The next morning Katrina Thomas entered her boss's office. Hesitating for a moment she walked to the receptionist's desk, clearing her throat to get her attention.
"I'm here to see Garrison," she said, trying not to sound too anxious. She'd met with her boss many times, but never in this office where she was expected to acknowledge him as First Sergeant; the change of setting made her nervous. As nervous as she was, she reminded herself that this was most likely a nerve and loyalty test.
"May I tell him who is waiting?" the receptionist asked, a skeptical look passing over her features quickly.
Katrina paused only one second before giving her name, "I'm Katrina Thomas." Turning, she smiled to herself and thought how easily she could have slipped and said, 'Alessia'.
Katrina sat down in the chair closest to her boss's office; she began to count the seconds as they passed, wondering when she would be allowed to enter the office. Fidgeting with her ring, her mind began to wander over the past few years; she smiled to herself remembering how insecure she was when she decided to join this business. Her boss had started her slow, taking out one of his ex-girlfriends that wasn't going to leave him alone. Who knew that she would have it in her to kill someone on another's orders; however once she did it, she knew it's what she was destined to do.
"Ms. Thomas…Ms. Thomas!" the receptionist called, breaking into Katrina's thoughts, "First Sergeant Garrison will see you now."
Katrina rose, smoothing her shirt; cautiously she opened the door and stepped inside. "Mr…what do I call you here in this office?"
"Well…once you're in my office; it doesn't matter, just in front of others it must be First Sergeant Garrison. Anywhere else Danté is fine," he said, gesturing for her to sit down.
"Who am I taking on next?" she asked suddenly, trying to cover up her nerves. She placed her hand flat on her thigh in effort to prevent it from shaking.
"No one yet, at least right now," Danté explained, "being the rookie you are I need to give the jobs to those who are more experienced."
"Oh…" Alessia replied, averting her eyes; she resisted temptation to play with her ring.
"Your time will come, and when it does I need you to be prepared…" at these words her emotions rose.
"Then shouldn't I get a job sooner rather than later?" she snapped.
"If you'd listen, I was going to tell you that you are to continue training, and stay within the marines, do you understand?" Danté explained his voice firm.
She sighed audibly, "But why?"
"I trust you are smart enough to figure that out by yourself…" he said, absentmindedly straightening out the objects decorating his desk.
"Yes, sir…" she said, almost in a whisper rising slowly. She lingered for a moment before moving to exit the room.
"Be careful with who you get close to, Ms. Thomas," he said, using her second name now that the door was open. Alessia looked back at him with a silent nod and closed the door behind her.