The days following the drop at the post office were filled with a tense, almost suffocating anticipation. Serena and Alexander knew they had done everything they could, but waiting for Rebecca Martin's response—or for Nicholas to make his next move—was nerve-wracking. Every minute felt like an hour, and every noise outside the apartment seemed like the prelude to disaster.
Serena tried to stay busy, but it was hard to focus on anything other than the potential fallout from their actions. She found herself checking her phone obsessively, hoping for some sign that Rebecca had received the package and was preparing to act. But there was nothing—just the endless silence that made her nerves feel like they were stretched to their breaking point.
Alexander was quieter than usual, his face set in a permanent frown. Serena could tell that he was just as anxious as she was, though he tried to hide it. He spent most of his time either glued to his laptop or making discreet phone calls, gathering whatever intel he could about Nicholas's movements. But like Serena, he was coming up empty.
On the third day, Serena decided she couldn't take it anymore. She needed to get out of the apartment, if only for a little while. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, and she needed to clear her head before she lost it completely.
"I'm going for a walk," she announced suddenly, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the room.
Alexander looked up from his laptop, his eyes narrowing in concern. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Nicholas might have people watching the building."
"I know," Serena admitted, pulling on her jacket. "But I can't just sit here and do nothing. I need some fresh air, even if it's just for a few minutes. I'll be careful, I promise."
Alexander hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Okay. But stick to crowded areas and keep your phone on you. If anything seems off, come back right away."
Serena nodded, grateful for his understanding. She slipped her phone into her pocket and headed for the door, feeling a mix of relief and trepidation. The thought of going outside was both exhilarating and terrifying, but she knew she couldn't stay cooped up in the apartment forever.
The streets outside were bustling with life, a stark contrast to the suffocating tension that had filled the apartment. Serena took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill her lungs. It felt good to be outside, even if the danger hadn't disappeared. She kept her pace brisk, staying in the middle of the crowded sidewalk where she felt safer.
She wandered aimlessly for a while, trying to clear her mind. The city was noisy and chaotic, but it was a welcome distraction from the worries that had been plaguing her. She watched people going about their day—commuters rushing to catch the bus, parents shepherding their children through the crowds, tourists snapping photos of the landmarks. It was all so normal, and for a moment, Serena almost felt like she could forget about the mess she was tangled up in.
But as she turned down a quieter street, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Her heart skipped a beat as she pulled it out, half expecting it to be bad news. But when she saw the message, her breath caught in her throat.
It was from an unknown number, but the message was short and clear: "Received your package. We need to meet. Tomorrow, 10 AM, Central Park. Come alone."
Serena's mind raced as she read the message again. It had to be from Rebecca Martin. There was no other explanation. But the idea of meeting the journalist in person made her stomach churn with anxiety. What if it was a trap? What if Nicholas had somehow intercepted the package and was setting her up?
She quickly dialed Alexander's number, needing to hear his voice. He picked up on the first ring, his tone tense. "What's wrong?"
"I got a message," Serena said, trying to keep her voice steady. "It's from Rebecca Martin. She wants to meet tomorrow at Central Park."
There was a brief silence on the other end as Alexander processed this. "Are you sure it's her?"
"I think so," Serena replied. "But I don't know for sure. What if it's a trap?"
Alexander cursed under his breath. "It's possible. Nicholas could have intercepted the package, or he could have people monitoring Rebecca. But if it really is her, this could be our chance to solidify the plan. We can't afford to ignore it."
Serena felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. She knew Alexander was right, but the thought of walking into a potentially dangerous situation made her heart pound with fear. "So what do we do?"
"You go to the meeting," Alexander said firmly. "But you won't be alone. I'll be nearby, keeping an eye on things. If anything feels off, you leave immediately, and we'll regroup. But if it's really her, this could be the break we need."
Serena nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Okay. I'll go. But you have to promise you'll stay close."
"I promise," Alexander said, his voice softening slightly. "We're in this together, Serena. I won't let anything happen to you."
Serena felt a small sense of relief at his words. She knew that no matter how dangerous things got, she could trust Alexander to have her back. "Thank you," she whispered.
They spent the rest of the day preparing for the meeting, going over every possible scenario and contingency plan. Alexander insisted on walking Serena through the park's layout, pointing out potential escape routes and places to hide if things went south. Serena appreciated his thoroughness, even if it did little to ease her nerves.
That night, sleep was elusive for both of them. Serena lay awake, staring at the ceiling as her mind raced with thoughts of what the next day might bring. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change, one way or another. The calm before the storm was almost unbearable, and she just wanted it to be over.
When the morning finally arrived, Serena felt a strange mix of dread and determination. She dressed in simple, unassuming clothes, trying to blend in as much as possible. Alexander gave her a reassuring nod as they left the apartment together, both of them focused on the task ahead.
The walk to Central Park was tense, neither of them speaking much as they navigated the crowded streets. When they arrived, Alexander quickly scouted the area, making sure everything was as safe as it could be. Then he found a discreet spot nearby where he could keep watch without being seen.
Serena took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She walked to the meeting point, her heart pounding in her chest. The park was peaceful in the early morning light, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning inside her.
She spotted a woman standing near a bench, her back to Serena. The woman was tall, with dark hair pulled back into a neat bun, and she held a small bag in one hand. Serena's pulse quickened as she approached, praying that this wasn't a trap.
The woman turned as Serena drew near, and their eyes met. Serena recognized her instantly—it was Rebecca Martin, the journalist they had pinned their hopes on. Serena felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was quickly followed by a surge of anxiety.
"Serena, I presume?" Rebecca said, her voice calm but firm.
"Yes," Serena replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rebecca nodded, gesturing to the bench. "Let's sit. We have a lot to discuss."
As they sat down, Serena couldn't shake the feeling that the calm was about to give way to a storm—one that would change everything.