A few months had gone by after Alice's abrupt reality-check, but she was in fact doing pretty fine. Her dedication to neuroscience was remarkable and took George's attention. She had managed to solve whatever problem they had found in project 17, without having to put any human being's life in danger. It's unnecessary to say that the pharmaceutical company sponsoring the project couldn't be more satisfied. With that, Alice gained the Board's trust and managed to transform her work into the closest to normality as she could, she was diving into researches and keeping herself away from any ugly strategy. She was trying her best to keep her hands clean, and succeeding so far. But like the inventor of the gunpowder, she was not responsible for the decisions taken after the discoveries and results she delivered.

It was now January, the month when the financing sector usually throws a party to commemorate the results from the past year and expose the expectations for the next one. This event was highly expected by some employees, not only because it was a very elegant event, but also because there were usually awards distributed for the most remarkable achievements.

— Are you excited for the event next weekend, Alice?

It was Dr Harry Martin, one of Alice's colleagues. The doctor who replaced her when she was invited to jump in Project 17. He approached her while she was taking a break from the lab, sitting on one of the tables from the building's cafeteria.

— Oh hi, Harry. Yeah, I actually am. Everybody is talking about this lately, it has to be something. What about you? Alice asked, while Harry sat down with her.

— I am, sure. I'm also hopeful that we will be awarded by the results we have delivered. Together. Harry raised his cup of coffee.

— Cheers. Alice responded with hers. — How many of these parties have you attended already?

— This will be my tenth. I've worked here for a while, you see, been to a few different areas too, and settled in the Chemical sector for about 2 years now. But I need to be honest, I never worked with such a competent partner, like you.

Harry's blue eyes were cold and stormy, like the tormented high seas. Alice smiled timidly, thanked him for his compliment and said they should probably return to the lab. He was a really handsome man, she had to admit it, but there was something about him that made Alice feel like he was not totally trustful. Alice also felt like he was constantly flirting with her, though she always remained professional, especially because even though she was really shocked with the confirmations around the dark business involving John Wick, she couldn't forget him. Actually, she started asking herself if she would see him at the party, although she was not very hopeful, since she heard it usually doesn't include "field" employees.

It was finally the day. At 8pm, Alice was finishing getting ready to the so-expected party. She was giving the final touches to her make up, and this time, instead of her eyes, defined with a delicate black cat-eye, she chose a bold lipstick, more specifically MAC's shade called Russian Red, an intense red. She was stunning in a dark green long velvet dress, with see-through lace on the chest and sleeves. A driver from the company came pick her up and she arrived punctually at 9pm to the hotel where the party was happening.

As she was feeling pretty nervous, she chugged 2 glasses of champagne before talking to anyone, and felt relieved when she found George.

— Alice! You look fabulous, kid! I'm so glad you arrived, I have a bunch of people to introduce you to. George said, always so kind and friendly, which made Alice's heart feel warm. After these few months, George was already like a father to her and she could feel that he wanted to be a mentor to her.

After walking around and talking to a dozen people that Alice had never seen before, she saw Harry arriving and walking directly at her, in a dark gray suit matching his stormy eyes. He was stunning as well.

— Wow, I never saw a woman as elegant as you, Alice. Harry reached her hand and kissed it, playfully exaggerating his gentleman side.

Alice was laughing, but at this exact same moment she felt a heavy presence, and tilting her look to Harry's right side she noticed those black piercing eyes looking at her from a distance. It was John Wick. He was there after all! Needless to say he was looking spectacular, all in black just like the first time she saw him, but this time holding a glass of what looked like bourbon. Alice's smiled slowly gave space to an amusement look and she had to concentrate to even be able to respond back to Harry.

— Huh, oh, you look great too, Harry, gray really looks good on you! Alice said trying to focus on Harry, but quickly drove her eyes around looking for John again, unsuccessful this time, though.

The party suddenly turned into a torture to her, and although she was on the 6th or 7th glass of champagne, she couldn't avoid the butterflies in her stomach. Alice's agony grew even higher when the "Award session" started. Now she had more than one reason to be nervous.

After a few sectors finished their part, George took the "stage" and started introducing the Talent Recognition of the year for the Medical sector.

— It's with a huge pleasure that I would like to officially thank the following people for their hard work, whole heatedly dedication and endless focus on our company's success. Dr Harris Martin, Dr Alice Geller and Dr Phillip Winston, congratulations for the fabulous work you've done!

The three doctors joined George in front of the audience to receive an official congratulatory certificate and take a few pictures with the Directors of the other sectors as well. When Alice was posing for the pictures, she finally found John on the 5th row in front of her. He discreetly raised his glass, fixing his eyes on her.

It was a big moment to Alice, she was a modest person, not a fan of bragging, but she also valued her professional life so much and felt really happy when her hard work paid off. She knew that the last 6 months were the hardest of all her professional years and they made her fell like 6 years had gone by.

— Oh my God, YES! I told you we would make it, Alice! Harry said while hugging her, really excited as if he had won the lottery. He was a really competitive person.

— I still can't believe! I'm really flattered. We do deserve it! Alice said, hugging him back. Thank you so much, George! Alice added waiving to George, who was close to them.

George was shaking hands and hugging the third "winner", Phillip Winston. He was leading the research on the environmental/botanical sector. Although Alice and Harry didn't work directly with him, he was an important piece for the development and final approval of the projects on which they worked.

After another hour of party, and more rounds of champagne, Harry pulled Alice's arm and asked if they could talk. Alice nodded positively and they walked away from the noisy area, going back to the stage area where they previously received the certificates, now empty.

— Alice, I've been thinking about something and I guess this would be the perfect moment to tell you. Harry said, holding Alice by her shoulders. - I can't stop thinking about you, about your eyes and your lips... I need to... He said approaching Alice's face, who was now forcing her way out of Harry's embrace.

— Harry! Hold on! Stop! I-I'm sorry, this is not right, we work together... and I... I'm sorry, but I can't, ok? Alice said, shaking.

She felt like all the alcohol she drank hit her at once and all she could do was literally run away from Harry's hands looking for some place where she could get some fresh air. She was feeling so confused... she walked out of the auditorium and found fancy marble stairs on the left side of the room, which led to the roof top of the hotel. It was cold at this time of the year, but she really needed some fresh air, and fortunately the roof top was not completely open and had a few fancy fire torches distributed on the space. It was pretty empty, and she sat on a wood bench beside one of the fire torches, breathing heavily, trying to calm down, looking down the city lights through a glass wall that circled the area.

When she was finally able to reorganize her mind and breath normally again, she heard a voice that made her stomach turn.

— Did somebody annoy you, miss?

It was John Wick. Alice looked up and at this point she didn't know if she was drunk-imagining stuff or not.

— Ugh... Alice sighed - Why are men so stupid sometimes?

John couldn't help but laughed sweetly.

— I assure you that not all of us are jerks, but maybe 99% ...

Alice smiled and moved on the bench, as if she was asking him to sit beside her. John obeyed and just now she realized he was holding a bottle of water. She looked at the bottle with a confused face.

— I'm sorry, but I saw you were a bit dizzy back there, so I thought some water would make you feel better. John said while handling her the bottle.

— Thank you so much. Yes, I guess I need other 10 of these, tough. She said, and drank at least half of it at once. Good thing I'm not your doctor anymore. Otherwise, how could you trust me as a doctor after seeing this?

— I actually guess I would trust you less if you didn't drink at all, especially after winning such a remarkable award. By the way, I'm really glad you accomplished so much. I've heard a lot about your researches and the wonderful work you are doing. Have you gotten used to this... exotic company yet?

— Ah... Well... Let's say I had a tough start... I didn't know all the stories about it and the companies associated to it were actually true... I had no idea about the whole universe I would discover "under the carpet". But it's not like I had a choice or a way out... When I realized, I was up to the neck. So I decided I would work as hard as I could to avoid bad results coming out of my hands. I'm still learning, though. And everyday is a tougher fight.

John's eyes never strayed from hers while she was talking. He was attentively listening to every detail. Alice was elegant even when she spoke. She paused for a moment, breathed in and taking advantage of the alcoholic courage, she asked:

— John... Is it...Is it true that you're...that you're an assassin? She asked and closed her eyes and if she didn't want to actually see him answering.

John raised his eyebrows surprised with the question, not in a negative way, though, just surprised.

— It is. He said, letting out a kind of smile due to the way Alice asked it.

Alice opened her eyes and saw John looking away to the city, which was especially lit up that night.

— Although it was not my choice, either... But that's a long and actually boring story, I think... He said looking back at her.

— I'm sorry, I didn't want to sound like I was judging you. I just got really scared when I knew all these stories were true... I never had to deal with this in real life, not so closely.

— With what? Death?

— Yes... Of course I had family members who died and things like this, but... it was never really personal, it never really impacted me, either because I was too young, or because it happened to someone who was not really close to me... and although I am a doctor, during the months I had to attend in the emergency rooms I was lucky enough to never have to deal with deaths on my hands. After I graduated I started getting involved in academic researches, so I stopped attending people directly. In the end, I guess I've always chosen not to deal with death as a personal thing.

Alice stopped talking and felt awkward suddenly.

— I'm sorry, please go back to the party, I don't want you to waste it with a drunk stranger who is particularly talkative tonight. I actually might go back home already. This party is over for me anyway.

— You don't bother me at all. I came here expecting next to nothing, so thank you for being this kind of girl*... In fact, I need to get going too as I have unfinished businesses that I need to take care of tomorrow. May I offer your a ride home?

— Oh thank you for your kindness, Mr Wi... I mean, John. But I don't want to cause you more trouble, I will just call my driver and he will be here in like two minutes.

— Are you sure? I feel like I am responsible for you now, for making sure that you will be ok.

— You know what? Ok, I think it's better if I save another stranger from seeing me like this, right? Alice said, playfully and John smiled kindly. — I'm currently living in West Village, by the way.

— That is ok. Are you ready to leave now?

— Yes, please, I hope nobody sees me going, actually. Let's run away! Alice stood up too fast and immediately regretted, as she got really dizzy.

Thankfully, John held her by her waist and asked her to wrap her arm around his arm. Alice could feel his muscles through the suit and felt her face get all red. They walked like this until they reached John's car.

During the drive, which would take about 10min from the hotel, they kept talking.

— So, West Village, huh? Fancy. John teased.

— Haha Right? I'm living the dream. Went from a tiny 1 bedroom apartment to a 3 bedroom loft with double doors to the street! They are seriously spoiling me, and now I understand why...

When they arrived, while Alice was unbelting herself, John instantly went serious and reached one of his guns, over his ribs, hidden underneath the suit when he realized the door to Alice's place was slightly open.

— Alice, tell me that you left your door open for some reason...

— Wait, what? No, I didn't, well, I guess I didn't...

John went out of the car, gun on his hand, and opening the car door to Alice, he asked her to follow him closely, and always stay behind him.

— John wait, I'm scared. This is such a calm street, I never hea...

John touched her lips with one finger and moved his lips silently as saying "shh". He approached the front door and John confirmed his concern, somebody had broken into the place. The door was unlocked and a light was suddenly turned on.

Everything else happened too fast, at least to Alice. All she remembers is to feel a hot splash of thick blood on her left arm, when John shot a man who was running towards her after he opened the door. She then heard shots, about 20, and suddenly, there were 5 dead bodies in her living-room. John had a cut on the side of his body, fortunately not very serious, but it would definitely need stitches.

— Alice! Alice! Listen to me! John was holding her by the shoulders. - We need to get out of here, there might be other men coming, let's grab a few clothes and your most important personal belongings. I'll take you to my house and we need to call George from there, ok? OK?

Alice felt like she was living a dream, and it took a few seconds for her to be able to move, but she soon started following John's guidance, grabbed a travel size bag and stuffed some essential clothing, her laptop and some documents.

On the 40min drive to John's house Alice stayed silent. She was shocked for sure, although she had seen blood so many times in her life, it was never caused by a shooting right in front of her. Now her dress was partly matching her lips. Russian Red.

*Reference to Incubus song "Here in my room"