A light sheen of sweat glistened on Connor's forehead even with the chill in the air. His heart raced, beating quickly, his throat dry and parched.
Kayla was further down the block, walking along merrily. Much like the last time he had followed her, there was nothing in her strides that indicated the taboo nature of what she was setting out for.
What was different from that last time, however, was the success of the endeavor.
At least so far...
With every block, his nervous excitement had increased, knowing that those blocks brought him closer and closer to where her infidelity was taking place. And while every block had offered potential obstacles, none had been enough to stop him. He had kept his eyes pinned on Kayla, making sure to stay back, occasionally ducking behind trees or cars. The neighborhood was unfamiliar, but he did his best to mark makeshift waypoints, using unique houses, small parks, and other noteworthy landmarks to create a mental map.
Halfway down the next block, Kayla turned into the walkway of a nondescript apartment building. Connor looked up at the building, taking in the drab brown of the outside, the sight utterly uninteresting.
I don't know what I expected...neon lights saying 'THIS IS WHERE SHE MAKES THOSE VIDEOS'?
Shrugging off that minor disappointment, he crept up closer to the walkway. Kayla was already through the first set of doors, waiting at the second set to be let into the lobby, unaware of his gaze through the glass panes of those first doors.
A few minutes later, well after she had disappeared into the building proper, he made a move towards the door. An old woman, carrying a paper bag and wielding a burnished wooden cane, had turned into the walkway, offering an opportunity for him to follow someone inside.
Act natural...like you live here.
She glanced over at him as he came up behind her, very mindfully moving steadily to not surprise her with sudden moves. Her eyebrow arched slightly.
Act natural...
They reached the front doors together, and he opened them for her, stepping aside to let her pass. A hint of a smile appeared on her face, a grateful nod following.
The second set of doors awaited. He felt his heart rate pick up again as she dug into her purse.
"You don't look familiar, young man," she said then, her voice casual, but a certain intent underlying it. "Don't live here, do you?"
He shook his head.
"No, ma'am, just...visiting a friend."
She nodded, finally producing a set of keys from her purse, a small fob attached to the ring opening the doors for them. He eased them further open for her, stepping aside again to let her pass, receiving another subtle smile.
"Thank you, young man."
"You're welcome, ma'am."
She shuffled inside the lobby, and he followed along slowly, glancing around to get the lay of the land.
Now...where are the elevators? Guess I'll just have to keep following her.
"Are you coming with me to get my mail?" she asked, her smile wider now.
"Uh...no?"
The uncertain answer only amused her further.
"First time visiting this friend, huh?"
He hesitated, but then nodded.
"Elevators are that way," she told him, pointing to the right side of the lobby. "Around that corner."
A blush of embarrassment was already coloring his cheeks, and it bloomed hotter as he nodded again, setting off in that direction, hearing a small chuckle from her on his way past.
In front of the elevators, another dilemma presented itself.
I have no idea what floor this guy is on...I probably should have taken that into account.
He chose the second floor, his heart rate picking up again as the elevator slipped into motion.
When the doors opened, he crept out, casting furtive glances this way and that, half-expecting an apartment door to open and Kayla to catch him snooping around. His heart rate picked up a bit more from the nervousness and excitement as he reached the first door.
It would be very convenient if it was the first apartment.
Unsurprisingly, the name on the door was unfamiliar, as were the names on the other apartment doors. He snuck back to the elevator, his heart still beating rapidly, every little noise drawing an alert glance.
The third floor was just as unhelpful but more exciting. Halfway down the hall, a door opened nearby. He dove around the corner, breathing heavily, and waited a few seconds before peeking out.
Nope...not her...or him...
He sighed, feeling his heart settle somewhat.
After checking out the fourth floor, and meeting similar results, he admitted defeat.
I don't know what I thought would happen...