If you only knew...

10.An indecent dance

Ana's POV

As the man sluggishly attempts to slide his other arm around me, my partner finally gives a sign in my earpiece.

Panic surges through me, and I leap to my feet, fumbling for an excuse. "Sorry but I need to head out," I stammer, desperate to escape the tight grip of the moment.

A flash of annoyance crosses the target's face as he stubbornly clings to my arm, urging me to sit back down. "We've barely scratched the surface of our conversation. Stay, beautiful lady; I'm not done with you yet," he states, his voice low and intense.

A chill runs down my spine. I'm acutely aware of how perilous this situation has become, my mind racing with thoughts of the stolen card and the desperate need to maintain my cover while I'm ensnared in his presence.

"I have a feeling that this stunning woman has another man waiting for her," Xavier remarks, his voice low as he approaches our table. He takes my hand firmly, his intense gaze sending a clear warning that makes the old man retreat quickly.

"Apologies, my love, but I was just enjoying a coffee with this gentleman," I play along with Xavier's ruse, giving him a playful smirk as we elegantly distance ourselves from our unsuspecting target.

             ...........................................................

"Wah, that was so uncomfortable!" I let out a sigh of relief as Xavier takes me away.  "Thank you for saving me," I say that from the bottom of my heart while stealing a glance at his perfect face.

My mind wanders and I think of what could have happened if Xavier hadn't come back and I feel my stomach churn. I think of that man's impossibly big belly and his cigarette-stained teeth. Gross. I scrunch my face in disgust and squeeze Xavier's hand - maybe a little too tight because he raises an eyebrow at me. He persists and I have to say something to keep him from worrying. "That man is definitely gross," I say and he laughs at that.

"I noticed that 'my love'," he says amid his laughter while emphasizing the last words. It feels odd coming from him but a part of me wished this wasn't a play pretend. Maybe one day he'll say it for real. Then again, I'm engaged, so, there's that. I shrug at his response and a small laugh escapes me.

Luckily he doesn't dwell on that and focuses on the mission.

"I threw the access card in front of his door, hopefully, he will just think that it slipped out from his pocket." my partner adds.

"Good job!" I nod.

We get back to our room and remain there until the night arrives. We get ready for the ballroom party and this time I choose to put those stockings on by myself!

We both look absolutely stunning in our luxurious outfits as we hop into a cab, excitement buzzing in the air. As the city lights blur past us, anticipation builds for what's to come. Once we arrive at our destination, we step out with confidence, ready to embrace the night ahead.

We slip into the ballroom under the guise of a fake access invitation, our hearts racing with the thrill of the ruse. One thing is crystal clear: our target can't see our faces again. He already knows who we are, and we can't take any risks.

As we step inside, a mesmerizing scene unfolds before us. The air is filled with laughter and the soft strains of music, as elegantly dressed couples twirl on the dance floor, while others savor exquisite dishes from an opulent buffet. I clasp Xavier's arm tightly, navigating through the sea of guests, determined to avoid the spotlight that lay in the open area.