Shadow Of The Prey

CH12. Exhausting.

The luncheon ends with a carefree atmosphere among the staff as they happily chat with each other.
Gabriel Cardosa has been sticking close to me like a puppy throughout the lunch—not sure if he has a romantic interest towards me, or if this is a sign of his respect towards me. Occasionally bringing me new drinks, he's been a perfect prop nonetheless to prevent me from making tiring small talk with others that don't benefit me.
Yet, with his constant attention to me, it's become a hindrance to look around at my surroundings. As expected, he has a sharp eye and if he catches my eyes glance around the room, surely he'll look around too.

"Shall we head home?" Mr. Cardosa asks.
"Already?"
"Yes. It seems you'll get too drunk if we stay longer."
Gabriel glances my way.
"Ms. Barrington, do you have a way home?" Gabriel asks.
"Oh, yes I do. Thank you for worrying." I smile, lightly giggling.
"Are you sure? It won't be any trouble to drive you back?" Mr. Cardosa asks, noticing his son's worry.
"Of course. I already sent for a car, I have another engagement to attend soon, but I appreciate the offer." I smile, eagerly waiting for them to leave.
"I see, well I hope you had fun at the luncheon." Mr. Cardosa smiles kindly.
"Of course I did! Thank you again for inviting me, hopefully Mr. Lennox wasn't too upset."
"If there's one thing to keep in mind with the boss..." Mr. Cardosa glances around before lowering his voice, "If he's displeased, he'll let everyone know. So, I doubt he was upset at all."
"I see, well thank you again for inviting me."
"Of course. I'll see you Monday."
"Take care, Sir." I bow my head as I watch him take a step back.
"Well, it was nice getting to know you." Gabriel speaks up shyly.
"It was wonderful spending time with you." I flash a bright smile.
"I mean it though, I think if ever want to visit Alaska, my dad would definitely lend you the cabin."
A giggle escapes my lips as I nod.
"I'll consider it if I want a vacation. Thank you, Gabriel."

I watch as the Cardosa's leave the banquet hall.
Struck with relief now that there's no one sticking closely to me, I grab my purse from the seat before leaving for the restrooms.

Tucking my hair back, I enter the restroom to find four ladies chatting by the mirror.
Giving a gentle smile, I enter a stall—biting my lip.
Hoping for an empty restroom to contact Ben, I think of a way to contact him in private while trying to find where the target has gone.
Waiting for a minute as I listen to their loud chattering, I flush the toilet and exit the stall to make it seem as if I used it. Washing my hands, I glance at my makeup before swiftly leaving.

A light sigh escapes my lips as I look around the main entry.
The target nowhere in sight, and my energy low from the many drinks Gabriel brought me, I decide to get a room.
Checking into the front desk, I enter the elevator—my exhaustion hitting me.
Arriving at the thirty-fifth floor, I walk down the hallway, thinking about if I should indulge in taking a bath. The keycard unlocks the door and I'm met with a luxury, clean white room with gold trimmings. A rustic vibe, yet has an evident air of royalty in the design.

Scanning the room with my pen—detecting if there's any listening devices or cameras, I clear the room and finally relax on the plush bed.
Staring at the mini chandelier above the bed, I think about that moment.

The target's body had moved once I turned—clearly, he was looking our direction and avoided my eyes.
The fact that he didn't return to the luncheon two hours after he left could mean that he left the premises, or he's enjoying his time with his close friends.
I sigh, closing my eyes.

"What a shame..." I whisper, "If only we could have met once more."

A moment of silence passes, until I sit up.
Dialing Ben, I watch as the codes zip through the screen until Ben's face appears.

"Viper, Are you secure?"
"Yes. The room is clean, there's no electronics."
"Okay, how was the lunch?"
"Unsatisfying." I grumble slightly.
"Oh? The food wasn't good?"
I roll my eyes, scoffing at his tone.
"I wasn't talking about the food." I state, taken aback by his cheerful expression.
"Well, why not? We can have casual conversation, can't we?" His expression amused.
"That's not why I called. Unfortunately, I could only meet the target once and he pretended not to know me."
"Well, I'm assuming he doesn't want to associate with you outside of his leisure time."
"Most likely, but I left a good impression on his associate, Elliot Cavanaugh."
"Are you planning on accessing the target by using his associate?"
"No. They run in the same circle so I'm assuming all the target's associates value privacy just as much. I was hoping for..."
"For?"
"Jealousy."
"Oh? Do you think you can make the target jealous?"
"I want to say no, but my gut's telling me that he has slight possessiveness over 'Elise'."
"Understood. We'll try to find upcoming events in the Red Jade lounge, so be patient until we get word."
"Alright. Permission to take a bath?" I ask, stretching my neck.
"Oh? Is this an invitation to watch?"
"Not at all." I scowl.
"I was just teasing. Relax for a bit and when you're ready, we'll send for a car."
"Thank you, talk to you later."
Ending the call, I take a deep breath.


The target must have been jealous, but if I chose wrong, he'll have lost interest in me.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
Wiping the makeup off with a tissue, I stare at the kiss mark he had left on my collarbone.
He was clearly possessive over me, why else would he do something so childish as this?


A gasp escapes my lips as I realize the jumble of thoughts I have.
"You're too tired for this." I whisper to myself.
Shaking my head I focus on the positives.
The target had marked me, he was clearly watching as I spoke to his associate, and those eyes of his... they had a lustful air to them when he pretended to introduce himself.
He remembers me, I have him hooked—but just how much is difficult to say.

Undressing, I hang my clothes neatly as the bath runs. Silky bubbles forming and a scent of gentle rose fills the air. Turning the tap off, I begin to step in.
Just as the warm water tickles my foot, I hear the sound of the door knocking.
My body stiffens as I enter 'work mode'.
The door knocks again.

"Just a moment!" I gently call out.
Sliding a bathrobe on, I dry off my foot until making my way to the door.

Peeking out the peep hole, I notice a cart in front of the door but no one in sight.
Taking a moment, the scent of the room fills with the subtle rose scent from the bath, but a different scent appears from the door.
Controlling my desire to grin, I unlock the door.

"H-Hello?" I call out, cautiously.
Suddenly from behind the wall, Carlisle Lennox appears.
His unreadable gaze—yet evidently filled with lust, and the scent of his cologne hits my nose.

"Little Lamb, are you enjoying yourself?" He asks, holding out a bouquet of roses.

My eyes widen, a confused pout on my lips as I tilt my head—my heart beats quickly as I realize my plan is working, the target is hooked onto me.