Teen Spy: The Observer

Chapter 42

Antoine looks at her with a curious look. Kiara considers his request for a moment but sees no harm in it.

"My name is Kiara"

"Thank you, Kiara, for your help."

Kiara nods and then a question rose.

"How did you know I would be able to take out those guards?"

"I wasn't sure. That's what the teaser was for." Antoine explains with a bemused smile. "And I watched the footage of your capture. Your team followed your lead when the situation escaladed. If you hadn't received the hit in your chest, you probably would have managed to escape."

"Very observant" Kiara says surprised, replaying their interactions under a new light.

They finally part ways and Kiara joins the others.

Carville patiently waits for them to have privacy, before letting his anger blow up.

"You disobeyed orders. Went on an unsanctioned mission and deliberately put yourself in danger. You got yourself captured to top it all off. IF they had figured out you belong to ISS and were investigating them, Berte and his collaborators would have run away and all our work we've put in for the past months would have been for nothing."

Carville paused for breath as his face turned red.

Will opened his mouth to defend their actions, but Kiara elbowed him slightly, understanding that it was not the moment.

Carville's face slowly turns to its normal color.

"However, you found the lab. Thanks to your work we not only have Berte under custody, but also other three companies involved and valuable information about this and other operations."

"So... we're off the hook?" Sasha ventured hopefully.

"Of course not." He replies seriously. ""I will have to write an observation about this on your files, but I'll let Agent Knight take care of your disobedience. For now, enjoy your victory."

He starts leaving but Kiara calls him back.

"While I was in the conference room, one of the representatives mentioned a name. It seemed to me like they were all reporting to him. If he is the same person Berte was talking to in his office, he could be the mastermind behind this or at least someone very close."

"What was the name?" Will asks.

"Xavier." Kiara says and sees Agent Carville closing off. She can't read anything from his body language. "Do you recognize it?"

"Yes. We were able to identity him through the telephone call recording you gave us." Agent Carville admits. "We deducted he was the mastermind because of it."

"Who is he?" Kiara says.

"Someone we have already dealt with before. That's all I can tell you." He answers cryptically. "You better get back to the resort. This car will take you there. There is water and food inside, if you want it. There is also makeup to cover those bruises. It could draw unwanted attention."

With that he walks away. Kiara, Sasha and Will climb in the back seat and the car drives away. Will seats in the middle with Sasha to his left and Kiara to his right.

Kiara didn't realize how hungry she was until the smell of food register. She devours her sandwich and then covers her bruise. Will and Sasha do the same.

Kiara helps Will bandage his 'sprained' wrist. When she finishes, she lightly brushes Will's hand, and their hands join as if a magnet drew them together. Kiara smiles at Will and she sees his eyes light up and gentle at her. They'll have to talk about this and them soon, but for now, Kiara just wants to enjoy it.

The car ride takes longer than expected, due to traffic, buy they eventually arrive at the resort a little past 7 pm. Sasha separates from the group after rehashing her earlier agreement with Kiara promising to gradually tone her 'hatred' down until it is only indifference when they go back to school at the end of summer.

"Oh... and don't worry about our teammate. He definitely likes you back." Sasha whippers to her before walking away.

Kiara rolls her eyes at her but is secretly glad about what she said.

Will and Kiara make a quick stop on their respective rooms and change to their bathing suits. Luckily, Kiara packed a full swimsuit. They, then, head to the pool where they find their friends, taking the long way to reach them. Both take care in keeping their wrists out of the water.

"What took you so long?" Sydney asks giving them a mischievous look.

"We had to wait for the nurse to come back from her lunch break." Will says.

"And then she took forever to take hook up the x-ray machine and find the bandages." Kiara adds to the story.

Their friends accept it, not questioning the huge gaps of hours missing in the story. Although they give them sneaky looks, clearly not convinced that's the whole story.

The conversation soon moves on and Kiara relishes the rest of the afternoon with her friends. She feels proud of successfully -at least in her standards- completing her first mission. She will improve her performance for her next missions and stop doubting herself so much, but for now she'll enjoy her stay in Paris.