agent 12's class. If you care for me, you won't let the elders do whatever they want to me just because I'm a woman. Well, Haraya is doing her best to kill the elders for me. I should at least be happy about it. The thing is, just how did she manage to remember my name after being spray with that liquid?! I thought mom says it's foul proof.

***

HARAYA'S POV

"Haraya-," I looked over my shoulder to see my guardian walking towards me after killing the second elder of The Academy.

"I'm here to brief you about your next mission." I like this side of Lady Red. She knows that I am looking for that mysterious woman who came crashing into my life and vanish into thin air. The weird thing is, I can't even remember how she looks like, but I do remember her name. Mirella. Mirella; what a sweet name for a woman to have. What I do know is that she's related to the notorious Academy that is well known in this country. That is because she left something of hers in the hotel room. Perhaps she was in a rush to go somewhere. What a clumsy woman she is.

"Your third target goes by the name Miroslavakia Kova. She is one of the elders who manage The Academy. You may do whatever you want to the target as long as she's dead. That is your orders from the CM." I nodded as I read the information regarding my next target from the file she provided.

"Do you have to use the shotgun and shoot his head like that?" My guardian was referring to the corpse under my feet. "Yes. The man was fighting back. I was using his shotgun. So don't worry about being trace back to us. But, it doesn't matter anyway; they know it is my doing after all." Lady Red sighed. "Did you use your dagger to kill his bodyguard?" I nodded.

"They called themselves the students of Agent 1. I'm not sure what they meant, but they put on quite a fight too. Look," I pointed at the wound I got from one of the bodyguards.

"They manage to scratch me with their weapon." I laughed it off since it's not even that painful anymore. My guardian pinched the bridge of her nose. "But do you have to gauge their eyes out? What is with you and human eyes? You can't seem to throw that habit away." I smiled at my guardian as the cleaning crew barged into the scene with their eyes widen.

"Don't you think they make a good souvenir for our next target?" I grabbed a bunch of the eyes I managed to have from the corpse and dangling it in front of my guardian. She sighed while one of the crewmen gagged at sight.

"Oh my. If you gagged from this, you need a change of career. Of course, you can't simply leave The Agency. How about I help them by stabbing you with my dagger?" I took a step forward towards the crewman, but Lady Red placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Every rookie will gag when they see this sight. Please, keep the eyes away from them." Lady Red gave me a box and keep the eyes inside. "We should leave now. Let the cleaning crew deal with the mess." I followed my guardian out of the room and through the hallway.

"Just look at how extravagant his life is." As I looked around, I noticed something hanging on the walls of this vast mansion. "Lady Red, is it okay if I take this as a souvenir for myself?" I reached out for a sword that was on the walls. "Do not touch anything! It doesn't belong to you!" Lady Red warned me. I stop midway before glaring at her.

"I want it!"

"And I want to be a man. But not everyone can have what they want, is it?" I sighed before following her to the mansion's entrance and got into the car. "The Agency will provide you with any kind of weapon you desire. So please refrain yourself from taking things that doesn't belongs to you." As if I can't think for myself, my guardian seems to be having a field day being my 'mother'.

"Sure, mom." Lady Red shakes her head. When I looked out at the windows, I noticed- a flare? Wait, no. It's a- A SCOPE! "Eh? What are you-," I didn't wait for Lady Red to inquire why I grabbed onto her waist before opening the door.

"LEAVE THE CAR NOW!" I shouted at the driver before jumping off the moving car and rolled on the asphalt. In the matter of second, the car that we were on exploded right in front of us. "GO! HUNT!" Lady Red gave me the orders to find the assassins who were aiming its gun at us. As I equip myself with my dagger, I ran towards the spot where I first saw the sniper. Even though I can't see them, I'm sure they aren't that far off. It wasn't that long since they shoot the car down.

"Come out, come out wherever you are," I said as I looked around the bushes. "I won't bite. I promise." I saw a slight movement from a bush not far from where I was standing. As I walked towards a tree, I smiled when I saw a silhouette of a man hiding from me.

"Do you think you can escape from me, dearest one?" Before he could react, I stabbed his chest as his friends finally showed up from their hiding place. I used this person's body as a shield to cover myself from being shot. "Are you dead yet?" I asked my 'shield' while using his handgun to shoot his colleagues, who keeps on shooting at me. One by one of them falls on the ground as I am pulling the trigger.

"Ah, it seems like you died from the stabbing. I'm sorry about that." I grabbed my dagger and pulled it out from his chest, and throw the handgun on the corpse. "Are you okay, Lady Red?" I asked. My guardian nodded. "What about the driver?"

"He will survive." Lady Red looked around the mess I've made. "It seems we need to get our act right. These assassins are bold enough to use this method to kill us. If you hadn't noticed their presence, we could've died from the explosion." That is true.

"I will inform The Agency about this. Perhaps they could help us by finding a good team for this mission." Hmmm, I hope so.

***

"Mrs. Kova- you should just give in. As a human being, I too feel uncomfortable doing something like this to another human being. So, just tell me where I can find Mirella." I waited before burning her palm once again using a lighter. Even though I stuffed her mouth with some cloth that I found lying around the house, I can still hear her muffled scream.

"You are one tough woman, huh. Let's make a deal, shall we?" I threw away the lighter and smiled at my target. "You're a beautiful woman. It will be such a pain to let this beautiful face of yours decompose after you die. Tell me where Mirella is, and I will protect you from The Agency. How's that?" I smiled, but this woman doesn't seem to like the idea. She did say something, but I can't understand a thing what she was saying, so I decided to remove the cloth from her mouth.

"Over my dead body! You're a monster! How could you kill my elderly mother like that! Where is your humanity when my mother was begging for her life?!" Oh, she was referring to that old lady's corpse over there? I turned to look at the dead woman before facing my target with a smile.

"I was an abandoned child. So I have never received any kind of love from a mother. Is that what mother supposed to do? Shielding their children with their own life?" But she was in my way to fulfill my mission. Now that the old woman is dead, it's easier to subdue my target.

"You're pathetic! Let me go this instance!" I used the back of my hand and slapped this woman to shut her up. Even though she knows that I have the upper hand, this woman still acts as if she's superior! "TELL ME WHERE MIRELLA IS!" I screamed.

"Even if you have to kill me, I will never say a word. You should leave because I have informed The Academy about your visit. Soon, this place will be crawling with my agents." I smirked. "Let them come. I have no fear. Have you forgotten of who I'm truly am?" I asked the woman. It was amusing to see when this woman finally realized that I am someone she shouldn't look down upon.

"No- you can't! ABORT! ABORT MISSION!" This woman screamed at the top of her lungs, but it was too late. I smiled when I heard the sound of gun blazing from the outside of this room. "Do you think I went to kill you alone? How naive can you be?" I patted her cheek before walking towards the door and peek my head outside.

"Damn! Lady Red, you've done quite a splendid job with that machine gun." My guardian sighed before removing her glasses. "What about the lady inside?" Lady Red asked.

"I need to interrogate her more. She seems to be trustworthy. I'm going to ask her about the whereabouts of Mirella." I smiled, but my guardian doesn't like the idea. "Just kill her and leave this place! We've made a big mess here. The Academy will soon surround this place if we don't leave now! Besides, I am almost out of ammo." I sighed. I turned around and faced the woman before closing the door using my foot.

"You have no use for me. The deal is off." I smiled before stabbing her chest with my dagger. "Let's leave! Now!" Lady Red came inside the room while I was busy getting this woman's heart out.

"Just leave her corpse be, Haraya!" Lady Red grabbed me by the collar and just dragged me out from the room through the windows. Luckily, I managed to get her heart. It will make an excellent gift for my next target.

***

"Haraya, let me see your wound." I watched as my guardian brought the first aid kit with her after rummaging through her suitcase. "This is nothing. It's only a small cut. I don't need medical attention." Lady Red placed the kit on the table before raising an eyebrow.

"We can do this all day. Now, let me see your wound." I sighed before unbuttoning my dress shirt. Lady Red hummed as she examined the wound on my left side. "It's quite deep. I would have to stitch it. Please lay on your side." I was surprised.

"You mean on the table?" My guardian nodded. I sighed and just lay on the kitchen table. "Here- put this in your mouth. And please don't move." I bite on the cloth as Lady Red started to treat my wound. All was fun and games right before she pours a whole bottle of antiseptic on my wound.

"Please don't move. I can't promise if I wouldn't make a mistake if you did." This is torture! Torture, I say! Because of the pain, I simply couldn't keep my eyes open as my guardian continues with her treatment. When I open my eyes, I am still on the kitchen table, but the pain seems to disappear. When I got up to a sitting position, I noticed that my guardian wraps a bandage around my wound.

"Oh, you're awake already?" I turned to my guardian, who just came back from buying our dinner. "Here. After we eat, we have to leave this place. It seems like someone has found our hideout." Again?! "Hey, Lady Red. Can't The Agency do something about our accommodation? All of the places they provided for us aren't safe anymore! We need a place to recuperate after a mission." My guardian sighed.

"Even The Agency can't do much in this country." Hmmm, maybe I should call her. "I can make some calls. I know a person who could help us. Besides, she owes me." Lady Red shakes her head no. "No one should know that we're here."

"Trust me. This person is trustworthy. Besides, that woman can provide us with a secure place. We will be well protected in her territory." Lady Red was skeptical, but I don't care. Since we're here, I might as well use the favor she owes me.