It was nine in the morning the next day when Taylor received a text message. The text message was not about her but it still made her freeze for a while.
“Be sure to always have your eyes open and watch as we play with the young lady you are PROTECTING.” the text says, highlighting the word protecting. She gripped her phone hard to the point that it almost blacked out and crushed. She unconsciously gritted her teeth out of anger and closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.
“Ate Venice? Are you sleeping while standing?” someone asked stupidly that made her open her eyes. What greeted her upon doing so is a facefilled of curiosity. Then Nathanya’s eyes shifted from her face down to her hands. Due to the grip she’s giving her phone, her fingertips were already white. Nathanya then grabbed her hand and tried removing the phone from her hand. Taylor was caught off guard but she didn't protest. She just lets her do what she wants while she watches, stunned by how she is reacting.
“Are you trying to crush your phone? Why are you mad anyways?” Nathanya asked her. After successfully loosening her grip on the phone, Nathanya then tried making her sit and again, she was able to do so.
“Why are you walking around without asking for help? Are you trying to worsen that wound? If so, I'll be very happy to help you.” she said before Nathanya could open her mouth.
“It was okay now. I can…” she wasn't able to continue whatever she wanted to say when she felt pain from her wound.
“See? It’s not healed yet. If it’s okay, you won’t feel pain from a simple press. Now, I want you to ask for help everytime you want to move around. Is that clear?” Taylor said, totally forgetting about the text message.
“How… How can you press a wound like that? You should have atleast warned me…” Nathanya demanded, her tears rolling down her cheeks, making her look like a toddler that was bullied. Hearing her ask, Taylor lifted the sleeve on her left shoulder, revealing a scary scar.
“This was stabbed using a dagger two years ago.” she said, pulling her silver dagger out of nowhere. “It was about this long. That dagger stabbed in deep, leaving the handle out. I pulled it out myself. After about a month, it was still not healed, I was stabbed using an ice pick knife on this very same place. I have no other choice but to slash my own wound or else, blood will be clumped here. I just pressed your wound slightly and you’re already acting like I bullied you.”
Nathanya just sniffed and tried suppressing her sobs. Ofcourse, I am not you. I am weak. She kept saying to herself. She was in the middle of fighting with her own emotions when Briana and Lace came in. Seeing her pitiful face, Briana rushed towards her and held her face.
“What happened? Are you hurt somewhere?” she asked, giving no attention to Taylor who was just beside them. Nathanya shook her head and started wiping her tears.
“Are you sure?” she asked again and Nathanya nodded. She then let out a sigh, as if she’s relieved after knowing that nothing was wrong.
“Have you gathered everything we need?” Taylor asked, her face back to being emotionless. Lace then put the paper bags she’s holding on the table and started taking out what’s inside. Eye shadow palettes, lipsticks, and everything they needed for their disguise were inside the paper bags. Taylor randomly picked things and inspected them.
“What are these for?” she then asked after not being able to understand where the eyeshadow palette she’s holding was for. Briana can’t help but throw a “I can’t believe you” glance at her.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t used makeup before?” Nathanya asked. Taylor just looked at her before lowering her gaze and nodded slightly. Nathanya just chuckled while the other two remained silent. How can this newbie laugh at Taylor without getting beheaded?
“Leave that thing to me as well.” she said, still trying to suppress her laugh. Although nothing could be seen on Taylor’s face, her ears were as red as cherries. She’s more like a guy in every way. The way she blush, she walks, she talks and the way she dresses. So how will she be able to know where these girly things were used for.
It was already five in the afternoon when they decided to get ready for their mission. Briana and Lace were busy adorning their faces while Nathanya was in charge of making Taylor look more girly. She did her make up and put her hair on a ponytail. She then chose a dress that fits perfectly on Taylor and a pair of high heels.
“Can’t I just wear rubber shoes? This is so uncomfortable for your information.” she demanded and started removing the high heels given to her.
“No you can’t. Stop unstrapping them.” Nathanya scolded her and strapped the heels again. Taylor had no other choice but to sigh and just decided to endure for a while. They were all done at six and the party starts at seven.
“All done. Shall we go now??” Briana asked and picked up her crossbow. Lace also picked up her gun and some loaded magazines. Both weapons were wrapped in gift wrappers.
“Wait.” Nathanya stopped them and rummaged inside her pockets.
“Here, wear this. I inserted earpieces on the earrings so that they would not be noticed. Those were already activated and if you dropped them accidentally, they will shut off automatically and there will be no traces left. These rings have tracking devices on them. I downloaded a soft copy of the map and using these, I will be able to guide you in and out of the property. Your weapons were already wrapped. Once you reach the area, I will muddle in with their system and you will be able to pass the entrance without your weapons being noticed.” She then said and distributed the rings and earrings and helped Taylor to wear the earrings. Upon wearing them, the small light became green, indicating that it is now off to work. She sent them off outside and wished for their luck. Then, she proceeded to the area where she will work and get everything ready. When everything’s ready, she pressed a button that was linked with Taylor’s earpiece and whispered, “Please be careful and come back safe.”