Being part of the IMF is a very huge responsibility for me. Why? Being part of a Spy Agency is quite hard, especially when you're the youngest of the group. The hardest part is keeping secrets from other people you love in order for them not to get in danger because of my job. People always judge because my age is not suitable enough to join in. However, I prove them wrong and show them that I'm qualified enough to fit in this job... even if it risks my life for the sake of succeeding in the mission and saving people's lives.
The very challenging part after completing a mission, is that all of us are going separate ways not to get on their radar... rather... doing another job that could make your life busy while waiting for them to call you again for another mission. Life is full of challenge, especially if I didn't contact my dearest someone, like my father for instance. My father should've always be there for his daughter, but he's been gone for 2 years now.
My name is Novilene Marie Serenity Cruz, one of the elite agents in IMF, the first youngest female agent, master in disguise, and human lie detector. This is how my story begins.
A man in his mid 40's stared down at the picture of a young woman hugging a teddy bear with a huge smile on her face. He smiled at the back of the picture that had a message coming from her. He read the letter through his reading glasses, and failed to notice a young man looking at him curiously; wondering what made his mentor smile while reading the letter.
I've finally found my cuddly teddy bear before going back to work reality. I know that you're wondering why I colored my hair to light brown... I decided to color it and Phoebe helped me to do my hair.
I miss you, dad, and it's been two years since we've seen each other. We haven't contacted each other after the funeral of mom... dad, I'm always here for you if you need me.
To be honest? I don't even know why you don't reply to all my letters, emails, or phone calls no matter how much I've tried to understand you...
There are a lot of questions that I need answers to, but it ends up in a blank-like void. I've been keeping myself busy rather than moping around thinking of you. Have I done wrong? Please talk to me dad.
Your daughter,
Novilene
He sighed quietly, knowing his daughter is right. It has been two years since he has visited his daughter. Jason Gideon, a professor in the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) and the father of Novilene Cruz. His daughter is one of the youngest female Detectives and Captains in the London Metropolitan Police. Gideon was very proud of his daughter because she got a promotion just like her stepbrother, Ethan Hunt.
He always thinks about his daughter everyday and he's thankful that Novilene is a kind, caring, and understanding daughter. She always cares about other people before herself and Gideon admires her courage.
"Gideon?" He looked up to see one of the agents of the BAU, Dr. Spencer Reid. "I noticed that you smiled when you received that letter from someone."
"I do miss someone very special to me." Gideon spoke and Reid looked confused and wondered who this person is. "I have a daughter and I was married before."
Reid was surprised that this man was married and had a daughter. He wondered why Gideon didn't mention to anyone that he has a daughter and an ex-wife. It wasn't in his place to pry into Gideon's personal life, despite Reid knowing him for a long time.
"What happened?" Reid asked curiously and Gideon handed over another picture of his daughter wearing a white dress.
"Maria, my ex-wife and I had a lot of problems... our love was changing and we decided to get a divorce." He sighed sadly think back to when Maria fell in love with someone else. It broke his heart seeing the woman that he loved was in love with someone else. "She was okay if I spent time with my daughter, Novilene." There were times when Maria tried to control Novilene's life, but luckily she has his stubborn attitude and does what she wants.
"How old is she?" Reid asked as he admired the beauty of Gideon's daughter and noticed they have the same eye color -dark brown. "You have the same eyes." he voiced.
"She's 22 years old and Angelique would be too as well." Gideon answered and sighed sadly remembering his other daughter Angelique. "Angelique and Novilene were twins, but Angelique died right after she was born- after Novilene came out."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Gideon." Reid smiled in sympathy and stared at him in disbelief. "Novilene is 22 years old? She's younger than me by a year then." Reid wasn't expecting Gideon's daughter would be younger than him, but she looked to be around 18-years-old.
"Yeah. Her birthday is on December 25. She's my Christmas daughter." He spoke in a proud tone and smiled. "Novilene's been a Captain for the London Metropolitan Police in England for three years now. She proved to everyone that she should be treated with respect despite her age difference."
"Wow." He shook his head and stared at the picture. Reid couldn't believe that this woman became a Captain for the London Metropolitan Police at a very young age, but he couldn't help but admire her ambitions. "Do you see her often?" Reid asked hesitantly. Gideon rarely reveals his personal life to Reid- or anyone for that matter- and it gave him an opportunity to know Gideon's family background.
"No, the last time I saw her was during her graduation and after the death of Maria." He sighed deeply and placed the picture down. "I did lose contact with her, but she manages to send me pictures of herself going on different adventures... I always asked myself how she managed to find me."
A 22-year-old light brown-haired woman smiled while she contacted someone on the phone. She took a break from packing all her stuff up since she had a day off. She decided to call her younger brother to see what he was doing.
"The Professors are very proud that I'm one of the students who gets an A! Can you believe that, sis?" A 16-year-old boy spoke happily to his sister as she chuckled at his rambling.
"You deserve it for studying hard just like your brother, Ethan, and I." The woman spoke and pushed her glasses up. "How do you like Caltech College so far, Alex?"
"How should I say this... it's a very big challenge and I'm trying to adjust to the environment." Alex answered and thanked the waitress before leaving the shop. "How are the newcomers, Nov?"
"Everyone is terrified of me." Novilene chuckled nervously and wiped the sweat off her forehead. Packing all her things and moving around the house made her feel sweat all over her body. "They didn't expect that a 22-year-old Captain could be their worst nightmare."
"Steve and Ethan taught you how to become a strong and independent person and to not give any-"
"Language." She warned her baby brother and Alex coughed slightly. There are times that Novilene scolded Alex despite him already being a teenager.
"Right... as I was saying, you deserve it for working so hard." Alex is always saying that his sister works too hard. She rarely has time to go out and socialize with her family and friends. He hopes and prays someone is going to be with her to change her lifestyle.
"Thanks, Alex." She wrinkles her nose feeling herself drenched in sweat. "I need to finish packing up my things."
"That's fun." Alex spoke sarcastically and shook his head slightly. "I need to eat my food now. Love you, sis."
"Love you too, Alex. Call Ethan and your father sometimes as well okay?"
"I will sis." They hung up and Novilene sighed heavily.
Novilene looked up to see a blonde man wearing a black suit holding a black briefcase. His blue eyes met her dark brown ones and he smiled widely at her.
"Hey, Novilene." The man greeted her and was about to give her a hug but stopped when he wrinkled his nose in disgust. "You need a shower, sister, 'cause you stink."
"Sorry." She smiled sheepishly and rubbed her neck. "I was packing up all my things and Alex called me."
"Speaking of Alex, how is he?" He loosened up his tie a bit. "I miss that brat."
"He's fine and proud that the Professors are impressed by his academics." Novilene spoke up in a proud tone and stood up. "I thought that you'd be home late because of that hearing today."
"Speaking of the hearing." He sighs in relief and raised his hand in victory. "He's terrified of me."
"Why? What makes you so happy?" She raised her eyebrows at him as he smirked wickedly.
"Well... this man thought that I'm dumb and assumed he'd win the case. I proved him wrong and he's already in jail." He removed his black coat and patted her head. "Have a shower and I'll cook dinner this time."
"Are you sure?" She removed her hair tie and glasses. "The last time you cooked... you almost ended up setting the kitchen on fire."
Her best friend cringed and smiled nervously knowing that she's right. The last time he cooked, Steve almost burned the entire kitchen and luckily, his wife, Phoebe Dobrev, was with him at that time. He shivered at the thought of seeing Phoebe's scary expression if he dares to cook again, especially while she's pregnant.
"On second thought... never mind." He laughs nervously and removing his tie. "Have you finish packing up?" Observing the entire house is almost completely empty because she's going to move out in a different country soon.
"No, I still have to pack up my books. Could you do it for me, please?" Her phone beeped and she looked down at it to see 'Unknown Caller' on her screen. "I have to take this call."
"Sure." He shrugged. He didn't mind packing her books since he's a hopeless cooker.
"Thanks!" She waved and went straight to the bathroom. "Cruz speaking, how may I help you?" Novilene spoke in a calm tone, but with a hint of seriousness.
"Is that the way you talk with your grandmother, apo (granddaughter)?" Novilene stared at her phone to see its Maricar Cruz, her grandmother. She laughs nervously and rubbed her neck.
"Sorry Ma, I didn't know it was you. How are you?" She asked and grabbed her change of clothes.
Maricar Cruz is the grandmother of Novilene and Alex. She's a kind and brave woman who doesn't hesitate to step up and face her problems. She treats her first granddaughter, Novilene, as her own daughter and Novilene calls her 'Ma' or 'Mama' not 'grandmother' or 'nanny'. Novilene loves her grandmother deeply because it is Maricar who takes care of her.
"Everything is fine, everyone is asking about when you're coming back to the Philippines." Maricar chopped the vegetables while calling her granddaughter. "It's been what? Three years since your last visit? The only time you visit is during the Easter Holiday."
"Ma, I've been working a lot lately and saving money to process your visa." Novilene pointed out and leaned against her wardrobe. "Processing your visa is quite expensive and thank goodness Steve helps me do the documents."
"Ah, speaking of Steve. How's the married couple? Do they have kids yet?"
"Not yet, but Phoebe is 6 months pregnant. They'll be having a baby girl." She smiled hearing Maricar's laugh. "How's everything going?"
"Same old, same old. Jay is busy with his bar exam." Maricar spoke in a proud tone making Novilene smile at her Uncle's achievement. "Are you still... contacting Jason?"
Novilene froze as she fiddling the hem of her t-shirt nervously. It's been two years that his biological father, Jason Gideon, stopped contacting her yet she often sent pictures of herself going somewhere in her free time. She sighs heavily and biting her lips lightly.
"I did but it ends up in the voicemail... I did often sent pictures when I'm off somewhere during my day off." Novilene explained and tearing up a bit. "Dad changed a lot... when mom died..."
"I know sweetie. Your father hasn't stopped loving Maria despite the fact that they got separated. Give him time. I know it's a lot... please don't give up your father."
"I don't and I pray to God that I'll see him soon." She smiled then glanced at the frame that holds a picture of herself and her father hugging each other.
"Let me guess... your sixth sense is telling you that?" Maricar asked in an amused tone knowing that Novilene has a sixth sense that something good or bad is going to happen.
Maricar is always worried about her granddaughter because of her sixth sense and the fact that she's basically a human lie detector as well. She always prays for her safety including her other siblings and friends too. Novilene has a very dangerous job that could gain her few enemies because of her abilities.
"Yeah, listen to Ma... I have to take a shower. I stink because of packing all my stuff before resigning from my job." She chuckled and stared at the time. "You should probably get some rest as well."
"I will my dear and I love you."
"Love you too." Novilene ended the call and got in the shower.
Novilene had a feeling that her life would change forever because of a certain someone. Her world might turn upside down when she received a call from the FBI to seek help after her very last case before resigning London Metropolitan Police.