Reiner - A Way to Belong


    “I see…” I mumbled.


    “It’s just like any service providerpany. Thepany has sales, marketing, ounting, and all


    that,” Queen exined as we talked along a long corridor.


    I could see endless rows of office desks and their busy owners working away. I never knew that an


    agency handing mercenary missions was run out of a regr office like this. Frankly, I found the whole


    thing very surprising but very interesting.


    After we were done with the office building tour, Queen drove me quite far from the city center. We


    stopped at arge set of buildings surrounded by a thick forest. I looked around at the building and the


    surrounding thick trees when we got out of the car.


    “This ce is huge…” I mumbled to myself in amazement.


    “This is the training facility and training grounds. Agents employed by the agency train here for their


    missions. Just like what you see in the spy movies,” Queen announced proudly.


    “Wow…” I said inplete amazement.


    “I’m sorry but we can’t go in and see everything because most parts have restricted ess, but I can


    show you enough so that you get the general idea of what happens in there,” Queen said before


    motioning for me to follow her inside.


    The training facility wasrge, and it was a good idea on Queen’s part not to show me everything


    because it would have needed more time than we had. However, she did give me a very good general


    idea just as she had promised. There was everything in there from shooting ranges, obstacle courses,


    a swimming pool, weapon storages and other facilities that I didn’t know much about.


    “The forest here next to the training facility is also used as a training ground for outdoors training and


    battle simtions. Precisely because of that, we’re not allowed to wander this forest without prior


    clearance. You could end up shot or killed and things like that…” Queen exined casually.


    We got back in the car where we would be heading to the final destination of our tour. By that time, it


    was alreadyte in the afternoon and the sun was about to set. The excitement of the trip ate up quite a


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    lot of my energy and I found myself feeling a little tired as I sat next to Queen in the passenger seat of


    her car.


    “Just one more destination. I’m sure you’ll find this ce entertaining. It’s my favorite as well,” Queen


    said merrily.


    It was quite a long drive considering that the training facility seemed to be out of everyone’s way.


    Queen drove us back closer to the city center and I found myself in the middle of what looked like the


    entertainment district. Sure enough, it was as Queen had said, this ce was entertaining.


    “Let’s go. I’ll take you to my favorite bar!” Queen announced proudly as she dragged me by the hand


    along after her.


    It was clear that Queen came here a lot because so many people knew her and greeted her. Bars,


    restaurant, shopping malls, shops and stalls lined both sides of the long road. Since the sun had set by


    this point, all the light decorations and signs were on, and it served as a very impressive disy.


    “Most of the people living on this ind and employed by the agency are men. Well, we’re not being


    sexist but that’s just the nature of the job. There are women who work in the office roles though. Then


    there are women who work here in the entertainment district,” Queen exined as we walked along.


    “I see…” I said.


    “Mind you, not everyone women here can be bought for a price and not every man is here looking for


    when they get their paycheck, this ce bes ultra-popr,” Queen exined beforeughing.


    After hanging out with Queen for almost a day, I had to say that she didn’t act anything at all like normal


    people her age. She seemed younger and she acted younger…and freer. She dragged me into a bar,


    and we took our seats. I didn’t have to do anything because Queen quickly ordered a drink for herself


    and one for me.


    “You’re back. Always good to have you here, Queen,” a middle-aged man greeted Queen before


    beaming a smile at me.


    “This is Natalia. She’s my guest. So be nice to her please…” Queen said teasingly.


    “Hi. I’m Natalia,” I said before I offered him one of my best smiles.


    “Always good to have more pretty girls around here,” the man said with a wink before he disappeared


    behind the bar counter.


    “That’s Jamie and he owns this ce. Before starting this ce, he worked at the agency. Made a lot


    of money during the peak of his career there and decided to settle here for his retirement,” Queen


    quickly exined to me.


    “Wow. No wonder he looks very fit,” I replied with an amusedugh.


    “All muscles and very little brain…haha!” Queen replied with augh.


    Our drinks arrived and while I sipped on my pink-colored cocktail, Queen made small talk. It was


    gettingter, and the bar was getting busier as more customers arrived.


    “I used to work here…” Queen said softly.


    “Really?” I asked in slight amazement.


    “Yes. Right when Jamie first opened this bar. He hired me because he said that I had a pretty face and


    long legs. Those were the fun days,” Queen replied as she reminisces on the past.


    Is this how she found her ce on this ind?


    “This was after you moved here?” I asked.


    “Correct. I had given up my job and I was jobless. I had some money though, but I needed to find


    something to do to fit in. So, I started working here,” Queen said before smiling at me.


    It was then that I fully understood why Queen took me on a tour today. If I wanted to stay, I have to


    figure out something for myself just like she did back in her younger days. But like…what am I


    supposed to do? Just randomly be a waitress or a bartender?


    --To be continued…