FOUR- New mission

ANNATORIA 

I am still here. In W.O.O.T. 

Days have passed, and I am still yet to believe that my experience at the Lycan's den was just a dream or a figment of my imagination. 

I can recall every bit of memory in that place. I can still feel that piercing cold in my system. My body still remembers how it hated the Lycan's touch. 

So, how come? Why does no one in the agency doesn't believe me?

Okay. Chill, Annatoria.

I think I need to retrace my steps. 

But what is there to retrace? I don't have any recollection of what happened after I lost consciousness while between the Lycan's legs. 

If the werewolves placed me in that movie theatre, that would be strange. Those beasts never let go of their victims, not to mention a spy who came to infiltrate their system. 

So, what is the deal here?!

How did I go from squirming beneath the Lycan to suddenly appearing in a movie theatre of all places? That too, unconscious. 

Will I ever be able to solve this mystery? Should I risk appearing crazy to others by looking for the truth? 

Or should I count myself lucky and put the experience in the werewolf realm behind me?

After a deep sigh, I got up from the bed, which Director Hayes almost considered handcuffing me to. When he mentioned it, I was super triggered and glared at him so hard that he passed it off as a joke. 

Ah…

I doubt I will be able to put that werewolf shit behind me. 

When I reached the bathroom, I finally summoned the courage to look in the mirror. Thankfully, my skin was still radiant. All that iciness in the castle must have prevented a terrible breakout, and as they say, black don't crack. 

But there was something odd. 

Right in the middle of my collarbone was a small mark. Looking like a map, it stood out because of its gold-like colour. Certainly not a mark I had before. 

With a frown, I pressed it like a door buzzer.

I felt nothing. No pain. Nothing. 

“Annatoria?” Director Hayes called.

After another glance at the mark, I shut down my thoughts and headed out. 

“Director Hayes,” I greeted the man. “Are you here to scan my brain again?”

“No. I am here to feed you.”

“Huh?”

“You are a simple woman. I know you love going on missions. There is a hot one I want you to deal with. And by hot, I mean super important.”

“But the-”

He pointed a warning finger. “One more word about the Lycan mission, you can kiss this one goodbye.”

My legs moved closer with a subtle plea in my eyes. “You said I never started the Lycan mission. Let me start it now. Let me go there.” 

I know I am crazy for saying that. But if a chance to prove that I am not lying presents itself, trust that I will always take it. 

“The Lycan mission is currently suspended,” replied Director Hayes. He adjusted the crease on his shirt and found the nearest chair to sit on. Then, as was his habit, he crossed his legs and watched me keenly. “If you want to fix your focus on something that never happened, just know that your career here will suffer.”

After a frantic flutter of my eyes and some gentle hair pulling, I exhaled hard and made a choice. “What is this hotcake mission about?”

He smirked. “Good choice, Agent.”

I almost rolled my eyes. “Just spill the details.”

“You will be briefed next week. All I can tell you now is that Thorne Innovations is involved.”

“TI? How come? Their company has been squeaky clean for years.”

“Not anymore. Their hidden dirt has broken free, and it is up to us to deal with it before the government swoops in”

“I am in.” 

Thorne Innovations is a multinational high-tech furniture company. It has always topped the industry, adding greatly to the country’s economy. 

Hmm… I wonder what shady stuff they have been up to. 

“So, I will be briefed about their hidden dirt next week?” I asked. 

“Yes.  For now, rest. After the TI mission, you are entitled to a year of vacation.”

“I-”

“If I see you in this building when that time comes, I will fire you.”

“But-”

His stern gaze warned me from defending my desire to always be on spy duty. “Remember, Agent, one more crazy talk about how you already went on the Lycan mission, and you’ll be off this one. So, be careful. Don't give the other directors a reason to get rid of you.”

“Aye, aye, Cap.” I threw him a salute and wondered why the other directors hated me so much. I can never understand it. 

“Rest well.” Director Hayes walked out, and I was left with my thoughts. 

Thorne Innovations, huh?

Maybe the Director is not wrong for handing me this new mission. I can easily distract myself with this one.

 Also, I have missed snooping around huge corporations. 

There is always something juicy around the corner. It could be a shady deal, a dangerous office romance or a plethora of sweet, sweet gossip. Most times, I get all three. I hope Thorne Innovations will entertain me as well. 

So, this is me. Choosing to move on. 

This is for the best, right?

It had better be. 

~~~

DAYS LATER…

“Do you need me to go over the details again?” Director Hayes’s voice pulled my attention away from the bulleted points of my mission. 

“I've got everything. A black market link was traced to TI. We suspect they are dealing in gold exploitation and organ harvesting. We also suspect that all the operations are carried out within the headquarters.” I blinked with confidence. “I've got it. Trust me to deliver.”

After nods of approval, Director Hayes said, “You forgot the part where the face of the CEO is unknown.”

“Ah…” I turned my swirling seat, and the coils of my ponytail danced with me. “Darius Thorne. It's no problem. I will get a good picture of him and send it down.”

“Your identity for this mission is Annatoria Smith. You will be joining the finance team of the company as a graduate intern,” Director Rad, one of the senior directors, said. “W.O.O.T. has taken care of your accommodation, clothing and feeding.”

“Sure. As long as the toilet doesn’t clog every second, we are good.” 

“But Agent Annatoria.” Director Rad’s voice suddenly reeked of scepticism. I had to raise a brow. “Can we trust that you won't allow any… interference?”

With a little squint of my eyes, I leaned forward and asked, “What is that insulting question supposed to mean?”

“Your claims about the Lycan mission are concerning.”

Lycan mission?

I laughed. The word Lycan is funny. “What's that? A sweet brand?” The directors glanced at each other in surprise.  Curious, I adjusted my posture and asked, “Is there something I am unaware of? You are acting weird.”

“Oh.” Director Rad chuckled, though his surprise was still in his eyes. “Never mind that. We mistook you for another agent.”

Now, that makes absolutely no sense. 

“I don't believe you.”

“Please make yourself available for the last round of medical tests,” the man hurriedly said, and the meeting ended seconds later. 

I stopped Director Hayes before he could leave. 

The man dragged me to a corner and said, “That was good, Annatoria. You did good. Whatever you think happened, never happened. So forget about your crazy talk.”

“Director?” My hands on my waist, I angled my head while wondering if the directors were high on something. “What the heck are you talking about?”

His eyes narrowed, it almost felt as though he was calling me a liar. “Have you always been this good at pretending? I am talking about the suspended mission you were supposed to carry out.”

“Suspended mission?” I chuckled. “Are you day drinking, Director? My last mission was successful. Do you think my narrow escape from that sandstorm was a joke? Also, what makes you think I am pretending right now?”

“Oh… Ah!” His pretence was too obvious. As he clapped, he said, “That is true, your last mission was in that desert. I must have been thinking about someone else.”

“Come on, Director. Nobody in W.O.O.T. is as good as me. Give me a better excuse.” 

“It doesn't matter. Forget you heard anything. Just focus on this mission and do a great job as always. “

“But-”

“See you.” He quickly walked away, leaving me to wonder why they were all acting strange. 

Damn. If only I were friends with other W.O.O.T. employees, I would have gotten the gist. 

Anyway, I shouldn't be too bothered. I have a new mission. 

Darius Thorne of Thorne Innovations, watch out for me. I am going to be your precious downfall.