She giggled as he rained kisses on her arm. “Mmmm, my sweet, sweet Mel,” he murmured. “You know you drive me crazy, right?”

“Of course, my darling AZ, of course. I know that,” she chortled. “The fact that you can’t keep your hands off my thighs is enough confirmation of that.”

His hand, running up and down her thigh, then stopped. He grinned at her. “It’s not my fault you have the sexiest legs in the world now, is it? And you’re sitting on my lap as well. I’ve just got to have a feel of them, you know.”

Still giggling, she shrugged. “Not that I’m complaining, though. I love it when you touch me like that. And as for your lap, I have the right to feel comfy on my man, don’t I?”

“No better place,” he confirmed, kissing her on the cheek, while rubbing her back. He then turned his attention to the TV.

After a few minutes, he looked back at her. “Baby?”

She gazed back at him. “Yes honey?”

“You know I couldn’t be happier to have you, right? I mean, goddamn, Melitta, I can’t believe I found you. You’ve been a proper injection of joy into my life, after all that happened…”

“Awwww, booboo!” she cooed, hugging him. “I couldn’t be happier to have you too. You’ve been a ray of sunlight in my dark world too, and I love you so much, AZ. You’re just amazing. In all aspects.”

“Hehehehe! I’m glad to hear that. We’re just right for each other. The stars aligned so perfectly when we met, didn’t they?”

“Couldn’t have been more on point,” she agreed, stroking his gradually greying beard. “The universe was just itching to hook us up.”

“Yes, it was. So baby, would you do anything for me?”

“Of course, my sweet! I’d do anything for you. What do you need me to do for you, babe?”

Well…” he slurred, looking down at her very short denim shorts, ” I’ll let you know in a bit, but… I’m kinda hungry at the moment. Maybe we can have dinner first?”

She laughed out loud. “You’re such a bad boy!”

“One of the reasons you love me so much,” he grinned, before silencing her with his lips…

Melitta snapped out of her reverie, shaking her head. “Ugh! Damnit, Mel, you and your separation anxiety issues!” she sighed to herself. “Focus, girl, focus! Ain’t nothing you can do about that for now. Focus on the assignment.” 

Straightening herself at her sleek, minimalist desk, she opened up her state-of-the-art laptop and activated the specialized software called GhostGuard.

“My daily check to ensure I’m not being tracked,” she murmured to herself. As was the norm with her work, a cutting-edge security suite had been developed by the agency she was acquainted with, designed to ensure the anonymity and safety of field operatives. Ensuring her identity did not get out to Morton had become extremely important in the wake of what she had heard from him, and as the old saying goes, better to be safe than sorry.

Melitta leaned forward, her deep brown eyes focused on the screen as the software initiated a series of checks.

The first test was a comprehensive sweep for electronic bugs or tracking devices. GhostGuard scanned her apartment for any unusual signals, analyzing the frequencies in the airwaves to detect hidden surveillance devices. A progress bar on the screen tracked the scan.

Within moments, the software displayed a reassuring message: No anomalies detected.

“Perfect.”

Satisfied with the initial sweep, she moved on to the next layer of security. GhostGuard initiated a deep scan of her laptop and smartphone, searching for any unauthorized access or malicious software. As the scan progressed, lines of code scrolled rapidly across the screen, and a green checkmark appeared next to each successfully cleared check.

She breathed a sigh of relief. “What I like to see.”

Next, she activated the location-tracking analysis. GhostGuard cross-referenced her recent movements with known surveillance databases, ensuring that no unauthorized tracking devices had been placed on her person during the day, from her visit to the supermarket to meeting up with Silvius.

The results displayed a clean slate, further easing her concerns.

“One last check, and my heart can be at ease for the evening.”

Finally, GhostGuard performed a secure communication check. It analyzed the encrypted channels Melitta had used to communicate during the day, ensuring that her messages remained confidential and protected from interception.

The software displayed a reassuring message: Secure communication established.

A big sigh of relief escaping her lips at the sight of that, Melitta leaned back in her chair. Another day, another confirmation that she was not being tracked. She closed the GhostGuard interface and turned the laptop off.

Nonetheless, she still had a lingering sense of caution. Maybe Morton didn’t have tracking leads on her, but that certainly did not mean he was harmless. She could not afford to not be vigilant; it would be the difference between finding a way to complete the mission, or failing and probably dying in the process.

As she contemplated her next moves, a vibration interrupted her thoughts. She picked up her phone and checked.

A voice note from Silvius.

“Hello, Agent Mel. I hope you’re ready for the assignment tomorrow. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. There will be no surprises from him whatsoever. None. The buffoon’s just bluffing. He can’t do shit if we’re coming for him. Make sure you let him have it and have it good. Break a bone or two if you have to, just make sure he speaks the truth. Can’t wait to hear that ungrateful turd admit what I’ve done for him. All the best.”

As she put down the phone, she couldn’t help but have an eyebrow raised.

Why did Silvius sound so confident that there would be no surprises? Was there something he knew that she didn’t? Was he hiding something from her? Because it sure sounded like he was.

Was he to be trusted himself?

Or was that just another outpouring of his anger? She had informed him about the crazy story Morton had given her concerning their supposed encounter, and as one would expect, he was livid. Maybe he was just speaking out of pure, unbridled emotion.

She sighed and rubbed her face. “Who do you trust in this line of work?” she questioned out loud.

The obvious silence of the room greeted her in response.

She shook her head and opened up her laptop, ready to work on studying the structure of the hotel for all possible vulnerabilities. “Exactly.”

***

“Yeah, so I should be done soon enough, then I’ll come back home… yes, yes, you know I do, I just… really?? Oh my goodness, that’s awesome!… Oh, that sounds like just what I need. And yes, absolutely, I need those fish fingers! A hundred percent…”

It was Friday afternoon, and Melitta was standing in the car park of the mall where the limousine picked her up on Wednesday, waiting for it again. This time, Morton would be in it, so they could head to the countryside for the weekend.

Dressed for the occasion, she wore a stylish gingham coat over a crisp blouse, paired with alluring camo shorts that added a touch of class and sophistication to her ensemble. A small brown duffel bag sat next to her, where a change of clothes had been shoved in.

Anyone who saw her would think those shorts were just another excuse to show off her legs. In reality, though, those were the shorts she donned whenever it was time for action. Inside that camo-coloured apparel were holsters that kept her two Smith & Wesson SD9 guns in place. She had worn it on many occasions, and it had served her very well whenever it was about to go down.

And as far as she was concerned, it was about to go down that evening. No matter what, she had to be prepared. If not to put some bullets through brains, then at least to force her target into submission.

“Alright, thanks so much, honey, I really appreciate it… yes sir… I love you too. Bye!”

Hanging up, the goofy, dreamy grin on her face remained for a few seconds, before she quickly shoved it aside. Time to get to business.

“So remember, girl, the key thing is to find a way to study his reflection while I get our wine glasses ready,” she reminded herself. “Any sign of readiness to spring into action, and I’ll need to switch tactics…”

Her monologue did not last long, however, as the limousine pulled up at the car park, the driver knowing exactly where to find her. The vehicle moved to her, and from the backseat, a window rolled down. Morton, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and brown shorts, greeted her with a smile that bordered on infatuation. His eyes lingered appreciatively on her outfit, and Melitta could easily detect the traces of desire in his gaze. Those legs had caught his eyes once again.

“Wow, Amarita, you look even more breathtaking than I imagined you’d look!” he exclaimed, his tone filled with genuine admiration.

Melitta graciously smiled and accepted the compliment. “Thanks, Morton. Just trying to look the part for a good weekend out.”

“Well, your trying was more than successful. This is banging!”

Melitta laughed softly. “Thank you.”

As the limo glided out of the mall’s car park, Morton couldn’t contain his excitement. “I’ve planned a fantastic weekend for us,” he declared, his enthusiasm palpable. “We’ll have the presidential suite to ourselves, and I’ve arranged for some special surprises.”

Inwardly, Mel rolled her eyes at his naivety, knowing that the real surprise awaited him. She maintained her role, responding with a coy smile, “I’m looking forward to it, Morton. Sounds like it’s gonna be one wonderful weekend.”

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you, a small change of plans. Marina Vale Hotel messed up our reservation, so we’re going to Sunny Square Resort instead.”

Melitta snapped her head to look at him. “Wait, what?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I don’t know how it happened, but they got back to me last night about some errors in their system or whatever, so we can’t have it. Hmph, to say I was pissed is an understatement. I was furious! I absolutely let them have it…”

The rest of his words made little matter to Melitta. Her head was starting to spin at that moment.

Shit! All that surveillance on Marina Vale for nothing. This must be planned. Damn it!

While she wondered what to do next, his words broke through. “Anyways… um, Amarita?”

She focused on him after that call. “Yeah?”

“Please hand me that briefcase over there.”

Her heart pounding as she glanced at it, she slowly took it and handed it over to him, wondering if this was a trap he had led her into. This man’s got me right where he wants me. He’s got me.

He opened it, reached for the pouch in front of him…

… and pulled out a Mateba Autorevolver.

She gasped, her fright real.

Morton looked at her, then at the gun, then shook his head frantically. “Oh, no, no, no, no, Amarita. I’m sorry. I should’ve said it before asking you to give me the briefcase. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt you. I’m just putting this in a safe place.”

Nodding at his assurances, Melitta caught her breath.

“Awwww, I’m sorry, Amar. You know the world of us billionaires is a crazy one, so we gotta stay strapped always. Don’t worry, you’re not a part of it. Our business is different.”

Winking at her, he then looked out the window.

Her heartbeat refusing to relax, Melitta felt an unusual sense of danger foreboding. This did not feel good. First, the hotel had suddenly been changed, then now Morton was toting a gun in front of her?

Nope, this could not be a coincidence. This could not! It was starting to feel like Morton was leading her into a mouse trap, and a painful one at that.

Nahh, there’s something off. Ugh, for fuck’s sake… I’m gonna have to be very, very cautious right now…

Okay, something is up. It looks like we might have seriously underestimated Morton. What’s going to happen to Agent Mel? And by the way, who’s her boyfriend? Coz he seems to really bring out the weakness in her…