THE TARGET

Nicole sits at her sleek dark walnut desk, her eyes trained on the computer screen before her, scrolling through the limited information supplied to her on her latest assignment. The sunlight streams through the window, casting a soft glow across her features. She only knows the target's home address and possesses a single photograph of her. She can feel her frustration growing as she realizes how little information she has to work with.

The office is modern and minimalistic, with clean lines and a few pops of colour that lend a relaxing vibe to the space. On one wall, a large framed print of a mountain range provides a focal point, and a few potted plants bring a touch of nature inside.

Despite the relative calm of the space, there's an underlying sense of tension that seems to emanate from Nicole. She knows that this new assignment is going to be a tough one for her conscience, and she's steeling herself for the challenges that lie ahead. Her jaw sets, her expression focused, and there's a palpable intensity in the air around her as she works through the details of the case.

She pulls up the photograph on her monitor and studies it closely, hoping to glean any additional information from it. The target is a woman with long, light hair and a sharp, angular face. There’s something about her that seems familiar, but Nicole can't quite put her finger on it.

Minimizing the photo and starting to type notes into her computer. Without any concrete leads, she knows that she'll have to get creative in order to gather more information. It's a challenge that she's faced many times before, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. Nicole takes a deep breath and reminds herself that she's up to the task. She'll just have to work a little harder to make progress than she has had on previous assignments as of late.

Nicole leans back in her chair, rubbing her eyes in frustration. She had been researching the target for hours, but the information she found wasn't particularly useful. She had hoped to find some weaknesses or habits that she could exploit, but everything seemed to be perfectly in order.

"Come on, there has to be something," she mutters to herself, scrolling through the documents once again. But no matter how many times she goes over them, there is no breakthrough. The only thing to note about the target’s family is their less-than-legal business operations, which doesn’t help with the end goal.

Nicole sighs and leans forward, resting her head in her hands. She knows that this was just part of the job and that sometimes assignments can be frustrating. But it didn't make it any less annoying.

She glances at the clock on the wall and realizes that she has been working for several hours straight without a break. Deciding that a change of scenery would do her some good, she stands up and stretches feeling the stiffness in her muscles from sitting at her desk for too long, before making her way over to the window to look out at the city.

As she flexes her arms, she feels a twinge in the area where Waverley had stitched up. The memory of Waverley's touch causes her heart to skip a beat, and she can't help but smile as she thinks about the brunette who flipped her world upside down in. Before Nicole has been content to focus on her intense career and small family but she is starting to second guess the former’s priority now.

She knows that she needs to make a move if she wants to see where things might lead between them. But for some reason, she's been hesitant. Maybe it's because she's not used to feeling this way about someone. Or perhaps it's because she's worried about mixing pleasure with her dangerous line of work.

Nicole hesitates for a moment before picking up the business card and studying it more closely. She notices that in addition to Waverley's work number, there is also a mobile number listed. Nicole's heart races with the possibility of calling Waverley, but she wasn't sure if it was the right time given it being early afternoon and the doctor may be in with patients. She can just leave a voicemail even if it’s not the grander gesture she was hoping for to convey her interest. Even that's better than just a simple text. After a few moments of contemplation, she made up her mind.

With a deep breath, Nicole picks up her phone and dials the number. After a few rings, Waverley picks up erasing Nicole’s quickly building anxiety.

“Waverley, hi it’s Nicole," Nicole said, trying to keep her voice casual.

"Nicole," Waverley replies warmly. "I was starting to think you weren’t gonna call,” she jabs playfully.

Feeling called out, Nicole blushes and rushes out, “I didn’t know how to…and I just found your mobile number on the card,” she halfheartedly defends.

Laughing at Nicole’s flustered reaction, Waverley smoothly retorts, “Aren’t consultants meant to have good attention to detail?” Not giving Nicole an opportunity to fluff a justification, Waverley continues, “How's the wound? Is everything healing okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Should be good as new in no time. I wanted to say thanks again for taking care of me and was wondering if you wanted to grab a drink sometime, maybe that gin and tonic I owe you after humbling me?" Nicole asked, feeling a bit nervous.

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Waverley speaks. "I'd love to," she says, her voice softening. "How about we go to that little bar on the corner of Fifth and Main? They make a great gin and tonic."

"Sounds perfect," Nicole replies, her heart fluttering with excitement.

Relief washing over Nicole, she joyously responds, “How about seven pm?”

Nicole hears muffled voices in the background for a few moments before Waverley sweetly replies, “That works. I’ll see you there.”

Nicole smiles gleefully into the phone, “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Take care, Nicole,” Waverley giggles softly before disconnecting the call.”

Nicole is left feeling giddy and can't help but dance out a cute little celebration, feeling excitement take over her nerves about the date. She finally made the move and it paid off. Now she just had to figure out what to wear.

—-

Nicole leans casually against a lamp post on a quiet residential street in Islington lined with tall well maintained brick townhomes. The houses have black wrought iron gates leading to small front gardens, and many of them have colourful flowers filling up the dead space. There are trees lining the street, providing a natural canopy and shade. The pavement is wide and free of litter, with plenty of space for pedestrians to walk. The occasional car drives by, but the street is generally peaceful and calm. The only sounds are the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the distant hum of traffic from a nearby main road.

She's dressed in black leggings, a fitted long-sleeved shirt, and running shoes, her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She watches intently as people pass by and cars drive down the street. Her attention is focused on a townhome several doors down. Her first step of surveillance is monitoring the home of the target and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. As she watches, she takes note of any visitors or vehicles that come and go. As it’s early morning, only the Royal Mail postman has visited. Her eyes are sharp and focused, scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble. Despite the seriousness of her job, she manages to remain composed and focused, taking in everything around her with a calm and steady demeanour.

Nicole watches intently as the target suddenly stepped out of the apartment building on the lower ground floor, her heart racing with anticipation. The street remains quiet, with only the sound of a few passing cars breaking the silence. The target looks around furtively as if checking to see if she was being watched, and Nicole quickly ducks behind a nearby tree to avoid detection.

As the target walks down the street, Nicole follows at a safe distance, keeping her eyes trained on her every move. The sun has recently set, casting a warm golden light over the quiet street, and Nicole's eyes fixate on the target, as she weaves around the occasional pedestrian.

They turn down a narrow alleyway, and Nicole hangs back, waiting for the target to move out of sight before following. As she rounds the corner a few moments later, she sees the target disappear into a large doorway at the end of the alley leading into a pharmacy. Crossing the street to appear casual and remain innocuous, Nicole waits patiently for several minutes before the same woman exits swiftly.

Nicole, keeping her distance, follows the target to the coffee shop, a quaint little place on the corner of the street. The woman takes a seat at a table by the window and looked around as if she was waiting for someone.

Nicole leans against a wall opposite the coffee shop, keeping an eye on the woman inside. She pretends to look at her phone, checking messages and emails, but her focus is solely on the target.

The coffee shop was bustling with activity, and the smell of fresh coffee fills the air outside as the door constantly opens for patrons picking up their to-go orders. Nicole watches as the woman sips her drink and occasionally glances at her watch.

Nicole wonders who the woman was waiting for and whether it was someone she knew from the mafia-related activity she had ties to. She makes a mental note to keep a close eye on the situation and not let her guard down.

A man approaches the coffee shop, Nicole couldn't help but notice his rugged features and confident gait. He was medium build and muscular, with broad shoulders and a chiselled jawline. He wore a well-worn woollen faux fir winter jacket over a tight-fitting shirt and jeans that hugs his muscular frame. His boots made a distinct sound as he walks across the pavement, a sound that was both confident and self-assured. His hair was styled in a way that suggests he didn't fuss over his appearance, yet it was clear that he was still strikingly handsome.

In many ways, he reminds Nicole of a modern-day cowboy, someone who was comfortable with himself and his surroundings, and who knew how to take charge in any situation.

The man takes a seat opposite the woman, his expression stern as they begin to speak animatedly. Nicole’s eyes fixe on the couple as she tries to decipher their conversation. The man's body language is closed off, his arms crossed in front of him, while the woman's gestures are more open and expressive. Despite the distance between them, Nicole can sense the tension in the air as the conversation grows more heated.

From where Nicole is discreetly watching, she can see the man's sharp jawline and well-kept thick moustache, as well as the cowboy hat perched on the back of his head as he shakes it frustratedly.

Nicole can't hear the details of the conversation, but the tension between the two is palpable. The man's expression is unreadable, but the woman looks angry and frustrated as she gathers her things and stalks out of the shop. The man takes a sip of the coffee she’d left behind and glances around as if he's searching for someone or something.

After a moment, the man stands up and pulls his hat down lower over his forehead. He tosses a few bills on the table and heads out of the coffee shop, his boots thudding against the sidewalk. Nicole stays back, watching him as he disappears down the street, wondering who he might be and how he's connected to her target.

—-

Nicole checked her phone as she approached the bar where she was due to meet Waverley. A few paces from the entrance, her phone pings and she sees a text message from a private number with a simple message, "Update?"

Nicole typs out a brief response, saying that she was still following the target and that there was no new information at this time. She hit send and slips her phone back into her pocket, taking a deep breath before entering the bar. She checks the time and sees that she is a few minutes early, but decides to go inside and wait.

Nicole's black suit pants are tailored to fit her form, the fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. The material is a high-quality wool blend, soft to the touch and finely woven to give a sophisticated finish. The pants are slim-fitted, tapering down to the ankle, and are fastened with a discreet zip at the side.

Nicole's shirt is a sleek, classic design, crafted from a smooth silk blend that drapes beautifully over her figure. The fabric is a deep black, providing a perfect contrast to her skin tone. The shirt has long, tapered sleeves that are fastened at the cuff with small, delicate buttons. The collar is stiff and elegant, adding a touch of formality to her outfit.

As she enters the dimly lit bar, Nicole takes a moment to scan the room. Nicole's heart races as she spots Waverley sitting at the bar, looking gorgeous in her simple yet stylish outfit. She takes a deep breath and tries to calm herself as she approaches, hoping that her nerves don't show too much.

The quaint and trendy bar exudes a cosy and inviting atmosphere. The interior features exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and warm lighting that create a relaxing and intimate ambience. The bar is adorned with a variety of unique and eclectic decor, such as vintage posters and art pieces, adding a touch of character and personality to the space. Soft jazz music plays in the background, adding to the mellow and sophisticated vibe. The seating arrangement consists of a mix of plush sofas, comfortable armchairs, and cosy tables, providing patrons with the perfect setting to unwind and relax.

Nicole can feel her stomach churning with excitement and anxiety as she gets closer. She notices how Waverley's hair falls in soft waves around her face and how her eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief. Waverley is wearing a pair of white denim shorts that show off her long legs, paired with a sleeveless blouse that accentuates her toned arms. The blouse is a soft peach colour that complements her skin tone perfectly, and it is tucked into her shorts to create a clean, polished look. Nicole can't help but admire how effortlessly Waverley carries herself and how she always manages to look put-together, no matter the occasion whether that be at a swanky bar on a date or in her hectic doctor’s office.

Despite her nerves, Nicole tries to exude confidence and composure as she greets Waverley with a warm smile. She hopes that Waverley doesn't notice how her hands are shaking slightly or how her heart is pounding in her chest.

Unsure how to greet Waverley, she pauses, but Waverley doesn't give her a chance to hesitate as she immediately pulls her into a warm, affectionate hug. Despite the initial awkwardness, Nicole feels a sense of ease around Waverley.

As they separate, Nicole turns to the bar eager to fulfil her promise as soon as possible and calls for the bartender's attention so she can order Waverley a gin and tonic, and herself a Peroni. As the bartender begins to make their drinks, Nicole turns to Waverley and smiles, feeling a little more at ease after witnessing Waverley’s excitement to be there and being on the receiving end of her affection.

Deciding to just go for it and put her ego aside, Nicole says, "I'm really glad you were free tonight. I know it may be a bit forward, but I've been thinking about you a lot this past week."

Waverley grins, taking a sip of her drink. "I've been thinking about you too. It’s kinda hard to forget those dimples," she says, the warmth in her eyes making Nicole's heart skip a beat.

Nicole can feel her heart pounding in her chest as she looks into Waverley's eyes. She's been unsure about how Waverley felt about her, but the way Waverley is smiling and looking at her makes her hopeful. As Waverley continues to speak, Nicole can feel the relief washing over her. It seems that Waverley does reciprocate at least some of her feelings after all.

Nicole can feel her face breaking into a wide smile as she realizes that Waverley might be the one to snap her out of her mundane lifestyle. The tension and uncertainty that she's been carrying around with her for the past several days seem to disappear as she takes a deep breath and relaxes.

Nicole decides to take a chance and reaches out to take Waverley's hand in hers. The touch sends a jolt of electricity through her, and she can feel her heart racing again. But this time, it's not from nerves or uncertainty. It's from the excitement of the possibility of something new and wonderful.

Nicole collects the drinks from the bartender and gives a nod of thanks before turning to Waverley with a smile. "Come on, let's sit over here," she said, leading the way towards a small, private table tucked away in a quiet corner of the bar.

As they walked, Nicole's heart is pounding in her chest with nervous anticipation. Once they arrived at the table, Nicole pulls out a chair for Waverley and then takes her own seat. She set Waverley's gin and tonic down in front of her and then cracks open her own beer, taking a long sip to soothe her nerves.

Returning her Peroni to the table, Nicole turns to Waverley and asks, "So, how's your week been?"

Waverley sets down her drink and leans back in her chair, a small smile on her lips. "It's been pretty hectic, to be honest," she admits. "Work's been crazy lately, and it’s hard trying to keep up with all of my other commitments too."

Nicole nods sympathetically. "I know how that feels," she says. "But hey, at least it's Friday now. Time to relax and enjoy the weekend."

Waverley grins. "Absolutely. And spending the night with you will definitely going to make it more enjoyable," she says slyly, taking a sip of her gin and tonic.

Nicole asks Waverley about any other commitments, hoping to learn more about her. Waverley responds eagerly, telling Nicole about her volunteer work, "Well, I volunteer at a local youth charity two days a week," Waverley says, smiling. "It'shave so much potential. It's great to see them grow and learn."

Nicole nods, impressed by Waverley's dedication to helping others. "That sounds amazing. What kind of activities do you do with them?"

Waverley takes a sip of her drink before replying, "We do a lot of different things. Sometimes we have educational programs to help them with their studies, or we take them on outings to see new things. It's all about giving them opportunities to learn and explore."

Nicole's eyes light up as Waverley goes into further detail. She can't help but feel touched, knowing firsthand how tough it can be for kids growing up in difficult circumstances. Nicole leans forward, her voice soft and sincere as she speaks, "That's amazing, Waverley. I know just how much those kids need someone to look up to. It takes a lot of courage and kindness to give your time like that."

Waverley smiles warmly, her eyes shining with admiration. "I couldn't agree more. It's tough work and I only put in around ten hours a week, but it's so worth it when you see the difference you can make in someone's life. I'm just happy to be able to help in any way I can."

Nicole nods in agreement, her heart swelling with affection for the selfless woman sitting across from her. She takes a sip of her beer, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She can't believe how easy it is to talk to Waverley, how comfortable she feels in her presence after such a short amount of time knowing each other.

Nicole listens intently, feeling a sense of admiration for Waverley's passion for helping young people. "That's really amazing. I've always wanted to do something like that, but have never had the chance."

Waverley smiles at her. "Well, if you ever want to get involved, I can give you the details. We're always looking for new volunteers."

Nicole feels a flicker of excitement at the idea. "I might just take you up on that."

Waverley takes a deep breath before she speaks, her voice softer and more vulnerable than before. "The cause hits pretty close to home… I lost my oldest sister when I was young," she says, her eyes glistening with tears. "We weren’t overly close and didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things but her passing was like a meteor to my family. After it, my daddy was never the same and my other sister started acting out."

Nicole listens attentively, her heart aching for the pain Waverley must have gone through. She reaches out to take Waverley's hand, offering comfort and support.

"I'm so sorry, Waves," Nicole says. "That must have been incredibly difficult for you."

Waverley nods her grip on Nicole's hand tight. "It was," she says. "But it's made me appreciate every moment I have now and want to help others who might be going through a loss too."

Nicole listens attentively as Waverley shares her painful experience of losing her oldest sister. When Waverley finishes speaking, Nicole takes a deep breath and opens up about her own struggles with her family, "I haven’t spoken to my parents in over a decade. It almost feels like I’ve lost them, even though they’re still alive. They just didn’t want to be parents anymore.”

Waverley looks at Nicole with understanding and compassion. She places her other hand over Nicole's and squeezes it gently, letting her know that she's not alone. They sit in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared pain hanging in the air. But they both feel a sense of relief to have opened up to each other and to have found common ground.

Nicole notices Waverley's drink running low and suggests that they should get another round. As the bartender prepares the drinks, Nicole takes a deep breath and tried to compose her emotions. She couldn't believe that Waverley was opening up to her so much and it made her feel even more of a connection given how sensitive the topic was. Nicole wasn’t used to talking about such things with anyone other than Jason. She didn't want to mess anything up and was afraid to say the wrong thing.

Nicole returns to the table a few minutes later with the drinks, feeling grateful for the chance to compose herself. Waverley, sensing the need for a change in the conversation, asks what Nicole likes to do outside of work.

Nicole smiles, feeling a little more relaxed. She shares her love for hiking and travelling, and how she had recently visited Portugal and fallen in love with the food and culture.

As Nicole talks about her interests, Waverley listens intently, asking follow-up questions and sharing her own experiences. They discover they both love exploring new places and trying new things, which sparks a lively discussion about their dream travel destinations and the different types of cuisines they want to try.

As they talk and laugh, Nicole feels the connection strengthening between them, and she realizes how much she is enjoying the conversation. Nicole usually is bored with conversations with most people so the new dynamic was a shock to her system. She finds herself smiling more and feeling more relaxed than she had in a long time.

Before they knew it, time had flown by, and the bar was taking final drink orders. Nicole and Waverley look at each other, realizing that it was time to call it a night. They had been engrossed in conversation, sharing personal stories and getting to know each other better. As they stand up, Nicole noticed that the bar has emptied out and the staff were beginning to clean up. She pays the bill and they walk out of the bar, the cool night air refreshing after the warmth inside their faces glowing with the pleasant conversation they had just shared.

As they walk towards the nearby intersection, Nicole can feel a sense of reluctance in her heart, not wanting this night to end. They pause at the edge of the pavement, lingering for a moment before turning to face each other. The streetlights illuminate their faces, and the faint sound of music and chatter from pedestrians around them made it feel as if they were in a cocoon of their own.

Waverley casually mentions that her apartment was just a few blocks away, to which Nicole offers to walk her home since it was getting late and she didn't want her to do so alone.

As they walk in comfortable silence, Waverley intertwines their arms, and Nicole feels a warm blush spread across her cheeks. She can't help but grin as they make their way down the street. Waverley seems completely comfortable with the gesture, and Nicole feels an unexplainable sense of intimacy between them even with such a casual act. A few minutes later they reach Waverley's building, Nicole feeling a twinge of disappointment that their time together has come to an end.

Nicole feels a rush of nerves as they reach Waverley's door, unsure of what to do. As Waverley fumbles for her keys, Nicole takes a deep breath and decides to take the risk. She tentatively leans in tilting her head slightly and places a soft kiss on Waverley's lips. Nicole's heart races as Waverley reciprocates the kiss immediately. The kiss deepens as they both pull each other closer, lost in the moment. Eventually, they pull back, both slightly out of breath, but smiling at each other. Nicole can hardly believe what just happened, but she knows it feels right.

Waverley looks up at Nicole after the kiss, and with a small smile, she confesses that she's been waiting for that all night. Nicole's face flushes with happiness and she grins at Waverley.

Nicole smiles coyly at Waverley's admission and teasingly responds, "Well, I guess I should have made my move sooner." She leans in closer and whispers, "But there's always next time." Nicole then gives Waverley a soft kiss on the cheek before stepping back and bidding her goodnight. Waverley looks pleased but also a little disappointed. They exchange one last smile before Waverley turns to open her door, and Nicole walks away feeling exhilarated.