Time is Ticking

He brushed past her already running late. His mind encapsulated with the back-to-back meetings this afternoon held. Instantly mesmerized by the drift of a delicate scent, he stopping dead in his tracks. He slowly spun his head towards the sensuous scent wafting perilously into his nostrils. Focusing his vision on the woman at the café bar, his body erupted with passion. All meetings and deadlines vanished from his consciousness as he strode towards his prize with outstretched hand. Tapping her shoulder lightly he inquired, “Do you have the time?”

Absorbed in her thoughts, she was abruptly interrupted with tapping at her shoulder. Snapping her head towards the distraction, she locked eyes on the man. Raising a single unamused brow and declared, “Yes? Can I help you?”

Suddenly aware of how forward his actions had been, he drew back his arm and nervously stammered, “umm… I-I was just saying… do you know what, what time is? I mean… Time is wait? No! What? I mean! Do you know… Do you know what it is time?” Laughing he brushed his finger over the top of his brow, trying to relieve the flood of embarrassment swarming from his stomach up to his throat. Finally mustering up the words he said with more force than intended, “What time is it?” Hearing the tone in his own voice he immediately softened looking longingly into her eyes waiting for some kind of reassurance.

“Oh. Yeah,” she nodded absentmindedly. Tapping the screen of her phone she read aloud, “ee—leven: forty-two.”

“Oh, thanks.” Lost for words he grinned, bobbing his head back and forth, looking this way and that, buying time. “Umm… Yeah… Okay!” Suddenly aware of how crowded the small café was he began to rock back and forth on his toes and heels. His palms now starting to perspire he looked at her slack-jaw speechless.

Unsure of what to make of the stranger, she smiled and nodded back in rhythm to his bobbing. Both trapped in an increasingly awkward silence she tried to soften the moment, “Busy day?”

Transported to sunny summer days of wild flowers he was ensnared by the warmth emanating from her crown. Her words were muddled, hearing only a melodic lullaby from her voice. He replied in a daze, “Huh?”

“Asking for the time? Are you busy and running behind or something?” She looked steadily into his eyes, studying them.

“Uh…” His brows busheled together looking first down at her phone and then over her head. Avoiding her penetrating stare trying to think of something witty to say, still nothing. Preoccupied instead with the glistening light reflecting off her hair from the sun, he softened his gaze to meet hers and confessed, “No, I uh, just wanted to say hi. Actually.” He let out a self-conscious laugh and looked deep into her eyes with desire. The warmth of her gaze back confirmed that he had made the right decision to approach her.

Giggling girlishly, she looked down and brought up her right hand to push her hair just behind her ear. “Oh! Okay! Thank you!” Grinning she sat back examining the man before her. Standing in the sunbeams from the window she quickly noticed the man’s age, noting the deep crows’ feet at the corners of his melancholy brown eyes. The silver strands speckled through his hair starting at his temples, dramatically lightening his once perfectly black hair. In his wall street best she was unimpressed with his generic look, but only offered a friendly smile.

Having trained for these moments since girlhood she knew what to say. “Thank you, but I’m engaged.” She lifted her left hand, turning it to expose a humble but believable diamond ring. She smirked and simpered putting her hand down on the café counter next to her coffee, leaving the rock exposed. No one needed to know it was a cheap replaceable thing used for just for these moments. She knew she was a beaty, and this gentleman was no different from all the rest.

“Oh well, can’t fault a guy for trying. My names Eric by the way.” Finally finding his senses, he smiled politely looking for his exit without showing the wounds of his defeat.

“Oh. Well. Hi, I’m Stacy,” she said matter-of-factly, reaching out her hand in the traditional gesture.

Taking her hand, Eric’s heart skipped a beat but he never faltered, offering a nod and continuing with the customary salutations. “It is nice to meet you, Emily.” I hope you and your fiancé the best. He’s a lucky guy really. But I am afraid that this moment has played out completely differently than expected, and I must go now before I shit myself.

Eric snapped back from his thoughts to the present moment realizing the time had come. Giving a small shake of her hand, he hastily finished, “Thank you for your time.” Letting her hand slump in midair, he turned on his heel disappearing into the lunch hour crowd.

Mildly amused by the interaction, she settled back into her chair at the café bar lifting her hands to continue typing. Clicking away she shook her head with one cocked eye brow smirking to herself, that’s the third one this week. I guess that new shampoo is pheromone infused.

With noonday sunbeams flooding into the café, her skin prickled with warmth as she basked in the moment. Eyes closed with her head leaning to one side, she was at peace amongst the regular lunch shuffle; she never minded. She was used to it and honestly loved the rush of people around her as she typed away at her keyboard. Uncaring and too involved with their own lives, she could study her next subject before moving in for the mission.

Grabbing for her now-cold latte she slouched backwards in the stilted chair, cup in hand. Resting her other forearm across her abdomen she brought the plastic lidded cup to her lips and took a long gulp. Holding the cup just above her chest she closed her eyes. Feeling the caffeine from the first espresso already pulsating through her body, her nostrils flared in primal anticipation. Straightening up in her chair, she set the cup down and began typing again. Only a few moments later, hunched over her laptop she sighed in relief, “I’m in!”

Having spent the better part of the past hour and a half hacking various security main frames, the mission was simple; locate, infiltrate and neutralize.

Looking over the subject’s personal data for the perfect rendezvous, she had finally been given full discretion with how this job got done. Sure, why not? She had been working with the firm for some time now. Why wouldn’t a little freedom be permitted this far in? Scrolling down, the subject’s travel itinerary was extensive. Apparently, some kind of art major; the subject was visiting every gallery, museum and wonder of the world that the Mediterranean Sea hosted. With a little over a month to finish this mission, there was ample time to become close to her target.

Feeling no other option would suffice, she booked her alias as a guest on the same guided tour using the credit card provided by headquarters. Typing in the last few digits necessary Stacy Albright would be signed up for a three-week Mediterranean Sea cruise. The group was estimated to have 72 people already signed up. A large enough group that her anonymity would remain even if she was traveling alongside her target. Regularly advised to take a more cautious vantage point with the executions of her missions, she had yet to be caught. She enjoyed the intimacy of her method, a style she had developed over time; making each mission more thrilling than the last.

The hairs on the back of her hand stood up as her nostril flared. Aching her back in a deep stretch she leaned her head back and let out a satisfied breath. Despite the messy endings, the thrill of the hunt kept her locked in with headquarters regularly. Just one last click and it was game-on.