Chapter:19
"Nala"
I woke up to the warm rays of sunlight streaming through the curtainless window. The brightness was almost blinding, and I raised a hand to shield my eyes. For a moment, I just lay there, feeling the gentle heat on my skin.
As I sat up, my mind slowly cleared of the fog of sleep. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and planted my feet firmly on the ground. The wooden floor creaked beneath me, a familiar sound that brought a sense of comfort.
The memories. The memories of what happened... They came back but it's not the right time . It's time for work .
I stood up and stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles from the previous day's activities. A quick shower helped to wash away the fatigue, and I dressed in a simple white top and jeans.
I walk out of room and went straight
I haven't even saw this suite properly . It's look heart touching. I really like the half white ceiling with gold, grey and white furniture making it the best .
I went to the kitchen side to cook something but Lenny was already in the kitchen of the suite , cooking up a storm.. The aroma of scrambled eggs and toast filled the air, making my stomach growl with hunger.
"Morning," Lenny said, flashing a bright smile as I entered the kitchen.
"Morning," I replied, taking a seat at the table.
"I have made breakfast for you Nala" he say .
"Thanks then " I reply .
"Only thanks . I haven't make breakfast for anyone in my whole life not for myself._"
I raised an eyebrow "so, what should I do" I reply .
"Well, a kiss would be fine" he says .
"What . You must be out of your mind . Or you really wanna beat up in the morning Lenny_"
"Sorry, sorry I was just teasing you . You didn't look much good." He say holding his both hands up in surrender.
"Thanks . Well, I'm fine" I say .
Lenny slid a plate of eggs and toast in front of me. "So, what's the plan for today?" he asked.
I took a bite of my eggs, savoring the flavor. "We need to find Thomas," I said, my voice firm.
Lenny's eyes widened. "I know, but…I don't know where to start. He's an FBI agent, Nala. He's not exactly easy to track down."
I nodded, understanding Lenny's concerns. "I know, but we have to try. We can't just sit around and wait for him to make his next move."
Lenny sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know, I know. It's just…I feel like we're in over our heads here. We're not exactly trained investigators."
I reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Lenny's arm. "We'll figure it out, Lenny. We have to."
As we finished up our breakfast, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. Thomas was still out there, and I had a feeling that he was getting closer.
I glanced at my watch. "We should get going. We have a lot to do today."
Lenny nodded, standing up to clear the dishes.
I walked out of the apartment, Lenny following close behind. We stepped into the elevator, the doors closing with a soft whoosh.
As we walked out of the building, I felt a sudden prickle on the back of my neck. I glanced around, my eyes scanning the crowded streets.
Lenny noticed my tension. "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice low.
I hesitated, unsure how to articulate the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. "I don't know," I said finally. "I just feel like. Someone just say something but who would it be"
"Someone say something to you" Lenny reply and then he start looking here an there to find the man .
"There's nothing Nala" he reply .
"Look Lenny . It's true." I say
Pointing over the man in black in the corner of street but as soon as Lenny look there he vanish .
"Nala, there really nothing " he say .
I tried to walk there but Lenny hold my hand . "Nala wait" .
"If you wont believe me then I would go there by myself" I say .
"It's not that I didn't believe you . It's just that what if it's a trap . If what you say is right then . It must be someone_"
"we're being watched".
I finish his sentence.
"Yes" he reply .
As we walked out of the street , Lenny and I blended into the crowded streets of Singapore. We strolled hand in hand, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling city.
We made our way to the iconic ION Orchard mall, one of the largest and most luxurious shopping centers in Singapore. As we stepped inside, I couldn't help but gasp in awe. The mall was enormous, with towering ceilings and gleaming marble floors.
The interior design was stunning, with intricate details and beautiful artwork adorning the walls. We walked through the crowded corridors, surrounded by the sounds of chatter and laughter, and the enticing aromas of food from the various restaurants.
We stopped at the impressive indoor waterfall, watching in wonder as the water cascaded down the sleek glass wall. The sound of the water was soothing, and for a moment, we forgot about our mission and simply enjoyed the beauty of the mall.
"How can we get info now?" I ask .
"I don't know" he says .
"What about we ask other." I say .
"But it's will make us look mysterious" he reply .
"Then won't make it mysterious. How about we just ask casually" I say
"Fine" he reply .
As we walked, Lenny leaned in close. "I'll try to strike up a conversation with one of the sales associates," he whispered.
I nodded, smiling up at him. "I'll do the same."
We split up, each of us approaching a different sales associate. I struck up a conversation with a friendly-looking woman, asking her about the latest fashion trends.
As we chatted, I casually asked, "Excuse me, do you have any security cameras in the store?"
The woman looked at me quizzically. "Security cameras? Oh, yes. We have them throughout the store. Why do you ask?"
I smiled innocently. "I'm just a little paranoid, I guess. My boyfriend and I are from a different country, and we're just not used to the crowds here. To many peoples here and I forget my bags somewhere my boyfriend came there to look after it but he's now .. he's lost . I want to make sure that he's safe."
The woman nodded sympathetically. "I completely understand. Yes, we take security very seriously here. Our security system is very tight . We use KBS security. But mam we can't just show anyone security here. I'm so sorry " she says .
"Oh that's okay maybe I have to search for him myself now" I say
I thanked her and continued shopping, Lenny meeting up with me a few minutes later.
"What did you find out?" I asked, as we walked out of the store.
Lenny leaned in close. "The security cameras are all monitored from a central location. I didn't get a chance to find out where that is, but I did get the name of the security company they use."
I nodded, impressed. "Nice work."
I look to the right and there's guard . Looking straight at us .
I hold Lenny arm .
"Hey, you haven't even buy me anything. You say you would" I say .
Lenny look shock .
"Just act there guard watching us" I whisper .
We continued our "shopping trip", stopping at a few cafes and restaurants along the way. At each one, we asked casual questions about security, pretending to be concerned tourists.
As the day wore on, we gathered more and more information, piecing together a trail of clues that we hoped would lead us to Thomas.
But as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the city, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched.
As the day wore on, I could feel the exhaustion creeping in. My feet ached from walking, and my mind was numb from processing all the information we'd gathered.
Lenny looked just as tired, his eyes drooping and his smile faltering. We'd been going non-stop for hours, and it was starting to take its toll. I leaned against him, grateful for his support. My eyelids felt heavy, and I struggled to keep them open.
Lenny wrapped his arm around me, holding me close. "we need to take a break," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Let's get some food, and then we can head back to the room." I nodded, too tired to argue. We stumbled out of the mall, our legs carrying us on autopilot. The bright sunlight was blinding, and I squinted, trying to shield my eyes.
Lenny led me to a small restaurant, tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. "I've heard great things about this place," he said, smiling. "They serve the best chilli chicken and wings in Singapore." My stomach growled at the mention of food, and I nodded eagerly. We went inside, and the aroma of spices and grilled meat enveloped us. We ordered, and the food arrived quickly.
As we took our first bites, our eyes widened in unison. "Wow," I breathed. "This is amazing."
Lenny nodded, his mouth full. "I know, right? The chicken is so tender, and the wings are spicy but not too spicy."
I nodded, taking another bite. "And the flavors are incredible. I can taste the garlic and ginger, but it's not overpowering."
Lenny grinned. "I told you it was good. This place is a gem."
As we finished our meal, I felt a sense of rejuvenation wash over me. The food had been amazing, and the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant had been just what I needed. Lenny smiled at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Feeling better?" he asked. I nodded, smiling back. "Much better." We walked out of the restaurant, feeling refreshed and ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As we walked back to the building, some of the staff greeted us, asking about our day. "How was your day, miss?" one of them asked, smiling. I smiled back, feeling a sense of gratitude. "It was great, thank you. We had a wonderful time exploring the city." The staff member nodded, smiling. "That's great to hear. Can I get you anything? A drink, perhaps?" Lenny shook his head, smiling. "No, thank you. We're just going to head back to our room."
We walked through the corridor, our footsteps echoing off the walls. We passed by a few other guests, nodding in greeting. As we approached our room, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. We'd had a long day, but we'd accomplished a lot. And now, it was time to rest.
Lenny opened the door, and we stepped inside. But as we entered the room, my heart sank. Our luggage was scattered all over the floor, and the bed was messy. It looked like someone had been searching for something.
Lenny's eyes narrowed. "What the…?" he trailed off, his voice low and menacing.
I felt a chill run down my spine. "It looks like someone's been in our room," I whispered.
Lenny's face darkened. "We need to get out of here. Now."
I nodded, my heart racing. We quickly gathered our belongings and made a hasty exit, leaving the messy room behind. As we walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. And I knew that we had to be more careful. Our lives depended on it.
We quickly gathered our selves and made a hasty exit, our hearts racing with every step. We ran downward, our footsteps echoing off the walls. We didn't stop until we reached the lobby, where we burst through the doors and rushed to the front desk.
"What's going on?" Lenny demanded, slamming his fist on the counter. "Our room's been ransacked!"
The staff member's eyes widened in shock. "I'm so sorry, sir. Let me check on that for you."
Nala's voice was shaking with anger. "Check on it? Someone's been in our room, going through our things. We need to know what's going on."
The staff member nodded frantically. "I understand, ma'am. Let me call security and we'll get to the bottom of this."
Lenny's face was dark with anger. "Security? We need more than security. We need to know who did this and why."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "This isn't just a random break-in, is it?" I whispered.
Lenny's eyes locked onto mine. "I don't think so," he said, his voice low and menacing.
The staff member looked like he was about to pass out. "I'll…I'll get the manager," he stuttered.
As we waited, my eyes scanned the lobby, my gaze darting back and forth. "We need to get out of here," I whispered. "Now."
Lenny nodded, his eyes never leaving the staff member. "We will. As soon as we get some answers."
The manager arrived, looking frazzled. "I'm so sorry, mam and sir. I've been told what happened. I can only imagine how upsetting this must be for you."
Lenny's face was dark with anger. "Upsetting? That's not even close. Someone's been in our room, going through our things. We need to know who did this and why."
The manager nodded sympathetically. "I understand. I'll do everything I can to find out what happened. In the meantime, I'd like to offer you a new room, and I'll have the old one cleaned and secured. And again, I'm so sorry. Please accept my sincerest apologies."
Lenny's anger boiled over. "I don't need a new room or your apologies. I need to know who did this. That's all I care about."
The manager looked taken aback. "I…I understand, sir."
Lenny took my hand, his grip tight. "Let's get out of here," he said, his voice low.
We walked out of the lobby, into the bright sunlight. The air was thick with the smells of street food and exhaust fumes. We walked in silence, our footsteps echoing off the buildings.
After a few minutes of walking, Lenny spotted a small café. "Let's go in here," he said, pulling me toward the door.
Inside, the café was cool and quiet. We sat down at a small table, and Lenny ordered us a couple of coffees.
As we waited for our drinks, I turned to Lenny. "I knew it," I said, my voice shaking. "I knew someone was following us. I felt it at the airport and street".
Lenny's eyes locked onto mine. "I know. I felt it too. But I didn't think it was anything serious."
Our coffees arrived, and Lenny took a sip. "If it's Thomas, he won't stop," he said, his voice low. "He'll keep coming after us until he gets what he wants."
I felt a chill run down my spine. "We need to get out of here," I said, my voice urgent.
But Lenny shook his head. "If it's Thomas, he'll just follow us. But if we stay here, we can track him. It'll be easier."
I hesitated, unsure. But Lenny's determination was infectious. "Okay," I said, my voice firm. "Let's do it. Let's track him down and put an end to this."
Lenny's eyes gleamed with determination. "We will," he said, his voice low. "We'll get him, I promise Nala".
Lenny's eyes scanned the café, his expression serious. "I don't see anything," he said. "But let's get out of here anyway. We can go back to the hotel and start reviewing the security footage."
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. We would get to the bottom of this, and we would make sure that Thomas paid for what he had done.
As we left the café, I felt a sense of determination. We would track down Thomas, and we would bring him to justice. No matter what it took.
As we walked back to the hotel, I suddenly felt a sense of unease. I glanced around, and that's when I saw him – a man in a black outfit, following us.
I didn't hesitate. I took off after him, my heart pounding in my chest. Lenny shouted after me, "Nala, stop! Let me handle it!"
But I didn't listen. I was determined to catch this guy and find out what he wanted.
We ran through the streets, weaving in and out of pedestrians. The man in black was fast, but I was gaining on him.
Lenny caught up to me, his breathing heavy. "Nala, please. This could be dangerous. Let me do it."
But I shook my head. "No, I've got this."
We turned a corner, and the man in black darted down a narrow alleyway. We followed him, our footsteps echoing off the walls.
As we ran, the streets became increasingly deserted. The buildings seemed to loom over us, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted in the flickering streetlights.
Finally, we turned another corner, and the man in black was trapped. We pinned him against the wall, and I ripped off his mask.
"You're in our hands now," I spat, my heart still racing.
I quickly tied his hands behind his back with the bag strips I had bought earlier. Lenny looked at me in surprise, but I just shrugged.
We dragged him into the back of a nearby building, a deserted warehouse that seemed to stretch on forever.
As we stood there, the only sound the creaking of the old building, I demanded, "Who are you?"
The man remained silent, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Lenny stepped forward, his eyes blazing. "Answer her," he growled.
But the man still didn't speak. I lost my patience and punched him in the gut. He doubled over, gasping for breath.
"Who are you?" I demanded again.
This time, he spoke. "I'm Thomas," he gasped. "And I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
I stared at him, my mind reeling. Thomas? The same Thomas who had been causing us so much trouble?
Lenny's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, you just wanted to make sure we're alright?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.
Thomas looked up, his eyes pleading. "I swear, that's all I wanted. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
I exchanged a skeptical glance with Lenny. We both knew that Thomas was hiding something. But what?