Chapter 14 One Step Ahead
"Vanessa! It’s been so long. You look great." Amelia said, as she stood up to hug Vanessa, who had walked over to the booth Amelia was already occupying.
Vanessa hugged her lightly. "You too. It feels strange… almost like old times."
They sat and ordered coffee. At first, they talked about random things like work, hobbies, funny memories from childhood and every other thing. Vanessa laughed at the right times, smiled warmly, and acted friendly as they tried catching up.
She needed Amelia to trust her completely.
Then, as Vanessa hoped, Amelia after some time asked, "What about Rebecca? How is she? You know we've not really talked in so long." Amelia sighed, thinking about how things had ended between her and Rebecca.
Vanessa let out a long, deep sigh. She lowered her eyes like she was hurt, thinking about Rebecca.
"Honestly, Ami… I don’t know what to do about Rebecca anymore," She said, putting up the facade of a grieving caring sister.
Amelia leaned forward. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"She’s been so distant. I don't even know her anymore," Vanessa said softly. "Ever since our parents died… she pushes me away every chance she gets. She barely talks to me and she treats me like a stranger, forgetting we moth lost our parents," She added, her voice on the verge of tears, since she really needed Amelia to believe her.
Amelia frowned sadly. "Oh, Vanny… that must hurt."
"It does," Vanessa whispered, pretending her voice was shaking. "I’m trying so hard to be a good sister, but she won’t let me. I think she’s suffering. She’s confused. She needs someone… anyone… to stand beside her especially now that she broke up with Liam."
“She broke up with Liam?” Amelia asked in alarm since she knew how much Rebecca loved Liam, even to the point of sacrifing their friendship.
“Oh! You didn't know?” Vanessa asked with feigned ignorance.
“No! What happened? She used to love Liam so much so what must have happened?” Amelia asked, looking genuinely surprised.
“That’s the thing, Ame. I don't know. She barely talks to me and I know she's hurting a lot. I just wish she had someone she can talk to since she can no longer talk to me or see me as her only family. I don't even know what I did,” Vanessa said, shaking her head.
Amelia placed a hand gently over Vanessa’s hand that was on the table. "You’re such a sweet sister. Maybe Rebecca doesn’t know how to open up."
Vanessa sniffed lightly and nodded. "Maybe… maybe you could help her?"
Amelia blinked. "Me?"
"Yes," Vanessa said quickly, eyes soft. "You both were really good friends too, before. Maybe if you talk to her… if you reach out… she will let you in again. She's hurting and needs someone beside her."
“Are you sure about that? Rebecca didn't seem like she wanted me close the last time especially since she didn't talk much to me during the funeral,” Amelia said, her voice laced with uncertainty.
“Don't worry. I know she'll let you back in. I mean, don't you miss her friendship too? I just want her to be my best friend again. I miss her. Please, can you at least try?” she said with big pleading eyes.
Amelia hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I can try. If Rebecca wants to talk, I’ll be there." She replied, she had actually missed her best friend.
Vanessa smiled with fake gratitude. "Thank you. Here, take her number," She said as she brought out her phone and typed out Rebecca's number into Amelia's phone.
"But… please, can you not tell Rebecca I gave you her number? She might think I’m interfering. Just say you had her number saved before and just wanted to reach out," She said.
Amelia laughed. "Don't worry I know what to say when she asks. You're such a a sweet sister that now I wish I had a sister like you watching out for me," Amelia said, feeling grateful on behalf of Rebecca while also wondering why Rebecca would decide to stay away from Vanessa, her only family at the moment.
Vanessa smiled back at Amelia, glad that everything was going as planned.
'Perfect,' Vanessa thought, plan A was already in motion now she just has to wait a little before implementing plan B.
Taking a sip from her glass of latte, she and Amelia launched into another round of conversation.
After spending nearly an hour catching up, Vanessa said her goodbyes to Amelia before walking out to her car. Just as she sat down inside, her phone rang. Pulling it out of her purse, she wasn’t surprised to see it was Liam.
She exhaled sharply. "Finally."
“Tell me you found someone,” she answered immediately after the call connected. She had no patience to wait any longer; she needed to act now before Rebecca did.
“I found someone. He’s discreet, professional, and he doesn’t ask annoying questions,” he replied.
A smirk crept onto Vanessa’s lips. The universe was definitely on her side; everything was working according to plan. "Send his number," she said, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction.
“Already sent,” he replied. Just then, her phone pinged with a new message.
“Call him now,” Liam added. “He’s expecting your call.”
“I will. I’ll update you later,” Vanessa promised before ending the call. Taking a deep breath, she dialed the number.
The line went to voicemail on the first ring. On the second ring, someone answered.
“Yes?” The voice on the other end was deep, calm, and strangely emotionless, sounding like someone who had done many things for money without feeling anything about them.
"I have a job for you," Vanessa said, getting straight to the point. She didn’t have time for pleasantries.
"And what kind of job is that?" he asked.
"I need someone’s phone tapped," Vanessa said calmly, glancing around the park to ensure no one was listening. "Calls, messages, and everything other thing I can get," she added.
"I see," he murmured. "Who told you I could do that?"
"That’s irrelevant," Vanessa replied, her tone icy and sharp. She wasn't interested in questions; she wanted answers. "Just get to the important parts. Can you do it or not?"
The man chuckled softly, as if amused by her confidence. It had been a while since he had met someone as intriguing as her.
"I can. But phone taps require proximity."
"Define proximity," Vanessa asked.
"An arm’s length." He continued, "I have to get in contact with the phone. Say at least, for three minutes without interruption."
"Three minutes," Vanessa repeated slowly. She could manage that. Although Rebecca had always been guarded around strangers but getting this stranger three minutes near Rebecca or her phone wouldn’t be a problem if she planned it correctly.
"And after you tap the phone?" she inquired. "How long will I have access?"
"As long as the device remains on," he replied. "You’ll see everything she types, reads, receives, or deletes."
"Good." A shiver of satisfaction ran down Vanessa’s spine.
"But," the man added, his voice sharpening, "there's also the question of payment."
"Money is not an issue," Vanessa snapped, frustrated. "Just tell me how to make this happen." Her voice turned hard.
The man’s tone grew serious. "I need a scenario that allows me to get close. That’s your part. I don’t approach randomly, it'll be too suspicious. What I do is blend into anything you want me to as long as it gets me near the target."
"I’ll give you the details on how to approach her soon. I need time to figure out the best way to get you close to her," she said.
The man sighed. "Fine. Call me when you're ready."
She hung up the phone and took a slow breath. With a smile, she pulled out of the café parking lot. Plan B was now in motion.
If Rebecca thought she could keep secrets, she was about to learn the hard way that she, Vanessa was always one step ahead. The game just got more interesting.