Eyes Everywhere

Dark hair and the sickening scent of cheap cologne. 

Ian couldn't be such a talented shapeshifter that he could fake his own scent, could he? 

The man pinning her to the wall wore a plain suit. His quick way of neutralizing what he deemed to be a threat was practicing self-defense used by security guards to hold down someone but not harm them. Since they were security and not law enforcement, they could get into trouble if harm came to someone even if they were doing something bad. 

Olivia's years of training made her recognize this immediately. 

The look of astonishment was genuine. She thought for sure Ian had caught her and her cover was blown. 

The man asked her who she thought she was following and she had to come up with a believable excuse. 

"I-I'm new here," she spoke timidly and unlike her usual self. "If you would let go of my wrist I could show you…" 

She brought a sticky note with her to remember the executive's coffee order. There was also a slip with instructions on retrieving the package and its tracking information. In such a high-security place, she also had a badge that showed her hire date and when the security access would expire. 

"Let her go," someone from behind the guard spoke. 

That was the voice she was expecting to hear. 

A hand went to the security guard's shoulder and the man immediately let Olivia out of his grasp. When he turned sideways, she was able to witness Ian from up close for the first time. 

He was as stunning as she expected. Even more so from up close. 

His ruby eyes bore into her and he seemed less than pleased to be interrupted from whatever he was doing. 

Olivia scrambled to pull the sticky note, slip, and her badge from her pocket. She held it up for the security guard to see. 

"The mail room?" Ian said, his voice smooth and the evidence of his irritation from before had disappeared. "We're going in the same direction." 

Olivia realized he was putting on a front. He had to keep up the charismatic charade despite likely having darkness under the surface. 

It wasn't her simply reading a book by its cover and passing judgment. The rise of Ian Novak to the position of CEO had a lot of dark spots that the research team for SIA couldn't find information on. 

He must have been working hard to erase his past and hide what he had to do to come across such wealth and influence. 

The security guard was flustered at being pulled from someone seemingly following the CEO. 

"You're supposed to wear the badge where it's visible," he said. "Don't let it happen again." 

Ian's charismatic mask slipped and he narrowed his eyes at the guard, but a smirk returned when he saw Olivia glance at him. 

She found it unsettling that his demeanor could change so quickly. Both expressions looked authentic so she didn't know which one was real. 

It was the most uncomfortable elevator ride she ever experienced as they went to the lower floors. The silence felt loud. When Ian cleared his throat, she nearly jumped out of her skin. 

It turned out that Ian had two guards with him which was surprising considering he seemed capable on his own. Shapeshifters were known for their strength and athleticism. The ones who didn't go down a dark path often participated in the Olympics in events that would showcase their skills. 

Despite never looking at him, Olivia knew that Ian was watching her and she had to compose herself enough that he wouldn't suspect her. Who would be able to act normally in front of one of the most powerful businessmen in the world? 

If she seemed unsettled, it was on purpose. 

The doors opened and they were in the basement of the large skyscraper that was the headquarters of RK Nielson London. 

Olivia thanked the security guard when he gestured for her to get off of the elevator first. She kept her head down and tried to escape the situation unscathed. 

However, a voice beckoned to her that she felt she couldn't ignore. 

"I apologize for the prior misunderstanding," Ian said. 

"That won't be necessary," she responded, making appropriate eye contact but glancing away. "I imagine you can't be too cautious." 

"You're right about that," Ian responded, his voice lowering so the conversation started to feel private. As he began to step away, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "After all, there are always people watching." 

Olivia had to keep her eyes forward, but she was sure to place a light smile on her lips so it wouldn't seem she thought anything of his words. Even if they shook her to her core, she couldn't act like there was meaning. He was likely trying to test her but she was trained to overcome obstacles like that. 

With a last glance, Oliva's polite smile remained and she continued down the hallway and towards the busy mailroom that seemed to always be chaotic, no matter what time of day she went there. 

Even when she rounded the corner and knew Ian was no longer watching her, she couldn't falter. He likely had access to every corner of that building. There wasn't such a thing as a blind spot in the building of a company that had contributed so much to technology. 

She retrieved the package which was, of course, large and awkwardly shaped. It would be a pain to carry that and the coffees she bought, deciding she needed something caffeinated as well. 

The one nice thing about working for such a selfish man was that, only a few short hours later, she was able to clock out. Executive Whitmore was long gone by that point, and she had a few last-minute things to button up before she was able to leave as well. 

It was summer so the sun set late. She decided to stop by a shop and grab dinner before returning to her apartment.

While she waited for her food to cook, she called the Missions Center on a secure line and a familiar voice answered the call.

"Sunny?" Olivia asked. 

"Speaking," the woman responded. "Have anything for us, Liv?"

Despite the time difference, Sunny seemed as eager to speak to her as ever. Since friends were few and far between in that line of work, she clung to people she liked. Even though she had never met Sunny in person, she was a breath of fresh air whenever they were able to speak to one another, no matter how brief it might be. 

"I ran into the target this afternoon," she responded in a quiet voice as if someone could hear her even though she knew the place was secure after checking upon arrival. "He walks through the building with two guards. He also told me people are always watching. Whether it was to see if I was following him or try to scare me from developing familiarity with him, I'm not entirely sure." 

"I'll make note of this in his file," Sunny responded. "Is he as handsome as he is on camera?" 

"More handsome," Olivia admitted.

However, a phone call from a number she didn't recognize flashed across the screen. Considering no one had access to that phone, she decided she should answer.

"One sec, Sun," Olivia said. 

She purposefully put it on speaker, knowing it might be relevant to Missions Center.

"Sure, sure," Sunny responded. 

Olivia answered the phone politely. 

"This is Olivia, can I help you?" 

"Is this Olivia Rivera?" the male voice asked.

'Ah, the alias for RK Nielson,' she realized and knew how she was supposed to behave.

"It is," she said. 

"This is Detective Inspector Andre Regas with the Metropolitan Police," he introduced himself. "I regret to inform you that Executive Percieval Whitmore was in an unforeseen accident on the way home from work this evening. You were the last person he made contact with before his passing. Would you mind coming in for a few questions?"