The Withered Doll

THIRD PERSON POV

"Haraya, that's enough. He is dead." Haraya finally dropped the baseball bat before removing her gloves. "He puts on quite a fight for his life. I was just making sure that I got him." Haraya's guardian, Lady Red, shakes her head while handed a box of tissue for Haraya to clean up the mess she made on her face.

"But, do you have to bludgeon the man to death? The cleaning crew will have a field day on this room alone. Do I need to mention the mess you did on the ceiling too?" Haraya wipes off the blood from her face before throwing the tissues on the dead body.

"So? I was hired to kill the man. Anyway, am I done? Do I have any other mission?" Haraya inquired her guardian before leaving the room as the cleaning crew shows up.

"Yes. You were chosen to deal with a high profile case. Tomorrow the CM and FO wish to meet you in person. For this mission, you have to go to Russia." Haraya raised an eyebrow. "Russia? Are you serious? I thought the Agency has no jurisdiction in Russia. Why do I have to be there?" Haraya asked as she opens the door to leave the house. Lady Red took the box of tissues away from Haraya's hands and placed it on top of the trash bin.

"Because the elders want to bury any bad blood between the Agency and the Vladimirovna." Haraya scoffed. "There is a reason why Vladimirovna decided to forbid us from going into Russian soil. And that reason is standing in front of you. Lady Red, as my guardian, do you think the Vladimirovna will let me go upon knowing my arrival?" Haraya stopped on her track before facing her guardian.

"The Vladimirovna despise me, Lady Red. They will do whatever it takes to kill me. Of course, I have no problem in dealing with anyone they send, but the Agency will have to vouch for me. I doubt they will let me do whatever I want." Lady Red has nothing to say to Haraya. Because the guardian knows that what Haraya just stated is the truth. Haraya went into the car, followed by her guardian.

"I am aware of your concern, Haraya but you have no choice but to follow theborders from the higher-up. They want you to take this case. I did try to help you, but they dismissed my report. The CM even said the president himself was the one who recommended you. The client is willing to pay top dollar for your service." Haraya didn't say anything.

"I want to take a bath. My whole body reek of that man's scent. I don't like it." Lady Red sighed. "To the dorm, please," the guardian told the driver before facing Haraya who avoided making eye contact.

"Your beautiful blonde hair is now drenched with the colour red. Of course, you need to have a bath. I'm sorry, Haraya. I'm such a useless human being. I may be your mentor, but I can't do anything to help you. Even if I used my status as the former top assassin, I can't go against the president. I'm sorry." Haraya kept a nonchalant expression before facing her guardian.

"I know that you have no power against those who sit on top of the organisation. You and I are simply guinea pigs for the higher-ups to use for their selfish desire. I choose this kind of work so now I have to go through it." Haraya unzips her jacket to take it off.

"I can't believe I have to seduce that old man. Look at me! I have to put on this useless makeup to cover up my scars. I can't wait to get this whole thing off of me." Haraya tried to wipe the thick foundation that was all over her arms. "You can't remove them that easily. You need to use the proper liquid to wipe it all off." Haraya sighed while her guardian chuckled at her antics.

"This is not funny, Lady Red. I don't like wearing such thick makeup. I look like a clown with it." Lady Red felt her phone vibrated and decided to look at it. "Did your husband just texted you to come home?" Haraya inquired when she noticed that her guardian seems surprised.

"Well, you can say that. I promise my husband that I'll be home for dinner. He just told me that he had prepared our dinner." Lady Red showed Haraya the dish that her husband had prepared. Haraya did take a look, but she only replied with a short hum.

"Hmmm. Your husband doesn't know that you used to kill people for a living, right?" Lady Red shakes her head no. "I told him that I am an accountant. No one will ever question you after they knew that you're an accountant. Even I don't know the reason why." Lady Red chuckled.

"An accountant? You? If only he saw you with that double-bladed naginata, he wouldn't even dare to cheat on you, Lady Red." Haraya's guardian shakes her head.

"It's enough for him to know that I am a weak woman. Well, we're here at the dorm. If you need anything, please just call or text me. It doesn't matter if I'm with my family. Haraya, we've known each other for so long, and I see you as my little sister. You're not alone. Remember that." Haraya scoffed before grabbing her jacket and got out of the car.

"Just take care of your family and do your job as my guardian; that's it. There's no need to keep a meaningless relationship between us. I'd be only bringing you more trouble if you thought of me that way. Besides, everyone wants to kill me. Involving you in my affair will only make your husband and daughter sad." Haraya closed the car door and walked towards the dorm.

"Besides, anyone who stays by my side will leave me in the end. So why should I keep hoping that someone would stay?" Haraya said to no one in particular as she unlocks her door to her room.

***

"Is this your first time meeting the CM, Haraya Convington?" Haraya didn't reply when the FO asked her a question. Lady Red smiled and explained to him that Haraya doesn't like to talk to someone she doesn't know.

"I've been assigning her to her mission as the field officer, I thought by now she would have acquainted with me." The FO sighed. Haraya didn't even care about him as he walked in front of him without regarding his presence.

"It's best if we let her do whatever she wants. Since you've been assigning her mission, you should understand her antics by now." The FO nodded.

"You're right, Lady Red. I wouldn't want to be on her bad side." Lady Red and the FO waited for the CM. "Hey Lady Red, how does it feel to be the mentor of the world deadliest assassin?" Lady Red chuckled at the FO's question.

"It's incredible. Because most of Haraya's clients is a high profile individual or it requires her to travel abroad. That means I get to travel and get paid top dollar for her work." Haraya shook her head when she heard what her guardian said. The FO was worried that Haraya might feel offended by her guardian's words.

"It's nice to see you without your victim's blood on your hands, Haraya." The CM walked into his office with a smile on his face. Both Lady Red and the FO greeted the CM but not Haraya. "Haraya!" The CM raises his hand.

"That's okay Lady Red. Haraya has done a tremendous job at her last mission. I saw the pictures from the scene; it seems you were having fun bludgeoned the man to death with the baseball bat." Haraya shrugged her shoulder without ever standing from her seat. The CM smiled as he walked towards his seat behind the table.

"Haraya, did your guardian briefed you about your next mission?" Haraya looked up to the CM. "I would like to withdraw from this mission. This words may sound cliche, but I still have a few unsettle debt with my enemies. I wouldn't want to risk my life for a simple search and kill kind of mission. I-," the CM raised his hand.

"Haraya, don't worry. The Agency will vouch for your safety as you travel to Russia. All you have to do is wait for your target and then just pull the trigger; easy right?" Haraya turned to face her guardian.

"Please tell this old man that when I aimed the scope at someone's head, someone else will do the same to me." Lady Red finds it troublesome to be the mediator. The CM raises his hand.

"I will make sure that won't happen to you. You're our best agent, Haraya. And I'm sure with your experience, you will survive and won't fail this mission." Haraya pinched the bridge of her nose.

"The Academy has a bounty on my head for three hundred million dollars. Tell me, which bounty hunter wouldn't miss a chance to end my life? Why don't you go there yourself and kill this target? Why do you need me to do your dirty job?" Haraya stood up from her seat and was about to leave when the CM said something that made her realised how horrible reality is.

"Do not forget that without me, you're nothing but a withered doll. If I hadn't found you dying at a dark alley, naked and battered, you wouldn't survive that night. You want revenge; I gave you revenge. You owe your life to me." Haraya turned around and faced the CM.

"I owed my life to lady Red. Not you. Yes, you took me in, but it was lady Red who care for me. This woman risks her life to protect me while you stayed behind your agents when times get dire. You're a coward." Haraya didn't care what happened next and just walked out the door.

"Lady Red, is this how you raise your student? I am fairly disappointed." The FO shakes his head. "You shouldn't comment on the way she raises her student. I'm more curious about how you control what's happening on the field. How was it possible for Haraya to have three hundred million price on her head?! As the field officer, your job is to prevent that! I hope you have a good explanation for this." The CM stare at the FO as he waits for his answer.

"Well, the thing is; Haraya killed one of the notorious drug dealers in Russia. The Academy was not happy since they were assigned to protect that target. It was The Academy who place that bounty price. I was too late to prevent it from happening." The CM slammed his hands on the table.

"THAT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR NEGLIGENT! Find a way for Haraya to be able to travel to Russia and complete this mission! Lady Red, I'm sorry. But we have no choice but to force Haraya to accept this mission. Is it important, and no one can complete this mission except for Haraya. This mission needs her talent." Lady red sighed mentally.

"I understand." Lady Red excuse herself and went out of the office with troubling thoughts. "How am I suppose to get her into the plane? Knowing Haraya, that kid will not be happy if I force her to do anything. Dear God, I know I've been a bad person, but please- please help me!" Lady Red begged while the others look at her with weirded looks.

"Lady Red, are you okay?" One of the guardians who acquainted with Lady Red inquired when he noticed that his friend is going insane. "Oh! Don't mind me. I'm just thinking out loud. Since you're here, do you still have that sleeping pills you mentioned before?" The guardian nodded. "Do you need them now?" Lady red nodded.

"Oh. Come to my office, and I shall give you a set. But who is it for? Haraya?" Lady Red nodded. "Am I in trouble? Why am I afraid of my student?" The guardian patted Lady Red's shoulder.

"I'll pray for you. Don't worry, Lady Red."

HARAYA'S POV

Despicable!

How dare that man showing his face to me now that he has no one to rely on?!

Childish!

I didn't realise that I had broken the mirror in front of me if my guardian didn't stop me from hitting it. So what?! Another scar wouldn't be a problem. All that man care about is money, status and this damn Agency!

"Haraya-," my guardian didn't continue to say anything when I glared at her.

"What? You're here to tell me that I should go to Russia?! You of all people in this damn Agency should know that I have something to do before I leave this forsaken world. I'm not ready to die yet. The revenge that the Agency gave me was not enough! I have to find the person responsible for my birth!" Lady Red tried to calm me down, but I don't care.

The CM has gone too far!

"Haraya. Please stop acting like a child!" I almost lost control of my fist when my guardian said that. How dare this woman said I'm childish!

"Get yourself away from the broken mirror and drink this tea. I'll clean it up for you before I leave." This aroma.

It's rose tea.

Lady Red knows how to calm my nerve, and I hate this side of her. I took a sip while I watched Lady Red cleans up the broken mirror. The tea tastes funny, and when I realised that Lady Red put something in my drink, it was too late for me to do anything.

***

*On the plane to Russia*

When I opened my eyes, I tried to move my hands, but it seems that my guardian has done some extra precaution about the way I'll react to this.

"Lady Red, you're dead once I'm free from this. You do know that, right?" I turned to face my guardian, who seems to be enjoying her book.

"You can try but don't forget that I was the one who trained you." My guardian smiled before patted my head. I shake my head because I hate it when she touches me like that. I'm a full-grown adult, and yet she still treated me as if I am a child.

"Do you need something to drink, or perhaps something to eat?" I didn't reply or react to her question.

"Suit yourself. Don't blame me if you're starving to death. We still have a long way before we reach Moscow." At the moment, I don't mind starving myself to death. What this woman doing is going against my right as a human being! This woman practically drugged my tea and forced me to be on this plane!

I can try to release myself, but knowing Lady Red, her team is probably among these passengers. Before I could even jump off the plane, they would probably tranquillise me! There's no escaping other than completing my mission now. I sighed heavily when I look out the window.

"I'm sorry, okay. I have no choice but to do this. I know that you're probably mad at me for forcing you to be here. But, Haraya, I have a family to care for. My husband is not doing well with his job, and I can't afford to lose this job. I promise that once we complete this mission, I'll do whatever I can to find your family." That's a fair bargain.

"Who should I be aware of?"

"Thank you, Haraya. So, about the identity of the person who should be protecting your target; we can't get our hands on any information. Everything was so vague that even I had trouble understanding the real situation." So, in other words, we have no intel whatsoever?

"Are you telling me that you have no visual of the enemy I should be wary of? So even in this flight, one or two of the passenger here is the enemy?" Lady Red shrugged. I wish I could pinch the bridge of my nose, but my hands are tied on the armrest.

"Isn't it time for you to release me?" Lady Red smiled as she cuts the ribbons from my wrists. Did she plan to stop the circulation of my blood? As I rubbed my wrist, I noticed a few things that seem odd in my eyes.

"There are a few individual keeps on looking back at us. This is so not you, Lady Red. How can you be so careless?" Last Red places a finger on her lips.

"Why do you think I brought my team along?" She smiled. I see. Well, if they're around, I don't have to worried about anything.

"Normally I would suggest that we took the Agency's private plane, but since you have such a reputation in Russia, that's going to be hard. Our enemy could just shoot us down if they want to. That is why I thought that riding a commercial flight is safer. It seems like I was wrong." Something is not right when I watch the monitor, which shows the flying route of the plane; seems to be different than where it should be.

"They're making their move before we entered Russian's air. What should we do? Should I proceed?" I was ready to make my move against the enemy, but Lady Red told me to stay on my seat.

"I am surprised by how calm you are. Aren't you afraid that the enemies hijacked this plane with everyone inside?" I shrugged my shoulder.

"You should ask yourself the same question." I smiled.

"I've been in multiple situations where I have to be selfish to survive." I chuckled.

"Are you sure?" Lady Red's confidence seems to disappear from her expression when she heard a child crying.

"We went completely off route now, and there has been no announcement. Now, will you let me handle this situation?" Lady Red pinched the bridge of her nose before giving me her permission to proceed.

"Be careful. Your mission is to make sure we landed safely in Moscow." Lady Red got up from her seat and waited for me to walked out.

"Roger that." Now, let's see what kind of person that wishes to see me dead.

***

Every morning, I always asked myself why did I decide to be an assassin rather than being someone with a career. Then I remembered that since the day I was born, no one ever wants me. Hell, even my parents abandoned me to an orphanage which then abuses me and sells me off to a brothel.

The time I spent at the orphanage was an experience I wish to forget. I don't understand why did after I burned the place down and even murdered all those who abuse me; I don't feel satisfied. Then I thought perhaps I hadn't shown the brothel who they were messing with.

Once again, I was wrong. I still don't feel satisfied after murdering those who associated with the brothel. Then I asked myself, what do I truly want in this life?

For years I've been asking myself this question while killing my target, which was provided by The Agency. Perhaps I do feel at ease when I kill someone. Seeing how they face death was exciting at first but now- as I killed a group of other assassins who targeted me on this flight- rather than feeling excited, I felt annoyed instead.

"How many more death will satisfy you! We choose to surrender! You don't have to raise your dagger any-," I didn't wait for him to finish when I stabbed his neck and let his blood soiled the carpeted floor.

"I don't have time to listen to your request. You all should know better than to target me. Is this the face of someone who scared of you just because you have a bigger and stronger physique than I am?" I asked the remaining assassins whom I believed has piss their pants upon seeing me waltz into the first class without a care in the world.

"Please spare us. We're willing to do anything for you. Just spare our life!" They begged as I approach them.

"I believe the pilot is your friend?" I asked. The man nodded. Well, that explained the bodies of the original pilot and co-pilot that I saw with a gunshot wound on the head as I was making my way in.

"You're a threat to me- I don't have a choice but to kill you now since you originally here to kill me first. I will always repay my enemies 'kindness' with 'kindness'." I smiled before stabbing his chest multiple times before gauging his eyes with my dagger that will serve as a gift for the current pilot and co-pilot.

"Haraya." Lady Red was standing behind me as I am meticulously taking his eyes out.

"Just what are you doing?" Lady Red inquired.

"I'm making a gift out of his eyes. The remaining enemies are inside the cockpit. They killed the original pilot and co-pilot along with the flight attendants who works in the first class." I explained everything that I find out before facing my guardian with a smile.

"I'll proceed to the cockpit now." Lady Red nodded before I went to the cockpit.

"We're almost to our designated destination. As we had planned, we will kill the other passenger and keep the target alive." I smiled when the co-pilot turned to face me.

"Enem-," before he could say the word, I stabbed his neck and made him choke his blood. The pilot didn't even know what to do when he saw me stabbing his co-pilot.

"Here," I throw him the eyes I took from his colleague. He screamed when he catches the eye with his hands.

"Your mission ended here. Now, I suggest you pray as hard as you can because you're not going to live for long." I whispered into his ears.

"Oh God-," I stabbed his neck, grabbed him by the collar and just pulled him away from the pilot seat- letting him bleed to death.

"Now, how am I suppose to bring this plane back to its original course?" I asked no one in particular.

"Hey, Lady Red! I don't remember how to do this." My guardian walked into the cockpit with a heavy sigh.

"Move. I'll do it." I did as told and went to sit on the co-pilot seat after moving the dead body while my guardian is doing whatever she can to land the plane in Moscow.

"I had informed the freelance cleaning crew, and they will be waiting for us at the airport. I hope they're ready to see what you've done to the place. To be honest Haraya, even The Agency cleaning crew were astounded by the work that they even given you a nickname." I am proud to know that someone thought highly of me.

"And what would that nickname be?" I asked with a smile.

"'Principis pugione'," I raised an eyebrow.

"Dagger princess? Why? Because I like using my dagger to kill my target?" My guardian shrugged.

"Well, you preferred to kill using a dagger. You will not feel satisfied if you didn't make a mess of your target; am I right?" It's my turn to shrug.

"Sure. You can say that. Anyway, we can use this to prove to the FO that a mole is working among us. There is no way this group of assassins knows where and when we're going to Moscow. Man, the FO needs to step up his game. If the CM knows about this, he's going to be in trouble." I giggled as I imagine the expression the FO will make once he knew about this.

My guardian would probably never let his ass go too.

"I know what to do once we get home. All you have to do is focus on your mission." Well, isn't that what I've been doing?

"You need to change your clothes. We can't let anyone see you like that. Lucky for you that I brought a few spare of clothes with me. It might not be practical for your mission, but at least it'll keep you warm." Another reason why I avoid going to Russia is because of the weather.

"Also, please avoid using any kind of bladed weapon on this mission. I advise you to use a long-range weapon such as guns or perhaps a bow. Just don't use your dagger nor the samurai sword you received as a gift from one of our client." But I like close-range combat.

It gives me pleasure in seeing my target suffer before they die. This mission is such a betty buzzkill.

"Don't give me that look. I understand your frustration, but please refrain yourself from doing anything that might attract unwanted attention." I waved my hands, telling her that I understand the situation loud and clear.

I don't need to hear her long lecture about The Agency's protocol. As long as my guardian provided me with the weapon she spoke off, I'm okay with anything.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go and change into cleaner clothes." My guardian can be a pain in the ass if she wants to.

THIRD PERSON POV

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mirella. I hope you're strong enough to carry on with your life. Your father was a good man." Mirella Vladimirovna keeps a nonchalant expression as guests went to greet her.

To Mirella, her father was far from being the kind, and compassionate everyone thought he was. For the lady, her father was a monster, hiding behind a thick human mask.

"At least show to the guests that you're sad for his death. You didn't even cry after you were informed about his accident. I guess the phrase 'like father, like daughter' really suits you." Mirella faces her cousin whom she grew up with.

"We were both tortures physically and mentally because of him. Why do I have to show my emotion when it comes to his death? He was the one who responsible for making me feel this way. Anyway, why can't we just let him freeze in Siberia for all I care? I don't have time to be here." Mirella was about to leave when her cousin pushed her back to her seat.

"I'm surprised you didn't suggest that we should just place your father's body in a cannon and shoot it off."

"If the elders let me, I don't even mind that." Mirella's cousin sigh.

"Oh my, what will happen to The Academy now that the founder is dead? Will, his daughter, be able to handle it, or should we just let the founder's nephew take over his uncle's position?" Mirella pretends that she didn't hear any of the sayings about her 'incompetence'.

"Mirella, are you going to let them look down on you?" Mirella faces his cousin, Andrei.

"Why should I? They're speaking the truth after all. I am incompetent when it comes to handling big organisation such as The Academy. But, when I think back the moment my father was alive, and well, none of these foul mouth vultures even do anything to contribute to the organisation. Now that my father is dead, all you do is barking about the next head of The Academy." Mirella stood up from her seat.

"Why is it that it seems none of you fond of the ideas of me taking my father's position? I can see that all of your wish to see Andrei as the new head. Andrei, have you been doing something behind my back all this time?" When Mirella faces her cousin, he was avoiding eye contact.

"I see. Now that I know the truth, it all made sense now. From the way my father treated you and the number of times you two spent together, it all made sense. Why was I so stupid to realise that my father abandoned me for my cousin? Andrei, you've done your part well. I am proud of being your cousin." Andrei wanted to say something, but he knows that nothing will change.

He loves his cousin, but the temptation to be the head of The Academy was too much for him to decline.

"So why should I stay here? That man has never thought of me as his daughter all this time. It was all Andrei- Andrei- Andrei," Mirella chuckled as she remembered her time slaving away to gain her father's attention.

"All of my efforts, it was all in vain. He never once looks at me the way he looks at you. I was so blind, Andrei." Mirella walked up to her father's casket and looked at her father.

"You can have everything, Andrei. I don't want anything from this man." Mirella patted her father's cheek before slapped the corpse across the face.

Everyone gasped at Mirella's action.

"Why do I have to be born from this man?! I'm so angry at the thought of having this man's blood in my veins!" Mirella closed her eyes to regain her composure.

"Do whatever you want with him. I'm going home to my mother. Congratulation on having his legacy, my dear cousin. I hope you can sleep peacefully tonight since you're the head of the organisation now." Mirella patted Andrei's shoulder and left the funeral service.

"Mirella! He is your father. You can't leave!" Andrei tried to stop his cousin from leaving.

"Oh no, my dear cousin. He looks at you as his son. I'm just a stranger who came in his life. That man just wants to take my mother's wealth. That's the only reason I stayed in this household. He has always wanted a son." Mirella smiled before leaving her childhood home with a heavy heart.

Mirella got into her car without looking back at her childhood home.

***

MIRELLA'S POV

"Did I or didn't I tell you that it was a bad idea to go to his funeral?" I was surprised to hear that coming from my mother as soon as I walked into her home.

"Your father has never care about us. I have told you millions of time before, but no, you ignore me and says it was all just me overthinking." Will this be one of those 'in your face' moment?

"Here, have some lunch. I'm sure you haven't had any." I smiled a little before grabbing the plate and went to sit in the living room.

"Is it okay for me to be here? After all, I am a bad influence on the twins. Isn't that what grandpa said to me when I attended his birthday party last year?" I watched as my half-siblings walked towards me before my mother hugged me from behind.

"You're my daughter, Mirella. This is your home too. And ignore what your grandpa said about you. He's an old man without any respect for others." I smiled as I eat my food while the twins are playing with the straps from my jacket.

After my mother gets a divorce from my father, she managed to find a decent man who surprisingly treated me as if I am his daughter. But then the twins came along, and I just have so much work to do for The Academy- it's hard to make time to visit my mother.

"Sister, sister, come stay with us from now. You're always welcome here. If grandpa comes and say bad things, Katyusha will protect you." I smiled upon seeing my little sibling puff their chest, telling me that they will protect me.

"Same here! Dimitri will protect you, sister." I place the plate that I'm holding on my thigh and messed up with their hair.

"Sure, sure. Sister will feel safe if Katyusha and Dimitri are there." If only these kids know what kind of job I have to do, they'll be scare of me.

"Now, let your sister eat. You two should do your homework. You have school tomorrow, and I'm sure that either of you had done any. Go!" The twins smiled sheepishly at our mother before went to their room.

"Don't spoil your siblings too much. Anyway, will you be staying for dinner tonight?" I nodded. Should I tell her what happened at the funeral?

"Mom, there's something I need to tell you. I gave Andrei the position of being the head of The Academy and also the right to the house." My mother was shocked. Her eyes widen as she walked towards me.

"What the bloody hell did you just say?! How could you let Andrei took everything?! Mirella, The Academy, the house, it all belongs to you! I gave birth to that man's child! I gave birth to you! You're the owner of that house!" Wow. Just look at how scary my mother can be.

"Why did you let yourself get treated that way?! You're a Vladimirovna!" My mother grabbed both of my hands.

"Just look at the scars on your body! These are proof that you've done so much for your father! Your cousin doesn't even do anything except kissing your father's ass when he was alive! He can't even put a bullet into someone else's skull without vomiting what he had for breakfast!" I smiled at my mother.

Before my mom could continue lecturing me, she was not happy when she heard her phone is ringing.

"What?!"

She yells into her phone. I watched as her expression changes dramatically. After my mother had her phone call, I can't help but to think something big is going on.

"Mom? What is it?" My mother sighed before pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Pack your things. That was the cleanup crew. They said Haraya is here in Russia." Haraya?! I've heard of her stories before but why is she here? The amount of bounty on her head is enough for her to never step foot in Russia.

"You want me to end her life? Am I even strong enough to do just that? Mom, even I have doubts about my skills. That woman is bad news. The stories circulating about that woman must not be rumours because no one even wishes to meet her in person." My mother sighed.

"The Academy has chosen you to be part of this mission. I'll do my part when the time comes. All you have to do is put on your best dress and seduce her." I was confused.

"She's a woman!"

"A woman who likes another woman. Trust me on this, Mirella. I was told to never say anything about my experience as a former assassin, but I once encounter the famous Haraya and live to tell the tale. Well, I was told never to say anything about this but it's important." My eyes widen.

This woman in front of me might be the only survivor of that tyrant! Why do I feel proud of all the sudden?

"Listen to me! Haraya was just misunderstood. All she did was following orders, but she never once kill the innocents. Even though I supposed to be her enemy, that woman didn't even try to kill me. To tell you the truth, she was my saviour. Without her, I might've been dead now." I am feeling all sort of emotion.

I don't know what should I say or act at this information.

"What do you mean? She works for The Agency. Of course, she's our enemy." My mother shakes her head, no.

"Your father once planned to kill me because I didn't agree with one of his suggestion. If it wasn't for Haraya's simple mistake, I might be dead by now. That is why I wish to help her this time as she did to me." I am so confused!

"Mom, are you okay? None of the things you said even make sense. How are you supposed to help her? Haraya has a bounty on her head, and you're willing to help her? Are you insane?" My mother placed both hands on my shoulder.

"Haraya just killed a group of assassins, and she practically placed a huge target on her back. Help her. Trust me, Mirella. You won't regret any of this. Help your mother save her saviour." Why is my mother begging like so?

"Mirella, there is no harm in helping her. I thought you hated The Academy. Now is your time to make them realised how idiotic it was for them to choose Andrei as the new head." Hold on.

"Mother, what are you trying to say here? Are you going to betray The Academy by helping this woman?" My mother smiled.

"The Academy was the one who betrayed me, my dear daughter. All I'm doing was returning the favour." I wonder what Haraya did to make my mom act this way.

"I'm only doing this because of you, mom. What is my mission?" My mother finally smiled from ear to ear before explaining the things I should do.

"So, all I have to do is forbidding her from killing one of The Academy's elder?" My mom nodded.

"Killing that man now will only make things worse for her and us. Do whatever you can to stop her from killing the man." Oh, that should be simple enough- I think.

I usually wouldn't feel any type of emotion while being brief of my next mission. But somehow, I think- I feel nervous. Is it because I always wanted to meet this notorious assassin in person? Or was it because of my curiosity?

Either way, this could be the death of me.

***

A WEEK AFTER

THIRD PERSON POV

"Do you have sight of your target?" Haraya flinched when her guardian suddenly talks to her using the earpiece.

"Too loud! You're too loud." Haraya removes her earpiece before using her scope to search for her target.

"Haraya-," Haraya heard her guardian through the earpiece.

"Have you found him?" Haraya ignored her guardian as she searched for her target.

"I can't find him," Haraya said before putting on her earpiece once again.

"I can't find the target. That man had already entered the club. I was distracted by the earpiece!" Haraya stood up from the floor and faced the opposite building.

"It's your fault."

Lady Red sighed heavily.

"I always wonder just how did you manage to handle such a difficult person, Lady Red. I don't think the other assassins of The Agency has the same kind of attitude as Haraya. Well, thank God, my student isn't this difficult." Lady Red faced her colleague and pointed at the mic on her chest.

"She can hear you loud and clear. But don't worry. I will pray for your safety." Lady Red then proceed on checking the surveillance footage and confirmed the target's whereabouts.

"The target is seen inside the club. Haraya, you have permission to enter the club. Do not engage the target without my signal." Haraya sighed before she acknowledged her orders and left her weapons on the rooftop before going to the club's entrance.

Not far from the entrance, Mirella and her mother was waiting inside the car for Haraya to show up. When Mirella's mother caught a glimpse of Haraya among the club goers, the woman pointed at a young blonde woman who wore an all-black attire.

"The blonde woman who wears her hair in a ponytail; that's Haraya Convington." Mirella then turned her attention towards the woman that her mother had pointed.

"That's the gruesome assassins everyone is afraid of? Sure, she does have a good physique but is that the same woman who bludgeoned a full-grown man? Mom, you exaggerate your stories sometimes." Mirella laughed it off while her mother shakes her head.

"Just remember to keep her safe from The Academy's hitman. I've seen several of our students approaching the club after Haraya went inside. Also, Mirella- when I told you to dress up prettily, I didn't mean that you become the worker of the club itself. When did you even buy such a dress?" Mirella couldn't believe that her mother even finds the time to comment on her attire at times like this.

"Hush, mother. I'm going in. Make sure to keep the coast clear and please do not engage anyone even if the building is on fire. You've retired from this field. My stepfather doesn't have to know that you're getting into trouble because of your daughter." Mirella smiled before she got out of the car and walked towards the club.

It was easy for Mirella to enter the club since bouncer knows her. Mirella smiled before she slipped a few pieces of money that will be beneficial for future uses.

"Welcome back, young lady." The bouncer smiled as he greets Mirella before letting her inside the club. As Mirella finds her way around the club, her eyes peering through hundreds of unfamiliar faces before she caught a glimpse of her target who is sitting on a bar, minding her own business.

As she was about to approach the blonde woman, a man suddenly came up to her and started to spout nonsense- stating that he can make Mirella happy for the rest of the night. Knowing that it might be too late for her to find her target, Mirella ignored the man and tried to leave him.

To no avail, the man keeps on insisting Mirella to come join him and his friends to a night she'll never forget.

"I'm sorry, but I am here with my date. So, can you please leave me alone." Mirella instinctively grabbed on the blonde woman's arm.

Haraya, who was keeping her eyes on her target, was surprised when a red-haired woman suddenly grabbed onto her arm. When she finally realised what kind of situation she's in, Haraya decided to play the part just because the woman is a beautiful young lady.

"What has this world become? For a woman as gorgeous as yourself to be in love with a woman like her? I can give you anything you desire, young lady. Just leave your date and let's have fun with my friends and me." The man was about to grab on Mirella's hand when Haraya grabbed on his hand instead.

"My date clearly says she's not into you." Haraya voiced out as she squeezed his hand.

"Do I need to remind you of who I am? My father will never let you go if you hurt me!" The man warned, but Haraya didn't care as she continues to apply pressure on his hand.

"I don't care who your father or who you are. All I care about is you trying to hit on my girl! My date clearly stated that she doesn't want to be with you so please, leave or-," Haraya pulled the man before grabbing him by the back of his hair, slamming his face on the bar countertop.

"I can't promise you whether you'll be walking out from this club with that beautiful face of yours but know this; if you ever touch my woman again, I'll make sure that no one will recognise your corpse." Haraya finally let go of the man and watched him flee from the bar.

"I'm sorry for disrupting your working place- here, for the trouble. Do keep it a secret from the owner, yes?" Haraya bribed the bartender who pretended to zip his mouth and immediately cleaned up the mess that she had made.

"And as for you, wearing such clothes to a place like this; are you trying to get all the rich guys to be your partner? I get it why you avoided that man since he seems like a bastard but still," Haraya didn't manage to finish her sentence when the red-haired woman leaned in for a kiss.

Haraya was utterly surprised, but instead of pushing the woman away, she returned the kiss.

Lady Red, who watched this from her hideout, facepalm herself. It wasn't until she noticed a group of suspicious people just a few meters from the two that she realised something is not right.

"Find our who this woman is. Also- you can enter through the door instead of the windows." Lady Red pointed her gun at the windows when Mirella's mother suddenly peering her head inside from the windows.

"What are you doing here? Is this your doing, Lady Vladimirovna?" Mirella's mother smiled.

"I'm not Lady Vladimirovna anymore."

***

HARAYA'S POV

Just what the hell am I doing?

Why-

Why am I on this bed together with this woman I just met?

And why can't I can't keep my hands away from her? I can't stop myself from touching every bit of her flesh. Am I going insane? That kiss-

That kiss I received from her giving me such wild imagination, and I can't stop myself from appreciating her body.

"Usually I'm not a person who would simply do this with a stranger, but you gave me no choice," I ripped off her dress and threw it across the room. I thought that this woman would scream, but she didn't.

Instead, this woman encourages me to do more. Her body language tells me that she's comfortable enough even though I am a stranger.

"It's not fair that you're the only one who gets to see my gorgeous naked body. I wish to see you as well." Before I could stop her, but this woman swiftly tore my clothes off my body, and her expression wasn't what I had expected.

"What? Are you surprised to see this battered body? Is it disgusting? Does it make you want to vomit seeing this body of mine?" Well, this isn't my first time seeing a woman disgusted upon seeing me.

Some of them even ran away from me after seeing my scars and fresh bruised body.

"Why did you stop?" I was surprised to hear those words.

"You're one weird lady," I grabbed both of her hands and pinned it down above her head before leaning for a kiss. I used my knee to applied pressure on her opening, but as we continued, I can feel her juices started to leak.

"Are you excited?" She moaned under me as I pulled away and proceeded to leave my mark on her neck. Oh my, her scent is making me feel all excited. What kind of perfume did she wear?

How was it possible for this scent to-

"Ow!" I accidentally bit on her nipple. When I looked up to her face, she seems a bit pissed. And because of that, I decided to release her hands from my hold.

"I-,"

I don't know what happened, but I don't hate this gesture at all. Why did she proceed by kissing me instead of getting angry at me?

"Won't you regret this?" I asked.

"I won't," I can't stop myself after hearing she said that. Usually, I would take the initiative to stop this and leave the woman I wanted to sleep with, but this time, I can't hold on my desire to ravage her.

I leaned in for a kiss while my hands moved down her to her opening. Even my slightest touch made her body flinch. Is it okay for me to do this- and inside a hotel room at that?

This woman has a lot of money to spare.

"Ahhhh-," I didn't even realise I've entered her soft opening. Watching how she reacted to my touch, I feel more at ease. Her back arched as I insert another finger of mine inside of her.

I leave traces of my kisses all over her chest before going up to her lips and give her another passionate kiss. What a beautiful person this is. For me to be able to do such things to this red-haired woman is a gift from God.

"Ahhhh- why do you have to be so talented with your fingers!" This reaction only means one thing; she's about to cum.

"Let it go- just release it all," I whispered into her ear while increasing the movement my fingers in and out of her opening.

"I- I'm close!" This woman wrapped her hands around my back, keeping me close as she shudders under my body. When I remove my fingers from her opening, her hands loosen, and I took this chance to lick her clean using my tongue as she tried to even her breathing.

"You're sweet- like honey." This woman blushed when she heard me.

"I hope you do realise that we heard a single thing that just happens." Lady Red? That voice- my earpiece?! Did I forgot to turn it off?!

"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost? I know that I haven't shave, but it wasn't that bad, is it?" I immediately covered her mouth before she starts spouting even more nonsense for everyone to hear.

"You have failed this mission because you wish to follow a stranger to a hotel room? Haraya, what should I do to you?" Lady Red continues to lecture me through the earpiece.

Before I decided to go crazy, I turn my communication device offline and remove my hand from the lady's mouth.

"Who are you, and why did you forbid me from killing my target? You must be one of his minions, huh. I should have known because no sane woman would even be able to withstand my sight." She got up to a sitting position and just rested her back on the headboard without even covering herself.

"My name is Mirella, and I was told to save your ass from other assassins that wish to have your head. You should be thanking me instead of accusing me of such nonsense." This woman speaks volume.

"Thanking you? If you weren't there, I would have survived, and my mission would have been completed. You just have to kiss me and covering my body from the assassins." Her reaction was priceless.

"You knew all this time that someone has been targeting you?" I nodded. I mean, who wouldn't even notice how obvious they were. Those group of people aren't exactly discreet about their identity. I've seen their faces all over the database before.

"So, you mean to say that I was just in the way? This is not what I was expecting after what just happen. And that was my first with a woman." I raised an eyebrow.

"Are you blaming me now? It was you who suddenly called me as your date." I banter. This woman was about to say something in return when her attention suddenly turned to the sliding door that leads to the balcony.

"Someone's there," Mirella whispered to me. Of course, someone is there.

It's lady Red- and a woman I haven't seen before. Wait, who is this woman? And why is she glaring at me?