Chapter Thirty-Two: Isabel:

Who was Isabel? Not many remembered when she first came to Ju-Oh-Cho. Many didn’t know where she came from either. She didn’t socialize much with a coworkers. Everyone had so many guesses about her.

She first started working in Ju-Oh-Cho back in late October. No questions were asked about her background. She only had one interview that day and she was hired on the spot.

“You have impressive record,” the boss said.

“Thank you, sir,” she said. Isabel got in with no problems. She didn’t work in the field as requested. Isabel stayed mostly in the office.

“Why doesn’t she talk so much?”

“Maybe she’s mute.”

“Nah, maybe she’s too shy.” A couple of ladies tried to make friends with Isabel. She did talk to them, but nothing more.

“Have tea with us,” they offered. She smiled and shook her head.

“Nah, I’m good,” the blond shinigami said. “I’ve got some work to catch up on.”

“You are such a workaholic, Isabel-san,” they told her.

“Yes, I am,” she would say. Today would be no different. When the ladies were gone, she went back into her office. Once alone, Isabel got on her phone. She sat down at her desk, waiting.

“Mama?” she asked. “How are you doing? Me? I’m doing well. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I see. How is my brother? Oh. Maybe I should come up to see you then. No trouble. Really, it’s fine. I’ll talk to the boss about it. Mama, it’ll be fine. It’s fine, I swear it. I’ll come by in three days’ time. No trouble. No trouble. I will see you soon. Give my love to my brothers. Kiss my Cherry Pop.” Isabel blew a kiss and hung up, sighing. Whew! I don’t know much longer I can keep this up.

“Excuse me,” a voice spoke up, knocking on the door. The gaijin shinigami darted up.

“Yes?” she asked. One of the shinigami from the Tokyo Division gave her an odd look.

“We’re having a meeting downstairs. Are you coming?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah,” she said. “I’ll be there in one second. Go on without me.”

“Are you okay?”

Isabel waved him off, nodding. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“Okay…” he mumbled. Her coworker headed down the hall. Isabel sat back in her chair. She always knew that her time about to be up. The shinigami reached into her jacket and pulled out a small baggie. This is all I have left for the spell, Isabel thought. They’re also catching on. She bit her lower lip. Please hurry, Mama. I don’t know how much longer I can keep up the mission before I get caught. She took a deep breath and headed down the hall for the meeting.

Just who was Isabel, exactly?