Chapitre 18: Chapter 18: Shadows and Secrets
The constant murmur of the bar remained a background hum, but for Emma, everything seemed to slow down. Ana's message still flashed on her phone, a persistent echo in her mind while William continued talking to the bartender. The calm on her face was perfect, as though she hadn't received any warning, but her body was on high alert. Every fiber of her being tensed at the possibility that something was amiss.
"We have a problem. Stay alert."
Emma slipped the phone back into her bag, taking a deep breath to control the rising anxiety building in her chest. She had learned, after so many weeks in this world, that letting panic take hold would only expose her. Control was everything, no matter what.
William, oblivious to the tension, turned his attention back to her. He sat beside her at the bar, his gaze still filled with interest. Emma noticed the faint glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes; he thought he was gaining ground with her, that it was only a matter of time before she fell into his web.
"So..." William began, casually tracing the edge of his glass. "What do you usually do when you're not here, in places like this?"
Emma felt the weight of the question—not because of its content, but because it was the kind of inquiry that could easily lead to something more. Personal details, information that could compromise her.
She smiled softly, the kind of smile she had perfected for these situations. Light, but distant.
"I'm a bit boring, honestly. I work in administration—lots of paperwork," she lied, her tone casual as if it didn't matter. She knew keeping things superficial was key, at least in the beginning. Just enough to keep him intrigued, but not enough to raise suspicion.
William chuckled softly.
"Hard to believe," he replied, his eyes scanning her face as if trying to unravel something deeper. "There's something about you that doesn't fit that image."
Emma held his gaze, remaining steady.
"Maybe I'm just good at hiding things," she teased, her tone playful, making it sound like a joke. But the underlying truth was there.
William smiled, clearly intrigued. But before he could say more, his phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it with a hint of annoyance.
"Excuse me for a moment," he said, picking up the device and stepping away to take the call.
Emma watched him discreetly as he spoke in a low voice, his movements tense. Something had shifted. The relaxed and confident man she had been talking to moments ago was gone. Whatever the call was about, it was irritating him, and Emma noticed how his fingers tightened around the phone.
She turned back to her wine, taking a sip, but her mind was already working at full speed. What had just happened? Ana's message still echoed in her thoughts like a constant hum. What if the "problem" she mentioned had to do with William?
A chill ran down her spine. There was something she didn't know—something Ana hadn't told her. Why? That was the question that gnawed at her. She had learned to trust Ana, but she also knew that Ana always had her own plans, and she didn't always share them with Emma.
When William finished his call and returned to his seat, his face no longer showed the same ease. He was tense, though he tried to hide it. But Emma noticed. There was something dark beneath the surface.
"Everything okay?" William asked, trying to sound casual, though his tone was colder now.
Emma nodded, not pressing the issue. She knew not to push. What she needed was for him to continue trusting her, not suspect that something else was going on. But inside, alarms were blaring.
"What is really happening here?"
Ana's Warning
After spending a little more time at the bar with William, Emma politely excused herself with a smile, saying she had to leave. William, though slightly disappointed, didn't push. His mind seemed to be elsewhere, which only increased the unease swirling in Emma's gut. Something had shifted tonight, and she wasn't sure what.
Stepping outside, the cold night air immediately enveloped her. She pulled her jacket tighter, but the real chill came from something deeper. Pulling out her phone, she didn't hesitate to send a message to Ana.
"What's going on?"
The wait for Ana's response felt like an eternity. Each second that passed, the anxiety crept a little higher. Finally, her phone buzzed in her hand.
"William isn't the only player in this mission."
Emma frowned as she read the message. What did that mean? She started walking quickly through the streets, her mind racing to understand what Ana meant. Who else was involved?
"I don't understand. What do you mean?" she replied, wanting more information. If there was more to this mission, she needed to know before she got any deeper.
Ana's response came quickly this time.
"You're not alone in this. Someone else is following William, but we don't know who or why. Be careful, Emma. This could get more dangerous than we thought."
Emma's heart raced. Another player? This wasn't what she had planned. She knew the missions were risky, but she had always thought she had control. Now, that control seemed to be slipping away.
She tucked her phone away, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Who else was involved? And more importantly, what were their intentions? William didn't seem to know, or at least not fully. But something in him had changed during that call. Did he know more than he let on?
Emma forced herself to regain control. She couldn't let fear or uncertainty cloud her judgment. She had a mission to complete.
"I'll find out. No matter who's in this game, I'll make sure I'm one step ahead."
With that resolution, she made her way back to her apartment. She knew she needed to stay alert, but she couldn't fail. This time, she wouldn't let anything—or anyone—stand in her way.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone