The plan had failed miserably. The guy didn't show up and everything we had planned for was gone with the wind. Also, Alexander Hunter obviously knew about what happened because he was nowhere to be found after the failure of the mission. He was definitely on a different continent by now out of our jurisdiction.

I sighed and put my head in my hands, this case would drive me insane; I was starting to take it personally. I heard a knock on my door followed by someone entering, I picked my head up and saw a junior agent standing in front of me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked him.

"I don't know for sure, Agent Parker," he started to say. "But, the ASAC wants to see you in his office as soon as possible."

I groaned but nodded anyway, the ASAC obviously wasn't happy with me as this freaking case took so much time and wasted lots of effort and resources. I always used to bring the criminals in handcuffs in a short time, but she left nothing behind her, and that mission ruined everything even more. I ran my hand over my face in exhaustion before I finally stood up, then I made my way to the ASAC's office.

I took a deep breath before I knocked on the door of his office, I heard a rough 'come in,' before I entered. He looked at me with the bottom of his eye as he gestured for me to sit on one of the chairs around his desk.

"So, Parker, let me get this straight. You have no vital information about the thief yet, and you had a full plan to arrest the seller and he didn't show up. Oh, and Alexander Hunter disappeared," he said while checking some papers in his hand, then he looked at me before he continued. "Did I get that right?"

I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, sir. Everything was going okay with that mission, but I guess the seller felt suspicious, and we have asked Interpol to keep track of Hunter in case he showed up in any foreign country," I said, calmly. "And no, I have no information about the actual thief, yet. She didn't leave anything behind her."

"Jake, you weren't even able to ID her," he said, disappointment obvious in his tone.

"It was really dark that day and she had her hoodie on, I couldn't see her face," I said, disappointed in my own self.

"Jake, I think I should make someone else in charge of this case," he said with blank expressions.

"Sir, I started this case and I will close it by bringing the criminals in; it's my responsibility," I snapped, firmly.

He looked at me with an unsure look. "I believe in your abilities, Jake. And I know that you can do it, so I'm not dismissing you from it, yet," he started. "But for now, I want you to start working on other cases until new evidence is found or any new lead to the criminals."

"Yes, sir," I said firmly before I stood up after taking his permission to leave.

I burst into my office, still angry because of what happened with the ASAC. At least, I still could keep the case, for now. I sat down at my desk and put my head in my hands thinking about what happened then I heard someone clearing his throat. I picked my head up to find Luke looking at me.

"What happened with the ASAC?" he asked, taking a seat.

"He wanted me to leave the case," I sighed.

"Did you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No. For now," I started. "He let me keep it, but I have to work on other cases until new evidence is found."

"That's better than nothing," Luke said, and I threw him a look that made him shrug.

"Come on, you would be busy working on other cases while waiting for something to show up in this one," he argued.

"God, this case is making me lose my temper," I sighed, exhaustedly.

Luke sent me an understanding look. Then he smiled before he changed the subject. "So, how are things going with Emma?"

I felt a little uneasy when her name was mentioned, the memories of our last date hit me again. The feeling I had when our bodies were so close and my desire to kiss her. I had a feeling that she felt the same, but then she looked away and acted as if nothing had happened. We talked and chatted a lot after that, but we didn't talk about that moment yet.

"From Earth to Jake!" Luke's voice cut my thoughts off.

"What?" I asked him, confusedly.

Luke threw me a look before he spoke up. "I was saying that Chloe and I are going to have a party this weekend to celebrate our engagement, and you're coming undoubtedly." He smirked. "So, I was thinking that it would be great if you invited Emma; we would love to meet her."

I thought about it. Actually, it wasn't a bad idea. "I'm not sure if she is going to agree."

"She will," Luke said with a confident smile before he stood up and walked toward the office's door. "See you later." He then left the office and closed the door behind him.

Luke left me to my thoughts, I actually believed that it was a great chance and I hoped with all my heart that she would agree to come to the party. So, I took out my phone and typed her number, then clicked call, the phone rang for a couple of seconds before I heard her voice. "Oh, hey Jake."

"Hey, Emma," I said. "How are you doing?"

"Great, what about you?" she asked, and I could see her smile even through the phone.

"Good," I answered. I hesitated a little before I continued. "Um, what do you think about accompanying me to a party?"

"It depends on the kind of party," she said in a playful tone. I smiled, maybe she would agree.

"My friend is throwing a party to celebrate his engagement, and I thought that it would be great if you could come with me," I said, and hoped for a satisfying answer.

"Well," she started to say. "I'm free this weekend so I don't mind."

"Great," I said happily. "I will pick you up that day."

"Great, see you soon, then." She chuckled.

I was so happy that she agreed because, one, I really wanted to see her, and two, this was the best chance to make things right between us again after what happened on the last date. Three, this case was driving me insane and I wanted some distraction from it, and she was the best one for this job.

Now, I was really looking forward to that party.