Moving on, I found another bedroom similar to mine. I wondered if this was his or another spare room. It seemed that a mansion of this size would have multiple rooms. Just a little way from where I was standing, I noticed a giant door at the end of the hallway. It was bigger than all the others.
This must be where he kept his secrets, I thought as I hobbled faster. The need to get inside is growing with each step. Glancing back, I softly opened the doors. Stepping inside, I felt disappointed, but it didn’t last long. It was a bedroom. But it wasn’t like the others.
Placing both my hands over my mouth, I breathed in sharply as I glanced around. No, this had to be his room, the master bedroom. “Wow!” I said... It was much nicer than I expected, especially from a man.
The overly large bed sat against the right-hand wall. The room was painted in dark tones of black, purple, and orange. The headboard appeared to be made from dark oak. It contrasted perfectly with the cream-colored bedding. There were strange carvings in it, but I couldn’t really make out what they were. It looked like a mixture of animals. The numerous pillows were the same colors as the walls.
At the foot of the bed was a folded blanket. I walked over and sat down. I couldn’t resist. For a moment, I felt like I was floating on a cloud. The bed was extremely soft. Turning, I peeked through the open door to my side. It was a bathroom.
In the middle of the floor sat a big bath. It was an old clawfoot bath, but I could see it was well taken care of. Behind it,I noticed the sun coming in through a glass wall. The window ran from side to side and from the floor to the ceiling.
Getting up, I headed towards it. The view from here was different from mine. I could see a swimming pool with a fountain on one side. It looked like a waterfall. It was gorgeous. Behind it was the wall. Beyond that, open fields stretched to the distant mountains.
Leaving the room, I wondered why the house was so plain, but his bedroom looked like something out of a fairy tale. As I moved back to the stairs, I considered my options. I was looking for his office. As I reached the stairs, I noticed a passage moving down beside it. At the end, there was a door. “What is this?” I breathed out as I moved closer.
Opening the door, I smiled. Eventually, I found his home office. I stood for a moment listening. The house was quiet, but I wasn’t sure where he had gone. I stepped inside, pushing the door closed but not letting it close completely.
Moving around his desk, I saw that the computer was on. Looking up, I noticed some drawers were open. My stomach made a turn. I felt nervous but oddly happy as well. Soon, I would find all his dirty transactions. Then I will deliver the proof to Melody and the cops.
Wondering where to start, I walked over to the window. The view was breathtaking, but I didn’t have time for scenic luxuries. Taking a deep breath, I moved to the drawers of files. Carefully, I pulled out the half-open drawer without making any noise.
Flicking through the labels on the files, I found one with my law firm's name on it. I glanced back at the door as I pulled it out. My hands felt sweaty, and my breath was ragged. I openedthe file and read through the top sheet. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I flipped to the next document, and the next. Each one was a different lawsuit against Kolya. On the last page of each was my name and signature. I staggered to the desk, barely making it to the chair, and flopped down in it. I felt sick to my stomach. What was going on?
The previous papers looked legit, but they could be fake. It was like he had just made something up. But these. These were the real deal. They even contained the firm’s stamp.
Placing the folder on the desk, I went through all the documents again. Looking up, I blindly stared at the computer screen as tears filled my vision. I blinked and wiped my eyes. That’s when I saw it.
Before me, on the desktop, was a folder marked with my name. I clicked on it, and an array of documents opened. I couldn’t keep the gasp from escaping as I sat back in the chair. This was ludicrous. These doctored documents stated that I secretly owned the law firm. But as if that wasn’t enough.
There were more. These other documents made it sound like I was a powerful woman. It indicated that I had ties to some influential people and more. Before I could read the rest, the door swung open.
Kolya stepped into the doorway, leaning against it, grinning at me. “Do you believe me now that you have seen the proof?” His tone was mocking, and I wished I could slap the grin off his smug mug.
Rising sharply, I pushed the chair back hard. It collided with the wall, causing a loud clanking sound. “This is all fake!” I scream in anger.
Kolya started coming closer, raising his hands as if trying to calm me. “None of this is real, it’s not true!” I snapped, moving around the desk out of reach. Before he could say another word or take a step closer, I stormed past him out the door.
My mind was reeling with all I had just read. “It’s fake, not real,” I mumbled to myself as I headed to my room. I can’t unsee it, but I will not believe it. I had to find a way to talk to Melody, to find out what was going on.
Entering my room, I slammed the door shut behind me. I didn’t want to see Kolya. I didn’t want to be confronted. This was all lies. He was playing a dirty game. I didn’t know what he was trying to do, but this wasn’t true. There was a throbbing pain in my ankle. I steadied myself and inhaled slowly. My anger had taken over, and I had left the crutch somewhere. I couldn’t even think where.
I entered the en-suite bathroom and rinsed my face. My mind is still spinning. In the pit of my stomach, a knot was forming. I had to get a grip. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I tried to find a reason for it all. But there was nothing, no reason I could comprehend.
After a couple of deep breaths, I sat down on the side of the bed. For now, I will stay put and play nice. But soon I will get to the bottom of it all. I lay down, relaxing my ankle until supper time came.
We had supper in silence. I ate quickly and dismissed myself before he could ask any more questions. It seemed his mind was also occupied, as he didn’t try to stop me. I was glad to be back in the room, but I battled to sleep.
The files and documents seemed to be haunting my dreams. As morning arrived, I felt drained and decided to stay inbed. I didn’t want a confrontation and would try to stay clear of Kolya as much as I could.
Chapter 7 - Kolya
I was relieved that Sophia had stopped trying to run away. But during the last week, I’ve noticed she was bored out of her mind. She has also been avoiding me after I found her in my office. She wouldn’t listen to me and was sure I had faked the documents. Not wanting to pressure her as I needed her to get to the truth, I let it go for now.
But I knew she needed some distraction. Picking up the phone, I called my cousins to arrange a family dinner. After following her that first week, I knew she liked to keep busy. Being so idle must be gnawing at her insides.
Putting down the phone, I went to inform Sophia that we would be going out for dinner. I wanted her to know where we were going. I found her sitting by the window in her room, staring out.
