Once she was out of sight, I almost lost my balance as I sighed heavily, clutching at my knees.

"That was close..." I muttered under my breath.

After a while, I stood up, carried the desk and placed it back to its original position. I mapped the left side of the desk with my fingertips, until my middle finger caught on an unfamiliar piece of wood. I pressed it and the hidden drawer fell out. I placed the envelope into it and pushed the drawer back to its original position which blended miraculously with the side wood of the desk.

With all that in place, I got up and headed for the door to join the others.

                                                                                           ...

They were all getting ready for bed. They were sorting themselves, their chattering never ending. Their liveliness never seems to end. I tried butting in but I knew very well how long this will take. After what seemed like a long time, they settled under the covers.

"Alright kids, now go to sleep and I'll see you in the morning." I said as I faced them cross-armed.

"T'chell us a be'dcht'chime sh'towy firshch," said Martha.

"Nooo! I wanna play some moree!" said John as he hit and kicked on the bed.

"Arghhh! Can't you sit still John?" said Abigail as she pushed him away.

"Ow!"

"I wa'tch sh'towy, I wa'tch sh'towy,"

"Is Fridah asleep?" said Michael."

"Yeah. I put her to bed awhile ago," I said. They still chattered and it looks like it will continue on.

"Sigh..." They never really settle do they.

"Alright I'll tell you a bedtime story if only you be quiet and settle."

They all celebrated and cheered in excitement. They calmed down and fumbled with their blanket as they waited patiently.

"Ok, which story should I go with?" I said as I clasped my hands together.

"What about the story you told us last time?" said Abigail.

"Argh! Noo, we already heard that one many times." said John.

"Bu'tch i'tch ish a'ways goo'dsh," said Martha.

"Maybe," said John.

"Maybe!?" said Abigail.

"What do you think big bro Mike?" John said as he looked at him.

"Well..." Michael avoided his gaze as he looked to his side, "I don't know..."

His eyes glided on Martha's face until he reached her eyes. Martha shifted on the bed and as she turned, she caught his gaze as he stared at her. A quizzical look is all she gave as she looked at him.

"But I think I like it more than the rest." he said as he smiled at her.

Realising what he said, Martha grinned up at him. Immediately, he rubbed his hand on her tummy, her giggles emulsifying.

"If that is what you want, then ok." I moved away from the wall and sat at the edge of their bed.

"Is everyone ready?" I said as I looked at them.

"Yes." they said in unison.

I cleared my throat, inhaled deeply and looked at them as I began, "Once upon a time..."

                                                                                             ...

Their light snores and heavy breathing is all I heard as they slept soundly. Michael was the last one to drift off which made it easier since he had no trouble sleeping after the others dozed off.

It always takes them time to sleep when they are listening to that particular story. All the questions they ask and their nugging keeps them awake and their eagerness has no bounds at all. They can continue on and forget it is just a story, which it is all true since it is my story.

I lift up the blanket and tuck them in making sure I do not wake them. I give them each a kiss then I get off from the bed and face them, placing my hands on my hips. I smile as I take in the scenery of their sleepy faces. After a one minute gaze, I whisppered 'goodnight' and turned to face the doorway as I walked out of the room, half-closing their door behind me.

I do one whole swoop around the house before I make my way to my room. I pull on the metallic doorknob as it creaked beneath my weight when I enter. The air that rushes in when I open the door is heavy, calm but deadly, filling in the spaces not occupied by my body as I move. The room lights flicker on as the one behind me goes off, my shadow following close behind me.

Once I'm in, I turn to face the door. I begin to close the door slowly, the air hammering in its presence. With only a gap left in between, I peaked outside the door with one eye into the darkness that stretched beyond the illuminated light from the room. A smile tugged at my mouth and my half-face that appeared from the gap finally disappeared as I closed the door and the 'click' sound was the only response given as it echoed in the darkness that engulfed the entrance.

The weather the next day was warm and sunny, perfect for an outing. The weather forecast had another marvelous prediction. There won't be any unpleasantries that may occur the whole day.

I took the only subway that was far from the neighbourhood and headed for my destination. As I stood, supporting myself on the hand strap, I recalled the events that partook this morning.

The large vase that stood at the far side at the end of the corridor moved when my fingers raked the cold expanse, triggering the brick behind the wall to retreat and dip into the surface. The wall stretched out where the vase once stood revealing an envelope, a bag, a phone and a mirror. I placed all of them into the bag except the envelope. Retrieving them, the wall retreated back and the vase went to its original position as if it never left. I didn't want to wake baby Fridah in the process so I had to retrieve them elsewhere.

The vase and all the other things came with the house when I bought it those years ago. It was the only house that matched my preferences. I never really wanted help from anyone even if it was the agency and I knew far to well if I did. Having exhausted every other alternative, I finally capitulated to the agency. It wasn't a gift; it was a trade. To secure their help, I had to agree to a list of stipulations and made them think I'm more of a pawn. I came to them out of necessity, but I stayed on my own terms. By the time the ink was dry on their agreement, I had outmaneuvered them_ turning their 'help' into my leverage. I wasn't just their spy; I was an indispensable asset, and I made sure they knew they needed me far more than I needed them.

The life I lived was more peaceful than I imagined. It was great hiding from prying eyes and from people though it was the only thing I had to do. I freezed all my assets and changed my background so that I don't stick out like a sore thumb but I missed some calculated issues.

Was I poor? yes. Did being poor bring some complications? yes. Will changing my background trigger people into finding out the real me and track me down? probably... but then I'll have a good enough reason for the agency's mishaps. Will it affect my line of work? no. These are but a few of what happened, what's partaking now and what will come in the future.

I couldn't do much work after they woke up since their morning tantrums are always hard to deal with. It is either you find a solution or you go along with it. Luckily the one I needed to prioritise the most. I dealt with it before they awoke.

It took me a very long time to prepare and leave and since my kids were my top priority at the moment, I missed the train. After they finally calmed down, I took them and left them with my neighbour who always watched them when I was away. She couldn't resist because of all of the times I helped her when she needed it the most. I know for sure she doesn't want any connections related to me but there is no way of escape for her. Still she loved and adored my children and since she also looked after the other children in the neighbourhood, she was the only woman I could turn to since she was loved by all.

I knew I probably told my kids I will play with them today but as it turned out, I had important things that I had to accomplish within the period of time given.

My eyebrows dipped into a sorrowful arc. They are probably sad and disappointed that I couldn't play with them but after I get back, I will have to make it up to them. I left them on the verge of tears but knowing them, they understood me and the work I do.

"Sigh..." I just hope everything goes well and I finish early so I can have enough free time to spend with them before the day ends.

The train rattled as it took a sharp turn to the left, my briefcase colliding with my leg in the process. I looked down at it, my facial expression beginning to stiffen.

The train suddenly became dark even though the lights in the train were dim. I still had my eyes fixated on it as the train moved through the tunnel. At least no one found out what face I made. I have to make sure that today will be a success.

The train rumbled as it came out of the tunnel the light seeping in through the darkness. I averted my eyes away from the briefcase and looked out of the window.

The city came into full view, the tall buildings and skyscrapers appeared just up ahead. The sun imprinting its light on them as they glistened and the birds soared through the sky around them. It is always a beautiful sight when one looks at it from this angle.

The city... I now just have to get closer...

I stepped out of the train with the other passengers as the train came to a halt and the doors slided open.

I blended with the crowd that were waiting to depart on the platform and moved with the others to the exit where a flight of stairs awaited us. I descended from them and made my way through the fare gate as I scanned my phone for access.

I made my way through the hall where the machines beeped and the departure boards glowed and flickered diplaying the schedules of the day. I ascended the flight of stairs as I made my way to the entrance together with the crowd.

I took a taxi and headed for my destination. I let my head rest on my hand, taking in the scenery of the city as we drove by. My right hand glided on top of the briefcase, its texture seeping through my fingertips. The documents it held called to me, knowing very well what I must do.

The streets filled with people and became busy. A café shop opened and one of the staff placed a billboard close to the entrance as we drove by.

Everything seems to be going well...

I averted my eyes from the window and faced forward. The traffic from earlier seemed to ease down. In no time we will be arriving soon. I shifted from one leg to the other, crossing them, my hand bag falling to my side, its protuding artwork glinting in the light in the process. I remained nonchalant to my surrounding.

As the taxi took a turn, the building came into full view. I looked out of the window, my eyes being drawn to the building. At the apex of the building lay a structural letter that was shaped as an 'A' in blue and at the base of the letter continued the following "AND COMPANIES" in red which represented its name. Many people don't know why they designed it like that but don't be fooled, there is more to it that meets the eye.

The taxi came to a halt and I stepped out of the vehicle. I looked up, taking in the size of the building I once knew. I clutched my right hand into a fist. The only thing I did let show. Passers-by continued walking along the pavement.

It still hasn't changed after all this time...

I made my way into the building with some other people. I fixed my eyes on the path ahead as I swept the entrance with a sidelong look, never breaking stide. The guards on standby were no longer at their positions. Nothing else seemed different.

The glass doors slided open as I made my way in. The lobby was beaming with people, moving all around the place. The place was vast, the building enormous and in the middle of it was a hollow-like tube that stretched on like a curve, never being able to see the top. The creamy sheen of champagne gold washed over the interior, catching the light as it cascaded down the hollow and through the lobby. If you look closely, you can see the sunlight gleam through the tinted glass on the ceiling of the void creating a breathtaking view of the interior.

I tried to behave as casual as I can and act like a person who has never been here before.

I looked up, my eyes darting on the floors that lay above each other. Each floor circled the central atrium, lined with glass guardrails to prevent a fall. Employees were swarming the floors as they worked. One of the employee's walked fast and past by me. Her attention brought me forward as I watched her meet her colleague. Afterwards, I faced forward and I resumed walking, the sound giving way when I crossed through the hall.