I watched people come and go. My stomach growled at me, and I suddenly felt slightly sick. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was already lunchtime. The day passed more quickly than I had imagined. Deciding I needed sustenance, I scanned the area.
On the corner of the building was what looked like a little shop. The sign was too small to read, but I could see images of coffee and sandwiches on it. Looking at the door, I felt sure that I could quickly step out and grab a snack.
As I walked towards the small shop, I found it a little odd, come to think of it. It was unusual for such a random shop to be built into the cornerstone of such a large corporate building. Then again, it didn’t really matter. All I wanted was a cup of coffee and something to eat.
Entering the shop, I noticed it was more of a café than a shop. I walked up to the counter and ordered a mini-baked apple pie and coffee. I loved apple pie and could eat it all day long. Wherever I found myself, I had to try the apple pie if they had one.
As I turned to leave, the door swung open and in came Sophia. Looking around, I noticed there wasn’t a sufficient hiding place. I couldn’t let her see me yet. I lifted the apple pie and cup to the side of my face and slowly passed her.
She passed me without even glancing in my direction and started talking to the woman. Once I stepped out, I felt comforted that she didn’t notice me. Practically running across the parking lot, I spilled half of my coffee trying to get back to my vehicle.
Placing the cup in the holder, I tossed the pie onto the dashboard. How could I have been so careless? What was I thinking? I should have realized it was lunchtime for her as well. Everyone must eat, not just me.
I ate my apple pie as I watched her come back out and head inside. I wondered how long her break was, seeing that she had barely come out before heading back in.
Once five-thirty hit, she exited the same as the previous day. Sophia made a stop at the same bookstore and shop before heading home. I wondered if it was even possible to read a book in one night. I know I read fast, but the size of the books she was buying would take me a couple of days at least.
Her routine at home was the same, except this time she didn’t close the lounge curtains just yet. I watched her as she did some exercises. Then she made herself supper and coffee before sitting down and picking up the book she bought. She kept herself busy.
I waited until her lights went off and then another thirty minutes to be sure she was sleeping before I got out. The street was dark and quiet. It appeared that most of her neighbors were also sleeping, which was a good thing.
Walking to the corner and back, I studied the houses and the street. I needed to know the layout and any possible dangers lurking. Getting back to my car, I headed up the street and scanned that side as well. On returning to my car, I walked over to her house.
Carefully, I moved around the small house, ensuring I hadn’t been heard or seen. It was a simple layout. There was a kitchen with an open-plan lounge in the front. One bedroom and bathroom to the back.
I couldn’t see any cameras or even a security system. This was good as I could enter undetected.
Moving back to my car, I could now start planning. Morning came, and the day was more of the same. Sitting in front of the office building, I decided the best would be to follow her another day or two and then grab her from home. She seemed to live a very plain, simple life, playing into my favor.
The end of her workday came, but Sophia didn’t come out. By six, I started worrying. Her car was still in the lot, but there was no sight of her. Most of her employees had left, of that, I was sure. Was she working late? Maybe, I told myself, maybe. But this was out of the routine.
Yet, her schedule seemed so predictable, but this wasn’t. As seven started approaching, I wondered if she had left with someone. Did I miss her? Was she already home or at someone else's?
“Arg!” I huffed. “This is bullshit,” I said as I banged the steering wheel. I was about to start my SUV and race over to her home when the office doors opened. Leaving the building was Sophia, but she wasn’t alone. She was accompanied by a young man with thick glasses in overly large frames.
They stood by the entrance, speaking and laughing. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she seemed taken by him. They walked to the lot and then got into his car. I followed them as they went to her house. Were they a couple, I wondered as they entered her house. Would he miss her if she suddenly disappeared?
Sitting in my car, I steamed over what could be happening. He wasn’t even attractive. He was a skinny nerd with red curly hair and awful glasses. How could a woman of her stature be into a guy like him? Shaking my head, I tried clearing the invading visions of them together. What did it matter who she was seeing? I just needed her to sort out these shitty lawsuits.
The evening felt like a week. Time appeared to have stopped a couple of times. I was restless and didn’t feel relaxed by the time morning came. I followed them back to the office and watched as he dropped her off and left.
She didn’t make her usual stop for coffee and a muffin either. But she did grab a coffee from the little café. Adjusting my seat, I thought I would get a bit of rest as the day may be long.
But before I fell asleep, I saw her coming back out. She was carrying a stack of papers, which she handed to a courier who had just arrived. He, in turn, gave her a box, which she took back inside. There were a lot more people coming and going, and she, too, seemed to be in and out all day.
I watched boxes, files, and papers exchange hands. By lunch, my mind was reeling. What if some of these were documents related to me, my dealings, and the organizations I'm involved with? Even though I was sure it wasn’t, as there was a lot of information, some of it could be.
Five-thirty arrived, and like most days, Sophia came out on time. However, today she was carrying some boxes. She loaded them into her car and headed out. I followed her to another law firm, where she dropped some of the boxes, and then to the police station. Here she also dropped a box.
I was confident that the information couldn’t be on me. She needed more time. She couldn’t have gathered so much inthe three months I was gone. Yet, if any of the information was about me, my contact would let me know. By the time we got to her house, my anger was raging. I wanted to grab her and get it over with. But I knew grabbing her in such a state would be atrocious.
Sitting back, I just watched as she watered the plants and then moved from the kitchen to the living area. She had not pulled the curtains, and with all the lights on, she was clearly visible. She picked something up. A remote, I assumed, as she started swaying her hips and dancing. Evidently, she was listening to music.
Staring at her, I felt the ends of my mouth curling up. It was a while before she closed the curtains. Looking up at myself in the mirror, at the smile on my lips, I felt agitated. Frowning, I lightly slapped my cheek as I scolded under my breath. “What the hell's wrong with you? She’s the target, you shouldn’t be smiling!”
Leaning back in my seat, I closed my eyes. Opening after what felt like seconds, I noticed the sun had already started the day. The days went by as the first and second, with no new twists or turns. Day six followed the same pattern except that she came off earlier. She spent her afternoon in the park reading a book.
Every now and then, she looked up, gazing at the trees, the people, and her surroundings with a gentle smile. She seemed fascinated by it all. Then I remembered seeing the paintings in her home. Most of them were nature scenes.
