Episode 2 Clashing With The Scammer
1050 Words
Special Agent Kristen Bell was officially on leave. After successfully wrapping up the high-stakes Thorne operation, she had fought hard for a full week of administrative downtime. She needed the break badly—a chance to breathe, reset her mind, and recover before the next major case landed on her desk.
By 8:30 Wednesday morning, the harsh California sun was already slicing through her blinds. After throwing together a quick, uninspired breakfast of leftover bacon and eggs, Kristen surveyed her apartment. It was time for a thorough cleaning. She turned on a playlist to fill the silence and moved through the living room with a broom, dancing lightly as she swept.
You don’t even have a real man in your life, so you might as well put that broom handle down, her inner voice teased.
By noon, she had given up and collapsed onto her plush velvet sofa, half-watching a mindless Hollywood action movie. She was on the verge of drifting off when her phone buzzed sharply on the coffee table. The screen lit up with Ashley’s name— her closest friend, the closest thing she had to family.
Kristen answered with a smile. “Hey, gi—”
“Kristen, you need to come to The Velvet Table right now,” Ashley interrupted, her voice shaky and urgent. “It’s really important.”
A jolt of panic shot through Kristen. Without hesitation, she rushed to her bedroom, pulled her thick dark brown hair into a sleek ponytail, touched up her makeup with a swipe of glossy lipstick, and slipped into a sleeveless brown ankle-length gown paired with simple cream flats. She looked effortlessly elegant.
You’re rushing to an emergency, not a date, her conscience scolded.
“I know,” Kristen muttered to herself, grabbing her keys and speeding toward downtown Los Angeles.
———
The Velvet Table was an exclusive restaurant favored by the city’s elite. Crystal chandeliers hung from the soaring ceilings, bathing the crisp white tablecloths in warm golden light. The air carried the rich scent of fresh espresso and expensive truffles.
Kristen scanned the room and spotted Ashley sitting alone at a quiet corner table, staring blankly at the menu.
“Ashley?” Kristen asked, placing a steady hand on her friend’s shoulder.
The moment their eyes met, Ashley burst into loud, uncontrollable sobs, drawing curious stares from nearby diners.
“Ashley, what’s wrong? Is someone hurt?” Kristen asked, her FBI instincts kicking into high gear.
“Yes… I’m hurt.” Ashley cried dramatically.
“Talk to me. What happened?” Kristen pressed, her voice rising with concern.
“My… my boyfriend…” Ashley sniffled.
“Oh no. Did something happen to him?” Kristen’s throat tightened.
“He broke up with me!” Ashley wailed.
Kristen froze. Is she serious right now?
Pushing down the urge to roll her eyes, Kristen forced a sympathetic expression. “Oh, Ashley… I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you,” Ashley sobbed, throwing her arms around Kristen’s neck. “And thank you for coming so quickly.”
Kristen sat down heavily across from her, still stunned by the false alarm. She had raced across the city thinking it was a life-or-death situation.
“I really thought this was something serious,” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” Ashley asked, wiping her tears.
“Nothing,” Kristen replied smoothly. “But seriously— you made me drive all the way down here for a breakup? You couldn’t tell me over the phone?”
“No,” Ashley answered with a stubborn pout.
Kristen crossed her arms. “And why not?”
“You look really good today, by the way,” Ashley said, changing the subject with a playful wink.
Kristen gave her a flat look before muttering, “Thanks.”
They were about to order when reality hit Kristen.
“Ashley, we can’t actually afford this place. Your credit card is going to hate you tomorrow.”
“I don’t care,” Ashley replied breezily. “My heart is broken. The bank can deal with it later.”
Kristen smirked. “One of your many terrible financial decisions.”
“Fine. You can pay for your own food then,” Ashley teased.
“Oh come on, Ashley!” Kristen pleaded, giving her best puppy-dog eyes.
“Alright,” Ashley sighed dramatically. “But on one condition.”
“What condition?”
“You get a small snack while I order real food.”
“Deal,” Kristen said.
Kristen chose a unique porcini ice cream sandwich with artisanal crackers. Ashley went all out with perilla noodles topped with winter truffles and a glass of tart cranberry juice. For the next hour, they talked about men, work at the Bureau, and men again. Eventually, the conversation became too much, and Kristen excused herself to the restroom.
As she turned quickly, she collided straight into a solid wall of muscle.
Her breath caught as she looked up. The man standing before her looked like he had been carved from stone—thick, perfectly styled dark hair, intense deep brown eyes, and a sharply trimmed beard. He was devastatingly handsome.
Bet his bank account looks even better than his face, her mind whispered.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his deep, smooth baritone voice sending a shiver through her.
“Sorry,” Kristen stammered, her usual composure slipping.
“It’s okay,” he said with a charming smile. “I’m Al—”
Before he could finish, an inexplicable instinct kicked in. Kristen brushed past him without another word and kept walking.
Behind her, Alex Hunter stood motionless, watching her retreat with a puzzled expression before turning back toward the bar.
———
Inside the restroom, Kristen gripped the edge of the sink tightly, staring at her reflection.
Why did you just walk away from a man like that? her mind demanded.
“I have no idea,” she whispered to the mirror.
When she finally stepped out, she saw Ashley already ordering more food. Kristen shook her head, waved a silent goodbye to her friend, and left the restaurant—completely unaware that she had just literally bumped into the criminal mastermind who would soon make her entire life a nightmare.
- Writer
