Emma's P.O.V

I gritted my teeth and kicked on the accelerator. I drove towards the traffic so that I could blend in with the other vehicles. Luckily, there was a massive traffic on the next main road just as the 'Google maps' app displayed.

Just as I planned, I reverred the car into the traffic and the black car was right behind me. The spy-man must have realized that I knew he was following me. So he didn't bother to hide behind cars anymore.

I quickly changed lanes as a space in the next lane got vacant. It was a three lane road. I changed to the next lane again. I looked back to see that the black car hadn't moved from its orginal place still. The light turned green, and I stepped on the gas and took a turn towards the left lane.

"Aha! On your face spy guy!", I told aloud with a smug smile as I fist pumped in the air.

He had to go a long way to get back to this lane. By that time, I would be at my home snoring on my bed.

"Well done, Em!", my inner voice echoed with pride.

I heaved a huge sigh of relief as I turned my car to head home. I whistled as I parked my car in the drive way in front of my apartment. I shut down the engine and got down from my car as I locked the doors behind me. It was already dark outside. I switched on my apartment lights as I removed my shoes. I looked at the wall clock and the time read 8:30.

"Phew! That was a long day man!", I muttered under my breath as I ruffled my hair.

Who were they anyway? Why did they follow us?

My thoughts came to an abrupt stop as I realized that I need to check on others.

I dialed Alisa's number as I headed towards the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I put the phone on speaker as I switched on the kitchen lights. I could hear the engaged rings as the call automatically ended.

I sighed in worry. Seems like she's talking to someone.

I was just about to call Sky when something told me to look around. I trusted my instincts and looked up, only to find my eyes widen in horror as I took in the scene before me.

My heart stopped beating and I froze on the spot as the phone slipped out of my hands. I could literally feel the blood draining off my face.

"Miss. Parker. Finally, we meet"

The man in front of me- correction, the other spy-man who wasn't in the car was sitting at my kitchen table sipping a cup of tea as he looked at me with an unreadable expression. I was rooted on my spot. Seems like my nervous system betrayed me when I needed it the most.

TRAITOR!

I snapped out of my temporary coma as he stood up and took a step closer towards me. My self defense instincts started kicking in. I mentally patted my nervous system in appreciation. There you go girl!

My heart raced as he took another step closer. Blood pounded in my ears. I wouldn't be surprised if I get a stroke tonight with all the excitement that my heart had felt within the past few hours.

"Who are you? And why the hell are you at my house?", I asked to distract him.

He didn't say anything. He just smirked as he took another step closer. Okay, seems like that didn't work. I tried again.

"Why were you and your friend following us- WAIT! You guys weren't following my friends, you both were following ME!", I exclaimed as my eyes widened in realization.

I mentally shook my head in disbelief. Why didn't I realize this before?

"Well, you are smart aren't you. You were the one who figured out that we were following your group at the mall. Next, you devised a plan which did successfully work. Then, you escaped from the goose-chase that you had out there. Only a pretty smart one could have outsmarted us since we are professionals in stuffs like these. I'm impressed!", he tilted his head as his black bead like eyes scrutinized me from head to toe.

"But, too bad that you didn't expect this", he then continued as he pointed at himself and shot me a smug smile.

I gulped.

"So why are you here?", I asked maintaining eye contact with him as I reached for the vase from behind.

I didn't give him a chance to reply as I threw the vase at him, catching him off guard.

"RUN! RUN! RUN!",my mind kept on chanting as I turned around and ran.

I switched off the living room light on my way and the whole house got engulfed in darkness except for the kitchen. I tiptoed upstairs and hid in a space between the cupboard and the wall.

People don't notice this place even when the place is lit. I heard his footsteps coming up the stairs. Seems like he's wearing his shoes. I held on to my breath as his footsteps passed the place in which I was hiding. He switched on the lights and I heard doors being opened and closed. I heard his steps coming towards this direction again. He stood right in front with his back towards me.

He seemed to be scanning the area. And next, he would turn towards this side and I would be dead if he sees me. I need to do something fast before he turns and to my luck, there wasn't anything near by to grab and bang on his head like in the movies.

My heart was thudding so fast making it almost pop out of my rib cage.

This is it-

I jumped and wrapped my arm completely around his neck when he was about to turn which caught him off guard. Taking advantage of the situation, I applied pressure on his carotid artery that is found on the both sides of his neck. He choked and struggled against my strong grip as I didn't let him go.

He kept struggling as I maintained my grip when suddenly a jolt of pain shot through my right leg. This son of a bitch had trampled my poor bear legs with his stupid hard shoes. My grip around his neck loosened as he pulled me in front and started taking deep gulps of air. Taking this as an advantage, I gave him a soccer kick at his groin making him groan in pain. Seems like the kick was pretty strong from the way he started whimpering later. Without hesitating, I gave him a push kick with the bottom of my foot onto his kneecap as he finally lost balance and fell on to the floor, rolling and groaning in pain. I punched him on the face and ended up giving him a busted lip as he tried to get up.

I took the gun away from the gun holder that was tied around his waist and pointed at him.

"Listen up buddy, I have used this multiple times and I know how it works. So, I definitely won't hesitate to shoot if you move!", I told him as I held the gun steady with confidence.

He froze as his eyes widened when he realized the situation.

"Now, speak up! Why were you following me all day?", I asked as I shot him a pointed glare.

"I was asked to. I work for the IAE", he said in between groans.

"What?", I asked in confusion.

Okay, now that wasn't the answer that I was expecting. Even though his answer caught me off guard, I wasn't stupid to lower my gun if that's what you have been worrying about. He shook his head positively as he tossed me his ID.

"Then why bother following me without contacting me?", I asked in confusion as I still held on to the gun.

"Well we tried contacting you, but your phone was switched off. We found out that you go on trips on saturdays, so we had to follow you all the way to make sure that you don't. We couldn't reach you in open because that was risky. And the car ride was to make sure you came home without staying overnight somewhere else so that we could talk", he finished off as he struggled to sit up.

I frowned at his reply.

"Then, why was all the intimidating talk that you put down there?", I asked, my eyes narrowed on him, trying to find any trace of lies.

He glanced at the revolver in my hand and swallowed hard.

"They also asked me to check whether you still had your potential after all these years. Seems like you haven't lost them at all", he said, as his eyes travelled to and fro between the gun and me.

"Wait? Why did you want to make sure that I didn't go anywhere this weekend?", I asked him curiously.

He flinched as he finally managed to sit upright.

"Because, Miss. Parker we want you back on the field!", he said as his busted lips stretched into a genuine swollen smile.

________________________________________________________________________________
Hey guys,

TADA!

Here's the surprise that I told you about in the previous chapter.

I updated two chapters on the same day so that I could save you the days long suspense. Take this as a treat from me to you all for being patient and putting up with me.

And take this also as a display of gratitude from me to the wonderful readers who I've earned through out this short journey.

Here is A BIG THANK YOU for those who have sticked with me from the beginning and had been supporting me through their votes and comments.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Thank you- a zillion times, no, scratch that, infinity times. 😘😘

Now that you all know about the surprise, don't forget to tell me how you felt about it.

Please do comment and as always if you like it,

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!

Love,

Ranna