25 Target

Shew had reached her destination in the capital. There was a big event happening here where all the big people in this country and neighbourhood would attend. The purpose was to promote those intricate ties of friendship between the states.

The man whom Shew was supposed to eliminate was a cabinet minister. Back home it would have been nearly impossible to carry out the job. So her team had to wait until they found the right opportunity.

The minister was the main support behind all terrorist and mafia activities around the country. The man was a heartless beast. He had mercilessly slaughtered people to achieve wealth, power and his current position.

There was still a day left for the event of presenting the global village to people so Shew utilized this opportunity to foolproof her plan. It was simple. Blowing his brains out by taking a shot from long distance. They had kept impossibly tight security but there were some loopholes in it which would act to her advantage. That night Shew went to sleep with a slightly heavy heart. She had this premonition of some kind that something big was going to happen tomorrow.

***

Following day, Shew casually walked up the building roof where she had decided to execute her plan from. The event started and the dignitaries arrived one by one.

As Shew was preparing herself to take aim she saw something unexpected. It was Timo standing among all other guests. She colourfully cursed her luck for being a bitch at such a crucial time. Something shocked her even more. Timo was speaking to a man- a man she recognized and had been searching for from the past four years. The same man who had destroyed everything she cherished. The same man whose death could give her what she so much searched for- peace. Swallowing the lump forming in her throat, Shew blinked back the tears. She couldn't allow her rage to take control of her.

She had to act fast. She had to change the whole plan and improvise.

It wasn't because of Timo but because now she had two targets to take care of rather than one. She informed the headquarters about change in her plans and descended from the tower.

She would take the shot but not right now, she would do it from a closer distance. She wanted her enemy to look at her face before they died.

That evening Shew reached the banquet hall where the after-party was supposed to take place. She had worn a blood-red dress that complimented her dark skin and raven hairs. She had smartly jinxed a party pass earlier that day.

By the time she came, the party had already started and people were milling around. Looking around for a while she again saw that man. Her previous grief was replaced by white-hot fury. While she was noticing his every move, an arm slid across her waist. She looked up to see Timo.

"I never thought I would see you here." He was grinning.

Shew rolled her eyes at him. He could be absolutely dense at times.

"Me neither." She retorted dryly.

"What are you doing here? Planning to surprise me?" He asked with an expectant smile.

"I could say that you have started to stalk me again." And she pinched the arm holding onto her waist.

Timo sighed dramatically, "You hurt me so much."

"I haven't even started hurting you."

"Well, you are looking ravishing tonight." He ignored her glare, "Makes me want to never ever leave your side."

Shew flushed, "Stop it. You are at a party." She tried to scold him.

"Hey! Can't I praise my girlfriend's beauty?" He looked slightly wronged.

"For your information, I am not yet your girlfriend." Shew's eyes followed her prey, "You are just my crazy stalker."

"Soon you will be my girlfriend honey." He shamelessly declared.

"Let's wait and watch." Shew looked up at his face, "By the way, you never told me what brings you here?"

"Things weren't cooling down back home so when the invite came I just jumped up for the opportunity." He answered, "What about you?"

Shew playfully winked at him, "That I can't tell you."

"Hey come on that's not fair now." He halfheartedly complained.

"We didn't have any deal." She finally succeeded in releasing herself from his hold.

Timo smiled and he instead took her hand, "Come here I want you to meet someone." And he lead the way.

"Who?" Shew asked confused. Her target was moving nearer to her.

"The minister's right hand, he was asking me about my new conquest this morning so I have to show it to him."

Shew was highly offended, he slugged him in the arm without any mercy, "I am not a thing Timo."

Timo held back a howl. She was really strong. He sheepishly looked at her, "I'm sorry but they weren't my words and you are much more precious to me than anything." He grinned at the end, "Hey Ian!"

The man on whom Shew had a grudge turned around and made his way towards them.

Her grip on Timo's hand grew even tighter. He was surprised and looked up at her face but it showed no emotion. A careful inspection of her eyes revealed a storm brewing in them.

Confused by her sudden anger Timo turned back to Ian.

"Hey Tim! enjoying the party?"The man asked jovially.

"Of course, I would like you to meet my about to be girlfriend," Timo responded with equal enthusiasm.

"About to be?" Ian laughed, "Don't tell me you were turned down by this beautiful lady here."

"Yup that she has done that a lot." Timo sounded a little sour.

"Hello Miss," the man extended his hand in greeting, "I am Ian Strauss, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure is all mine, Mr Strauss." Shew took the hand gracefully, "I am Cyrene Parker."

Timo chose not to comment on it.

It was now dawning on him that the Shew in his arms right now wasn't the Shew who spoke to him two days back. This was some rigid and calculative machine.

A feeling of dread swept over him as he saw both of them interacting. He saw Shew being extra careful with her words. It wasn't that easy to decode her reactions but he was tuned to her in a weird sort of way.

"Well, I will take your leave now." The man said apologetically, "I see the minister has come. It was nice meeting you Ms Cyrene."

Shew smiled politely, "Sure sir." It was time.

"What was all that about Shew?" Timo questioned her. His feeling of dread intensifying with each second.

"What?" She was busy calculating the perfect way to execute her plan.

"That just now? And Cyrene?" Timo was still oblivious.

"My middle name." She looked at him, "I told you beforehand that we need to talk but right now we don't have time."

Timo tried to protest, "Why don't we?"

"Get as far as possible from here," Shew didn't answer his questions, "Things are going to become ugly."

"What do you mean?"

"If I survive tonight I will surely tell you everything but right now you need to get away from here." She replied solemnly before quickly disappearing into the crowd.