Esme smiled at her friends in her course. They are singing like crazy and playing their instruments. Their class hasn't started yet but it seems like they are already starting a concert. This is what Esme loves. To be close to people who have the same path as her. 

 It's been days probably. But she enjoyed each of her subjects. Although she didn't participate with questions so much, she understands it completely. She's a quiet type of learner. 

​​

"Wanna hang out tonight? We have a party in the dorm." The guy in black hair named Tyrone asked. He's a cute guy, tall, lean, and yes, handsome. Probably her type. Or she didn't know exactly what her type was. 

"Oh, I~~uh, I can't," Esme said. 

"Wow, this is the first time that someone rejects. We have a pre-freshmen party. The freshmen party is on another day." 

"You should come." 

 Esme knew that she should live her life. But somehow, her brother warned her about it. Also, her mother and her father. So, she will just stick to saying no. 

"Then, I'll see you guys at Juilliard's Freshman Party," Esme said. 

"Is that your way of saying no to the party in the dorm?" Rebeca asked. "Girl, you should live your life, have sex and all." 

 Esme chuckled. 

"I'm sorry, guys. But I have an appointment tonight." 

 The class went on and her friends are still asking her to go to the party tonight. However, just in the parking lot, there's Laurence with his earpiece on. He's wearing a suit. He probably just got off from the office. Her poor brother had two lives. As a Director and as a Student. 

"Oh, that hot guy again," Rebeca said and approached Laurence. Laurence looked past her to Esme. He signed her. 

"I'll see you tomorrow," She said to Tyrone and everyone. 

"Hi!" Rebeca said to Laurence. Laurence murmured to his earpiece and smiled at her. 

"Hi," Laurence greeted. Rebeca almost melts from that smile. "Are you Esme's classmate?" 

"Yes, her BFF now." She said. 

"Oh, it's good that Esme is making friends." Laurence looked at Esme. "Hey, smartass." 

 Esme rolled her eyes. 

"I just met your friend, Rebeca." 

"Yeah, she's a fan of yours," Esme smirked. Laurence chuckled and patted her head. 

"Uhm, Rebeca, we need to go. See you around." Laurence said as he opened the door for Esme. Rebeca waved at Esme. Laurence walked around to the driver's seat and he put his seat-belt on and turned on the engine. 

"They have a party tonight at the dorm. Can I go?" 

"No," Laurence said and looked at her friends. 

"Don't judge easily. They are good friends." Esme said as she put her seatbelt on. 

"You'll never know." 

<><><><> 

 Natalia creased her brows. They didn't lose any agents but some are still in a coma. Cyra checked it again and called Aria. Aria lazily sat up and approached them. 

"Let's monitor these two snipers closely," Natalia said. 

"Got it," Aria said as she put the names of their agent snipers on top. 

"I will check these guys personally," Natalia said. Aria and Cyra nodded. She walked past Jaxon and Ashton. 

 Natalia left the room quickly. She went to the bathroom first before going to the ward of the patients. Sighed in front of the mirror. She put the sanitizer on and wiped her tears. She fixed her makeup and swallowed the lump on her throat that she's been struggling on holding. She came out of the bathroom and went to check on the patients. 

 She smiled at them and they smiled back. 

"Let's see how you guys are doing." She said and took her tablet and checked their name. 

"You are beautiful, Doctor Mondragon." A man said who had a bandage around his head. He also got shot in the head but the bullet didn't go through his brain because of the hard helmet that he's wearing. 

"Thank you." She said with a beautiful smile. 

"Can I ask you on a date?" 

 Natalia chuckled. 

"You should look after yourself first, okay?" Natalia went to another guy. 

"You have no chance against Doctor Mondragon. She's a Goddess." Another one said. With all of the flattery around her, she felt a little lighter but none of it could take the pain that she's been keeping. Now, the boys in the ward are talking about how beautiful she is. 

"Okay, stop the flattery. How do you like to upgrade your meal this time?" 

 The boys started asking what kind of food they like. So, she nodded and took note of it. 

"Alright, our chefs will prepare it especially for all of you." 

"You are the best, Lady Mondragon. I could marry you." 

"I could marry you too." 

"Me too." 

 She giggled. 

"Well, it seemed like all of you are okay now. I will go to the next ward." 

 She exits from the first ward. Her smile faded easily. She walked straight to another to check up on the girls. Once that she's done doing her rounds, she went back to her office to review a few things. Her assistant called saying that her father just arrived. She stood from her swivel chair and the door opened. 

"Daddy!" 

 She walked around to James to hug him. James hugged Natalia and kissed her top head. 

"You are so busy, huh." He said and looked at her. His smile faded. "Why did you look thin?" 

"No, I'm not. I'm slender." She said. 

 James rose his brows. She rolled her eyes. 

"Why won't you stay home rather than being to your unit?" 

"I am fine with my unit." 

"Hmm." He said. "What is this all about? Did something happen that I don't know?" 

"Dad, you don't have to know everything." Natalia hugged him. "I'm busy with my rounds and we have a lot of wounded soldiers." 

"Okay, I was about to take you out for lunch. I haven't had a date with my daughters. Quin is also here. She wanted to see the facility." 

"Oh, great. Yes, let's do that." 

<><><><> 

 Ashton did a few exercises, so the nanomites would disappear from his body quickly. But not until he went to the bathroom. He's in the gym with Jaxon. He needed to trim his muscles so he could get laid. Ashton stopped when he felt it. He ran and went to the bathroom. After what feels like thirty minutes, he's drained and Jaxon tosses an energy drink full of ions. 

"So, you are planning to get laid to her tonight?" 

"Yes, she's been insisting," Ashton answered. 

"Hmm," Jaxon nodded as he kept walking on the treadmill. "It'll be great for you." 

"Yeah, it's been a while since I last got laid." 

"But you have to use a condom," Jaxon said. "You know the drill." 

 Ashton chuckled. 

"Of course, I never thought that Cyra would give me the detox in a short time." 

"You recovered fast, that's why." 

"I will buy a lot of condoms later." He finished the drink and tossed it in the trash bin. "I'm off to Cyra." 

 Jaxon followed him although he's full of sweats. They changed clothes first and they went to Cyra's office to check if he still had nanomites on his body. 

"You are clear now," Cyra said. Jaxon patted him. 

"Congrats bro. You'll get laid soon." Jaxon cheered. Ashton wiped the imaginary tears and they hugged each other. 

 Cyra pressed her lips. 

"Get out of my office." She said coldly. 

"Woah!" Ashton raised his hands and stepped away. Also, Jaxon hides behind Ashton. 

"We are sorry!" Jaxon said. 

 Before leaving the facility, Ashton went to the twin's office and he dragged Jaxon with him so he could push him to Aria. But Aria is lazy today, she's on her swivel chair with her feet over the table and playing games instead of working. 

"Hey, Aria, Asher," He smiled. "Can I have the footage before the mission?" Ashton asked. 

"F-ck! I'll kill you mother-cker!" Aria exclaimed and the two immediately moved away. They just realize that she's wearing ear pods and she's killing someone in the game. 

"I'll send it to you when it's ready." Asher mouthed to him. Ashton thumbs up with Jaxon and the two left when Aria cursed again loudly. 

 Aria is a scary girl like other heiresses. Well, Natalia is nice and sweet. She was less scary than others. 

"Let's get out of here before she beat us up," Jaxon said and dragged him out of the office. 

"Did she always beat you up?" 

"Yeah," Jaxon said. "After a few accidents." He mumbled. 

"What accidents?" Ashton creased his brows, intrigued by what he mumbled. 

"Don't mind about it," Jaxon said. 

"Did you kiss her?" 

 Jaxon shook his head. 

"What accident?" 

"Just an accident." 

 They passed by the ward of the soldiers that participated in the suicide mission and they called out Doctor Natalia and thank her for the lunch. Natalia came out with a smile but it faded quickly as she left. 

 Ashton knew well that Natalia can hold and fake her expressions and she's being nice to it. But what he saw in her eyes is loneliness.