9.35 in the evening, most
people had already left the building. However, one office on 3th
floor was still on duty. Inside, there was 3 people. Only the scratching sound
of pens and papers.
“Phew, finally I’m done with
this shit.” Rikk threw the pen up in the air, as it landed to the opposite
table.
“Hey, watch your manner,
people’s still working here.” An angry voice from the other side of the block,
came with the sound of writing.
“What did you say? Cause I
can’t hear you over the sound of freedom I’m enjoying.” Rikk was overjoyed. It took him nearly 3 days to finish all of his work – from partner
researching documents to verification of newly recruit volunteers. The reason
for this nonstop challenge seemed to be unknown, but order was given by the
boss: Finish all of this, and you all can
have a month off. To choose, or not to choose, that’s not the question. A
month worth of freedom for him was obviously the second best news, and the
first was a raise. So he decided to trade 3 days for a month. Fair enough,
considered the type of boss he had. However, all good deals came with a catch.
“Screw you, once I’m done with
this, you will know what true torture is.” The other one was definitely not
happy at all. Genna, on the other hand, was not that enthusiastic about the
reward. She took her work easy, and didn't want to overexert her pace. So she
turned the offer down. But that didn't matter anymore. If one decide to do it, the other must follow. That’s the motto of
the office, and that fool Rikk had caused her 3 days worth of damage. It would
took a lot of time to heal. Could 1 month be enough, she wondered.
“Settle down you two. Rikk, if
your paper work is done then hand them to me and you may leave.” A calm voice
of the superior saved the quite of the room. The secretary of the boss was also working on
her share, eyes not leaving the paper. This woman was the second most fearful
person of the office, the most was, clear enough, the boss.
“Oops, sorry sis. But is that
really true, that I can take a month off? With paid?” Rikk was already enjoying
the taste of holiday through his freshly made coffee.
“Do you mean that chief
deceived you?” Erie’s left hand was writing, and her right hand was typing the
computer, yet she was reading a book while doing all of her work. An odd,
capable multitasking person, that’s how Genna saw her. Rikk, foolish enough,
gave her a nickname that earned himself a week of odd jobs and no payment.
“No no no no no, I didn't mean
that. It’s just that it’s too good to be true, honestly.”
Erie put her pen down then
gathered all the papers into a neat pile, then put them all in a holder. She
had finish her part.
“Truth to be told, I was as
surprised as you two back then, when chief said she would be off for a month.
Probably something happened, personal matter. But it’s not my job to question
the chief’s decision.”
“Have you tried asking? Chief
seems to trust you a lot.” Genna joined the conversation.
“It’s not my thing to poke
into other’s business. And it’s the chief we are talking about. Do you think we
can get anything out of ‘that person’?”
“You are too cold sis. You
should try to be more intimate with your co-workers, or else you will end up
alone.” Rikk playfully said, considered there was no danger ahead of him at the
moment.
“Chief is not my co-worker.
Chief is… chief, my superior, and my job as the secretary, is to follow her
order. That’s all there is to it.” Erie
didn't catch Rikk’s wing. Her statement directed to the chief made Rikk kind of
sad.
“Talking about it, I heard you
go way back with chief, right Erie?” Genna switched her interest to the chat,
set the work aside. After all, a woman couldn't resist the charm of chit-chatting.
“So you've known chief for a
long time? Like a decade? Childhood friend?” Rikk was curious.
“I wouldn’t say friend. It’s
more like… servant and master relationship.” Erie eyes sparkled as she said the
word ‘servant’.
“Huh?” The other two was taken
by surprise. In their mind they couldn’t imagine the image of Erie serving
other people. But it’s the chief they were talking about. The person who could
even made the chairman bow to her for some reason. Rikk heard that story from
Genna, who heard from Erie, and God knew how much the story was twisted when it
reached the young man, but judging from the privilege their group had over
other offices, part of it must be true. The whole floor just for 4 people, with
all necessity and their own ‘helper’, free of charge.
“Why are you two so surprise?
Chief’s family is one from the long lasted generation, so it’s natural that
there’ll be a branch or two serving the main branch. My family is the closest
one to chief’s family, and I have the honor to be her servant. Simple as that.”
Erie explained with proud. That was her main job, follow her master to wherever
she could.
“Pfffuuuuu” Rikk cough out the
coffee, almost tainted his shirt.
“Hey, what’s the big idea?”
Genna looked at him in disgusted.
“Chief…is…from…a long lasted
family? Seriously?” Wiping his mouth, his hand was even shaking.
“Huh? You don’t know? Can’t
you tell from the name? What world are you living in?” Genna tilted her head.
“Hmm, I thought I had already
told you about chief’s family. Guess I forgot. My bad.” Erie shrugged, both she
and Genna knew about the topic, leaving Rikk, the newbie, in shock.
“I only know her first name,
but not her family name. I can’t believe I’m working with a person from the
noble houses. So, what is chief’s family name?” Now he turned to excited. It’s
a normal reaction just like when you knew the one living next to your apartment
is a celebrity.
“Yungen, from the 15th
generation. But don’t bring this up to her, for some reasons she doesn't like
it.” Genna said.
“Wait, did you said 15th?
Could it be…”
“Yes yes, her family was one
of the five involving in the dark days. Please do us a favor, ask
something less trivial, or shut up.”
“Woah, so chief’s a mage. I’m
so jealous, even though we both are living in the society, I can’t do magic at
all. It’s so unfair to be honest. I want to know what it’s like to be in one of
those family for once.” Rikk probably was thinking about the life of a famous
rock star, or an actor.
“No, you don’t want to know.”
A cold, steel-like voice interrupted his delusion.
“Good evening, Chief.” Erie
and Genna stood up to greet their boss, while miserable Rikk, startled, and
fell from his chair. He then quickly got back on his feet and made the
greeting.
“Good…good evening, Chief. I
have finished all the worked as you required.” Looked how scare he was, Genna
smirked.
The woman, in her mid
twenties, slowly walked into the room. She then took a chair and sat down, made
her look like a mafia boss with her underlings around. She looked through the
paper from Rikk, while the boy worriedly watched. Genna had already come back
to her quite corner.
“Good job! I never thought it
could be done in such a short time. Did you get help from others?” The boss
asked doubtfully.
“The day they help me will be
the day I rule the Society. Sadly no ma’am.” Rikk put his arms around his
chest, eyes casting down.
Perhaps that day wouldn’t be
as far as you thought. The chief let out a sight.
“What about you two? Almost
done yet?” She turned to the two female in the room.
“I’ve finished. Would you like
to take a look, chief?” Erie was cleaning her desk while making a cup of tea.
“No need. So Genna is the only
one left?” A glare from the chief. They all knew what would happened to the one
who couldn’t meet the deadline.
“Umm…..I promise it will be
done by morning. I will put an all-nighter in the office. Please don’t make me
work here while those two are on vacation, pleaseeeeee.” She’s literally
begging but those two couldn't laugh. The Chief’s wraith was fearsome.
“Well, I guess it was too much
for you after all. Don’t worry about it. Send me everything you've done so far
and enjoy your time too.” An unexpected strange reaction from the Chief. It
looked as if she was too tired to be angry. Rikk was surprise, for sure, but
the one who felt uneasy was Erie. She’d never seen her chief with that look. A
distant gaze.
While Genna and Rikk was still
stunned by what their boss said, Erie pulled them back to reality.
“Didn’t you hear what Chief
said? Finish the protocol and you all are free of duty for the next month. Do
you have any questions?” Erie spoke louder than usual.
“Understood sis, I’ll take my
leave then. Good night Chief.” Rikk bowed and walked to the door. There he
pressed his right hand to the wall next to him, and all his belonging in the
office emitted a blue light for a few seconds, a method of security for personal
property in the Society. Genna did the same, and the room was filled with
orange color.
Only Erie and the Chief left
in the room. One looked concerned about the worn out other.
“What happened Chief? You
don’t look so good.”
“Ahh, a bit of this, a bit of
that. Living alone is tough you know.” She tried to brush it off, but nothing
escape the spider’s eyes.
“Living alone in normal world
is much tougher am I right? So what is it? Did you receive words from the
family?”
“I don’t even bother to hear from them
anymore. It’s from the top.” Taking a
slip from the freshly brew tea prepared by Erie, The Chief’s face showed a
tense expression.
“The top huh. What kind of
business that even makes our Chief send all the employees away for one month I
wonder. Don’t tell me you make a ruckus again.” Erie said.
“No, it’s a job for us. The
Elements had sent out their hunters.” The words came out so forcefully, as if
the woman didn’t want it to be said.
“For real? Is that another
wild goose chase?” If she saw the Chief’s eyes, she wouldn't have said that.
“I wished. If the info was
correct, then it is Zaire and Silverwind.” She said, looking out to the
windows.
“…” Erie couldn't find a word.
She knew that the Chief was serious about the matter.
“Are you afraid?” A smile
shown on her lips. Somehow that helped Erie relax a little.
“Well..of course I am. Those
two are the top notch after all. Going against one of them is never on my list,
not to mention both. And I still haven’t got myself a boyfriend yet.” She
sighed.
“Is that all you worry about?
Should have opened your eyes wider.” A hint from the Chief, who hardly stayed
at the office, but saw through every person she knew. Yet Erie looked confuse,
she didn't get what the Chief meant.
“Aside from that, I received
the info 3 days ago, which means…” The Chief continued.
“They had already been out for
almost a week. Seriously, what’re those fat asses doing, gathering information
at this slow rate?.....Wait a second, did you say…” She figured out something not
so usual.
“Get it now? Whatever they’re
hunting at the moment, they’re having a hard time dealing with it. Looks like
it’s not a normal soul bearer like usual.”
“What is it now? Two best
hunters going for a hunt. The target hadn't been capture for 6 days. I don’t
doubt their abilities, so it must be the prey…”
“The prey is hard to catch,
and is receiving help from others, is what I heard.”
“Someone stupid enough to get
in Zaire’s way?” Erie couldn't help surprising.
“Aren't we the same? Get
ready, we will depart tomorrow morning.” The Chief said while remained sitting.
“You are not leaving?” Erie
liked to stick around her master more than having a vacation.
“Don’t want to.” Her mood suddenly changed.
“What’s wrong? Is there
anything else?” Erie was more confused than before.
“My brother has gone missing
for 5 days. That piece of meat, causing me trouble at time like this.“ She
said, with a frustrated voice.
-End chapter 16-
