The Assignment
When I turned twenty-five, I told myself I would change my career at the age of thirty.
I would like something less dangerous.
I pictured myself back in Nam Jai, sitting on a lounge chair in front of the old bed and breakfast my grandmother owned, cold beer in hand, watching the sun set in the horizon without a care in the world.
I’m thirty one now.
The dream of taking it easy still hasn’t happened.
In fact, I received a call as soon as my plane landed in Bangkok.
I’m on my way to the office and I’m already two minutes late.
My boss, a retired military man, would be pissed.
He had this thing about time.
If he was another person, two minutes wouldn’t be a big deal.
But he wasn’t that kind of person.
The sixteenth floor was empty when I stepped out of the elevator.
I walked to the end of the corridor where Dark Skies Securities was located.
I knocked once and pushed the door.
The office ambience was as cold as the gray concrete walls.
My boss, a tall, burly man in his early-60’s with a crew cut and a mustache, stood with his back to me, shoulders squared, an unlit tobacco in one hand.
“Late again, Insamug?” He turned around, brows furrowed and piercing dark eyes.
“Sorry. I overslept.”
He grunted then pulled an envelope from the stack of files.
“What’s this?”
“Your next assignment.”
I didn’t pick it up.
“Are you deaf?” He growled.
“No. But I thought my last assignment was it.”
“Oh. You were serious about that?”
“Boss, you knew I wanted to retire last year. But you sent me to Hong Kong for what was supposedly my last job.” I air quoted the words.
“I thought you were kidding.”
“Why would I joke about that?”
“Look, Ai-oon.” He pulled the swivel chair and sat down.
Calling me by my first name meant a long conversation but I remained standing.
“This assignment requires your skill. I couldn’t just give it to someone else. You’re highly specialized, fearless and I don’t have to worry about you messing this up.”
“I appreciate the compliments but I told my grandmother I’m going home.”
“What’s the rush?”
“She’s not getting any younger.”
“Oh come on, Ai. The payment for this is enough to fix that old bed and breakfast. Hell. You could even build a newer resort if you want. I’m sure your grandmother will understand.”
I stood there, contemplating on what to do.
Grandma had no idea about my job.
I purposely omitted the important details.
She doesn’t need to know.
I don’t want her to worry if she finds out.
“Who’s the client?”
“Why don’t you see for yourself?” He pushed the envelope closer to the edge of the desk.
I picked it up and took out the sheet.
“Her?”
“Yes.”
I took a deep breath.
“Give it to someone else,” I put down the envelope.
“Ai-oon, the client wants the best.”
“They wouldn’t know the difference.”
“How long have we work together?”
“A long time.”
“Exactly. You should know that I honor my words. When I tell my clients I would give them the best, that’s what they’ll get.”
“Why don’t you take on the job yourself? You’re the best among us.”
The old man leaned back on the chair.
There was a sadness in his eyes.
I hit a raw nerve and regretted my carelessness.
Five years ago, he was hit with a bullet on the right leg.
Now he walked with a limp and the burden of resentment.
“They wanted a female.”
“What about Kai?”
“She’s in Tokyo for three months.”
“Jag?”
“Singapore. Six months.”
“Why are their assignments so long?”
“Because you chose short-term jobs. What was it that you said? One and done?”
“You should hire more female CPO’s,” I scoffed.
“Do you think it’s that easy to find someone with your caliber? If it was, I wouldn’t be asking you to take this assignment. What do I have to do to make you do this?”
“My retirement.”
“Okay.”
I checked to see if he was bluffing but his expression was serious.
“Are you serious this time?”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” I reached out my hand and we shook.
I picked up the envelope again and studied the client profile.
The psychological profile was blank.
Strange.
This part of the information was what I liked to read.
Knowing the vulnerabilities of the client helped with the strategy.
It gave me insights on who they are, what they’re capable of and the traumas they’ve been through.
This client must have paid a lot of money for the information not to be disclosed.
It was disappointing and alarming at the same time.
How am I supposed to know what baggage this lawyer carried?
Would I have to figure it out as we go?
Getting to know you was not a part of my job.
I go in with vital information prepared for my assignment.
“Why is the psych profile blank?” I closed the folder.
He was about to light up the tobacco but clicked the lighter shut.
“They declined to answer that.”
“You allowed it?”
“Ai, we can’t forced them if they don’t want to.”
“For the right price.”
“Yes. That too.”
“What am I supposed to do if the client goes off the rails or tries to kill me?”
“You can handle yourself.”
“Are you just throwing caution to the wind at the expense of my safety?”
“I wouldn’t entrust this assignment to you if I didn’t believe you can do this.”
“Don’t you think you’re giving me too much credit?”
“You’ve proven yourself time and time again despite the circumstances.”
“It’s not like you to ignore protocol.”
“Let’s just say the client and I had a special agreement.”
“Do they have blackmail against you?”
He paused and I saw something in his eyes.
A spark that was quickly extinguish when he realized I was on to something.
His evasiveness fueled my curiosity.
“Let’s just focus on the job, all right?” He changed the subject.
“Now, no more questions. The client expects you at the address before lunch. You’d better get moving. She hates it when people are late.”
“Fine,” I put the envelope in my backpack.
“Now remember, Insamug. Don’t die, okay?”
“I’ll try not to,” I lifted the backpack and slung it on my shoulder.
I said goodbye and left his office.
When I stepped outside, I told myself that after a week, I will be free.