Linda narrowed her gaze, just how far ahead was this man? Although she was certain that he was now on her side, it was evident that she underestimated his capabilities. It was an unfamiliar taste, having someone see through her and knowing all her cards before hand - it made her feel exposed and uneasy, yet, weirdly protected at the same time.
"Are you sure? I know you have your own score to settle with Tony, but this is my fight...and you getting involved like this is only going to make your life hard?", she asked,
As if hearing her thoughts, he looked at her assuringly, "Listen. I meant it. I am going to protect you, and I know it would be easier to take him down if we combine both our wits and forces. In case you haven't noticed, we make a great team." Those words - not only were they assuring, but they were making her feel a strange sensation.
Uncertain whether it was the sauna or just her hormones, she was suddenly feeling hot and tingly in places she shouldn't be, 'My body has been strange ever since I met this man', she thought with a flushed face. It didn't take long for Jeremy to notice what was going through her mind.
He smirked, "If only we weren't at your grandparents' house.", followed with a sigh making her instantly feel flustered, was she that easy to read? Without spending a second longer, she burst out of that sauna feeling completely naked, she had to get away from Jeremy.
Unfortunately for her, he was not that far behind, he was way too amused by her reaction to allow her to escape his grasp, "Wait for me...", he chased after her while cackling,
"Leave me alone!" she yelled, increasing the distance between them.
They chased each other until they reached her room, at this point, Linda had taken offence at Jeremy's mockery, it was no longer funny and he could sense the change in her demeanour, 'I went too far...', he thought.
She sat on the corner of the bed refusing to look at him nor speak to him, not only was she angry, she was ashamed. How could she react like that over simple words?
"Come on, babe, how long are you going to keep freezing me out? I was only playing okay? and I suspect the evidence to take Uncle Tony down is hidden at the safe in his hotel.", he said, but Linda was not even budging - his tactic was not working. He sighed helplessly, "I am sorry babe...I regret my actions"
She was aware of the gap in experience between the two of them, but she's never been one to find joy in not having control over her emotions, at the same time, she knew that she overreacted, but she was too prideful to admit,
"I don't care...", she pouted, "Just tell me how we will break into your uncle's safe. What are we going to need?"
He exhaled in relief, "Yess, you are speaking to me again...so you know, I was going to beg until you talked to me - even if it meant going hungry.", he took out his phone with a smile, "My uncle's safe is at The Planet Hotel and Casino, I am sure you know it. Is one of the biggest and most exclusive hotels in the city but it is also the place where he does his shady business and obviously, hides his important documents - as you can guess, it is highly secured. He also uses it to launder money. It has a secret garage door connected to some underground tunnel and a helicopter landing-"
"Yeah, I was aware of this, I managed to get my hands on the blueprint...I also know about the hidden passageway in Room 605 connecting to the main office - quite mysterious. What I need are the exact specifics of the safe. What kind of safe is it? The design? Is it mechanical or hi-tech, that kind of information?"
Jeremy was left bedazzled, all the information Linda was talking about was not public knowledge and his uncle took extra care in hiding the blueprint, "I don't know whether to be scared or impressed...how do you know all of that-wait...do I really need to know. No, I think we can leave it as a mystery-", one thing was certain, Linda was working with highly talented people.
She chuckled nonchalantly, "Don't be impressed, I may know the layout, but I don't know what's on the ground - like the cameras etc.- but I know that if we randomly show up, it will raise suspicions. Remember, it's an invite-only hotel and only high-profile people are allowed in. So how will we make it past the reception?"
Jeremy boastfully showed Linda his phone, "Here...". The sudden wide grin held by his face made hers darken with jealousy, "You are showing me a text from your ex-fiance inviting you for a rendezvous at a hotel, and you are smiling. You know you are getting married to- oh I get it!", she was suddenly hit with a moment realisation, pitty, it came in a second later making her feel embarrassed again, 'I am hopeless', she facepalmed,
She knew she walked right into the mockery, and this time, she asked for it, "Go on...have your moment", she said helplessly seeing him struggle to mask his excitement.
A soft laugh escaped his mouth, "I am not going to say anything mean, I am just happy to see you get jealous. I suspected that my fiance was a jealous woman, but to this extent, I am honoured - it makes me want to-uhm, you know. Kiss you-"
Her face instantly became crimson as her heart began pumping faster with unexplainable excitement, "Fine. Fine. Whatever. So you are going to use this to go in, but what about me? Also, I must say, this has your uncle written all over it", she tried to change the subject making him grin.
He suddenly dropped his face, he's been debating whether to tell her, but if he wanted her to trust him, he had to be honest, "Actually...my uncle is trying to break this union, I haven't figured out the reason yet because I thought this deal was working for him. Seeing the sudden message from Maggie, I guess is safe to say he decided to take matters into his own hands. This is him fastening the process. But I must say, he's becoming rather too predictable-"
Linda got menacingly serious, "Wait...your uncle wants us to break up?? Does Uncle John know??",
Jeremy shook his head, "No, he also told me last night. Now that I think about it, the whole Maggie mess last night makes sense...", Linda cackled ominously intriguing Jeremy's curiosity.
She was suddenly hit by a rush of adrenalin and her palms began sweating with excitement, she's got them! Both of them! She could almost taste the victory and it was exhilarating. Her eyes smiled as she intensely gazed at Jeremy, "Babe...did you know that farmers sometimes use bread crumbs to bait a chicken into a trap?", she smiled mischievously, "I always knew that uncle would become useful one day-"
"Genius", his eyes lit up at the realisation of what her fiance meant. Linda's words and gaze were like a magnet, slowly drawing him in, "Divide and conquer. That's how we get him.", He whispered excitedly as he gave into the desire to ferociously claim her lips .