Black Card

I went back to my room after eating and decided to head to the place where Jose is currently staying. I took my bag together with my wallet and opened it hoping to find any cash.

Okay…

So, who is the dumb bitch who spent all her money in fares and foods when in the first place, it was meant to be for emergency?

Me.

Now I have to work in the company so I can finance myself and this mission.

Well, it's not that I don't want to work there, it's just that…

I mean, that's my parent's company, and yes, I am their child but…

My point here is, it's awkward and… I don't know what to feel about it.

My head wants to explode.

Well, Freya, you have no choice.

If you feel like crying the moment you will step in, just go hide in a place where they can't see you. If you feel like shouting out of happiness, suppress it and go hide in the corner. Just… go hide in the corner when you are feeling something, okay?

Okay.

I was so excited of finishing this mission but I don't have enough money to go there. And that place is very far from here.

I am on my way now to the company and hopefully, I can find a job suited for me. And I also hope they will treat me nicely since people working there are mages from Aspiera, right?

---

"Uhm, hi. I am looking for a job and I was told that this is the perfect place for people like me" I said while smiling awkwardly.

What am I supposed to say? Is there some secret word that I should tell her so that she will know I am from Aspiera too?

Why didn't I ask John or Adam or Avah about this thing?

"People like you?" the receptionist asked in confusion.

I just smile more awkwardly. What an embarrassment.

She smiled back at me and gave me a paper that I need to fill in.

"Kindly put your basic information here" she said while pointing at the paper so I obliged quickly.

"May I ask where you are form, ma'am?" I looked at her, still holding the pen

"Where I am from? You mean, my place I am staying here or my place on the other dimension?" dimension what? What's happening to you, Frey?

I saw her smile and raised both of her eyebrows as if telling me 'what?'

I think I was so cool earlier when I was scouting the young boy's place in the southwest region, but now? I feel like I am retarded.

"Never mind" I said and laugh awkwardly.

I was about to walk away when I heard her chuckle. I turned around and looked at her.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Sorry ma'am, I was just kidding. You seemed so tensed the moment you stepped in so I played with you a little." She explained while smiling like she did not do anything wrong.

Well, I can't be mad at her. What I have done since I stepped in are nothing but a shame.

"Can I have the paper, please" I handed her the paper and waited for her to finish what she was doing when her eyes suddenly widened.

"Oh my god! Miss George, I am so sorry for my rude and childish behavior!" she suddenly got out of her place and seconds later, she is kneeling in front of me, apologizing.

What is happening?

I looked around and the people around us are now looking at us. What the hell is happening here?

I grabbed her shoulders and told her to stand up because this is really embarrassing!

"I humbly apologize Miss George. I really am sorry. I did not know who you were before you handed me the paper. I am really, really sorry" she's been apologizing for the hundredth time now.

"No, no, no, it is really okay, you don't have to apologize."

It's okay to say sorry but kneeling down is too much. What am I? A saint?

"Could you just help me find a work here? I badly need money." I said and smiled at her again.

She went back to her place and called someone through the telephone. Minutes later, two masculine guys came in their tuxedo.

What is this? Are they going to throw me out of here?

"This way please" the other guy said and waited for me to walk.

"Where are we going?" I asked one of them when we entered the elevator.

"The secret floor, ma'am" secret? Can someone please explain to me what is happening here?

"Why?" I asked.

"We are just following the orders, ma'am" he responded.

"There must be some misunderstanding here" I was just looking for a job in my parent's company? Why can't they just give it to me? I'll go with being a cleaner!

They did not respond to my statement and the whole trip to this secret floor or whatever is so deafening. Minutes later, the elevator opened and we were welcomed with lots of green plants that made me feel like we are in a tropical forest.

The secret floor is a secret garden? Okay?

"You must be Freya George, I longed to meet you" a woman popped out of nowhere and embraced me.

Her hug is so warm that I can't help myself but hug her back.

We stayed in that position for almost a minute when she noticed that it is getting uncomfortable.

"Oh, forgive me for not introducing myself first. I am Andrew and Marie Shaw's friend. You can call me Anne." She smiled sweetly at me.

"Anne…"

"Yes, come on, let's get seated." She grabbed my hands gently and made me seat in the sofa.

She gestured something and the two guys who brought me here went to another room and a little later, two ladies went in and brought cookies and drinks.

"Suit yourself, darling" why does everything she do is so elegant and graceful?

She is like the epitome of beauty.

"Now, what brought you here? Perhaps, you found something interesting" she said while sipping her tea.

What kind of interesting? About the Caeli and other Ignis who might be residing in the Northwest region or is it about my mission?

"Uhm, I am not really sure… but, I came here because I needed a work to finance myself" that's my purpose of coming here.

"Oh, forgive me for making an assumption- but I don't think I can let you work here" she said and the guy who accompanied me here came back with a box in his hands.

"Why?" I asked. Why can't I work here? "The Shaws told me that my parents are the owner of this company- or are you the new owner?" my eyes widened a little when I realized that that might be the reason.

She just smiled and chuckled gracefully.

"Your parents are still the owners and that is exactly why I cannot let you work here. You are an heiress, Freya. You don't have to waste a single sweat just to earn a penny" she explained while holding my hand.

That is not so convincing. And it is my parent's money, not mine.

"Here" she opened the box and handed it to me.

It is a color black card with my name, engraved in a gold color.

No. I hope it is not the thing I thought it is.

"That is your parent's gift to you" she said and sipped her tea again.

"No, I can't accept this. I can work, I've been working my whole life- some labors in this company is nothing. And also, I just need some cash, not an unlimited balance." I don't know why, but I am really against the idea of having a black card with tons of money. I can't spend it.

"Why can't you?" she asked me.

"This is my parent's money. I just feel like… I don't deserve this" I mean that. We were never together, I hated them before because they left me. I know everything has changed since I entered Aspiera and I already know the truth but… this doesn't feel right.

"Why are you afraid?" I looked at her.

Am I hesitating because I feel like I don't deserve it or am I just afraid to know that I don't really deserve it?

"Fear not, my dear. Everything will be fine. And after all, it is just card with a little value. We can always earn that." Little? This is exactly a fortune to everyone.

"Now, give me your wallet." She said so I obliged.

She took everything in my wallet. well, it doesn't have much since I already have no money.

The other guy went in carrying a box in his hands.

Tell me, how can they enter at the right time when Anne isn't even calling them? Do they communicate through their minds that can travel within walls?

Se opened the box and there is a vintage wallet inside it.

"It's your mother's" she said and transferred everything that she has taken from my old wallet, including the black card.

She handed me the wallet and held my hand.

"You are much more precious than you think you are. Don't worry, everything will be fine" she hugged me once more and I was left confused.

What is she talking about?

"Oh, forgive me. Sometimes, I say nonsensical things when I feel like it." that's the third time she apologized after meeting me.

I just smiled awkwardly.

"Now, I think you still have to prepare for what's about to happen tomorrow." She said and went to her swivel chair.

The two other guys accompanied me out of the room but I stopped before reaching the elevator.

"I still have so many questions about you and my family!" I said and she looked at me.

"Someday, we will meet again, when you are ready." She said and the elevator opened.