Do Not Touch Me!

Chapter 10: The Most Dangerous Bait

Chapter 10: The Most Dangerous Bait

When the meeting ended, the screen turned black and the light emision disappeared, turning the Control Center into total darkness. The light automatically opened after a few seconds, and a vivid hologram in 3D appeared, showcasing Viveron.

"I have gathered the most important information and data needed for this operation or mission. This is in regard to the Argentine and their illegal actions, this includes the a*******n of young and beautiful women, and their plan to sell them through a cruise ship—an act of human trafficking," Viveron started. Tahimik lang ang lahat habang nakikinig at seryoso rin ang kanilang ekspresyon. This is what we were made for, and I also have to focus and concentrate on this matter, lalo't ako ang gagawing paing.

"So, brief us with the necessary details and salient findings so we can map out a plan for this mission," utos ito ni Athanasius.

Tumango si Viveron, kasabay nito ay awtomatiko na namang bumukas ang screen na dating nagpapakita sa video ni Dr. Achilles, ang nasa screen this time ay larawan ng isang lugar sa gitna ng Metropolitan City, "this is the Maxwell Model Agency," pagsisimula ni Viveron, "mga kasabwat din ng Argentine ang Maxwell Model Agency," kasabay nito ay nagpakita ng poster si Viveron gamit ang screen, ang nilalaman nito ay patungkol sa agency at sa paghahanap nila ng mga prospect na models. Somehow, I am starting to connect the dots.

"Of course, this is just a facade. The real intention of the Maxwell is to search for prospect ladies who shall be sold. This agency is just new, and once their quota has been reached, it will surely cease to exist too. Anyway, women who try their shot to become models are, of course, seduced by that poster. Those who applied and qualify, once they enter the Maxwell building, they disappear. They no longer come out. On the other hand, the ladies who do not qualify are sent out. Also, to avoid suspicion on the disappearance of the ladies, there are dummies who pretend to be the qualified girls, and they act like exiting the establishment, they use the clothes of the ladies that were abducted."

So, this is why despite the disappearance of women, hindi pa rin malaman-laman kung paano iyon nangyari. I cannot believe it that two names are playing a role in this. Nagsabwat pa talaga. I hope the abducted ladies are safe right now, and I hope this won't scar them for life.

"Anyway, the recruitment, according to the poster, ends tomorrow. Perfect, it will be more than enough time for Mary to prepare, on the other hand, Dr. Achilles has invented a transparent skin-suit for Mary to wear, this means anyone can freely touch her except her face, since the suit is only for the body. It shall be uncomfortable for Mary at first, but she'll get used to it."

Tumango na lang ako. Kasabay nito ay ang pagpapakita ni Viveron sa akin ng invention ni Dr. Achilles na para sa akin lang. Somehow, that means I will be able to touch a living matter without actually killing it, but of course, it will be an indirect touch. This is like a containment of my poison.

"Mary will need to dress up, then, for the recruitment tomorrow." Sayuri grinned. " I got many dresses with me, and we seem to have the same body size, so I will just give you some spare dresses that I have... But I think dark red will suit you best. It will compliment your fair and porcelain skin, and it matches your beauty."

"Thanks." I smiled at Sayuri for her act of kindness.

"As for communication, the earring accessory that you are wearing Mary will serve as that, it is not only a GPS tracker and sensor for vitals and internal body activities, but it will serve as our connection. As for the rest of the members, it is the ring." Everyone nodded as Viveron spoke, "the plan is simple, Mary must make sure she is qualified, because being qualified means she will be abducted on the spot, and she will join with the rest of the abducted ladies too, and transported to a cruise ship that the Argentine owns, we will track Mary through the accessory she has, and we will launch an attack at the middle of the sea. We will take down the enemy by surprise. They will not even see us coming." Viveron grinned.

It seems like everyone is fired up and cannot wait for some action. Ako naman ay nanatiling tahimik lang. Ang success ng mission na ito ay nakasalalay sa akin. I was doubtful, what if I do not qualify?

Mukhang napansin naman ni Athanasius ang pag-iba ng aking mood, at saka siya tumikhim. "Mary, do not pressure yourself. We are all sure you will qualify and will be taken by the enemy. You are beautiful." He boosted my self-esteem and confidence, somehow, it helped. Medyo gumaan ang aking pakiramdam. I know this, people always told me before that I was beautiful. But still, I had my fair share of insecurities about myself.

"If you cannot do it, just tell me." Sayuri stated after a few seconds of silence, "I am willing to take over your place." She offered.

Umiling naman ako, "I can do it." I made myself believe. This will be my first job. Hindi puwede naiasa ko ito sa iba. There is a reason why they left it to me... This critical work, it is because they believe in me and my own capacity. I also have to believe in myself and what I am able to do.

"That is the spirit," Portgas smirked at me. Sunhell, on the other hand, simply nodded in agreement.

"Alright, this settles it all?" Shinigami asked after a few seconds.

"Indeed. Let us all have a rest today, especially Mary... This shall be your first mission, it might be nerve-wrecking, but do not worry—you are one of us now. There is no way we will fail. We are the Seven Deadly Sins of RAGE, after all." Athanasius stated and everyone in the room nodded.

We went on our separate ways after. Ako ay tumungo agad sa aking kuwarto at bumuntong-hininga. It was a few hours later when Thalia came, bringing in the dresses that Sayuri told me she will give. After that, she left without saying a word, leaving me alone once more and in my own comfort and solitude. What stood out the most was the dark red dress, at bigla ko naalala ang sinabi ni Sayuri. Kaya naman iyon ang pinili ko. Sayuri has great fashion sense, I can give her that.

A few seconds later, I saw a projection from my earring, and from it, came Viveron's hologram. "How is my favorite girl doing?" She asked.

"Good," I smiled at her.

"Kinakabahan ka ba para sa operasyon bukas?" Tanong nito sa akin.

I shrugged, "I do not know... A part of me is, but a part of me is also excited. I cannot really figure it out myself, all I know is that I am growing restless. I hope that this enemy CALM will not be aware of this operation of ours, because if ever, this might be an ambush."

"You are overthinking things, Mary. Do not worry, though, everything is under control. Just leave it to me and our leader, Athanasius." Viveron smiled. She had a fair point, and I nodded in agreement. She was right. There is also no use fretting over a future that is yet to happen. Whatever happens, happens.

"Anyway, your transparent skin shall be here any minute now... And I shall be taking my leave now. I only came here to check on you and see how you are doing, but I see that you're fine and motivated for tomorrow." She grinned and a few seconds after that, her projection disappeared.

~*~

It was the next day already. I felt uncomfortable with the transparent skin invention of Dr. Achilles, but I will start to get used to it. It was flexible and very thin, like it is a part of my own skin. But thanks to it, I will be able to touch life without actually killing it, and compared to the gauntlet or gloves that were given to me, this had more coverage, the only exception was my face. So, I have to avoid any life form to get contact with my face.

Nakasuot din ako ng dress na bigay ni Sayuri sa akin, at high heels. Mabuti na lang at marunong ako magsuot ng high heels. Out of boredom, I practiced using it before. Ilang beses akong natutumba noon, but after few training, I learned to walk with grace and posture. That was the girly side of me. I was still human, of course, and I had lots of things I wanted to do in life. Despite keeping a low profile, I had secrets like this.

Everyone stared at me in awe when they saw me. Lahat sila ay naghihintay sa lobi. It seems lile they were mesmerized by how I looked. It happened as well that I saw a make up kit in my own room, and I immersed myself with it. I applied a light makeup on my face, somehow enhancing and highlighting my facial features to make them more prominent. I looked girly, sassy, and sophisticated.

"Wow," Sayuri told me. "Hindi ko inakala marunong ka pala mag-make up. And here I was worried since I am the only girl here, physically, I mean, since Viveron is virtual, and I thought you cannot do make up, but damn, Mary, you are good." She complimented.

I thanked her awkwardly. Hindi ako sanay na makatanggap ng compliments.

"Sunhell will drive you to Maxwell Model Agency," Portgas announced. Tumango naman si Sunhell at saka niya ako sinenyasan na sumunod na sa kaniya.

"Good luck, Mary." The rest of the squad told me after.

Lumabas na kami ni Sunhell sa mansion, we both still maintained a safe distance between us, sa likod ng kotse ako sumakay rin. Pinaharurot na niya ang kotse nang pareho na kaming naroroon. It took us about twenty minutes until we reached the agency, mabilis din kasi ang pagmamaneho ni Sunhell. "Thanks for the ride," I said and hopped out of the car.

I faced the building after, hinintay pa ako ni Sunhell na maglakad papasok din ng gusali bago siya umalis.

"Is there anything we can help you with?" A man who seem to be a receptionist asked.

"Yes, I would like to apply as a model, nakita ko ang poster ng agency na ito." Sagot ko. Tinitigan ako ng lalaki, doon ko napansin na may suot siyang itim na earpiece. Tahimik siya ng ilang sandali, tila nakikinig sa kung sino mang nagsasalita sa linya niya. Doon ko rin napansin na maraming CCTV ang nagkalat sa silid.

Tumikhim matapos ang ilang sandali ang lalake, at ngumiti ito sa akin. "Alright, please follow me for your interview." He stated.

Tumango naman ako at sinunod siya. I already felt like I was walking on a trap, but of course, this was deliberate. I had to be trapped, because I was also their trap.

Binuksan niya ang pinto at bumungad ang isang masikip na silid. He gestured me to enter and I did. Nanatili siyang nasa labas, sa may pasilyo, after that, he was about to close the door but I asked first. "How will I be interviewed?"

The man simply smirked and closed the door without answering my question, kasabay nito ay napansin ko na biglang nagkaroon ng usok ang silid. It must be a smoke that makes you sleep. I faked falling asleep, naalala ko na walang epekto ang mga ganitong bagay sa akin because I am immune to it, but of course, I have to play my part and pretend.

A few minutes later, I heard the door opening. I secretly opened my left eye to see men who were wearing uniform like they were astronauts, probably to avoid the smoke that I was exposed at, and they all held my body and transferred it to this bed that had wheels.

"Take her clothes off and give her a spare dress once she wakes up, also, have an actress to put up a show of going out the facility already while wearing her clothes." Utos ito ng receptionist na lalake.

Mabilis ang pintig ng aking puso. Kinakabahan ako, hindi dahil nasa panganib ako, kundi dahil natatakot ako na baka ma-expose ang lahat dahil sa aking kapangyarihan na hindi ko makontrol.

I hope no one dares to touch my face in the process.