Esme put her music notebook, her tablet, her ballpen, her phone, and hygiene set in her bag. She put her sneakers on and her denim hoodie jacket on. The class started after summer. She had to bother her brother to escort her to her school although she knew that he's busy since he's graduating and he's also taking care of a few businesses in New York.

"You ready?

" Laurence asked.

"Yeah.

"

"Did you charge your phone and your smartwatch?

" He asked as he followed her outside the penthouse.

"I already did. I also have extra-power just in case.

"

Laurence drove her to Juilliard. It wasn't traffic at the moment. Her class starts at ten in the morning. She checked her schedule and showed it to him.

"I'm going to escort you there, baby sis.

" He patted her head.

"By the way, there's news about the Empire Café.

" She said.

"Don't mind about it,

" Rence said. She nodded at him which means that nothing bad happened to Bea or Demi.

He showed his ID to the guard as they gave him a parking spot. He parked his car nearby and he turned off the gas and opened the door. He wanted to open it for her like a gentleman but she's independent and she opened it all by herself.

"Let me see.

" He said and she gave him the map of the school where it indicates the building. She already toured around it with Laurence and he took her hand as he took her to her room class. They stopped in front of the door.

"Are you sure you're gonna find the rest for yourself?

"

"Yeah, I can do it.

" She said. He gave the map back to him.

"Make sure you eat your snack and lunch.

"

"I will.

" She nodded at him. Laurence kissed her head and he left. Esme watched him walk away.

"That's a hell of a hot guy.

" A woman in brunette hair with pink highlights on her hair said stopping two steps away from her.

"At first I thought he's a senior.

"

"No. He's my uh—like a brother to me.

"

"Oh,

" The girl smiled and extended her hand.

"I'm Rebeca.

" She smiled back and accepted her hand.

"Esme.

"

"Freshman too?

" She asked and opened the door for her.

"Yes,

"

"Exchange student?

"

"No. I apply here.

"

"What genre?

"

"Classic and anything.

"

"Wow, I am into pop-rock and a little bit of classic.

" She said and they took their seats together.

"The first time I saw the guy I thought that he's your boyfriend.

"

Esme chuckled.

"No, he's years older than me. He's a big brother.

"

"Hmm,

" She smirked.

"Then, it's okay if I flirt with him.

"

Esme laughed.

"I don't think so. If he'll let you. Anyway,

" She looked around.

"What's your course?

"

"Liberal Arts. I like drama and other stuff.

"

"I love drama and other stuff too, but I want to compose and play.

" She said.

"Interesting.

" She grinned.

"Can you show or I can listen?

" She shrugged.

"I'm sorry. But I'm shy. Besides, I can't do it here.

"

"Come on! How about I will sing first?

"

Esme giggled and looked around. People who love dancing are also there and others. There are too many unfamiliar people and she's quite nervous.

<><><><>

The lights are bright inside the facility. Natalia stayed on the stool as he watched Ashton. He's asleep and the operation of removing the bullet from his head and spine is successful. The nanomites are working non-stop to repair his cells. Xavier, who is also a brain doctor, came to check his CT reports. He said that there might be conflicts and they are still waiting for him to wake up.

The door opened and closed as Cyra and Butler Samson entered.

"I think you should eat and sleep,

" Cyra said.

"No. I'm fine. I ate a while ago and I want Ashton to see me first when he wakes up.

"

"Alright, I'm off to nap.

"

Natalia nodded. Cyra with Butler Samson tagging along left. She bent close to reaching Ashton's hand. She sighed. Although they planted nanomites in their veins they aren't sure that they'll make it. They lost a lot of blood and Ashton had fatal damages on his body. The most important is the heart. They need to protect their heart because it'll be the only thing to make the nanomites flow fast around the body.

"Ash, wake up for me. Okay? Then, after a month, we'll do whatever we want to do. You promised me.

"

She got no response but the beep of the monitor. She stood and moved closer to him as she planted a kiss on his forehead. The telephone rings that interrupt her moment with the sleeping Ashton. She fixed herself and reached the telephone to answer it.

"Yes?

"

"Pamela Rodriguez wants to see Agent Ash.

" The nurse said. She creased her brows.

"Why?

" Natalia asked again.

"She wanted to thank Agent Ashton for saving him.

"

Natalia took the tablet to check on the girl. Well, Ashton saved her just as they planned. Who is she to stop someone from thanking Ashton?

"Okay, let her in.

"

The door opened and Pamela, wearing her cardigan entered and smiled at her. Her short hair is perfect for the diamond shape of her face. She had a straight nose and thick kissable lips. She's also tall and slender. Someone might mistake her for a model or Miss Universe. But her height is perfect for the Navy or Army.

"Hi, I'm Pamela Rodriguez.

" She said.

"Here's Agent Ashton.

"

Pamela looked at the half-naked man with an apparatus on his body. She moved close to the bed and she reached Ashton's hand.

"Please get well soon. I haven't thanked you enough for saving me.

" Pamela bent down and kissed Ashton's cheek. She stayed long by staring at Ashton and watching him. Natalia stared at the hand that Pamela was holding. It moves suddenly.

Pamela's heart almost jumped when she felt that it moved. She froze and waited as Ashton's hand responded and he gently opened his eyes. Natalia immediately moved closer to check on Ashton. His eyes are direct to Pamela.

"Ash,

" Natalia called and he slowly turned to her.

"Can you hear me?

"

He opened his mouth to speak.

"It's alright, blink once if yes and blink twice if no.

"

He blinked once. Natalia looked at the hand that Pamelia is still holding and she told him nicely to step backward. Pamela did as she's told and Natalia tapped the tablet to notify Cyra and Samantha.

The nurse came to escort Pamela outside. Natalia became busy checking everything. It seems normal and she also checks the nanomites inside his body.

After a few moments, Ashton could move his hands and he pressed the button to adjust his bed. He's good enough to even drink mild water as he requested. Jaxon, Noah, and Mason came to him and almost squeezed him into hugs. Natalia wanted to hug him too but everyone seemed to want to hug him. So, she stays at the corner.

"Who's the chick from a while ago?

" He asked that all of them stop.

"Oh, the chick?

" Jaxon grinned.

"She's our subject. We rescued her from a suicide mission.

" He told me.

"What suicide mission?

" He asked.

Samantha approached.

"What is the last time you remember?

" She asked. He thought for a while and he shrugged.

"What is the last mission you remember?

"

"Well, we went to Russia for a mission.

" He said. Samantha looked at Natalia and she nodded.

<><><><>

Cyra's nap has been interrupted. So, when she entered the room, there's Pamela, Jaxon, Noah, and Mason talking to Ashton as he explained to him what happened. Natalia and Samantha are nowhere to be found.

She approached the bed and the boys gave her way.

"What the hell happened to your brain?

" Cyra asked her. Ashton shrugged.

"You are the doctor, can you tell?

" Ash said.

"You were shot in the head,

" Cyra said.

"And you just forget the most important thing in your life?

"

"And what is that?

"

Pamela smiled and reached Ashton���s hand. Everyone looked at it.

"You saved me. Even though you don't remember that, I want to repay you for what you did.

"

Ashton scratched his head a little confused. But the woman is catchy and she's beautiful and tall. It's his preference for a woman. She smiled beautifully too. Cyra saw it all, and she looked at the camera where Natalia might be watching.

"It's nothing. It's our job to do so.

"

"When you get discharged, I want to treat you for dinner. Is that alright?

" Then she looked at the boys.

"All of you. My family will want to.

"

"Oh, we don't take bribes,

" Noah jokes.

"Thank you, Miss Rodriguez, but it's nothing.

"

"Ashton?

" She asked.

"Yeah~~sure.

"

Jaxon and Mason scratched their heads.

"It's alright if I bring Jaxon and Mason?

" Ashton asked.

"Yes,

" Pamela seemed pleased.

Cyra crossed her arms and turned to Butler Samson.

"Tucker, call Xavier. I need to fix this man's brain.

"

"Cyra! You sound scary already,

" Ashton complained.

"Your brain needed fixing. Now, I'm going to take a nap, and I'll let the nurse check on you.

"

Cyra turned to her heels and left as Butler Samson bowed at them and left.