The Zodiac of P.R.A.

Chapter 7

Guest Star:
Jessica Hsuan – Naja Lu

Brad took a cab to St. Mary’s Orphanage with a backpack full of tiny cameras that were ready to be implanted. He walked towards the gate and pressed the call button “Who is this?” A young girl’s voice answered.

“My name is John, I’m here for the social service.” He answered.

“Oh, sure come on in.” she released the lock and let Brad in. He expected a teenager to greet him, instead she was an attractive woman not too much younger than himself. “Hi, I’m Naja.”

He smiled his friendly smile “Nice to meet you. That’s a very original name.” He commented.

“You mean ugly?” she laughed with her head shaking.

“Actually, I find it very exotic and different.” He said sincerely.

“Thank you, it’s Arabic. My parents were too into Indian cultures…” she smiled shyly “I’m the manager of this orphanage. What can I help the social services with?”

Brad nodded “Oh right, I almost forgot. It’s just an annual check on the orphanages, making sure the water and electricity is working. The environment has to be comfortable for the kids to live in…etc”

Naja nodded understandingly “Sure, let me give you a short tour.”

“Thank you.” Brad smiled as they began with the east wing “How long have you been working?”

“Here? About 1 year and in this business about 10 years.” She smiled when his lips turned into an ‘o’ shape “Is that a bad thing?”

He shook his head vehemently “No…it’s great. I just thought such a young girl as yourself would be in this job for so long, you don’t look a day older than 25, so you’ve been doing this since you were 15?” he reached under the backpack where a zipper was made especially for the mission and pulled out a tiny metal camera. He slipped it out quickly and placed it in a corner doorway that he had passed. He had to distract Naja so she wouldn’t be paying attention to his hand. It seemed to work since she turned away shyly.

“Actually I’m 27, but thanks for the compliment.” She pointed to a room “This is the control center of the heat/air conditioning as well as the main electrical for this entire building.

Brad nodded “I see…so where are the kids?”

Her face paled over as she dodged his eyes “Uh…they’re in school of course.”

“Don’t you have a school inside the orphanage?” Brad asked with pure suspicion.

The girl was flustered as she searched her mind to change the subject, but she didn’t have to when she saw a little girl about 5 years old standing at the end of the hall “Jackie, what are you doing there?” she rushed over the adorable girl.

“I don’t know where everybody is.” She said innocently.

Brad placed a few more cameras while Naja was preoccupied “I’m sorry Mr…”

“Lam.” Brad finished for her.

“Mr. Lam, I have to take care of her first, you can check out the control room for yourself.” Naja was glad to have the escape as she picked up the girl and rushed through an exit at the end of the hall. Brad stared after the girl with brows furrowed, she looked honest, but the strange behavior was obvious she was hiding something.

***************

Erin entered the giant office and found Darren sitting on his leather chair looking out the glass window “I knew you would come. But I’m a bit surprised that you would come into my office knowing how afraid you were of heights. I thought you said it made you nauseous?”

“Not really.” Erin replied.

Darren’s face froze as he spun around immediately not recognizing the voice “You’re not Mia.” He said flatly.

“No.” Erin smiled “But by the sound of your voice, whoever this Mia girl is, she would be important for you to be so disappointed.”

He leaned forward on his desk with an exasperated look “What do you want?”

Erin raised her eyebrows “Well, haven’t the tables turned? Last night you offered me a job…” he shook his head blankly at her and she tilted her head “Actually it was more of a threat.” This time Darren smiled recalling the situation “I’ll have you know, I don’t take threats very well, but I am very much interested in this job. I would like to take up your offer…that is if it’s still open.”

Darren clasped his hands together thoughtfully “No…”

She didn’t know why she felt relieved eventhough it meant her job for the mission was going to be changed. Erin personally did not want to work for the guy “Fine, I’m sorry I wasted your time.” She turned to leave.

“Wait…” Darren raised a hand “I’ve changed my mind. Yes, you can have the job.”

Erin wrinkled her brows “I don’t want to play games with you Mr. Chiu.”

“Oh, but I like to, my dear.” He said smugly before getting up and walking over to his bar. He poured two drinks in two champagne glasses “How about a toast to seal the deal?” he handed her a glass but she only stared at it. “It’s not poisoned.” He offered.

Erin shook her head “It’s not that. I don’t drink.”

“It’s just apple cider.” He said with a grin.

She didn’t believe him until he raised the glass to her nose as she gave it a whiff, indeed it was only apple cider “Thank you.” She smiled shortly and took the drink.

Darren smiled secretively “I stopped drinking a month ago.”

“Why?” Erin asked automatically but suddenly remembered what Mia warned her about. Darren’s face hardened “You don’t have to answer that. It’s really none of my business.” She added.

His smile reappeared as he clinked his glass against hers “Quick and ready to read a face, I could use you in this office. God knows you’re smarter than those idiots that call themselves account managers.” He snarled and then threw her the most charming grin. She soon realized how psychotic he really was.

Erin took a sip “I’m not good at office job, just people jobs.” He nodded without much feeling as he sipped his cider as if it was expensive cognac. “When do I start?”

“You will start when I ask you to start.” He returned to his desk and sat on the black leather chair “I will escort you there myself.”

“I didn’t know you were capable of doing things on your own.” Her words had a double meaning that he did not pick up.

Darren spun in his chair as he nodded at the gutsy girl “If you want to things right, you have to do it yourself. I wouldn’t depend on those idiots to do anything. They’ll just screw things up.” Erin seemed to be in a daze and was quickly snapped back to reality when Darren looked up at her “I’m done with you. Now get out before I call security.”

Erin nodded “So much help that will be. Bye.” She turned to leave when he stopped her.

“How did you get through security?” he asked with genuine curiosity.

“You’ll be glad to know your ‘security guards’ were not doing their jobs. I simply told them that I had an appointment with you and they let me walk right by, no questions asked.” Erin smiled with her head tilted and her hand on the door.

Darren nodded as he pressed the button for his secretary “Janice, remind me to fire the securities later.” He turned up to Erin “Thanks for the reminder.”

“Anytime.” She nodded and closed the door behind her. Her face turned solemn, she was so close to breaking down and just beating him up. Something about his attitude that just bothered her and it made it worse to hear that Mia had something to do with the monster behind the door.

************

Brad finished his job and returned to the headquarters the same time with Erin. They were the first ones back, but did not see Dennis or Mia “Hey…” Erin smiled as she greeted him shortly.

“Hi Erin. So how did it go?” he asked with interest.

She shook her head “As good as it’ll ever get. I swear Brad, I wanted to choke the guy…I mean wring my fingers around his neck and just squeeze it until the blood is drained from him…is that too bad?” she asked.

Brad’s eyes widened with each description she said “Boy, you’re having too much fun.”

“Can you tell?” Erin snickered.

Suddenly he snapped his finger “Oh, I almost forgot…I didn’t get a chance to thank you for the dagger. The lady at the shop told me it was $10,000., I have to pay you back.” he insisted.

Erin shook her head “No, it’s okay. Consider it an early birthday gift for the next ten years.” She was joking of course but he took it seriously.

“Done!” he was giddy “I have it framed inside this velvet framed I hand crafted and it sits right above my bed stand. You have to come by and see it.”

She smiled “Sure…we’ll find a date…I mean day!” she snapped with her head shaking. Erin rolled her eyes “This cold is getting to me.”

He thought nothing of it but he was concerned about her health “If you don’t feel good, you should go home, we can’t afford you to be sick.”

“Who’s sick?” Dennis stood by the door while Mia followed inside.

“Erin has a cold.” Brad pointed out.

Mia frowned as she walked over to Erin and placed her backhand on her forehead “You’re burning up!” she exclaimed and then pointed to Erin’s cheeks “You’re face is all red!”

Erin looked flustered as she shook her head again “I feel fine…really, it’s just a little cold.” She insisted and took a seat.

Mia shrugged while she turned to Brad “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she was blushing…” she cracked up at her own joke and suddenly felt a foot kick her leg from under the table. “Ow!” she cried and reached down on her leg to rub the pain away.

“What’s wrong?” Brad asked.

Mia narrowed her eyes at Erin “Nothing…just an ant bite.”

Brad shook his head at Mia “I told you not to bring snacks in here.” He scolded.

“I’ll remember not to bring in anymore.” She took a seat next to Erin and widened her eyes at her friend “What was that for??!” she hissed when Dennis and Brad began talking in low voices.

“I wasn’t blushing!” Erin whispered in return.

“Yes you were!” she insisted making Erin let out a sigh. Mia looked at her friend strangely “What’s the matter with you anyways? You’re acting really strange…” she said suspiciously while looking at Brad and then back at Erin. Suddenly a knowing smile crawled up her face “Ooohhh-” she began to point at Erin.

Erin placed a hand over Mia’s mouth “Don’t you dare!!” she hissed “Not a word from you!!”

Mia’s round eyes grew wider as she nodded with Erin’s hand over her mouth and Erin let out a breath as she let her hand go “He won’t hear it from me.” She said teasingly.

The meeting soon took place with everyone in their places, Erin threw an evil eye each time Mia started giggling because Dennis said Brad’s name. After the fifth time, Dennis stopped and turned to Mia as he dropped the file he was holding onto the table with a splat “Would you like to share with us why you are giggling like a school girl?” he asked Mia sternly.

Erin covered half her face as she turned to Mia on her right “I’ll kill you…” she said through clenched teeth.

Mia stood up and clasped her hand ready to give a speech while Erin stared at her in disbelief “I want to apologize to all of you, I didn’t mean to disrupt the meeting. I just have a case of the giggles…I heard this joke this morning and it’s still stuck with me. I’m sorry.” She bowed a couple of times before sitting back down calmly with a grin on her face while she winked at Erin.

Andrew seemed to have noticed something out of the ordinary “I think we all can use a joke, right?” he looked around with a nod. He turned to Mia “Why don’t you tell us.” He crossed his arms with a mischievous grin.

Mia exchanged glances with Erin but she looked like a lost puppy “Oh…Uh…okay. It’s a blond joke. There was this married couple, the wife is a complete airhead and her husband was fixing the plumbing that the plumber screwed up on. The wife ask the husband why they didn’t call the plumber. He said the plumber will be back for the bill tomorrow and told his wife to give the man a dollar and screw him. So the next day when the husband went to work, the plumber came and she gave him a dollar and screwed him, thinking it was a cheap bill for the plumbing service.”

After she was done, everyone looked at each other while Andrew muffled a laugh. Dennis was not amused as he shook his head “Mia, you find the strangest things amusing. Now can we get back to our meeting?”

Erin looked at her friend earnestly “Sorry…” she lipped.

“You owe me…” Mia muttered while she threw daggers at Andrew, who now had the giggles.

Chapter 8

After the meeting ended, Dennis asked that everyone returned home. Erin instantly pulled at Mia’s arm when she saw her heading towards Brad “Mia, I have to talk to you.” Erin said in a hushed voice.

“Hey, where are you guys going?” Reina asked when she saw the two huddling together like a football team.

“No where.” Erin answered quickly.

Suddenly she felt an arm wrap around her shoulder as well as Mia’s shoulder “Hello ladies, so what’s the plan for tonight? Can I join?” Andrew was teasing them.

Mia gave him a disgusted face as she used her delicate fingers to pry his hand off her shoulder “This is my favorite t-shirt if you don’t mind.” She wiped her shoulder as if it was dirty “It’s girl talk and you’re not invited, you know why?” Andrew smiled with his eyes rolling “Because you’re…” Mia gave his chest a poke of her finger “…not a girl.” She concluded.

Reina tilted her head at Mia “Be nice.”

“I am!” Mia retorted while giving Andrew an ugly face “Now if you don’t mind, we’re going to go have a GIRL’S night out.” She wrapped her arms around Erin and Reina as she pulled them outside.

When they were away from Andrew’s ears and eyes, Reina turned to the girls “Okay, now would you mind telling me what’s going on? And what’s with the blond joke?!” she pushed Mia on the shoulder “That was not even funny.”

Mia dropped her jaw “It was for her!” she passed on the pushing to Erin, who was knocked off balance.

“Hey…not here…” Erin clenched her teeth while warning the girls. “Come on.” Her eyes darted around like a mad woman as she looked around for Brad.

“Wooh, what’s with the mission impossible looks?” Reina asked when she noticed Erin was a bit paranoid “And who the heck are you looking for?”

Mia shook her head with a solemn expression “She’s not looking, she’s making sure that ‘he’ is not around.”

“Who?” Brad’s voice broke into their conversation as the girls stood there frozen, each of them only moving to glance each other with their eyes. After a while, when they still didn’t make a single movement, Brad frowned “Hello…I’m still here.” He waved at them.

Mia cleared her throat “Yeah, we heard you. We’re not talking about you.” She insisted and then turned to girls and gave them an exaggerated wink.

Reina narrowed her eyes and shook her head at Mia “Don’t do that, you look like you’ve got some kind of a tick.”

Erin was feeling lightheaded at the whole situation as she grabbed her head “This isn’t happening.” She muttered to herself.

Brad turned to Erin with genuine concern “Erin, are you okay? You look kinda pale.” He reached out to touch her shoulder and she moved back uncomfortably. “What’s wrong?” he asked with a strange expression.

Erin shook her head but didn’t respond, instead Mia replied for her “It’s that time of the month again.” She nodded with wide eyes while Erin’s head snapped up at Mia with her eyes red with fire.

“Oh…gosh…I should have guessed…” Brad put up his hands in defense.

“Yeah, well shame on you for not knowing…” Mia scolded in her motherly tone with her hands on her hips “She’s your best friend for God’s sake!” there was another hidden meaning behind that which of course, Brad did not figure out.

Erin sighed to herself “I’m tired guys….”

“I’ll take you home.” Brad offered.

Mia shook her head “No thanks, we’ll take her home, right Reina?”

Reina was confused at the whole situation but she had her own guesses “Yeah…whatever you say.” With that the girls walked together arm linked in arm.

They took about 10 steps before Erin asked “Is he still looking?” she asked randomly.

Reina pretended to look up in the sky and follow a bird as her head tilted back and glanced behind them “Yeah…he’s scratching his head.”

“Darn it!” Erin cursed.

“Just keep walking…” Mia suggested. When the girls reached Reina’s house and the doors were closed, Erin and Mia let out a sigh of relief as they sunk into the couch next to each other.

“Okay, now will someone tell me?” Reina asked curiously.

Mia sat upright and clasped her hands together “Well…” she began before Erin’s hand clapped over her mouth. She struggled to free herself “Stop that!”

Erin shook her head with a laugh “Can I tell her?” Mia smiled and nodded. Erin turned to Reina “You have to promise on your mother’s grave…that you will not repeat this.”

Reina nodded solemnly and made a sign of a cross “Done.”

“I have a tiny…eensy bitty crush on Brad.” Erin concluded.

Reina looked shocked for a bit and then she rolled her eyes ever so slowly “Is that all?!!!”

Mia frowned “Don’t tell me you knew the whole time! Because I didn’t.”

“That’s because you’re so self involved with your goofiness that you didn’t see it. I can totally see it.” Reina said with a grin. “It’s so obvious you want him.” She said to Erin before leaning back in her couch seat.

Erin raised an eyebrow “Really? This is coming from the girl that barely remembered what she had for dinner the night before. How could you pay attention to detail like that?”

“I don’t pay attention to useless stuff, but gosh I’ve noticed the love tension between the two of you for the longest time.” Reina waved her hand nonchalantly “I think he’s too much of a guy to notice the crush though.

Mia was more interested as she leaned on her knees with her chin propped up in her hands “Really? Tell me more then…I want to know. You know how secretive Erin gets.”

“There’s a reason for that, Mia.” Erin shook her head when the girl gave her an innocent look “Remember that one mission with the cute guy? All I said was, you think he’s cute and the next day at the meeting everyone was making fun of me because I had a ‘crush’ on the bad guy.”

Mia opened her mouth to defend herself but soon closed it when she knew it was her fault “Well, I bet you can’t name another one.” She retorted.

Reina laughed “But I can. Do you recall a little birdie that tattletale on her friend because she had a crush on the same guy? Making the guy run so fast as if he hadn’t peed for days.”

Mia laughed as she nodded “I remember, Jack…wasn’t it? He was adorable. Who knew he would freak out when I confessed my love for him.”

“You were acting as me over the phone!!” Reina cried.

“Oh…right, I forgot about that.” Mia said weakly.

Erin shook her head “Tsk, tsk, tsk…Mia, shame on you!” she scolded “But if you spill this bean…oooh, you’ll be sorry. I’ll knock you out and take you on a hot air balloon ride.”

Mia’s eyes widened with fear “Oh no…no, please don’t. I promise, I won’t say a single word, I won’t even look at Brad in the eye. Anything but heights!” she begged Erin practically pulling the sleeve off her shirt. Reina and Erin exchanged smiles as they knew her weak spot.

********************

The following morning, Erin received a call on her home phone while she was still in bed “Hello?”

“Miss Yeung, good morning.” Darren’s voice was even more annoying in the morning.

“Yeah…whatever.” Erin muffled a yawn.

He laughed into the receiver “Someone’s not a morning person.” He cleared his throat and got down to business “You have exactly 5 minutes to get ready and meet me downstairs in your apartment building.”

“Five? I can barely brush my hair in five minutes!” Erin cried, he was sure bossy.

Darren seemed to be pondering the thought “Okay, 10 and that’s my final offer. The limo will not wait for you, I will not wait for you.”

“Fine.” With that Erin hung up the phone and gave it a snarl before getting up as she rushed to freshen up. She was dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans and a white tee with cut off sleeves. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail. Her makeup was light but fresh.

When she walked downstairs, she saw the limo parked in the visitor zone and the driver in his black uniform walked up to her.

“Miss Yeung?” he asked politely. Erin looked up at the guy and crunched her brows together when she saw it was Andrew in glasses and a goofy driver hat “It’s me.” He whispered with a grin.

She turned away from him and let out a sigh “I know…” she gritted her teeth and walked over to the limo where Andrew opened the door for her.

Erin got in and saw that Darren was staring at her then he turned to the new driver “I specifically asked you to open the left door.” He scolded Andrew.

“Sorry, Sir.” Andrew said respectfully before closing the door and taking the driver seat.

Darren shook his head “Stupid new drivers…” his mood changed when he turned to Erin and looked her up and down “Cute...next time wear something more professional.”

Erin glared her eye at him “It’s an Orphanage not the Miss Hong Kong Pageant.”

He threw his head back with a laugh “That’s a good one.” He took a sip of water in a ready glass cup seated next to him “Seriously though, I like my employees to dress more presentable. You look ready to go to the beach.”

“That’s what you get for 10 minutes.” Erin snapped with her arms crossed. She didn’t understand the guy, he was too hard to read when he was serious or just joking.

“So if I gave you 30, you would come out looking like a model?” he asked with interest.

“Mr. Chiu…” Erin began.

“Darren.” He corrected.

She let out a short sigh “Okay…Darren. I don’t understand why it is so important to dress so nice.”

“You will be speaking with families, in person. Is that a good enough reason?” he asked with raised eyebrow.

“I suppose.” Erin turned her head out the window to keep her frustration level down.

Darren continued to stare at her “Why do I get the impression that you don’t like me.”

Erin turned her eyes back at him “Gee, you’re quick.” She said with sarcasm.

“That will change Miss Yeung, I want us to get along if we will be working in a tight knit family.” Darren smiled with much confidence.

Chapter 9

When they reached the Orphanage, Erin walked behind Darren as they entered the place she hasn’t visited for so long. She had a splash of memory return to her during her lonely childhood, suddenly she felt vulnerable “Miss Yeung?” Darren stopped when he noticed her dazed expression.

Erin snapped back with a smile “Yes?”

“I’d like you to meet Miss Naja Lu.” He pointed to a girl probably her age “She is the manager of this place.

“Nice to meet you.” Erin greeted with a friendly smile.

“Well you girls have fun. Personally this place brings my mood down. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…” He said directly to Erin.

After he left, she turned to Naja “Is he always like that?”

Naja frowned “Like he’s got a stick up his ass?”

“Yes!” Erin snapped her fingers as she grinned at the girl “I couldn’t say it better.”

“Most of the time he’s like that, but the other times…he’s surprisingly nice.” Naja commented deeply.

Erin snickered “Whatever nice means to him.” The girls giggled and she remembered her job, she wondered if Brad had done his part “So, where do I start?”

Naja nodded “Right, I totally forgot, come on. I’ll show you your office.” She led Erin to the West wing where she noticed the tiny devices in certain places along the hallway. She smiled at how well Brad does his job “We’re here.” She pointed to an office at the right side “All the children’s files are inside there and the families that are looking to adopt are in here.” She pointed to file drawer across the desk. You can start by looking at each child’s description as well as the parent’s description of what they are looking for.”

“It’s like some kind of dating service.” Erin commented with a laugh.

“You could say that. Anyways, I’ll leave you to get acquainted with your stuff. If you have any questions, my office is right down the hall three doors to your left.” Naja nodded politely and left Erin alone.

She pulled out an ear peace hanging under her sweater and popped it in her ear “Capricorn, I’m in.”

“Great job. Now try to find what’s strange about the files. I’ll have Andrew check in if Darren is to return. Brad is set up in a van facing the back of the orphanage. He’ll assist you if you need it.”

“Thanks.” Erin smiled feeling safe with Brad around.

****************Hours later****************

Dennis was busy looking at the monitors with the cameras that Brad had set up. Mia was twiddling her thumbs when suddenly she blew up with a monotone cry “AHHHHHH!!!”

The Lieutenant was startled as he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath “God, you could give someone a heart attack.”

Mia put on a puppy face “I’m bored, Dennis. Please give me something to do, I can’t just sit here all day…I can’t… it’ll drive me crazy!” she ruffled her own hair.

“What do you want to do?” Dennis asked, but his attention was still on the screens.

“Give me a little mission, I’ll do anything.” She insisted desperately.

“Anything?” he asked with a smile on his face.

She was so in need of doing something that she didn’t care “Anything.” She confirmed. Mia walked down the busy streets in downtown Kowloon as she mumbled to herself “Never say anything…because anything really means anything.” She scolded herself before entering a fast food place “Two chicken rice dinners to go. Can I get extra soy sauce on one? And no green onions on the other one.”

The guy at behind the counter took her order “You can pay at the register, it’ll be about 15 minutes.”

“15 minutes??!!” Mia cried “Dang it! How long does it take to cut up some already cooked chicken and throw it on a bed of rice?” Hell, what do you guys do back there? Kill the chicken first and then cook it?”

The guy was getting nervous when a few customers turned to look at the commotion “Miss…could you keep your voice down?” he asked nicely.

“It is down!!” her voice screeched “Look, I don’t want to make a scene, but this is a life and death situation here, the person that ordered this dinner is dying at the hospital, he requested to have his last meal…I don’t think he’ll last 15 minutes.” She shook her head with wide eyes.

A few people whispered something and some even yelled at the guy for being inconsiderate “Okay, we’ll do yours first.” He gave in.

Mia nodded solemnly “Thank you.” She let out an exaggerated sigh but inside she was bursting with laughter. Her food came in about five minutes and she rushed up to the counter to grab the bag.

She walked outside with a skip in her steps as she swung the back up and down. It was easier than she thought. It took her a few minutes to realize that she was being followed, her eyes darted and her face was grim. She quickened her steps and tried to dodge the on coming traffic of people to lose her stalker. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and her reaction was to fight off the attacker. She took the hand with her free hand and twisted it behind as she turned her body at the same time. She flipped her attacker with ease and he was groaning in pain.

Mia’s eyes widened “Oh my God, Darren!!” she dropped the bag of food and bent down to help him “I’m sorry, I thought someone was trying to attack me.”

He was in pain as he grumbled and sat up “Geez, when did you gain muscles?”

“I eat wheaties in the morning.” She said weakly.

“Wheaties? I thought you had half a grapefruit and a toast?” he wondered while holding onto his back in pain.

Mia frowned “Out of all things, that’s what you remember about me?” she shook her head while helping him up “Actually, I’ve been taking this defense martial arts class at night. It’s really helping me.” She lied.

“Maybe I should hire you as my personal bodyguard.” He snickered with a laugh. Darren allowed her to support him.

“You were looking for me?” she changed the subject.

He nodded “I wanted to know if you’d have some free time, being a temporary teacher and all. I would appreciate it if you would tutor the kids at the orphanage. They’ve been really tired lately and some don’t even wake up to go to school.”

Mia looked at him in the eye careful to catch any lies “Really?”

Darren nodded honestly with his eyes staring at her “Yeah, you think I’m lying?” he asked incredulously.

She shook her head “No, it’s not that…I thought you guys already had a home teacher.” Mia could not read his face, either he was a good liar or he was being honest.

“Well, kind of…but the teachers never stay for long. They always seem to disappear after a month or two. But I guess it’s my fault for hiring the incapable people. At least I can trust you.” He smiled sincerely and it almost made her forget how cruel he could be.

“Can I think about it first?” she asked, not sure of his current mood.

Darren nodded “Of course. You know where to call me.” She smiled in return “I would offer you a ride, but I have to meet with an important businessman.”

“Oh, don’t mind me, I can find my way back.” She replied as she watched Andrew drive him off. In her mind, she was wondering if he was the same guy she once knew. According to Erin, he had stopped drinking and it was because of Mia too. She found herself on a fence between believing him and not, in the end she decided to keep it to herself.

When Mia returned, Dennis looked up with an urgent expression “I think Erin found something.” He put up his earplug “Erin, where are you exactly, I can’t see you on the screen.

“I’m in the corner room on the east wing. I’m not sure what room it is, all I know is it’s dark and it is locked with a stainless steel lock.” She described the darkened area.

“Brad, can you hear me?” Dennis asked.

“Yes.” Brad answered.

Dennis motioned for Mia to sit down next to him and take a look at the screen while he gave Brad directions “Did you see an office at the end of the east wing?”

“No, I couldn’t go that far, Naja returned by the time I was getting there.” Brad answered.

“You’re on a first name basis now?” Mia teased with her own head set.

Brad laughed “I think calling her ‘the girl’ would be inappropriate.”

Erin could hear the whole conversation and she reminded herself to choke Mia when she saw her. She looked around in the dark with a tiny flashlight on her keychain “There’s something cold in here. She shined the light on the wall and noticed it was made of stone “Cemented wall…now why would there be a cemented wall in here?”

“Erin, careful don’t do anything hasty.” Dennis warned.

“The Eagle is returning to it’s flock.” The group heard Andrew’s warning as he too was carrying his ear piece.

Mia frowned “What kind of code is that?”

“Reina, where are you?” Dennis asked, she was suppose to be posed as a cleaning lady.

“I’m in the front office. The girl has gone back to the east wing. Scorpio, you need to get out.” Reina warned.

Erin backed herself out of the hidden room and rushed down the hallway, around the corner was Naja who looked at her strangely “Erin, what are you doing down here?”

Erin shrugged coolly “I got lost, this place was bigger than I last remembered it.”

“You were here?” Naja asked with curiosity.

“Yeah, a long time ago. I was an orphan here.” Erin smiled when the girl looked at her sympathetically “Don’t look at me with pity.”

Naja shook her head “I’m sorry, it’s just…my heart goes out to these kids and when I hear that someone was an orphan, I get especially emotional.”

Mia snorted when she heard it through Erin’s microphone “That’s a bunch of bull.”

“Mia, be nice.” Brad warned.

“Oh, so you’re taking her side.” Mia shook her head at Dennis “And all this time I thought he was on ours.”

Erin smiled at the girl, despite hearing the bickering “I’ve got to get back to work.” She continued on her way and had to past the front reception in order to get to her office. She was there in time to see Darren walk in with Andrew close behind him.

“Sir, there’s this mark on your suit, I swear.” Andrew was flustered as he tried to stall the impatient guy.

“I don’t care. Would you stop following me!” Darren cried as he pointed his head to the door “Stay in the car.”

Andrew nodded “Yes Sir.” he threw Erin a wide eyed look which meant for her to be careful.

Darren shook his head with frustration “I hate new workers.” He looked up at Erin who arched her left brow at him “I mean…new male employees.” He said with emphasis.

She nodded “That’s better.” Erin began walking on her way when he blocked her way “Yes?”

“Where were you just now?” Darren asked with suspicion.

“Lost…what’s it to you?” Erin snapped.

He narrowed his eyes at her “There’s one rule here, never enter in the deep East Wing, there is a closed door that no one enters.”

“Why not?” Erin asked.

“Don’t ask questions and you won’t get yourself hurt.” He warned “Anyways, the more you know the more bad things will come your way.” With that he walked away leaving her there alone.

“So much for changing.” Mia shook her head sadly.

Erin let out a sigh through her flared nose “Yeah, he’s a keeper alright.”

*******************

A week later, the team regrouped to go over their new discoveries, Dennis turned to Erin who was the one with the closest contact “Did you get a chance to check out that cemented room?”

Erin shook her head “No, there’s always someone there to stop me. Mostly Naja.”

“I told you she was trouble.” Mia retorted with her eyes directly on Brad.

He looked from side to side “Why are you telling me?” he asked blankly.

Mia received the glare from Erin and she eventually shook her head “Nothing.” She turned down to look at her hands.

“Did you dig anything up on Naja?” Dennis asked Reina.

She shook her head “She’s clean. Cleaner than a virgin.” Reina said with saracasm “I don’t think she’s involved in this drug deal.”

“How about the kids?” Dennis asked randomly as he paced the floor, they were getting nowhere near solving the mission.

“I’ve only seen a few, most of the time they are either in their bedrooms or in school.” Erin said thoughtfully as she spun from side to side in her turning chair “Do you guys remember that kid on the boat? That little boy where his mother was shot by a terrorist?”

The group nodded and Brad asked what everyone wanted to ask “Is he in that Orphanage?”

Erin nodded at them “He was signed in a few days ago by an anonymous person. Something about moving him to a new orphanage because he was not getting along with the other kids. I can’t even get near him to ask him questions.”

Dennis tapped his chin thoughtfully “Okay, new plan. Brad, I need you to distract Naja long enough for Erin to see that kid, maybe he’ll remember her. Reina, you take over Brad’s station. Andrew, keep an eye on Chiu. Mia…” at the sound of her name, her head popped up with ready eyes “You stay here with me.”

Her face fell “Fine, but I’m not going on anymore missions by myself.”

“What?” Reina asked “You went on one by yourself? I’ve never got to go by myself.” She said to Dennis with a touch of envy.

“I guess I’m just important then.” Mia said smugly.

Dennis shook his head with a laugh “If you call ordering two dinners to go, a mission.”

The group laughed while Mia pouted “Dennis!!”

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