09 | Nova or Eva?

Her plan, however, didn't really work out. Because she didn't get the time neither the opportunity to even execute it for one whole week and a half.

Mr. Adams had been away for some other case he had. He was busy wrapping the current one up and scheming for the next both at the same time – James had told her.

Meanwhile, she had to learn some fighting techniques and get a full body checkup and give tests every day. She wouldn't say it was exhausting because doing all that – at least she wasn't getting bored all alone in her home. She already knew self-defence and some tid-bits of karate, it wasn't very hard for her to get a hang of the things her instructor told her.

She got a kind of secretary of her own, who picked her up and dropped her off and took her to wherever they had to go as she was new there. But now she didn't really need him because she was getting to know about the places she needed to be at. If she was just provided with a time-table, a schedule she was sure she could easily manage on her own.

It was a routine for the last ten days though; get up at half past five – which was nothing out of ordinary because she was used to it – take a walk, do some exercises, get ready, have breakfast, go to the instructor train for one hour, take half hour break, get back to training for one and a half hours, go to the office, do some business talk with James, go for the tests to other officers, come back, have dinner, do research, sleep, repeat.

The training was the only thing which was out of ordinary and the questioning that was done by the professionals whose name she wasn't told which was understandable because they were testing her if she was trust-worthy or if she could be hired for the job. MI6 was absolutely not a small thing.

She had to be sure and quick while answering all the trick questions and situations she was tricked into and till now, she thought she wasn't doing her best but she doesn't think she was poor either. Just hanging off which unsettled her sometimes. Other than that, her fighting training was going really great, having a personal trainer helped, really.

"You did exceptionally good, Ms. Newton, and today was our last session because of it," her trainer, Mr. Johnson told her and she was relieved as well as thankful for him.

"Thank you, Mr. Johnson, it was all you," she thanked him and after greeting each other she went away to change and get back to the office.

Jason, the guy who had been taking her to places and people and informing her about the things she had to do, took her to the office as usual where they were joined by James in his cabin which had become a familiar place in these ten days.

"How was training today, Ms. Newton?" he asked just like always, professionally.

Jason and James were brothers which was noticeable through their similar looks. Both of them had the same blonde hair, same gray eyes and they were both always very professional which also meant that they always talked business.

There wasn't a time when Nova could recall them ever talking about family or joking around like brothers, it was just when she had asked Jason if they were related that she had her doubt confirmed. She didn't dare go past asking any other questions, though, because if they weren't civil with each other at work, surely neither of them would want her to pry, either.

"Mr. Adams will be available today, Ms. Newton, and you have an appointment with him at six today, evening. Be on time, Mr. Adams wouldn't be in the best mood today most probably," James informed her and she refrained herself from asking him why. Nodding and giving him a very professional sounding response, she made her way to the officer's chamber. Officers who had no problem being called what they were – officers.

Today was Wednesday and today would be her last interview. After today, they will either trust her enough, or they'll just assign her to handle Mr. Adams' paper works or schedules or meetings.

And she really hoped she passes.

"What is the colour of the wall behind you, Ms. Newton?" they asked her as soon she sat on the chair before them.

"Off-white, sir." she replied without missing a beat. She knew the colour because she saw it every day and she understood why Officer number one had asked her that.

They asked her to check if she was a nervous wreck under pressure or if she failed to notice things which might be important in some cases. If she was more than just spewing answers to imaginary situations and making smart choices.

"You're qualified, Ms. Newton. You can start your case from Monday onwards." Officer number two let her know with a proud smile which was again very professional.

"I will give my best, Officers," she answered them after registering if she'd heard them right.

Her heart beat faster, as if she was running a thousand miles per hour. The smile that threatened to break out and the sudden moisture she felt in her eyes were related to her mad heartbeat. She had finally made it.

MI6.

She was a part of an intelligence agency.

It was unbelievable but she got a hold of herself. Somehow, she did.

Usually the interview would go on for one hour minimum and today it was only one question. It was a relief but also evoked questions in her head. Did that mean she finished early today?

"We'll see to that, Ms. Newton. However, we do wish you luck and hope who stand true to your words," both the officers stood up and she followed.

"William Penton," Officer one introduced himself and they shook hands and she bowed in the process.

"Ankur Mathur," Officer two did the same and they all settled down again after the introduction was over.

"You are assigned to Officer Derek Adams, you will be working on case number 1542, the case will be explained to you later on and Officer Adams will be guiding you through that. You will be the third in command, and thus you are very much responsible for the case. We look forward to your performance, Ms. Newton," as officer Penton spewed the information in the air, Nova made sure to make notes in her head.

"Now, Ms. Newton, it is time to let your family know about what you will be doing. It is, however, entirely up to you whether you decide to tell them the truth and trust them to keep certain information, or we can come up with a false work function for you to make it believable for them. If you think they will be having problems dealing with the truth, we would highly suggest you choose the second option, if not, it's all still up to you," Officer Mathur then presented her the question.

Will Mum and Dad understand? Will they be supportive?

Nova had never kept something big from them throughout her entire life. Although it was partly because she never could but still, this was something huge.

"You can take your time, Ms. Newton. We do know your parents are both very appreciable and known personalities but to tell them is up to you. We can tell you the alternative, which is what you will be working as," Officer Penton informed her and she was relieved to get some time.

"Case 1542 needs going under cover and it can't be done by you being officers," Officer Mathur continued on after Officer Penton.

"Further details shall be discussed tomorrow eight A.M. with Officer Adams. For now, you are free to go," and gone she was after all the pleasantries were done.

She told Jason that she got the job finally and he said he saw it coming which made her even happier. Nova had two hours before it was time to meet Officer Adams and so Jason decided to go to his cabin and work through some things. He told her that she could take some time for herself and decide some things.

She knew he was signalling on telling her parents thing and that was what she came to think about at the café nearby. Instead, she caught herself thinking about how Officer Penton and Officer Mathur, both referred to Officer Adams as 'Officer' and not 'Mister'. Surely, she could do the same? She just didn't get why someone wouldn't want to be called officer. It was just a very bizarre thing to prefer.

Her Mum and Dad did come in her mind after that, and she spent all the remaining time in considering the good and bad ways it could go if she told them that she was working for an MI6 agent now and that she got an internship there. As far as she knew both her parents, she didn't think her Mother would be against anything and it wasn't like her dad would be either but she thought he would find a way to convince her out of it. Which she knew could never happen and that's something she didn't want her father to have an experience of.

Her mother, however, had an open mind. She would always say that she would support her daughter if she put the dedication and hard work in whatever she chose to do but in her own strictly professional way.

Nova thanked her now for her always professional demeanor, though; because because of her she'd learnt to act business and now it was helping her get along with it.

When her college offered this internship where she was given a case, straight up, she didn't think it was true. She thought, as an intern, she had imagined she'll only just have to follow Officer Adams around for his meetings, do his paper work, and assign his meetings, his schedule and precisely what a personal assistant has to do. She had never, not even in her dreams, imagined that she would have to actually pair up with him in a case and that was something very huge.

She was cut off by her aweing state by her phone ringing and on the screen she found Jason's name pop in. She looked at the time and noticed that it was five minutes to six and jumped off her chair and hurriedly answered the phone.

"Ms. Newton? I assume you're in front of Mr. Adams' cabin?" he asked first think answering the phone and she only just panicked a little.

"Not yet, no, but I'll be there in a minute. I'm in the elevator, just reaching there, don't worry," she answered him in haste and thanked him to remind her of the time.

"Okay then, I'll meet you there, just checking up on you," he replied and hung up.

When she reached Officer Adams' floor she slowed down a bit and made sure she didn't look like she'd just ran up to here because that wouldn't be nice. Now, she wasn't ever late but lately, things seem to be changing with her and for the worst it seemed.

Being late was one habit that she never wanted herself to take because it is embarrassing and indisciplined. She wished she would get a hang of herself in this new routine fast enough.

Jason came by not long after and then when it was six sharp they knocked on the door only to hear a muffled come in. It was James who said that, she could recognise his voice now.

Taking a deep breath, she went in after Jason and found Officer Penton and Officer Mathur sitting on the sofa placed at the side of the room. James and Officer Adams sat on the sofa chair in the middle of the three sets of sofas and the one left empty and on the other side of Officer Adams' was for Jason and her most probably.

"Take a seat, Jason, Ms. Newton," Officer Penton, who was the senior most amongst them, told them and they all sat down waiting for the talk to begin.

"Ms. Newton, I suppose you thought about what to tell your parents?" Officer Mathur asked her and all eyes turned to her. Even James's, albeit for just a second, who had been going through some paper work.

"Yes, I have, Officers. I will tell them the truth," Nova told them about her decision and they both nodded their heads understandingly. They were understanding now and it was like seeing a whole different side of them. When they used to interview her, they had been strictly professional, something that had become like a constant character trait in her day-to-day life and with which she had no problem at all. So seeing them act understanding was something new.

"We are glad you chose to inform them, Ms. Newton, because what we have been discussing would have been a bit hard to do if we had to hide your work from them."

"Yes, and for Officer Adams', too," both the officers were doing the talking and when Officer Adams' name popped in she moved her gaze to him only to find him looking straight ahead and letting her know that he was listening to everything.

"Officer Adams? Would you like to take on from here?" Officer Penton asked him and Officer Adams only just looked at him before correcting him, "I prefer 'Mister Adams', officers. And if that won't be a problem, please do go ahead."

Nova thought there'd be that silence when he said that but it seems like they were just like her.

"Oh, let it go, Officer. You are an Officer and we will call you only that. We may have retired but this is the last thing we have to do, and your work has been much appreciated, so quit the mister-officer rant."

To say that she was socked would be an understatement because she could never imagine something like this happening. Both the officers were so frank now that it didn't seem like a professional meeting, anymore, it was as if a gathering. Well, it was until you looked over at James, Jason and Officer Adams himself.

"The case 1542 is the one you're assigned to, Adams. Ms. Newton, you will be accompanying him as known, more insight to the case will be declared now by the head of our department," as soon as Officer Mathur said that Nova begin looking in every direction to try to find who the head of the department was, though as subtly as she could. Jason nudged her then, and she looked straight ahead of her where now the screen on the wall on which the LED TV was placed glowed up with the letter Q in black and the background in gray.

These things exist? She couldn't help but wonder.

"Mr. Adams, Ms. Newton, forget from now on that these are your names, for you won't be recognised by any of those from now on. Case 1542 needs disguising and for that Mr. Adams, you are Adam Watson, a worker in your father's multinational company Watsons and Co. You have one month's time, you have to perform at the best of your ability and get at the top so you can get the CEO's place who is your father, Mark Watson," the electric voice of 'Q' kept on talking and it was this time when reality kicked in for the second time that day. She was actually a part of this now...

"Officer Penton is Mr. Mark Watson for the given time period and Officer Mathur is a very good friend of Mark Watson, Smith Wilson. Ms. Nova Newton is the only daughter of Smith Wilson, Evangeline Wilson. It is, however, your entire choice Ms. Newton if you want to go by your real name the reason shall be explained to you later on," She felt nervous when Q referred to her directly but managed to still look confident. This was a lot but nothing she couldn't manage if she put the effort that this needed.

"Mark and Smith, being the best of friends since a very long time, have their children around the same age and thus they decide to get their children arranged to marry one another and it only helps that Adams proposed to Eva/Nova because they both feel romantically towards each other," if she felt nervous before this took her to another level of it because it just sounded so absurd at this moment.

"The story is outlined for all of you to perform, Officer Jason and Officer James, you both will disguise as Adam Watson's younger brothers, you may have the same name if you feel like and Adam and Ms. Newton, you both live together, to test out your chemistry and to see if either of you face any problems with each other. Prepare yourselves, you have two weeks."

Everybody got off their seats and so did she, "We must try our best", is what they all said and with a static the line went dead and the screen turned blank.

They all sat back again and this time there was the realisation of work on everybody's faces, everybody except for Officer Adams, or should she say Mr. Watson.

"Ms. Newton," Officer Penton started, "I suggest it would be better if you went with your real first name because you are a fresh college student, finished early and from the reports you were quite the name in your college, although, it is all up to you if you choose to be Evangeline, we can say that it is your middle name, though it might have some problems."

"Nova, is fine, Officer Penton, I agree with you," as soon as Nova uttered that Officer Penton and Officer Mathur stood up and hugged while clapping each other's backs.

"Wilson, my guy!"

"Watson, my man!"

"Such a pleasure to turn our year's long friendship into a family!"

"A pleasure, indeed!"

"Come, Adam, my boy, come here," and Officer Adams went to stand beside Officer Mathur, her disguised father and Officer Penton called for her and she stood beside him with James and Jason on her left side.

James suddenly handed a ring to Officer Adams and Jason handed a ring to herself, she looked at it confused; she was only twenty, and even if they were disguising, why did they have to be fiancés?

She had no time to register anything else because in no time when Smith, her father clapped Adam, her fiancé on the back encouragingly, her left hand's ring finger was banded with a platinum band on the center of which lay two diamond stones, one a bit bigger than the other and then, she was banding his with one platinum band of her own.

Mark and Smith hugged again, and clapped, and she looked over at Adam, her fiancé while he gave her a look which compelled her to ask what was bothering her so much.

"Excuse me, Officers," she cut through between the happiness and everyone dropped silent.

"Officers who, darling?" Smith, her father asked her and she decided to just get on with what she had in mind.

"Aren't we too young to be engaged? I mean, I am twenty, and Officer Adams can be nothing above of —"

" — Twenty-four."

Her neck moved so fast she wondered if she was seeing stars.

She looked at Officer Adams' face. He didn't look anything above twenty-two! Natural beauty then...

"But you both have been seeing each other since university, my dear, I don't see the problem. And you're not getting married anytime soon. This is just to set the base," Mark, her to-be father-in-law explained to her and it sounded reasonable enough.

"It's up to you both whose place you decide to get shifted to, although we do know you're neighbors."

"And because we know that we suggest you to move in together in a penthouse, near our company building."

"It may be our last project but we want to nail it too," and now they sound professional but that is soon gone when they laugh together and leave James, Jason, Officer Adams and Nova in Officer Adams' cabin.

"A penthouse, London, near Watson and Co." Officer Adams give order to both James and Jason and they leave with a nod and a 'yes sir!'

Nova didn't know how to act now; neither of them told anything about what they had to do exactly, what was the case, what they had to be disguised about. It was as if they were playing a play, they had our roles, they had a relationship to work on, and an engagement to keep as well as an image to maintain.

She didn't know what work she was supposed to do, what could she do with such minor details?

She looked over at Adam her fiancée who was checking his watch.

"Get cleaned up. Time for a dinner date."