Eyes Everywhere
877 Words
Lena sat at the bar like she belonged there.
Because she did.
Her posture was relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, fingers resting lightly against the stem of her glass. The wine remained untouched. She had learned long ago that clarity mattered more than comfort.
The bar hummed around her low music, soft laughter, clinking glasses.
No one paid her special attention.
That was intentional.
Her phone vibrated once.
She didn’t look at it.
Then it vibrated again.
Lena lifted the glass, took a slow sip, and only then glanced down.
She answered without changing her expression.
“Talk,” she said quietly.
He’s left the apartment, the agent’s voice came through her earpiece, low and steady. “Five minutes ago.”
Lena’s eyes remained on the room.
Alone? she asked.
No, the agent replied. “The woman is with him. She’s agitated.”
Lena’s lips curved faintly.
“I expected that.”
Across the bar, a group of women laughed too loudly.
Lena listened with half an ear, while the other half followed the voice feeding her truth.
“They argued before leaving,” the agent continued. “She pushed him. Hard. Accused him of choosing you.”
Lena set her glass down.
“She’s not wrong,” she said calmly.
“Marcus looks nervous,” the agent added. “Keeps checking his phone.”
“He should,” Lena replied.
Her phone vibrated again.
She tilted it slightly, enough to read the message.
TARGET APPROACHING LOCATION. ETA: 7 MINUTES
Lena breathed in slowly.
So Nina had decided not to wait.
“Any deviation?” Lena asked.
“No,” the agent said. “She insisted on this bar. Said she wanted to ‘end it properly.’”
A humorless smile touched Lena’s lips.
“Of course she did.”
“She’s wearing red,” the agent added.
Lena almost laughed.
Predictable.
The music shifted.
A door opened.
Heels clicked sharply against the floor.
Lena felt the change before she saw it.
“Target has entered,” the agent said quietly. “She’s scanning the room.”
Lena didn’t turn.
“She’s spotted you,” he continued. “Her pace just changed.”
Lena took another slow sip of wine.
“Marcus?” she asked.
“Still outside,” the agent replied. “On the phone. Looks like he’s arguing with her.”
Lena exhaled through her nose.
Coward.
Nina crossed the bar like she owned it.
The agent described her movements calmly, professionally like a weather report announcing an incoming storm.
“She’s angry,” he said. “Jaw clenched. Hands shaking.”
“Good,” Lena replied softly.
“Would you like us to step in” he asked. “This could escalate.”
Lena’s gaze lifted.
She finally turned her head.
“I told you,” she said evenly. “I want her close.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Nina stopped at Lena’s table.
The agent fell silent.
Not because he wasn’t watching.
Because he was waiting.
Lena could feel Nina’s presence like heat against her skin.
“Agent,” Lena murmured, barely moving her lips, “stay live.
“I’m here,” he replied.
Nina spoke.
Lena heard it with her ears.
The agent heard it through surveillance.
“You look calm,” Nina said, mockery dripping from her voice.
“Target initiated contact,” the agent whispered.
“Noted,” Lena replied.
As Nina talked, the agent fed her details others couldn’t see.
“Marcus is pacing outside,” he said. “He looks panicked.”
“Is he coming in?” Lena asked quietly.
“Yes,” the agent replied. “But not yet. He’s hesitating.”
Lena’s fingers tightened briefly around her glass.
“Let him,” she said.
Nina’s voice rose.
we meet again
“Y she snapped.
“Target is escalating,” the agent warned.
“I’m aware,” Lena said calmly.
Around them, people were starting to notice.
The agent’s voice stayed steady.
“She’s trying to provoke you. She wants a reaction.”
“She’ll get one,” Lena replied.
Just not the one she expected.
A vibration.
Another update.
MARCUS ENTERING BAR.
Lena’s pulse remained steady.
“Where?” she asked.
“Rear entrance,” the agent said. “He’s looking for you.”
“Good,” Lena replied. “Make sure he sees everything.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The wine spilled.
The gasp rippled.
Lena didn’t need the agent to tell her that.
But he did anyway.
“She just poured the drink on you,” he said.
“I noticed,” Lena replied softly.
There was a pause on the line.
“Do you want us to intervene now?”
Lena stood.
Slowly.
“No,” she said. “Not yet.”
Her voice was calm.
Deadly calm.
“Marcus has eyes on you,” the agent said. “He’s frozen.”
Lena turned slightly.
She saw him.
Her husband.
Pale. Shocked. Terrified.
“Good,” she murmured.
The agent exhaled quietly.
“You’re clear to proceed,” he said.
Lena removed the earpiece.
Set it on the table.
And for the first time that night, she spoke without filters.
“You’ve all made a mistake,” she said softly.
- Writer
