Mei had never been in trouble with Anastasia before. She'd always done what she was asked. She never complained she did everything right. So there was only one reason that she was in trouble now. It was all her fault, that new girl. Ever since she arrived, everything has changed. Her top score in the Trial Runs, her seat to be the next heir of the Mercenary fraction of the organization, and now she was in trouble with Anna.

Her head tucked low not daring to meet the disapproving gaze of her Boss. Mei swore she could practically feel the ooze of disappointment as Anastasia sighed. Mei didn't have to look up to know that Anastasia was shaking her head.

"Mei, I called you to meet me here 20 minutes ago. You have always been very punctual. But recently you've been arriving at our meetings rather late. I've told you once and I'll tell you again. I don't mind that you were seeing someone, but please don't let it interfere with your duties." Mei perked up at the train of words Anna was speaking. Was she not going to comment on her fight with the new girl, Ren? But just as her hope sored in Mei's chest Anastasia continued.

"And now I find that you're brawling with someone outside in the halls and what's more, I find that you couldn't even keep it quiet. I know you have your disagreements with some of the agents here. But you have always been very discreet about it. What has changed now? I can't help but feel that that boy is a bad influence on you. Sweetheart you know I only want the best for you." Anastasia was saying her hand lightly cupping the left cheek of Mei's plump cheeks. Mei had always been told her puffy cheeks despite her slender built physique always made her have a baby face.

Mei knew Anastasia didn't like her and Nikolai's relationship. She's always hinted at it. The slight download tilts of her lips as she glances over Mei's boyfriend. The condescending tones she would use when speaking with him or about him. Ok, so maybe they weren't really hints but more like outright right disdain for the guy.

"I know," Mei said meekly as she averted her gaze still glancing over at the orange-carpeted floor.

Sign Anastasia placed her finger beneath Mei's chin. Gently lifting her head until Mei's eye had no choice but to meet the cool blue irises of Anastasia's.

"I don't think you do. If another incident such as this happens again, I will not let it go. Do you understand?" Anastasia said her tone leaving no room for debate.

"I understand," Mei said meekly her voice hollow as Mei curled up into herself at the displeasure saturating the air.

Sighing Anastasia, let go of Mei's chin turning around to her cool metallic silver desk at the far end of the left side of the room. Her elegant painting of a girl reaching for some ball hung large and imposing in the background of her table. Mei never really did understand painting but she could only assume that Anastasia got that painting because it marked something like power or strength but Mei didn't know how that painting could ever symbolize that.

"Darling come here," Anastasia said her tone much more soothing now as she beckoned Mei closer.

" I know you have been through so much. And I do appreciate all that you have done for me. I know it must've been hard. So as a reward, I decided to throw a little ball in celebration of your coming birthday. And I know as a Head of a Fraction I'm not supposed to favor anyone. But you've worked so hard, and I can understand your ire right now. She took your spot as head of the fastest trial run." Anastasia began her meiotic voice, practically singing throughout the room.Mei nodded hoping that Anastasia would understand her like she always did.

"But, the fact is she did beat you. And I have no choice but to give her a fair shot as the heir to my seat. As Head of the Mercenaries. You do understand, don't you? I can not show too much favoritism, I could host a ball in celebration of our best agent, but I must also give others a proper chance to ascend. And Ren showed quite the talent. It would be wrong for me not to allow her a chance given her polished background. So if you want to keep your position I trust you know what to do." Anastasia said stroking the fire deep in Mei's heart.

Mei's fingers curled inward as she dug her nails deep into her palms. A small trickle of blood seeped through her knuckles as she nodded.

"That's my girl. Now, as for your mission, there is a man I wish for you to kill. He's backing out on my brother's dealings. Holding off on signing contracts and exploiting my dear brother's kindness. He's also laundering off some of my brother's money while he worked on my brother's other dealings. You and I both know how Alexander is. He too kind hearted for his own good. Furthermore, the man is getting too close to uncovering the organization. As you know we must remain a secret to the public. Having the organization exposed would cause mass panic. We wouldn't want that. The people would be paranoid about how much we have our fingers in. How many companies we actually control. We can't have that. So, be a good girl and eliminate him for me." Anastasia smiled her plump red lips glimmering in the bright white light of the oranges and navy blue room.

Nodding Mei straightened her posture. This might be her chance to redeem herself. To break her record of fastest Mission run. To prove that she was the only one worthy of being the next heir of any fraction in her organization. She needed to.

But as she left Anastasia's orange office Mei found Theo leaning against the orange steel walls of the hall. One leg propped against the metallic wall his hands scrolling over his card tablet.

"So what she called you in for this time?" Theo asked his brow cocked as if to challenge her. Mei frowned scowling back at her friend. " Nothing you need to know."

Mei was ready to leave this conversation behind before it could really start. Theo's recently had his doubts about their boss. But Mei couldn't say she felt the same. Anna took them in when they needed someone. She gave them food when they were starving. A roof over their heads when rain poured outside in the city. Education, clothes, and a plentiful life to live. Sure they had to kill a couple of people sometimes but that was their job. Theo didn't have an issue with being a Mercenary before. Mei didn't know where Theo's change in heart came from, but she didn't like it.

"Mei wait," Theo said his hands enclosing her wrists haunting her in her steps. Sighing Mei turned back around. Her deep brown eyes met Theo's light emerald green gaze. It was as if he was pleading with her. To make her see his small hints about leaving all this behind. Which Mei didn't understand. If Theo hated killing so much he could have just joined the other fractions. The Informant or the Researchers didn't need to dirty their hands. He could still stay in the organization without killing. So then why did he keep insisting that they leave? Mei scowled sighing," I'm not going. You know I can't. We can't. Anna, she saved us. She took in two orphans and raised us. We can't just abandon her." Mei said as Theo sighed back releasing her wrist.

"I know, but Mei. What we've done, it's already enough to pay her back. We're killing innocent men now. We didn't used to-". Theo began, but Mei didn't want to hear it. Sighing Mei shook her head.

"Look I've got a mission to run. We can talk later." Mei said as she walked off down the hall. Hopefully, her date/mission with Nikolai would help remove the tension building in her. But a slight tint of guilt was already starting to coat her conscious.

"No, this is all for Anna. I have to do this." Mei whispered under her breath. Trying to convince herself of it. She found that it was harder to justify her actions now than before. Theo was getting to her, and she couldn't allow that. Because Theo just didn't understand that Anna could have left them on the streets. But instead, she took them in. She gave them a home, and that should deserve all of their loyalty.