Beneath the surface

Chapter five

As Ava packed her bags for the vacation, her mind was racing with possibilities. She had managed to send a discreet message to her handler about the trip, and they had arranged to meet at the resort. Ava was excited to finally have some time to focus on her mission again.

As she finished packing, Ariel burst into her room, a bright smile on her face. "Ava, are you ready? We're leaving in an hour!" Ava nodded, grabbing her bag. "Yeah, I'm all set. Let's go!"

The two maids made their way to the foyer, where the rest of the staff was gathered. Ethan stood at the entrance, his eyes scanning the group before landing on Ava. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Ava felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Alright, everyone," Ethan said, his voice firm. "Let's get moving. We have a long drive ahead of us." The group nodded, and the staff began to file out of the mansion.

As Ava followed Ariel to the bus, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What was Ethan's true intention for this vacation? Was it really just a break for the staff, or was there something more sinister at play?

The bus ride was long and winding, but eventually, they arrived at the resort. Ava's eyes widened as she took in the stunning views of the ocean and the luxurious amenities.

As they checked in and received their room assignments, Ava noticed that Ethan seemed to be watching her. She tried to brush it off, but the feeling lingered.

After settling into her room, Ava decided to explore the resort and get a feel for the layout. She might be able to find a good spot to meet her handler without being noticed.

As she walked along the beach, Ava spotted a secluded spot that looked perfect for a discreet meeting. She made a mental note of the location and continued her exploration.

Ava walked along the beach, the warm sand beneath her feet. She spotted Emily, her handler and friend, sitting on a bench overlooking the ocean. Ava smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

"Hey, Em," Ava said, sitting down beside her friend.

Emily turned to her, a warm smile on her face. "Hey, Av. How's it going?"

Ava filled Emily in on the events leading up to the vacation, including the gunshot incident. Emily listened intently, her expression serious.

"We're getting close to catching Ethan," Emily said, her voice low. "But we need to be careful. We don't know what he's capable of."

Ava nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "I know. I've been trying to get close to him, but he's been keeping his distance."

As they chatted, Ava mentioned something that had caught her attention. "You know, Em, I found out that Ethan donates a significant amount of money to a local orphanage home. He's been doing it for years."

Emily's expression turned thoughtful. "That's interesting. It shows that he has a softer side, doesn't it?"

Ava nodded. "Exactly. It's hard to reconcile the man who would be involved in shady dealings with the man who would care about orphaned children."

Emily's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You're really getting to know him, aren't you? Maybe you're starting to see him in a different light."

Ava laughed, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "It's just the mission, Em. I need to understand his motivations."

But Emily just smiled knowingly. "Sure, Av. Whatever you say."

As they continued to chat, Ava couldn't help but wonder about Ethan's philanthropic efforts. What drove him to help those in need.