Chapter 21 ( the uncanny resemblance)

                                    

                                          
Alex's pov:
The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of my hotel room, casting a warm glow across the space. I sat at the small desk, staring at my laptop screen, the email from my boss still open. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, the events of the previous night replaying over and over.
James. Just thinking his name sent a shiver down my spine.
I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. I had a job to do. I couldn't afford to let my emotions get in the way. I opened the attached dossier again, studying the photograph of my target, Victor Harrison.
The resemblance to myself was unsettling. His features were sharper, more weathered, but there was a familiarity that I couldn't ignore. The gray eyes, the high cheekbones—it was like looking at an older, hardened version of myself.
I shook off the feeling and dove into the details. Victor was involved in a variety of illegal activities—money laundering, arms dealing, and more. He was a dangerous man, and my job was to gather intel and, if necessary, eliminate him.
I heard the soft ping of an incoming email and switched back to my inbox. Another message from my boss.
**Boss:** "Alex, make sure to be thorough. Victor is a high-priority target. Trust no one."
I closed the email and ran a hand through my hair. Trust no one. The words echoed in my mind. It was standard protocol, but it felt more ominous given the circumstances.
Deciding to get some fresh air, I grabbed my jacket and headed out. The small town was just waking up, the streets quiet and peaceful. I walked towards a nearby café, needing caffeine to clear my head.
As I waited for my coffee, I couldn't help but think about James. His touch, his kiss, the intensity in those striking red eyes. I pulled out my phone and stared at his number. I had saved it last night, unable to bring myself to throw it away.
Could I really call him? Should I?
The barista called my name, snapping me out of my thoughts. I grabbed my coffee and found a quiet corner to sit and review the dossier again. As I sipped my drink, I went over the details, trying to piece together Victor's connections and movements.
The more I read, the more uneasy I felt. There were gaps in the information, inconsistencies that didn't add up. Victor was a ghost, leaving little trace of his activities. It was going to be a challenge to track him down.
I pulled out my burner phone and dialed Kailer. He picked up on the second ring.
"Alex? What's up?" he asked, sounding more awake this time.
"I need you to look into someone for me. Discreetly," I said, keeping my voice low.
"Sure, who?" Kailer replied, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Victor Harrison. He's involved in some shady activities. I need to know everything you can find out about him and his associates," I explained.
"Got it. I'll get on it. But Alex, you sure you're okay?" Kailer asked, concern creeping into his tone.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just... be careful, okay? And don't tell anyone about this," I said, ending the call before he could ask more questions.
I put the phone away and glanced around the café. It was a quiet place, a good spot to gather my thoughts and plan my next move. I pulled out a notebook and started jotting down ideas, possible leads to follow up on.
As I worked, my mind kept drifting back to James. The way he had looked at me, the warmth in his smile. I felt a connection to him, something I couldn't explain. It was both thrilling and terrifying.
But I couldn't let it distract me. I had a job to do, and I needed to stay focused. I finished my coffee and packed up my things, ready to start the day. There was a lot to do, and I couldn't afford to waste any time.
Back at the hotel, I booted up my laptop again and checked my email. Still nothing new. I opened the dossier one more time, staring at Victor's photo. The sense of familiarity gnawed at me. Was it just a coincidence? Or was there something more to it?
I decided to take a walk around town, hoping to clear my head and maybe gather some intel. As I wandered the streets, I kept an eye out for anything unusual. The town seemed peaceful enough, but I knew better than to trust appearances.
As I passed by a park, I spotted a man sitting on a bench, reading a newspaper. Something about him seemed off, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I made a mental note to keep an eye on him and continued on my way.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. I gathered some basic information about the town and its residents, but nothing that stood out. As the sun began to set, I returned to my hotel room, feeling frustrated.
I flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts drifted back to James, to the way he had looked at me with such intensity. I wanted to see him again, to feel that connection once more. But I couldn't afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment.
With a sigh, I sat up and checked my phone. No new messages. I decided to call it a night and get some rest. Tomorrow was another day, and I needed to be ready for whatever came next.
As I drifted off to sleep, one thought kept circling in my mind: For the first time in my life, the job didn't seem like the most important thing anymore.
And that terrified me more than any mission ever had.