Chapter Fifty-Four: Samantha and Taylor

Chapter Fifty-Four: Samantha and Taylor
The two women were already exhausted. I clearly saw the bruises on their collarbones and necks, except on their faces. They were both hitting and punching each other, but avoiding all the visible parts everyone could see. I guess if they went on with their lives during the daytime, no one would suspect their bruises after this practice combat.

I was deafened by the cheers and claps from the other assassins for the two women. Even Glaidel was just crossing her arms while watching with a poker face. Karlo mentioned that she is in charge of the weaponry, but it feels like she is also the one in charge of disciplinary actions, like this.

“Who are those two?” I asked curiously.

“Hmm, that short-haired one is Samantha. She is your distant cousin from your mother’s side and is currently working as an HR Manager in Timothy’s company in Makati City,” Karlo explained from beside me.

“Yup,” Timothy agreed.

I dropped my jaw and scoffed while staring at the short-haired woman. She looked young and had foxy eyes that were very fierce; one look from her would make anyone intimidated. She would hit the stomach of the other woman, who was still turning her back to us while gritting her teeth like a monster.  

“An HR manager?” I echoed. “But how is she this aggressive when she is supposed to be stopping people from getting in trouble? Why is she included in trouble?”

“Well, you really can’t judge people just because of their job,” Karlo commented, and then pointed at the other woman who was now on top of Samantha and elbowing her neck. “That’s Taylor, the mean girl in this organization. She is just like you when you were in high school. Likes to bully. She has been the target this year in disciplinary actions that Glaidel implemented because she is the definition of the word trouble.”

“You fucking bitch! I am going to kill you!”

The next thing I knew, Taylor had already punched Samantha on the nose. Glaidel whistled so hard that everyone separated the two from each other. I think it was a violation that Taylor punched Samantha in the face. I covered my mouth when Glaidel punched Taylor on the nose also. The two women were groaning in mixed pain and anger.

“You know that it’s a rule not to hit your comrade in a way that would leave a visible bruise,” Glaidel said in an authoritative voice. “Because of that, you will be the one cleaning the training equipment after the sessions.”

“Argh!” Taylor grunted and immediately removed her hands from the other assassins. “She ripped my bag’s strap, but I’m the one being punished!”

“Because you were supposed to hit our comrade with that, Taylor! It’s not nice!” Samantha exclaimed with a deep, firm voice.

“Whatever! You are just insecure that I am prettier than you – than everyone!”

“Taylor-“

“I will not clean the equipment! I will go home now!” Taylor shouted in Glaidel’s face before walking away.

That’s when I finally had a clearer view of Taylor’s face when she finally faced our way as she strode very fast. It was the same woman from the company’s lobby, whom I bumped into. She was wiping the blood away from her nose aggressively, with tears in her eyes. I sighed. I don’t know if I would ever have good terms with her if Timothy is right that she is just like me when I was in high school.

The assassins had scattered and gone back to the training grounds in the arena, but they were still loudly talking about what had happened. Only Glaidel and Samantha remained at the center. They were having a secret conversation with each other. Glaidel was holding Samantha’s shoulders as if she was talking sense to her. Samantha would only nod and look down, following whatever Glaidel was advising her.

“Let’s go to Glaidel?” Timothy invited us and turned back.

Karlo didn’t even hesitate to pull my hand again so we could follow Timothy. We went down the staircase. I thought we wouldn’t catch the attention of the assassins because they were all busy, but their noise gradually died down when the lights from the arena illuminated us, until our steps were the only sounds engulfing the whole arena. I surveyed the eyes through them that were watching us with discernment. Most of them were men who didn’t care, because of their frowns, but the women with them were scrutinizing me from head to foot, as if analyzing my outfit and whole aura.

Yes, I am beautiful! You can rate it ten by ten! I have pretty friends who can confirm!

“Glaidel,” Timothy called her.

I looked at Glaidel, who turned to us and released Samantha. They both faced our way. Samantha’s innocent face was now obvious even though she had fierce, foxy eyes. While I was still analyzing her physically, Karlo suddenly let go of my hand. I watched him get a handkerchief from his pants and offered it to Samantha. I frowned and rolled my eyes, instantly going beside Timothy on the left side. I felt Karlo looking in my direction; he was on Timothy’s right side when Samantha accepted his handkerchief.

“Thank you, Sir Karlo,” Samantha said to Karlo.

“You’re welcome,” Karlo accepted her gratitude before turning to me again. “Minerva…”

I didn’t look at him again, but he also didn’t force his way to get me.

Why is he not chasing me, though? He should not let me get a little jealous, right? Samantha must have her personal handkerchief and knows how to take care of herself. What is she, a twelve-year-old?

“Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Santiago,” Glaidel greeted the two men before looking at me meaningfully. “I am glad to see you, Minerva.”

I furrowed my eyebrows because of how she still maintained her poker face and authority in her expression. Who does she think she is? I am the Red Cartel Queen, if you forgot, or did you bump your head for your memory? I was eyeing her with judgment and was about to say something, but Timothy already held my shoulder when he saw my face.

“This is one of the hired employees of the company that is being managed by the queen. This is Jennie. Queen Minerva requested that we train her to be an official Red Cartel member,” Timothy introduced me.

My cousin and I locked eyes. I breathed in and out, realizing the situation. Oh, right, I am going to pretend I am not the Red Cartel Queen so I can train without favors in the headquarters. Karlo’s eyes still lingered on where I was. Glaidel looked at me, especially Samantha, who was still wiping her blood off her nose using that stupid handkerchief of Karlo. It pissed me off.

I smiled as much as possible to hide my jealousy and bitterness. “Good evening. I am, ummm, Jennie,” I introduced the fake name suggested by Timothy. “Nice meeting you, Glaidel.”

“Miss Glaidel. Address me with respect. I am your supervisor,” Glaidel corrected me.

I heard teasing scoffs behind me. When I looked over my shoulder stealthily, it was the assassins. I don’t like them already. I feel like they are all mean and ruthless.

“S-Sure…” I forced myself to answer Glaidel.

I secretly glared at her, but she didn’t budge. Still poker-faced, while my head was already boiling.

“We can start the training tonight for her. Samantha,” she called to Samantha beside her. “Can you please escort Jennie to the women's locker room so she can change into combat clothes?”

“Sure, Miss Glaidel,” Samantha obediently answered and then looked at me. “Please follow me…”

Karlo and Timothy urged me to follow just by the look in their eyes. I sighed heavily and rolled my eyes with ponderous steps behind Samantha. The three followed me with their gazes, including the observant assassins from every corner of the arena. Samantha and I walked towards the door where I witnessed Taylor also going inside. I was right mentally when I found Taylor in one of the lockers rummaging through her things and then shoving some in her gym bag. She saw us enter, and her glares glued onto Samantha while doing whatever, but when her eyes bore into me, she paused and shot an eyebrow.

“Well, well, look who’s here…” Taylor muttered, breaking the silence inside the locker room.

“We are done talking, Taylor,” Samantha said without looking at Taylor and opened a vacant locker. “This is where your locker is. Here are your combat clothes reserved for you. Just tell me if it doesn’t fit you.”

“I am not referring to you, bitch,” Taylor said sarcastically to Samantha before looking at me again, with focused eyes on my dress. “I like your fashion, but didn’t I warn you last morning that the next time I see you, I wouldn’t let it pass anymore?”

Samantha turned to her, then to me. I remained still and speechless, still observing the two of them.