I had never seen such beautiful scenery until now. I am going up in an elevator with glass windows from which the nightly lit view of Madrid can be appreciated. From this height, the pain and frustration from the emergency suburbs around the capital can be perceived. They are part of a whole, with flashing lights that contrast with the stiffness of the lamps banishing the darkness of the streets, houses, and skyscrapers. It's a lie, a daunting yet warm lie.

The elevator stops on the ninetieth floor. The gala's reception will take place there, in an outdoor penthouse. Only an exclusive group of guests will be present to witness the new breakthrough in cyber-engineering made by NewLife Robotics. Each one of these breakthroughs means a condemnation for people like me. Without any opportunity, with no future, and no hope other than to be chosen at the castings. We should destroy companies like this one. We would be happier.

Before I start getting lost into thoughts full of resentment, I run into a very well-groomed man with long gray hair. He is wearing a black suit and bow tie over a perfect white shirt. Classic. However, he is also a muscular man, not quite a gym rat, enough to make anyone jealous. His verdant aquamarine eyes express the confidence of a man who has never doubted himself. He's really attractive. He kind of reminds me of a movie star instead of a businessman.

When he sees me, there is light in his face. He sees an old couple off, and promises them privileged seats during the presentation. With a captivating smile (in which I think I perceive perversion) he gets closer to me.

"Miss De la Viuda, you honor me with your presence," he says while he kisses my gloved hand. I am Josep Fort, CEO of NewLife Robotics and your humble host.

A few things went through my head but I contained myself. Now I am Bella, a shy young orphan girl who is also in need. Well, just like I used to be before joining the SAR.

"Thank you very much, mister Fort. I am pleased to be at your party... in this very moment."

When I thought of acting, I never thought I would end up being a spy. However, I am actually doing a great job, considering that while looking at Fort with my head down, I can see his predatory stare. I am a perfect prey for him.

"Please, follow me. The show is about to start."

And you are saying it.

The presentation was really boring for someone like me. But I acted as if I was interested during Fort's speech about him overcoming life's obstacles, waiting for everyone to clap and make their significant donations to NewLife Robotics. I tried not to yawn since I was actually sitting behind him. Of course, his intentions with Bella were so obvious.

We walked towards the hall where a fancy cocktail was waiting for us. Right in front of me there is a parade of platters with small appetizers whose origin or composition I can't specify. I take two appetizers and I eat them slowly. I would never reject any food. Nothing can be worse than the food at the landfill.

"Let's toast, dear Bella," Fort invites me while he gives me a glass of champagne. "You will never drink something like this in your life. This champagne was made following the exquisite and millenary techniques of French monks. Their collection of alcoholic beverages was the only good thing that Catholics left us."

"What are we toasting to?" I ask timidly.

"To love. The true driving force of the world."

I drink my glass recklessly as a young girl that has never had a drop of liquor in her entire life. But this is all part of the plan to convince Fort to take me to his private room. There he keeps his private terminal, and I must have access to it.

"Wooh, I... I think... I drank too... too fast..." I say while I stagger after drinking a couple of drinks. The bait is ready.

Fort grabs me from my waist with more strength than needed, and guides me to the glowing hall with gold plated walls and a chandelier with hundreds of candles. The elevator doors open, and he invites me to his bedroom so I can wash my face. Of course, that's something I can do at the reception's toilets, but I am a stupid young girl, I'm so shy.

Before I realize, I'm lying in bed while Fort kisses my face, neck, and lips. I think the farce has come to an end. I try to push him out of me, but his excitement is such that he ignores my pleas. He holds my wrists with his strong hand, and doesn't let me make a move. He's enjoying the moment.

"Don't resist, Bella. When you become my wife, you're going to have it all. Money, power, possessions, safety... You only have to give me your body," he tells me as he pulls his pants down.

He lifts my skirt, and he is happy to find out that I'm not wearing any underwear. I kick him in his crotch right when he wants to open my legs. In a split second he releases my hands, and I seize the opportunity to punch him in the face.

I get up while Fort writhes in pain on the floor. Out of a hidden pocket in my dress I take a small see-through adhesive paper that I stick to his wrist. It produces a shock of neurotransmitters that transform the businessman into a puppet at my disposal. I'm scared to even think that drugs like these exist.

He looks at me with his large pupils waiting for my order. I don't waste my time. Time is money.

"Enter your terminal, and retrieve information on the VH-1143 project."

Fort gets up letting saliva dribble from his lips. He is no longer the seductive man that tried to seduce me in order to rape me. It doesn't bother me at all to see him that way.

Dragging his feet, he walks to the room next door, and places his hand on a small screen that opens a door towards a lighted office with nothing but a small table. He sits and makes some movements in the air, and suddenly a terminal from one of those famous holographic computers shows up. He writes a set of commands that end up producing a block of information that he saves in a key.

"Give me the key."

Without any hesitation Fort gives it me to me. Once I have it in my hand, I come across this ring-shaped device. It's a good way to camouflage sensitive data. Who can imagine that a jewel like this can hide such a treasure?

"Thanks, darling."

I was tempted to order him to do something mischievous as a response to his attempted rape. Who knows how many young girls were in my situation, and couldn't escape from him. However, I want to leave this place as soon as possible, and get to the base to complete this mission. My graduation is waiting for me, and it will be with honors!

"Where are you going, Sayi?"

I turn around as I hear my name. No one in the party has to know about it or recognize me. So I fear the worst.

Before me, I ran across Major Rojas wearing a flamboyant tuxedo. What is he doing here? Is he controlling me?

"Major, what a surprise! Is this part of the test?" I ask warily. An interruption like this can be fatal for the mission.

"Give me the ring, Sayi."

"I've been given orders to..."

Rojas takes his gun out, and shoots me on the shoulder.

What the hell is going on? Is he crazy? Why did he shoot me?

"I'm stupid! I don't understand why I have to ask you for it. I can just get it out of your dead body hands."

I try to escape but it's in vain. He shoots me again, but this time in the leg, and I fall on the black marble floor feeling a terrible pain from the wounds.

"Why?"

"What do you think a person like me wants?" He gives me a few seconds to respond, but I can't think of anything. I'm so scared and I'm afraid to die. "Money, my love. Between your fingers there's information that can change the future of humanity and robots. Did you hear that?"

"You used us...You used the SAR to steal... Fort isn't the one in touch with the Andalusians. It's you."

"You're very smart. That's the reason why I must kill you. Well, I was going to kill you anyways. I don't need to fool you."

I've been living a shitty life! Why does it have to change now? I've lived little more than seventeen years to get here and realize that no one gives anything away for nothing. Even if you think you understand it. It's just one of those layers that covers reality.

I managed to live longer than many of my landfill friends who didn't pass the casting. I overcame my own limitations in order to become a different person with new opportunities. I'm proud of myself. I would've liked to be smarter, and to know the truth that lies under humanity. Maybe I would've taken better choices. But anyway, that wasn't my fate.

As Rojas pulls the trigger, I think of Ben. I wish I could've kissed him. He is a beautiful, friendly, kind of conceited, guy but I would've liked to go on a date with him. He used to be in my dreams frequently. And it makes me sad to know I will never make them come true.

Dad, forgive me too. I only brought pain to yourlife. We weren't the women that you deserved. I lov...