Capítulo 19: Chapter 19: Shadow Hunters
The city's sounds surrounded Emma as she made her way back to her apartment. Ana's words echoed in her mind: "There's another player." That phrase had shattered her sense of calm. She knew the William Harris mission was complicated, but now it felt like things were spiraling further out of control.
Once home, Emma sank into her couch, trying to process everything that was happening. Another player—who else could be interested in William? Before she could dive deeper into her thoughts, her phone buzzed. It was Ana.
"I have more information. Meet me in half an hour."
Emma sprang to her feet, getting ready. She knew that when Ana said she had information, it was serious. And this time, Emma needed to know everything.
The Revelation
The meeting place was a discreet little café, one of the many Ana preferred for her clandestine discussions. When Emma arrived, Ana was already there, sitting with her usual calm posture but with sharp, calculating eyes. Emma sat across from her, the rich aroma of coffee enveloping the air around them.
"Thanks for coming," Ana said directly, without wasting time. "We need to talk about the problem."
Emma nodded, tense, waiting for the answers she desperately needed.
"The other player… it's not what we expected," Ana began, taking a sip from her coffee. "It's a paparazzo. He's been following William, probably trying to catch some compromising photos to sell. We know William has plenty of shadows in his personal life, and this paparazzo is sniffing something out."
A paparazzo. Emma exhaled slowly. Not the kind of enemy she had expected, but no less dangerous. If anyone got a photo of her in the wrong moment, her entire operation could crumble.
"What do we know about him?" Emma asked, her voice steadier than she felt. The danger posed by a paparazzo wasn't about direct harm; it was the exposure his photos could bring.
Ana set down her coffee cup, folding her hands in front of her.
"His name is Matt Dawson. He's known for being incredibly persistent. No ethical boundaries. He'll do whatever it takes to get the images he wants. He's exposed high-profile figures in the past, and it looks like William is his next target."
"Does he know about me?" Emma asked, dreading the answer.
"Not yet. You're still under the radar," Ana replied, her eyes fixed on Emma. "But you need to be very careful. If he catches you in a compromising photo with William, you could be exposed. And if that happens, this mission is over."
Emma's heart pounded in her chest. She knew the risks of working for Temptation, but she had never faced one that could so easily destroy her life. A paparazzo—someone who was always watching, waiting for the perfect moment to take the shot that could ruin everything.
"How do I avoid him?" Emma asked, her mind already calculating her next steps.
Ana leaned forward slightly, her tone lowering but remaining firm.
"Stay close to William, but be extremely cautious. Make him trust you, but never meet in overly public places. You need to keep a low profile. Dawson has eyes everywhere, and he's looking for any detail he can use against William. If you show up in a photo with him, questions will start to be asked."
Emma nodded, feeling the weight of Ana's warning. Matt Dawson wasn't just a problem for William—he was also a problem for her. If she were discovered, not only would the mission end, but her entire life could unravel.
Ana stood from the table, giving Emma one last look before heading out.
"You have talent, Emma. You know how to move in the shadows, but don't underestimate someone who lives by observing. Remember, you're not the only hunter in this game."
Ana's words left a bitter taste in Emma's mouth. She knew she needed to stay calm, but the pressure of knowing someone else was lurking in the shadows made everything feel far more dangerous.
Back in the Game
That night, Emma prepared for her next encounter with William. She knew now she had to play even more carefully. Not only did she need to gain his trust, but she also had to avoid being seen by a paparazzo who was waiting to capture any moment he could sell.
The restaurant William had invited her to was more exclusive, far less public than the bar where they had first met. This gave her some comfort—there would be fewer eyes on them. But she couldn't afford to lower her guard.
She entered the restaurant wearing her best mask: the confident woman, someone with nothing to hide. In the distance, she spotted William sitting at a table near the window, his face lighting up slightly when he saw her walk in.
"I'm glad you could make it," William said, standing to greet her.
Emma smiled, pretending to feel a calm that didn't exist.
"I wouldn't miss it."
As she sat across from him, Emma noticed that William was more relaxed than during their previous meeting. Enough time had passed for him to start trusting her, but that didn't mean she could let her guard down.
Throughout dinner, their conversation flowed easily, but in Emma's mind, every word and gesture was calculated. She had to be perfect. She couldn't let William suspect anything, nor could she afford to be seen by Matt Dawson at the wrong moment.
At one point, William started telling her about a case he was working on. Emma listened carefully—not just to the content but to how he expressed himself. There was something in his tone, a subtle arrogance that told her William considered himself invincible.
"I feel like I'm always two steps ahead of everyone," he said with a self-satisfied smile that made Emma uncomfortable inside. "But with you… I feel like I'm the one being hunted."
Emma kept her smile, though the warning in his words didn't go unnoticed.
"Maybe you like being challenged," she replied smoothly.
William leaned in slightly, his gaze fixed on her.
"Maybe."
The tension between them was palpable, but Emma knew there was more at stake than just a power game between them. Dawson could be anywhere, and the mere thought that he could be taking photos—that he could capture any hint of intimacy—kept her on edge.
When dinner ended, William walked her to the door. The night was cold, but Emma barely noticed. Every second she spent with William, her mind was alert, scanning for any signs of something wrong.
"It's been an interesting night," William said, smiling as he stepped closer to her. "Maybe we should do this again sometime."
Emma looked at him, calculating her next move.
"Maybe," she said, keeping the mysterious tone that she knew intrigued him. "But you'll have to earn it."
William chuckled softly.
"I like that."
As they said their goodbyes, Emma felt the relief of finally being alone. She walked through the streets, always watching her surroundings, looking for any shadow that might move in the darkness. Matt Dawson was a ghost in her mind, always present, always lurking. But Emma knew she couldn't fail. She had to gain William's trust without being seen by Dawson.
This game was just beginning, and the stakes had never been higher.
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