Resident Evil: Don't Follow Me
Chapter 2
Downtown - New York City, NY
August 24th 2013
20:58 EST
Standing at the window of her penthouse apartment, Ada Wong took a sip of her Chardonnay and gazed out on the bright night life of New York City.
Such an amazing view… she thought to herself as she placed her free hand on the glass. It always seemed to take her breath away each time she stayed here.
The mood was interrupted however, as the laptop behind her began its methodic beeping; signaling the call that she had been expecting. Tying the cord of her night robe tightly around her waist, Ada then sat down at the table and slowly crossed her legs. Rather than open the computer, she instead allowed it to continue its protest at her inaction. After taking a long swallow from the rest of her glass, she then took a strawberry from the bowl and gently bit it in half. As she did, a memory of what she had done to similar ones with a certain D.S.O. agent caused a smile to tug at her lips.
After letting the computer beep for over a full minute, Ada finally opened the laptop and pressed the ENTER key. The digitally distorted face of her contact immediately appeared on her screen.
"I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to answer my call, Miss Wong. I trust your visit to DC met with success?"
His voice was distorted as well. Both her contacts and clients alike took great lengths to keep their anonymity.
"Yes, I have the T-Veronica virus as we agreed upon," she replied and then proceeded to open the small metal case to offer proof.
The man paused before adding, "And Agent Kennedy's blood sample?"
She hesitated for a moment but then produced a vial that was being kept in a vacuum-frozen container.
"I have it. But what exactly do you need his blood for?"
"The details of our agreement do not concern you."
Ada arched her eyebrow in response. "I believe that it does considering I'm in possession of both the virus and Agent Kennedy's blood sample. It would be a shame if something unfortunate were to happen to them."
The man on the other end of the computer went silent.
"Perhaps you should reconsider your current posture, Miss Wong. May I remind you that it was you who contacted us for assistance? We provided you the price for our services, and now you would haggle with us?" He paused once more – most likely to make sure he held her full attention. "You will provide us with both the blood sample and the virus at the agreed upon meeting place, or else we will not assist you in the rescinding of the assassination order on Agent Leon Scott Kennedy."
Ada's eyes narrowed at the threat. The whole reason she had done all of this was to remove the hit on Leon's life. She could understand the steep price of the T-Veronica virus, but why then did her contact want his blood sample? Something didn't feel right about this but there were no other options available. If she was going to protect him then this was what she had to do.
"Very well. I'll meet you at the drop point after I confirm that the contract has been removed."
"We will make it happen then, Miss Wong," he replied before adding, "However, I must say that I find it very… odd that you are attempting to save the life of a government agent that has been after you for years."
It wasn't any of this man's business why she wanted to save Leon, but she'd been in the game long enough to know sometimes she had to give answers to protect herself… and him.
"He saved my life in China during the Lanshiang outbreak," she replied. "I repay my debts."
"Very well. We'll look forward to seeing you."
The transmission ended. With that, she leaned back and let out a deep sigh. Gently cracking her neck, she then stood and returned to her view of the city.
The solitary life of a spy, she thought with some lament.
As thrilling as the missions were, at the end of the day she was always like this – alone. Some nights the loneliness was worse than others. Tonight was one of those nights. What she needed right now was a man – one that she could bed down and have her way with. Her first thoughts turned to Leon, but he was back in DC. Most likely he would want nothing to do with her after what she'd done to him down in those tunnels. She had attacked him, threatened him, and then left… just like she always did. Would he even want to see her again after all of that?
She had hated to scare him, but she hadn't seen any alternative. If he had succeeded in stopping her, that would have meant his death. The unfortunate irony was not lost on her. Perhaps she'd give him a week – maybe two. Then she could show up and give him as much cosseting as he desired to help erase that painful memory from his mind. She held out hope that he would forgive her.
Ada let out a deep sigh. In a few months time she'd be forty-years-old. Even though she didn't look a day over thirty, she began to wonder if it was all worth it anymore. What was she truly fighting for? Was it for the money? She had earned plenty of that over the years – more than enough to settle down some place and live a comfortable life. Why then was she still doing this? The answer seemed to elude her. Perhaps it was just her nature – an alpha female living independent in a world dominated by men. But then why did she hate being alone at night? Why did she find genuine joy when she was with him?
In the tunnel, Leon had been right about her. She did care about him. And ever since Paris she did keep coming back to him. Of all the men she'd had in her life, she kept coming back to him. He was such a good man, and she had believed him when he said that he cared about her, too. She then recalled how her skin had goose-prickled at his words.
While it bothered her to even think of it, Leon did deserve better than her. With that, she felt an unfamiliar pang of guilt.
Placing her hand on the window, she gently leaned her forehead against the pane and closed her eyes. Letting her ears listen, she could hear the muted sounds of the city in the distance. The cool kiss from the glass allowed her a moment of respite from her tortured thoughts. His face was all that she could think of right now; his face with no judgments being made against her – just the genuine desire in his eyes and the gentleness of his touch.
I'm just a woman… who… fell in love with you. Nothing more…"
"Leon…" she whispered.
A smile soon creased her lips at the mention of his name. That was when Ada knew she had her answer.
What she didn't know was that over two hundred miles away in the nation's capital a certain D.S.O. agent was standing at the window of his own apartment… thinking of her.
*** THE END ***
The story continues in Resident Evil: Vengeance