MHG-V3-4 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 9 - Mark's sin (part 1)

*** (Samantha visits Mark’s house)

"So good of you to come." Mark said as he opened the door to his private apartment and let Samantha Kang enter in.

Samantha had dressed up to her best ability, wearing a knee length black skirt and a tidy blouse. Her hair was tied up at the back and she had even attempted to apply some makeup. Mark on the other hand was casually dressed, which made Samantha feel a bit awkward. Perhaps she had had the wrong idea when he had asked her to meet him at his house?

Mark didn't mention it though and simply invited her in.

She walked inside and looked around the inside of the studio apartment with a little surprise. Her apartment was quite luxurious, but this man, having a much higher position in the NSA than her father, lived in a comparitively simple dwelling. The floor was polished wood, and the whole place apart from the bedroom and bathroom was open. Full length windows looked out over Seeligh City under a twilight sky.

"Would you like some tea?" Mark asked as he walked toward the kitchen area.

"Ah, yes please." Samantha said shyly. It was a bit awkward to be having a meeting related to work in a place like this, but if that's what it took to get to the top, she was prepared for anything.

"Then please, take a seat. I'll be back shortly."

"Yes, thank you."

Mark left for the kitchen and Samantha took a seat on one of the three sofas surrounding a low-lying coffee table which was adorned with an array of mini cacti.

Samantha looked around her as she thought about becoming the managing director of a place like the NSA. Of course as someone in such a position, she would earn a lot of money. But that wasn't her goal. No, if she were in that position, even an apartment like this would be too grandious for her. She would probably be consent with just a bed and a bathroom. After all, the rest of her time she would probably spend at work.

"Here." Mark said, bringing a tray with two steaming cups. "This is a special tea from China. It is specially designed to relax your nerves."

"Thank you." Samantha said, taking a cup and looking down at the red coloured contents. She breathed in the smell and them took a tiny sip.

Perhaps, when she were managing director, she would also have to entertain important guests like this. In that case, having a modest apartment wasn't such a bad idea.

"So Samantha." Mark said, leaning back in his seat opposite her. "I've been looking at your history quite a bit after the 'incident', and i was quite impressed. Not only do you have impressive grades at school, you have also completed a number of assignment for us. Although small in nature, your achievements there were well recognised by everyone. In short, although you're only 14 you're an exceptionally bright young woman and certainly have the capacity to achieve a lot."

"Ah.. i'm not so sure." Samantha said blushing. She tried her best to speak humbly, but inside she brimmed with pride.

"Well as i thought about it i thought, what a waste to have to wait for you to pass through another 5 years of elementary education, and then who knows how many years of university. So many of the things you learn would be useless, you would gain most of it through on-job experience anyway. To have that skill and ability put to such waste.."

"Are you.. offering me a job?" Samantha asked surprised.

"Offering you a job?" Mark laughed casually. "I want to develop your skill. I want to help you rise to the top of your potential. Jobs are for the middleclass. What you need is a place, a field where your abilities can flourish and grow. Where you can lead the NSA on to a glorious future."