I tried to block out the slow ticks of the clock, the paper files staring at me on my desk. The sun was already high in the sky  but the curtains didn't do shit to keep it away from my face

Tick

It was a silent office really. A couple of books here and there, a cup and a few devices. My phone on the edge of the desk and a lamp on the other

Tack

There was a new mission ubroad for tomorrow so I will need to pack my bags. I was going to the Netherlands, probably the only place I haven't been so far and I was really keen on going there. Maybe I should get a new swimsuit?

Tick

When the irritating noise reached my ear I grinded my teeth. Today had been an exhausting day and it was only half of the time I had since morning. Gosh damn it

Tac-

The pen broke in two, going over the annoying sound of the ticking clock and I threw the sharp end at the clock. When it didn't break I took out my laser and wondered what I would do with the light hole on the wall

I should get a painting

As the papers seemed to get that much more depressing I stood up, only to have knock them over and to the floor

I glared at them "You fuckers! Gah I can't deal with this"

I stepped over them and threw the door closed behind me. Idiot

I put in my earpiece and waited

"Hey Red! How's it going?"

"Good. Im leaving, prepare the jet"

"Already? But your leave isn't duo tomorrow. What about the paper-"

"We have an online copy on everything in the server. Get a hold of them and send them to me. As for the other I don't care"

I said and looked over the big glass windows, each one going from floor to ceiling on the right side of the corridor. It was on the outer side of the building and the view of the gardens below was amazing. There was just something about the way they made the area look. It proves that even a secret undercover agency didn't need to look depressing and damp 24/7

"I'm doing the job anyways. It's not like anyone else can"

"No one is like you Red" I could practically see Jessy grin on the other side "After all, not just anyone can speak 7 languages"

"Ha true" I shook my head as I tried to fight off a smile

Sooner or later I reached the base level and finally made it to the vehicle room. I will just need to grab one and get out of here for good

"So, why the sudden leave?"

I grinned "I can never fool you can I?"

"Nope"

I opened the door and stepped inside the jet. A couple of cushions and at least a week supply of food was stored in the fridge, most of it usually able to last up to a month without a problem

I walked up front and waited for the pilot to come. He bowed his hat and like always, didn't ask questions. With a light step he sat behind the wheel and prepared to take off. I walked back to the soft cushions and looked over at the window as the plane took off. But, gravity had other plans and I ended up on the floor with at least one cup broken beside my arm

"You good?" My earpiece rang

"Yup. Just peachy" I grumbled and stood up

"Someone needs a gravity check"

"Shut up" I chuckled before clearing my throat "Did you send the files?"

"Yes sir"

"Good. Thank you for helping me like always Jessy"

"Always here to help Red. Plus we can't just sweep 3 years of missions under the rug now can we? Nope"

I snored while I picked up the broken pieces of the cup "Like that one time when you almost had me killed by a hippopotamus?"

"I- it happened ONE TIME! And in my defence the stats I got were not accurate"

"I'm joking Jess, gosh" I put all of them aside and stood up, taking a really comfortable place on the couch, the soft velvet feeling like cloud heaven against my skin. I was practically melting from the inside out

"Helloooooo? Red? You died? Hello?"

"Hmm? What did you say?"

Only then did I realize my eyes had been closed. I half opened them, a part of me expecting to see my friend sat in the armchair in front of me but like always, she wasn't

"I think I'm gonna let you sleep. You have a four hour flight after all. Night Red"

"It's daytime idiot"

"I know. Bye"

Then the earpiece clicked, a dim silence taking over. I sighed and placed it beside me on the table. I took a pillow or two and quickly fell asleep. It wasn't the hardest when you felt like you were laying on top of a cloud

* * *

"So, he's 21, around your age, and apperantly hates animals"

"What?!" I exclaimed and looked back at the phone "He deserves to die then" I walked out the fitting room with a rose gold dress. It had golden chains for the arms and a low dip for the chest. And shall I mention I slit on the side?

"Mhm. Damn right Red"

I laughed and spun around to look at the dress "I have no remorse for killing him"

"Or to be killing him"

I agreed and sighed once I stopped and looked in the mirror "I hate dresses"

"I know but we have been here for the past hour and I don't think the shop has much more left to offer"

"Then we find another one"

"They are all closed"

I frowned and turned back to look at the camera "Really?"

"You heard me. Treat it like a mission and get something so we can get out of here" She smiled and leaned back in her chair. Her dark skin glistened against the light of her room as she crossed her arms with a sly look on her face

I took a deep breath in then let it go. A mission. That was easy

Fashion sense? That...not so much

I looked over the stack of dresses I had left in my awake and observed them. I know I look good in black and dark blue that was for sure

But I also knew I didn't like them. And dresses weren't practical. Who went in a fight wearing a dress? Beside in the movies that is

With that an idea sparked in my mind

I spotted a piece of black fabric so I grabbed it off the rack and took a laced bra and some golden earrings I had found a while earlier while on my storm rage trough the shop. I winked at Jess who was watching with a confused expression from the screen and closed the door behind me

I put everything on and looked in the mirror.  Finally, for fucks sake, I felt like myself.

I opened the door and crossed my arms "Well?" I asked my friend "How is it? Too much?"

I could only watch her grinning face as she put her head on her chin and smiled "It's perfect. Now go seduce James and murder him before we loose our shot"

"Obviously" I turned back and looked in the mirror again, watching over my body "How much time do we have left?"

"An hour and a half prior" She grinned "But your ride is an hour or so at best so you need to get going"

"Agreed. Now I just have to pay for this"

* * *

I parked the car a couple of yards away from the cruise ship and stepped out, the sleek black heels ringing with every step that I made. I double checked if every weapon I had hidden was ready and put my earpiece in

"Ready?"

"Ready as I will ever be"

After three years of working for the FAOD and having my own encounters along the way I can't say this is my first time having to kill someone. Which made me more qualified for the job itself and in part the fact that no one else could speak Dutch in our entire facility

Irony

I walked up the front steps and showed the guards my invite. The looked at the red seal and nodded before stepping out the way to let me pass trough. I smiled and walked inside

There were fairy lights all over the open roof, like a sparkling ceiling made of fairy lights. Waiters and waitresses walked among everyone, offering drinks and whatnot to the passing strangers while they tried to not get hit and spill everything on the floor

"I spotted him over at the buffet"

"Noted" I whispered under my breath and took a glass of champagne from the nearby waiter. I spun out of the way and immediately layed my eyes over to James, my target for the night

Black hair, piercing green eyes and a scar just above his brow. Has everyone begging at his feet like a god. Huge ego and a small dick

Ok that may be a lie but I didn't intent on finding out

I took a plate and placed some random sweets on it, muffins and other things that I couldn't quite name. I purposefully leaned in closer and turned around to look at him

"Sorry for that. Would you like a dark chocolate tart?" I forced a genuine smile on my face and held my plate out to him. I don't even know what I had apologized for but his ego would be too big to question what I just said

He grinned, raised a cocky eyebrow and took it from my plate. I could feel him pressing one of his hands against my hips and I had to resist the urge to gag and punch him in the face. He smirked and held eye contact as he bit the desert, probably thinking it would do anything. And if I was straight it probably would

Oh wait I am. Only half though and surprise, he still wasn't doing anything

Nice going idiot

I smirked too and looked him over, closing my eyes just slightly before looking back at him "You seem to like it"

"Not more than you" He looked me over once more and I gave him a tight smile

"A compliment coming from a god like yourself" I giggled and put my plate down "See you in a bit pretty boy"

And like that I walked away from him. It was a push and pull technique. Make someone interested then pull away, it makes them anticipate a second date

"Oh my god I can't believe he actually fell for this" Jessy's voice echoed in my ear

"I know right? Like how dumb do you have to be to actually fall for this?" I rolled my eyes and leaned over the edge of the boat

"Uh oh"

"What?"

"Incoming, left"

"You seem to be having a lot of fun"

I turned my head to see a girl with dark hair and golden eyes walking towards me, a tight golden brown dress fitting around her body

When I regained control of myself and forced my eyes away  I looked up at those gorgeous eyes of hers and frowned "And you are?"

"Jasmine. Do you remember me now? Last summer?"

And like that the pictures of us fighting in the field last summer flashed before my mind. I squeezed the railing so hard I swear the mental bend "You..." I spat

"Surprise princess, or should I call you Red?" She smirked and fidgeted with the tiny umbrella in her drink "I didn't think I would see you here, in that sexy suit of yours. Was it last minute?"

"Did you just call me sexy?"

"Did I?"

I sighed "I'm not here to play games Jasmine. Go away"

"Aww but you are no fun" She grinned and stepped closer, her hand traveling up my arm, her fingers brushing just barely against my skin but it was still enough to make it light on fire. The worst part was, I couldn't look away from her

"Why are you here? I won't repeat again" I narrowed my eyes and like that, she dropped her hand away. She stepped away, all warmth gone from her eyes as she took a sip from her drink

"Same reason as you are" She grinned over the rim of the glass as she awaited for my reaction

But I wouldn't give it to her. Not the satisfaction she would get from it. I leaned back against the cold metal and scanned the growd. I could see James just from the corner of my eyes but I didn't look at him. Not yet  "James? Or compete with me?"

"A little bit of both princess"

"Stop calling me that"

She laughed "In your dreams"

A new song started playing and people were starting to gather around for the first dance. The first real dance for the night. Jasmine looked over at me and smirked, holding out her hand as she said "Care for a dance?"

"She's mine" James stepped in between us offered his hand "Care to dance?"

"I would love to" I smiled and locked eyes with Jasmine as he lead me away

He put his hands on my waist and there was practically no space between us as we swirled around the dancing couples. I could see Jasmine in my peripheral vision, a blank look on her face as she sipped her drink and avoided looking in my direction

She was mumbling something under her breath

"How is the night going?"

I blinked, refocusing my thoughts and gazed over at him

"It was bad until you came along" I smirked and traced my hand down his arm. He looked down at my lips

"Wanna get out of here?"

"With pleasure"

"Back off pretty boy she owns me a dance" Jasmine interrupted our moment. I glared at her as I balled my fist

"You-" I began

"I'm flattered but I dont-"

"I wasn't talking to you idiot, I was talking to her" She pointed in my direction and pulled me away, her long fingers digging into my skin while I was too shocked to say anything, respond or even fight her off

Once she finally stopped and turned me around I narrowed my eyes

"Keep your cool Red. He's watching" She said under her breath, for once her eyes were serious, cold

"What the fuck was all this about? Shouldn't you be trying to kill him before me, Jasmine?" I raised an eyebrow and looked over her shoulder at James then back at her

She leaned in and put one of her hands on my hips. With the other she guided mine to her side as she slowly danced, swaying her hips with the confidence practically oozing off of her

Why couldn't I look away?

"We still have the rest of the night agent, or are you worried I'm gonna get him before you?"

I couldn't focus on anything. I couldn't think. Or breath. Our bodies were almost touching and my hand had subconsciously moved lower down her hips "No because I'm gonna get him first"

"Hmm, don't think so agent" She grinned and traced her fingers up the base of my spine. In that moment I swore my heart stopped for a single beat

Well you are single so it's only fair...
                                                   -Author :)

"Yeah? And what are you gonna do about it?" I raised an eyebrow like a silent challenge, not really sure if I wanted the answer she was going to provide

Instead she leaned in and bit my ear ever so slightly, leaving me to wonder if I had just about imagined it "Wanna find out princess?" She whispered, warm breath tingling against my ear as I shivered against her. She leaned back just enough to look me in the eyes. I was lost in them, in her touch, as she awaited my answer. But I doubted either of us were able to even think at this moment

"Red! He's getting away!"

When Jessy's voice rang in my ear I pushed Jasmine away, or tried to, before she grabbed my arm and pulled me to her "Going so soon?"

I rolled my eyes, the trance already broken "Yes, now I have to go to the bathroom" I smirked and pushed her hand away, leaving her to stand on her own as I went to find my target. I had to kill him. That's why I came here

So I took the opposite direction that would cross with his path

"Jessy, where?" I mumbled and looked around the tight halls

"Forward then up, you should see a big chandelier above you. There is a guestroom on the left. No one is close to the perimeter"

"Thank you" I said as I went up the stairs and to no one's surprise, found James leaning against the wall with a glass of champagne in his hand

I looked him over before walking over to him and putting my hands on his chest "So...about that dance..."

He chuckled "Here" He grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the room like I had planned. I grinned up at him and unbuttoned his shirt just as he began to take off my top

"Patience pretty boy" I mumbled seductively and watched the glint in his eyes intensify as I made him sit down on the bed and even in the dim light I couldn't force myself to enjoy it. I knew I wasn't straight, I'm bi, but I just don't like this man

At least he would be dead after a couple of minutes

I kissed him and pulled him closer to me. He moaned and pulled me over, tossing my jacket aside. I trailed my hands down his abandomen and reached over for my laser

The door burst open "Hello there"

I recognize that voice "What the hell are you doing here?"

James broke the kiss and yelled "Who are you, woman!"

"Wow he's dumb. You saw me just a second ago nut head. I bet your brain is the size of your dick" She laughed and walked towards us "He's mine Mila"

"He's mine. And don't use my name" I bit out and hid the laser in my jacket

"Look I know no one can resist me I mean I'm me, but we were in the middle of something-"

"Shut up James" both of us yelled and looked back to glare at each other "What the hell Jasmine! I knew you would play dirty but that's just low, stealing someone's...man like that"

I tried to cover my almost slip up, half because I was gonna say target and reveal my mission and half because I wanted to slap her in the face. She always managed to get me on my toes and I hated that

She laughed "Oh now I'm the one that's responsible. Bravo Mila. Bravo"

"Uh I'm I interrupting something?" James chimed in

"Yeah Red you act like a married couple"

"Oh shut up"

"What?"

"Nothing" I quickly said and got up

Jasmine rolled her neck and took out a small blade from her pocket, her eyes landing behind me on my target

I looked back and widened my eyes "Oh no you dont"

I was gonna toss that bitch off the ship even if it was the last thing I did. How dare she steal my man! I'm the one who's going to kill him not some random bimbo

I punched her in the jaw before she could even expect it. She stumbled back and I twisted her wrist, letting her drop the blade and kicked it under the nightstand

She yelled and hit my knee, almost dislocating it. Now I was the one yelling whole she dragged me down to the ground and tried to punch me in the stomach. I blocked and kicked her on the side, rolled and grabbed her shirt before pulling her to her feet and just slightly above the ground

I grinned up at her before punching her in the face. She got out of the way and kneed me in the stomach. I doubled over slightly just enough so her legs could hit the floor and she immediately took the opportunity and pulled my hair. I grimaced and since she had gone behind me I threw my head back

The satisfying crunch of broken bones echoed in my ears as I kicked her stomach. She unfortunately still had the mental capacity to get out of the way

She straightened up and put her fists, wiping the smear of blood with the back of her hand

"Didn't expect this from you Red" she grinned and send a couple of punches my way. I barely dodged bit she managed to get a kick on my side, then another

I groaned and hugged my stomach "Bitch"

"You punched me first. It's only fair"

I dodged "Fuck me"

"Later princess. We have time"

I hit her shoulder and spun back "You did not"

"What? Afraid you can't handle me?"

"How did this escalate so quickly?!" Jasmine yelled in my ear

"You won't be able to handle me"

"We still have yet to see that Red" She tilted her head just a little and tried to swing her leg under me. I jumped over it and ran. Jasmine was right behind me but before she could make a grab for it I jumped off the wall I was heading into and grabbed her, tossing her down while still in the air and punched her just as she landed

Finally, I knocked her out. I rolled my stiff shoulders and got away from her unconscious body that was currently laying on the ground. I looked back at James who was just starting in utter shock like a scared bunny

"Who are you?"

"Your worst nightmare" I lowered my voice and took out my laser, shot him before he could even blink and wondered if I should help Jasmine

"I don't think it's a good idea Red"

I sighed and stepped over her limp body "Everyone for themselves I guess" a tone of despair I could help was clear in my voice while I walked away from the scene

"Ready to go home?"

"You have no idea. And I need a bath. And a bottle of alcohol"

Jessy chuckled "I will send them to you. A hacker has its perks ya know?"

"Oh I'm sure of it"