Zava: Precious Seconds

Zack navigated his way through the clusters of highly-esteemed aristocrats in the ballroom hall until he reached a corner of the room sparse of people. He nodded politely to the beefy security personnel and looked back at the majestic event. The annual gala had gathered presidents, powerful elites and scholars from many countries to discuss global strategies for a better future, and Zack was there to represent the Scott Foundation, his family’s legacy. As one of the primary pioneers and largest investors in espionage, Zack’s grandparents had passed on the family name as one of the most influential in global security - which provided Zack with the dreaded duty of social networking on behalf of his last name.

“Excuse me, sir?” an attendant caught his attention. “Can I interest you in some - ?” he mentioned a food name that Zack did not recognize by either name or its delicate presentation. He waved it off out of disinterest, which he wished he can also do towards the elegant affair. Though Zack was much accustomed to the politics of high society, voluntarily mixing himself within the crowd made him feel wrung dry.

He caught the gaze of several wide-eyed journalists who began moving towards him, so he immediately made his way back into the crowd - anything to avoid false pretenses that he wanted to be there. It was then that Zack saw a lady that looked extremely familiar to him. She stood, alone, a few feet from him, with elbows perched on a high table and hawk-like eyes scanning the room. Her appearance had changed - her hair had bangs and her long straight hair reached half her torso, complemented by dramatically large glasses that sat on the edge of her nose. Despite that, Zack could recognize Ava by the glint in her eyes and the playful smirk on her crimson lips that she does when she spots him.

“Agent Scott,” she said loudly when he approached and held out her hand. Zack took the formal handshake and felt a tinge of disappointment. Ava was stating her ground that she attended the event on assignment. Without missing a beat, she continued the charade, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you mind if we have a quick chat?”

Zack was not going to pass up the chance even if it was a few brief seconds. He smiled. “Anything for you.” When they moved in closer to speak outside of anyone’s earshot, he asked “So, what are you here as?”

“Ms. Sara Barrett from the Elite Gazette.”

“Hmm,” Zack rubbed his chin to feign prolonged contemplation. “Straight-forward, clean, unassuming. Especially easy to blend in. Can I know which clientele you are doing this for?”

“You and I know that’s confidential,” she whispered coyly before turning her gaze to the room. “Where are the others?”

“You mean the rest of the squad? Only Nicky and I got the invite, where Nicky should have represented his dad’s corporation - but he got himself suspended.” When Ava raised her eyebrows, the former continued, “It was some minor prank that resulted in an impressively small fire - taking into account Nicky’s mastery in causing chaos.”

She looked amused, but did not care to prod. Instead, she asked knowingly “And how are you handling all this tonight?”

“Well - To be frank, I am astoundingly indifferent to what’s happening around me,” Zack replied and his eyes crinkled at her as she grinned. “How about your assignment?” he asked curiously.

Ava pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. She was never the type to divulge in details. “You know I’ll be at your quarters should I need help.”

Zack nudged her elbow gently. “Why wait? I can get a room upstairs.”

The girl laughed softly. “Nothing’s changed,” she looked at him with a tender smile.

“Yeah, nothing.” Zack swallowed his throat. Despite their back-and-forth banter, her wide blue eyes seemed to glow at their unspoken longing for some time alone that Zack too sorely missed. Lost in the moment, he snuck one hand under the table to pull at her wrist. Stroking her skin slowly with his thumb, Zack let his hand slid lower until it interlocked with Ava’s fingers. Her eyes fluttered at the unexpected intimacy.
“I knew you were coming.” Ava spoke, her voice faltering.

“The guest list,” Zack guessed. “You must have seen it. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“This is work,” she replied with a hint of regret. “I wish I could - “

Zack nodded and squeezed her hand. “I know.”

“But it’s good to see you,” she said, followed by a lingering silence. Zack understood from experience that this meant it was time to part.

“The pleasure is all mine.” He took one step away but didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he pulled it to his lips for a kiss. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“You look really good yourself, Agent Scott.”

“Till next time, Ms Sara Barrett.”

“Goodbye,” she spoke longingly, before moving towards the center of the hall. Zack’s eyes followed her movements but she managed to get absorbed in the crowd quickly. Pulling in a deep breath, he gave a forlorn smile before approaching the ambassador of a country he was instructed to re-connect with.

It’s back to duty for Zack and Ava.