JU NI

"Understood, Miss." He said, then drove off; I checked the things inside my clutch bag. "Thank you," My phone and wallet were there; the only different thing was the letter I put inside from Raiden. It was inside an envelope; it had an aromatic woody scent that made my stomach tingle.

It was the same scent Raiden was wearing; he smelled like it. There was a wax stamp; it had a crossed sword detail, like the brooch he wore last night. I may be from the sector, but people from the Hierarchy cannot fool me. As I opened the envelope, the scent spread further.

YLURY, January 20th,

DEAR MISS WIJNDELTS:

Greetings, Kerstein! You are probably reading this while I am gone; I had something to take care of; please eat before you leave; we will talk later if you are still at my house, that is.

Sincerely, Raiden.

I put the letter back in the envelope; I have major trust issues; not telling me who he was in the first place was a big no; even if I told him that I despise those in the higher-ups, he still lied. Maybe this is why Father told me to never trust someone in his death bed. I sighed in frustration.

"We're here, Miss." The driver announced; I saw Aia waving in the distance. I paid him my fare as Aia approached the door. Aia wrapped me with a robe. "Take care,"

I got out of the cab and walked to the corner, "Explain yourself, Missy." She exclaimed with both of her hands in her waist. I took a deep breath. "Can you let me wash up first?" I returned.

She just rolled her eyes. "What is going through that brain of yours to go here in a nightgown, and barefoot." She complained. "A lot of things happened, I don't even know where to start," I responded.

We entered the backdoor of the building where only a few people go; we entered the elevator and pressed the number six, where my office was. My belonging was moved there after the Head Executive Assitant, Mister Palmer, instructed. It was a relief that it was a Penthouse type; I get to enjoy privacy.

With a ting, the door opened, we were greeted by the guards who had a shocking look on their faces. I just nodded and lowered my head, and walked towards my office. As I entered, I immediately went to the bathroom and took a bath; I heard Aia shout, I submerged myself in thoughts. I felt anxious; as I looked in the mirror, I puked.

After a while, I finished taking a bath; I changed into office wear. It was a blazer set in nude. I wore a fitted blouse underneath the blazer, then tucked it into the skirt. I slicked my hair back into a ponytail and wore pearl earrings; I grabbed my black vintage leather satchel handbag. I applied neutral makeup and went outside.

"You look fresh from being laid," Aia commented as I walked to her. I felt drowsy and weak as I approached her. "Hangover?" She added.

I nodded in response. "Can you order egg porridge and coffee, Nitro Cold Brew?" I requested. "Yes, My Lady." She responded sarcastically with a chuckle following.

After placing my order, she laughed out. "Well, that's enough for the fun. Explain yourself!" She demanded. "Well, you see, after storming out after I met your cousin and the Head Executive, I went to the bathroom after that, I was hit on by a group of men then someone came to rescue, we had a few drinks, I woke up at his house, the last one was my mistake," I explained as short as possible. She smiled mischievously; I know what is going on in her head just by her looks.

"Alright, let me clear something, Aia, nothing happened, we just drank at a speakeasy, he asked me about my address to take me home, but I was too drunk to answer." I narrated. "And? Nothing more? How does he look like? Is he handsome? Does he look rich? From the Hierarchy or the Sector?" She bombarded me with questions.

I replied with a sigh. "Geez, tell me the details, you're no fun, Kerstein." I poked her forehead. "He's handsome, dashing, and fine. He is rich, he looks rich, and I guess he is from the Hierarchy." I added.

"You snatched yourself a good guy." She yelped and squeezed me into a hug. "I don't like people from the Hierarchy," I stated that made her stood straight and stepped back a few steps; she had a worried look on her face.

"I sincerely apologize, Kerstein. I got so carried away." She apologized. I just smiled in return. "It is fine." I replied. Her face looked like she was full of guilt out of what she said to me.

After a few moments of silence, someone knocked. It was the guard bringing the food I ordered. The food courier delivered that. I replied with thanks. "Does it still bother you? Up to this day?" She asked. "Yes, it tortures me every single day and night, the thoughts of those people sitting idly like they own the whole empire is enough for me to go mad. While other people suffer because of their wrongdoings." I narrated.

"I apologize, Kerstein, I didn't mean to-," She continued. "No, it's fine," I interrupted her. No one dared to speak; she started to speak again.

"Uhm, Kerstein, I'll go down now," Aia started, "Alright, see you at lunch," I responded; she hugged me and apologized again.

She left the room waving bye. I proceeded to do my work; it was just a stack of papers, with people full of complaints and objections. If Raiden and I were to meet again, he needs explanations. Just as time flew by, someone knocked at the door; there stood a man I least expected to bump into ever since last night.

"Greetings, Kerstein, " In a deep voice, our new Head Executive, Ren Eijiri, was standing there with a coffee and a smile plastered on his dashing face.