Rule 2: Never kiss your superior

STEPPING INSIDE THE ROOM of steel, pressing the button with the number 20, watching as the doors close and the elevator begins to rise.

The reflecting steel walls allow me to take in my appearance. Brunette roots striking against the blonde locks, and blue eyes scrutinizing every move. The black tank top sticking to my skin just like the leather jeans, and combat boots complete the outfit. Taking out the blue contacts that help to keep my identity hidden, I toss them in the trash.

The low hum of the music playing, allows me to recall the past. 

Having found my dad murdered, seeing his lifeless body lying just beyond the front door, set my hurt numb and mind into action. Remembering his words to contact Leonard Martins, an old friend, if there was trouble.

The one call to him changed my entire life, like a scene out of a movie. Allister or as he came,  Harris Miller brought me to safety, the only other individual in the world I could trust.

Seven years. 

2555 days spent without my dad. 

The number of nights I spent training, in efforts to avenge the death of my father, becoming an agent under Leonard’s protection, which now became my boss.

A ding sounds, pulling me from my thoughts. Elevator doors open, and I am met with a pair of brown eyes that I have come to know all too well.

Allister. With a grin on my lips, I say, “The almighty Wave appears, missed me?”

The day I decided to become an agent at Cypher, Alllister, or Wave as I call him usually, had become my mentor, a superior rank to mine allowed me to tease him by calling him titles of respect, knowing how much he hated them. 

"Yes, Hira." He smiles, “As always, you did a great job.” 

"My trainer taught me well.”

He shook his head, the smile lingering, “Leonard is looking for you." 

As the last word of his thought floats through the air, the pager-like system on my watch sounds again. Glancing down, I turn the volume off and feel the device vibrate with the notification. All members of the agency are provided with this watch, allowing the administrative team to reach us wherever we are, missions are an exception.

 Carrying the basic features of any smartwatch, it allows us to monitor our health, records our achievements as an agent, as well as working as a tracking device, and being able to self-destruct when in the hands of enemies. 

As the screen turns off the resting face of the watch switches to mimic a clock, with the logo of the agency, two crows circling the center of the dial, in a complete circle, with a leaf in their mouth.

Non corvus corvum trahere de in oculo alterius.

The motto of the agency, inscribed onto the band of the watch, translating to, “a crow will not pull out the eye of another crow.”

 "I'm going to report to him now"

“Any leads on the K-9 group?” Wave’s voice stopping me. 

“Nope, still hiding.”

As I begin to walk towards Leonard's office, Wave grabs my hand and turns me around, worry evident in his eyes, as he glances at my most recent scar on my arms from the last mission. 

“Don’t worry,” I begin, “ it’s noth-”

"Go to the infirmary later, I'll wait for you. We’ll discuss our mission for next week," leaving no room for argument, he begins to walk towards his office.

"Yes, sir."

Ignoring the watchful eyes of the other agents, I make my way towards Leonard’s office. Still not being used to Wave, which is not serious, with him being wary of the rest, allowed him to trust a very limited number of individuals. Having walls built high, it was rare that he let me in, making me one of the few individuals being able to tolerate his attitude, thus, making me the perfect partner.

Being the youngest agent who successfully became a Top agent with his skills, he gained everyone’s respect. 

Passing Ren Warner, Leonard’s secretary, greeting with a smile he says, “You are the reason for that man’s white hair.”

Dismissing the statement with a roll of my eyes, “Good to see you too Ren.”

Coming to a stop in front of a door possessing Leonard's name, I knock, entering once I hear a curt, “Come in.”

Entering the office, I spot him sitting behind his desk going through the year’s final report. Watching the stress lines deepen on his forehead, in worry. As the boss of Cypher, having to manage 200 individuals - including scientists, pilots and several agents - and hope the 50 agents currently away in various nations, is making him age.

Hearing the noise of the door close, he looks up, eyes lighting up. 

“Glad you finally had time to join us Hira.” 

“Patience, old man,” I retort, “Here are the files you wanted, I was also able to gain some intel on K-9,” taking a seat, I continue, “They were active throughout Italy however that news simmered down after a week I was there.”

The K-9 organization is famous for acting like feral dogs. Working off the grid for many missions, they are invincible and are being hunted by several intelligence agencies throughout the world. Killing off possible sources before any information can be released, using brutal techniques.

Rumours ran through the wind that they skinned their victims alive, torturing them before finally killing them. With no records in any public or private database, other than members having a diamond tattoo inked on their backs, the illegal organization is able to move freely.

The government of the United States of America placed orders for us to eliminate the organization. Working behind the scenes on an action plan, avoiding any unnecessary conflict to avoid any threats, from the past month K-9 is capturing our agents. 

Aside from orders, I am working day and night to find a lead. Anger running through my veins, they killed my dad and in return I’ll kill them.

"Those darn dogs will not let me live in peace," he massages his head, “Thank you for the information, the next plan of action will include all top agents.” 

Eyebrows raising, "What about me? I can take them.” 

His eyes gazing at me like I was completely inside, "You are still a few years early to be a top agent, Hira. I am not sending you out to die."

"To d-"

“You are my greatest weapon, Hira but you will not be a part of this mission and that is final.” 

Too angry to be in the same space as Leonard for the moment, I leave, heading towards the elevator, to the floor that held my room.

Placing my thumb on the fingerprint scanner and leaning forward for the retinal scan, the two-factor security system allows the door to click open.

The room is already illuminated and my eyes search for Sigreen, a weapon, and biochemical development scientist, and my roommate.

Finding the pale grey room to be empty of human life I fall down on my bed, hugging a pillow close to me, finding my muscles relaxing against the mattress, eyes falling shut as sleep takes over.

---

Entering the familiar brown door, I hear glass shattering as it touches the ground.

Calling out, “Dad, are you alright?”

Walking towards the kitchen, I see a man - his face covered - holding a gun, aiming it at my dad’s head, standing behind him while he was on the floor, hands behind his head.  

 "Who are you?"

Reaching my arm to a plant that rests behind me, I feel for a gun my dad hides there.

"Explain to her, Theodore. Your daughter's asking."

Dad spits blood on the floor, looking at me, he says, "She's not my daughter." 

Breath hitching, Dad! What are you saying?"... 

"Where is it, Theodore? I know you are hiding it." 

"I'm not telling you anything."

"Then, say goodbye to your daughter."

Hearing someone shout my name, I wake from the nightmare.

My body covered in a sheen of sweat chills running down my spine I find Cade holding my shoulders, worry shining bright in his eyes.

“You still have the nightmare?” 

Cade  - my best friend, the first person to welcome me into the agency. He’s a captain, a pilot in this agency.

He snaps his fingers in front of my face, “Earth to Hira!”

“Yes, they won’t leave,” I croaked out, my voice hoarse. 

Nodding he asks, “Want a hug?”

I was silent, still recovering from my nightmare. 

“C’mon, I know you want my hugs.” 

He pulls me into him. I would push him if I was my energetic self but I’m not in the mood for that, his warmth calms my nerves. Staying like that for a minute until he pulls away, giving me a glass of water. 

“What’s the time?” 

Glancing at his watch and letting me know that it’s the next afternoon. 

“Did you miss me, best friend?” Cade asked. 

“No.”

“The lies you tell,” Rolling his eyes, “I know you did.”

“Then where were you when I got back yesterday?” 

Shrugging he replies, “I was busy, we pilots have been delivering supplies.” 

We sat in silence, as he waited for me to finish the glass of water. 

“I’m taking you somewhere.” 

“Where?” 

In an instant, darkness fills my vision as he covers my eyes with a cloth, he answers, “It’s a secret.”

Guiding me out the room, until I’m outside, hearing the chatter of other agents and dismissing the fact they might be looking at us weirdly.

“I’ll fall, Cade.”

“Chill bff, I’m here I’ll catch you.” 

I felt sharp pain as my head bumped into something. I heard him saying sorry to the person. 

“Sorry about that.”  

I really can’t trust him with my life. 

After bumping into various people and almost twisting my knee, Cade took me down a path involving several turns.

“Really, Cade, where the hell are you taking me? If it’s another prank of yours Cade I swear-“

“We’re here, quit your whining.” 

Removing the blindfold, adjusting my eyes to the sudden brightness, I see that he’s brought me to the dining hall. The room is covered in balloons and my favorite flowers - sunflowers - and a table full of food placed in the center of it all. Fellow agents smile at me, looking a bit silly with birthday hats on top of their formal suits. 

Not having noticed Cade leaving my side, I see him bringing in a tall chocolate truffle cake with the words, “Happy Birthday Hira,” written in red.

Coming to a stop before me, he whispers, “Happy Birthday, love.”

“Thank you, you shouldn’t have,” celebrating your birthday is useless when you know that anytime, you’ll die. 

“Who says agents can't celebrate their birthday?” 

The lights flickered from the glowing yellow to dim blue light as the music began playing through the speakers that surround the room, everyone shuffles around. 

“Enjoy this night birthday girl! It’s your party!” 

With that, Cade excuses himself and joins everyone on the dance floor. 

Food is my first priority as I head towards the table and see all of my favorite foods.

Wave approaches me, dressed in an almost-black, blue suit, “Enjoying yourself?”

“You look good in that suit, partner.” 

Chuckling, pulling me close, leaning down to match my height he whispers, “Do you want your birthday gift, little kitten.”

 Catching a whiff of alcohol, I conclude, “You’re drunk,” I state rather than asking.

“No, I’m perfectly fine, Hira.” he salutes. 

Grinning at the drunk idiot in front of me, “Really? Let me see my gift then.” 

He pulls me in, even closer, to the point where the heat from his body lights a spark in me. His breath hitting my lips, arms moving, trapping me between the table and him, he simply gazes at me. Pools of copper brown move from my eyes and fall on my lips, making me swipe my tongue across the bottom. 

Using his arms, he pulls me up towards him, his lips meeting mine.

And I kissed him back.

I, Agent Nova, kissed my superior Agent Wave, and I’m not regretting it…or not?