6 Pandora

Islets woke up at the smell of Mrs Green's cooking and Baron's Coffee. She got up and was surprised to have an IV inserted on her left hand. Was she that sick?

She immediately searched for her phone and looks at her clock. She has been sleeping for two days! It's already past tweleve. What will she do about work?

As if on cue the door opened with Mrs. Green holding a tray of soup, herb chicken and pure orange juice. The combination of scent reminds her of that house.

A distinct smell of lemon and vanilla enters her nostrils. Her eyes immediately looked at Salome's dress pocket as she placed her food at the bed side table.

"Hand over 'that' to me Salome." Salome didn't budge for a few seconds. Informing Islets about the letter is different from knowing its content. She wanted to imply that she wants Islets to rest more.

But Islets Caroline is still the daughter of that man. Her orders are the same as his. "Someone dropped that in your mailbox early this morning." Islets take the the black letter that has a logo of a gold thumb print thay she always sees everyday. Below it the thumb print it says, The Company.

The previous head maid remained waiting for her next instructions after giving the letter.

"Thanks. Are you alright?"

"You don't have the right to ask me that if you are the one lying on the bed."

Islets smiled and asked her out. Salome is quite scary when she's mad. She doesn't want her to see her dismay when she get kicked out of her job.

She heard about the black letters from The Company. She haven't seen one herself but rumours says that black letters are important announcements for a very specific person.

Announcement huh? "Will I really loose my job?"

She opened the black envelope. Inside is a black paper. On the first glance one will assume that there is nothing wrriten but if you will look closely there is something shiny written on it.

It says, "Off."

"Will something happen if I turn off something? What should I turn off?"

There is nothing on her room aside from her bed, the bed side table, her drawer and working table. Her laptop is outside. Should she get it and turn it off? But it's already turn off? What else can be turn off.

Lights!

She stumbled a bit while reaching for the switch. Just as she thought the letter glows up.

Her heart pound not because it might contain a dismissal letter but to the thought that The Company will be so secretive of such note. It makes her wonder what kind of business do they really operate.

And Al White. He is in the company too. Does Vanilla Lemon knew that he is a killer before he send him to The Company to be hired? But he smells like a good person. Was she wrong on her assessment?

No, she must stop thinking a head and losing to her wild imagination. First let's see what is the does the letter says.

Notice of Promotion.

ALICE WHITE

Position: Hunter

Status: Mission complete.

Performance Grade: 100%

Recruiter: Islets Caroline

Recruiter Level: 0 PROMOTED TO B

Report to Hansellot Gringham on 16th.

Block 2. 3PM.

She felt like she someone just splashed her a cold bucket of water. Notice of promotion? Hunter? Mission complete? She remembered the smell the scent of that person mixed with blood. Is killing that man a mission for Al White?

Islets folds the glowing letter. Her room succomed to darkness once again.

"Did I just hired a murderer?"

Islets locked her room. She didn't want Salome coming right in and seeing her in that state. She would guess right away and might come to the office. Islets could imagine her bursting to the office and demands for something outrageous like dismissal for her.

If she stayed in The company she will tarnish the reputation of her benefactor. But how can she find another well paying job? Baron still has debt to pay and she wanted Salome to retire and have more time for herself. To do that she has to pay her the same amount her previous master was gaving her before. And its not like Salome can waltz back to that house either.

Should she file for a resignation? Or should she stay. She buries her face to her pillow. She should have known that they are in that kind of business. They are very secretive with everything. There were only few times she was able to meet the other employees too. It was hard enough for her to get information out of the company even she was already an employee herself. What is beyond the door to her left? What are those mission? Are they hired killers?

"I don't know anymore!"

She looks at the letter. The light inside is leaking.

Alice White is his full name. His hair and eyes is definitely different when Islets interviewed him. His scent is the same. Fresh and clean. Why? She remembers his clothes, the clock dangling on his neck and his marble red eyes. Why did she think it was beautiful?

All the thinking is making her feel tired again.

Why did he smell so good if he is a bad person? Who is he? She rack her brain but can't finad an answer. Minutes passed nothing comes to her mind but him. Curiously she is not having nose bleed this time but she just feel very very very tired.

As if she haven't had enough sleep her eyes gets heavier and heavier as she thinks of him.

Why did he said that?

"We are not supposed to kill co-workers." she mummbled before finally closing her eyes.

What did he mean by that?

"Caroline."

Her eyes opens wide. "He will kill me...he will if I am no longer an employee." She exclaimed.

Damn! "He'll come after me if I leave the company! That's what he meant at that time!"

Die? Can she die? Is she allowed to do that?

Islets set her eyes to the letter. Hesistating, she flip the letter open. The bright light escapes from the paper. Once again she read the contents.

"So this is not a promotion but a warning huh?"

The room becomes dark again.

"Fine." She whispered. "I will not quit."