Hacker (Book 1)

Veronica Chapter 30

We start walking towards the little cafe, a bitter wind greets us when we stop at the stop walk. As we cross the cross walk he detaches his hand from mine then moves his arm around me. For a moment my heart stops beating, and I have to remind myself to breath. Then I snap back to reality and try to focus on the mission. I have to keep my mind clear so we don't die.

"I doubt they have visitors, how do you know they won't attack us or something?" I ask looking around anxiously.

"Just like we talked about, we'll act like runaways that are tired, hungry, and need a place to stay," he says calmly whispering in my ear.

My heart speeds up as his breath brushes against the side of my face, its beating so loud I'm sure that he can hear it. I look up at him nodding my head and say, "Okay." That is the only thing I can manage to squeak out.

"Good, now once we get in the shop we need to start acting the part, okay?" He says.

"I know, you'll go sit at a table and I'll ask for hot chocolate, then I'll accidentally  bump into him and give a sob story," I reply reciting it like a machine.

"Exactly, but if you could just keep your voice down just a bit , not revealing our plan then that would be great too," he says into my ear.

"Right sorry," I whisper back turning to face him a little.

He doesn't say anything just nods as we walk into the little cafe. The windows are covered in dark blue curtains, and lights are strung together across the room creating the feeling of warmth and safety.

I know now is when we start acting so I gently pull away my hand from his, also taking away the warmth and comfort that was with it, and I start towards the front counter. A tall man with blond hair and a slight tan stands behind the counter. It's then when I notice everyone's eyes on me, but I keep going.

"Hello, can I get two cups of hot chocolate?" I ask in my most frail voice.

"Of course, what's the name?" He asks pulling out a marker to write on the cup.

"Kelly," I reply using the fake names that we discussed.

"Great it will be out in a few minutes," he replies turning back around.

I go sit down next to Sebastian in the worn out booth. His hand slides into mine sending my heart racing. He applies a light amount of pressure that I reply. His thumb runs circles on mine causing my heat to flutter. It's just an act. It's just an act. Just. An. Act. FOCUS!

"Did you get two hot chocolates?" He whispers against my ear.

I only nod in reply knowing that my voice will crack if I open my mouth. Thankfully before I was forced to say something and completely embarrass myself the man called my name. I jump up from my seat delinking our hands.

I walk up to the counter offering my thanks then I take the two drinks back to our table. I set his down in front of him, and sip mine gingerly putting all my attention into this little cup. The heat spreads through me as the warm liquid sinks down my throat.

"I think I burned my tongue," I hear him whisper. A little giggle escapes me as I look up at him. He smiles and says, "There it is."

"What?" I ask.

"Your smile. You've been acting weird since we came into the shop," he says.

"I'm just nervous," I say, which is partially true. I'm nervous that something bad could happen, but also I'm nervous something bad will happen if I get distracted.

"Well don't be you're doing great," he answers.

I nod not trusting the words that could come out of my mouth. He smiles then slides towards me, putting his arm around me. My heart flutters as I lean into him. It's just an act. You have to make this believable to complete your mission. IT MEANS NOTHING!

"Don't look now, but here he is," Sebastian whispers in my ear.

I slightly nod, and fake a small smile. I gently slide out of the booth to throw my drink away, and I accidentally bump into him. He drops his bag as I drop my cup.

"I am so sorry," I apologize. "I am a mess," I say letting my voice crack trying to bring up fake tears, "My boyfriend and I are on the run and it's so cold. I'm just so sorry!" Then I let the fake tears flow as I cry into my hands.

"Shh," he says trying to calm me down so we don't draw too much attention. He awkwardly pats me on the shoulder offering a small smile.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry," I say wiping my eyes.

"It's alright, and I think I can help you. Let me just crab my coffee for me and my wife then I can show you and your boyfriend to a place where you can stay," he says kindly.

"Thank you so much!" I exclaim pull him into a hug. This doesn't sound like a criminal to me.

"Of course, now get your boyfriend and follow me," he says offering another small smile.

I walk a way from him toward Sebastian who sits at the table watching me as I walk closer. I push a way the thoughts of how we might have it wrong, how this might be a misunderstanding and this is a nice kind guy who made a mistake. He offers me a small smile that I return shoving these silly thoughts a side, then I take his hand pulling him out of the booth. I give his hand a light squeeze and say, "We're in." I really hope this is not a big mistake or maybe I do.