As the town sign for Oakwood flashed by the tinted glass of Nathalie’s rented black SUV, she adjusted the collar of her clean white top. She had double-checked the burner phones in her glove box, checked her ID twice that morning, and verified that the tracker on the broker's associate's car a few blocks away was still blinking.
It was a clean and managed mission. Just the way she liked it. Not unknown, Oakwood was a wealthy city. It was slick, and guarded by the type of individuals who hired others to do their dirty work. Someone like Vlad Marcus, the weapons dealer she had been pursuing for six months, would love this place. She had disappeared into its shadows, just as he had.
Nathalie reviewed the message on her burner phone and adjusted her wristwatch.
"At Bellerose Arms, Suite 21, the target was verified. Nothing changed in terms of activity.”
Without hesitation, she responded,
"Monitoring is still ongoing. No communication as of yet.”
Tracking a known arms broker with connections to global criminal networks was her mission here. She was an heiress with a secret past and charitable activities, and her cover was perfect. She had spent months creating the persona that she now wore with ease.
The sun had already set when she pulled into the underground garage of the fancy flat Tessa had rented for her. The buzz in Nathalie's blood was more exciting than the peace of the metropolis. Just the kind that came before a takedown.
After locking the car, she climbed into the spotless penthouse through the private lift. Tessa was there already.
As soon as Nathalie entered, her friend declared, "You still look like a fed."
Nathalie looked at her. "Oh please, all right, in other words, that means that I'm blending in.”
Tessa gave an eye roll. "My birthday is being celebrated, Nat. Avoiding a stakeout. “So, we’ll be heading out tonight girl,” Tessa said.
"I am unable to go tonight Tessa. I need to meet with a contact……she paused while checking her burner phone.
With her arms crossed over her bright collar top, Tessa responded, saying, "No. For weeks, you have been pursuing a ghost. Take a break girl. You've gone too far. Come out and have fun. Let’s go out, no weapons, no weird nicknames or undercovers. Just you and me alone.
Nathalie paused. She didn't have it in mind to go, but she felt guilty since Tessa had supported her during the agency burn and it was her special, so she had to show up for her. This was something she owed her.
“Alright, give me an hour," Nathalie said. Tessa gave a hand clap.
“I got you a sexy black dress,” Tessa said with excitement.
“No way, I brought a few clothes, Tessa. Getting me one wasn’t necessary.” Nathalie said.
“I don’t care if you brought clothes, young lady. Also, don’t forget you have an hour left, so hurry up.” Tessa chuckled.
*******
A red Rolls Royce dropped the girls at one of the biggest and luxurious clubs in Oakwood. Club Lux was a place for people with high status and celebrities.
With loud bass beating against her ribs, bodies packed like secrets against silk walls, and an atmosphere heavy with champagne and perfume, the club was just the kind of place Nathalie didn’t like.
As she took them to a velvet booth next to the DJ's platform, Tessa immediately attracted attention with her loud laughter. Out of habit, Nathalie identified exits while keeping an eye on her friend. She didn't like how tight her dress was.
Tessa practiced winks and ordered drinks without asking. With her mind already roaming to the meeting she had postponed, Nathalie crossed her legs and looked around the crowd for any threats.
Her glass, a golden liquid with a twist of lime, was the first to arrive. She gave it a weird look. "What is this? Hope it’s not alcohol?"
Tessa lifted her own and murmured, "Calm juice. It's only one drink, come on. My birthday is today.”
Nathalie looked at the object. Her stomach turned. "Tessa..."
“It's hardly anything, I promise. You must relax, sweetie. Your mission won't be destroyed by one drink.” Tessa laughed.
Nathalie raised the rim to her lips, still frowning. It was very sweet on the first sip. Almost instantly, heat gathered in her chest.
Her body, which had been conditioned to withstand chemical influence, was not reacting as it once had. Rather, a peculiar calmness enveloped her like a second skin.
She relaxed her grip on the glass. Tessa gave a knowing smile. “You see? Human, after all.”
"I'm human," Nathalie whispered.
“Questionable,” Tessa said with a smile.
Nathalie noticed a minor change in her vision. She moved slowly.
She allowed herself to become involved in the moment, not for long, though. Her skin became uncomfortably tight in a matter of minutes.
She had an itchy throat, and uninvited emotions crept up her spine. She developed a bump on her chest.
“Tessa….. what in the bloody hell did you give me to drink?” She asked with rage.
Tessa expected her to get drunk, but at the same time, she was a bit worried.
Nathalie stood up too quickly and said, "I'm going to the toilet."
Tessa grabbed her. "Hey, are you fine?"
Nathalie pushed her away and vanished into the crowd.
*********
The restroom hallway was cooler and quieter. Her heels clicked on the black tile as she pulled the door open.
She took a deep breath and washed her hands with cold water.
However, the peace would not return. Whatever Tessa had given her, which was not dangerous, but enough to make her more vulnerable, was allowing long-suppressed emotions to surface and making her act up due to her disorder.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
“When I'm not on a mission, who am I?” She whispered.
Behind her, the door opened. As soon as the man entered, Nathalie turned, locking her eyes with his.
A tall man in a dark suit walked into the restroom. Silent strength flowing off him like heat was inappropriate for this location. Both of them froze. She remained silent. He didn't say a word either. However, something changed within her.