Undercover Cops

Chapter 14

The second day of the mission. The second day she has to tolerate Justin's existence. Hopefully, Nick will find the nickname soon and she could leave this stern and enigmatic man. He gave her too many chills, and she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not. All she knew for a fact was her attraction to him and that was definitely a bad thing.

The worst thing.

"Stop staring into black space, and work," commanded Justin like he was her superior. "I can't believe that chief hired a delusional and absent-minded... girl."

"Woman," Selena automatically corrected. "I'm eighteen years old since a few weeks."

Justin raised an eyebrow, almost surprised. She looked younger by at least two years, maybe because of her colorful clothes or childish attitude.

"Well, me, I'm twenty-one, so you obviously look like a girl to me."

"Good to know," said sarcastically Selena. "Looks like you're way out of my league." Selena internally laughed at her joke like the light-hearted girl she is. It isn't a man who insults her age who would bring down her mood. She is always positive.

"Definitely," approved Justin. "Don't worry, princess, I'll try my best to not offend you or complain to the chief. I respect the fact that you're spoiled. Nice pink dress, by the way. Who bought it for you? Let me guess, mom?"

"I'm everything but spoiled," Selena defensively said. "Everything is not what it seems. I might be tougher than you think, who knows?"

"You? Tough?" burst out laughing the security agent. "Gosh, I knew you were delusional! All I see is a momma's girl trying too hard to be a rebel. Being part of the security' steam isn't rebellious, princess. You could try being a model; I'm sure someone would want you on the Disney's cover magazine."

That was rude. Not that Selena didn't like princesses; she actually watched Disney Channel every day as a kid. But he was wrong, so wrong. She wondered what would he do if he knew what her real job is. He would scream, that's for sure.

"I am not a little girl, okay?" declared Selena, fearless. "And I'll do what it takes to prove it."

Justin let out another sarcastic laugh, amused by the new girl. Gosh, why did chief even classify her as an agent? She really did look like a model; long perfect hair, long tanned legs, a body that most men would die for.

"How do you plan to prove it?" teased Justin, crossing his arms over his chest and preparing for a ridiculously entertaining show.

But what Selena did was, for the least, unexpected.

Her eyes shifted to his lips, and she didn't think twice before crashing her body against his and kissing him passionately. She soon forgot about the mission. Justin was clearly taken back but didn't stop her. The rest happened in a blur, and they found themselves in a heated make-up session on the office table.

___

"I like him. I don't like him. Or do I? What the hell, I don't! Heart, please decide!"

I walked down San Francisco's street, trying to find Bea's best friend's address. It was time to pursue my task and stop thinking about Joseph. Even if I really wanted to forget everything that happened this morning, it's still stuck in my mind.

"I don't like him, and it's pretty clear," I declared in the middle of the street. "He is stupid, arrogant, rude, sometimes decent, nice from time to time, breath-taking... C'MON!"

A couple passed beside me, freaked out about my useless debate. I mentally slapped myself, since I was acting crazier and crazier. It must be Selena's influence.

A few minutes later, I was finally standing in front of Bea's friend's house. I shooed away my shyness and knocked. A girl with auburn hair hesitantly opened it.

"Hello? Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm a special agent, an undercover cop, Demi Lovato. I'm here to ask you some questions about your best friend Beatrice Miller who was kidnapped a few days ago." I showed her my badge and she immediately attacked me with a hug, asking me endless questions about how Bea was. It was torture watching her face fall once I informed her about our lack of information.

"Why?" sobbed the teenager. "Why didn't you find her yet? You're supposed to be a cop and catch the criminal faster than that! Time is running away, don't you understand? Her life is hanging and it's your job to save her!"

I sighed deeply. It was all true, but unfortunately, cops are not superheroes. "We are doing all our possible, miss. I promise she'll be found safe and sound."

"Everyone says that, but Bea is still kidnapped!" She cried out desperately. "You don't understand how much I love her; I can't live without knowing if she's alright or not! Don't you... Don't you have a best friend too? You must know the feeling!"

I nodded sadly, thinking about Ariana. I had to reconcile with her as soon as the mission finishes and tell her the entire truth. No more lies, I vowed in my head. Lying destroys relationships more than anything else.

"In order to find her, we need your help. Since you're practically sisters, tell me if you remarked anything strange going on before she was kidnapped?"

The girl thought intensively but ended up shaking her head. I wanted her to think deeper, so I just stared at her with the most serious expression I could do. After a few seconds, she arched her eyebrows and squealed loudly. "Yes! I think so! Two days before, we were shopping at the mall and we noticed a person following us. We thought it was some kind of prank, so we just laughed about it. I only remember the stranger vaguely, but I think he has blue eyes and tanned skin."

Definitely Zac, I thought to myself while noting it all down on paper.

"She talked to him," continued the girl, now looking apprehensive. "He stalked her for a few days until she had enough of it. Then, when I went to see Bea, she seemed so different; sore, weak, in pain. She was also shivering from head to toes and looked absolutely terrorized, but told me it was a simple misunderstanding... Oh my god!"

I almost flinched at the piercing squeak but eyed her in expectation. My heart was beating furiously against my chest as I hoped to be wrong.

"She was raped!" gasped Beatrice's friend, bursting into sobs. "I'm such a horrible friend! She sent me many signs of distress, but I never decoded any of them! I'm horrible!"

My heart ached for both of them. I could already imagine Bea's mom's face when she would find out about this, and it wasn't a happy one. At this moment, I felt 100% determined to end this mission as soon as possible. Nobody in the entire world deserved to live this kind of traumatic experience.

"I should've helped her!" wept the girl with auburn hair. "It's my fault that I didn't see it coming!"

"Hey hey hey," I said softly. " None of this is your fault, so don't you dare think like that! I'm positive we will bring her back in less than two weeks, okay? Please trust my team; we will do our best."

"You promise?" sniffed the poor adolescent with red eyes.

I stared at her and thought about all the people suffering because of mentally unstable criminals. It wasn't fair to all of them, and us, cops, will bring the justice.

Even if it means courage. Even if it means to sacrifice.

"I promise." 

_____

Nancy xox