The girl beside her was exuding a scary aura. Sarah looked at her from the corner of her eyes. Awkwardness filled the air.

Sheila instructed her most trusted assistant to keep an eye on Sarah while she settled her business transaction. Everyone else followed Sheila, leaving the assistant and Sarah alone.

Sarah grimaced when she remembered Sheila's order. "Oi, Sarah! Buy me three bottles of sunscreen. One must be SPF 30 and the other two must be SPF 50. If you can't get it, just sleep on the street tonight."

"Hi... I'm Sarah. What's your name?" Sarah asked the girl beside her softly.

"Hi, I'm Lin. By the way, everyone in our gang knows your name. You are Sheila's favourite client." She faced Sarah and smiled brightly.

Sarah froze, unable to accept the sudden change. "Oh... right. Well, are you... angry with me?"

"You silly girl! Why would I be angry with you? I'm just annoyed because I can't follow Sheila. She always brings me with her before this."

Sarah assessed Lin quietly. It looked like she had no hidden intention. Her sunny personality was well-known. However, her ability to change her temper at the drop a pin was even more legendary.

Gu chuckled darkly. "You can read her mind to make sure she's not hiding anything."

But I don't know how to read her mind.

"No problem. That shall be your lesson today."

But reading minds are a breach of privacy.

Gu sighed. "You are living in a harsh world. You need to be the hunter. Otherwise, you would be hunted."

You're exaggerating.

"I hope so. However, remember that a suspicious man is hunting for you." Gu said cheerfully.

Your tone doesn't match your words. Why are you smiling?

Gu winked and flew away. Sarah was dumbfounded with his sudden take off.

"Flying free is the best feeling!" He shouted from the clouds.

The corners of her mouth twitched, she tried not to smile at his childish antic. He probably felt great because he could finally stretch his huge and long body.

"Come on! Let's go to the mall." Lin tugged her hand.

She could only follow the excited Lin. However, throughout the journey, she kept quiet. Lin was the one who did all the talking.

"Sarah, I need to buy a few blouses for Sheila and the others. The boutique is beside the pharmacy. So I want you to stay in the pharmacy till I'm done. Wait for me. Don't go out. Do you get it?" Lin said seriously.

Sarah nodded obediently.

"I have eyes* everywhere." Lin warned, her voice void of the cheerfulness before.

"Yes, Lin. I will follow your instruction." Sarah assured her.

"This is why you are Sheila's favourite. You're so obedient," Lin said cheerfully, "I'll be going. Now, go in and wait for me!"

Lin pushed Sarah gently towards the pharmacy. Sarah looked back at Lin and nodded her head respectfully.

Lin is even scarier than Sheila. How can she switch her personality in a second? That's not human! And why is everyone acting cheerful today? Firstly, Gu and his mysterious words. Now, Lin and her quick personality change.

Sarah mused while she entered the pharmacy. She looked around for the sunscreens.

Dim yellow bulb glowed softly, rows of shelves were neatly arranged. Vintage items could be seen, displayed on the shelves. The air smelt like wood and metal.

Sarah was shocked. She was sure she entered the pharmacy. Lin saw her going inside.

It felt like déjà vu.

This happened before, at the convenience store. It was happening again.

*eyes: In the past, the policemen involved in spying missions are called 'mata-mata' which could be directly translated into English as 'eyes-eyes'.

D E D I C A T I O N

To AuthorJMColes, thank you for letting me join your eyeball army, for giving me great tips and for being a good friend.

C R E D I T

Rival and friendship (Free! Iwatobi Swim Club OST) by Tatsuya Kato

Update 1 out of 3

Thank you so much for believing in me. As a reward, I'm going to do a triple update! Two chapters and one teaser :D

Love,

Eireen x