“So, tell me what happened?” She said, lacing her fingers together. The bright red nail color caught the light and seemed to sparkle. Red has never been my color, but it suited her. She was a bloodsucker, always out for revenge in court. Mercy wasn’t a word in her vocabulary.
“I thought it was odd for you to take leave by sending a text. Then I called and couldn’t get hold of you. And I know how you feel about our cases, especially important ones like the one we are doing.” She added casually.
“I was kidnapped,” I relayed in a rushed tone, rubbing my temples.
Her sharp chin lifted into the air. Her eyes narrowed as she glared at me. “Kidnapped?” She asked, sounding truly surprised. She pressed the speaker button on her phone. “Bring us two teas, please,” she told the receptionist.
The young girl at the desk outside replied with a sharp yes before the line went dead. I watched as Melody got up and walked past me to unlock the door. Once she sat back down, I informed her of the week's events. “Yes, kidnapped. Monday morning, when I arrived, I was taken. A man came up behind me, covered my face with a chemical-soaked cloth, and took me.”
I felt my chest tighten as I spoke. Melody’s brows knit together as she listened. “I woke up in what looked like an abandoned church or something. Guards stood around the room, and a strange man was sitting at a table,” I continued.
Hearing the door open behind me, I jumped up as a small yelp escaped my mouth. “Calm down, it’s just our tea,” Melody said. “You’re safe now.” She smiled softly as the receptionist came in and placed the tray down on the corner of her desk.
“It’s just…” I started mumbling as the receptionist left.
Melody raised a hand, showing me to wait. Once the door closed again, she spoke in a soft tone. “I know, you seem and look nervous. But take a deep breath and have some tea before telling me more.”
With a shaky hand, I picked up the cup, took a sip, and placed it back down. After breathing in slowly, I continued. “This man forced me to sign a marriage license. Once that was done, he took me to his mansion, where he locked me in a room for days. I tried to escape, but the gates were too high. I got injured….”
“Injured?” Melody interrupted. “Do you know who this man is?”
“Yes, it was just my ankle, but it’s fine now.” A bitter laugh slipped out as I gave her his name. “Kolya,” Just speaking his name filled my mouth with a bitter taste suddenly.” “He claims you filed eight lawsuits against him using my name.”
Melody breathed in sharply. “You know I’ll never do that,” she stated firmly. “It’s against the law.” Her eyes narrowed as she sat back. “But, you say his name is Kolya, yes,” she added. “I am building a case against him.”
Melody turned her chair around and stared out the window. I couldn’t believe she knew who he was and was building a case without me knowing. Before I could properly form a thought, she swung back around. “Sophia, I need you to do something for me,” she said.
I didn’t like the tone of her voice. It seemed higher than normal, and there was a thin smile spreading across her lips. “I need you to stay with Kolya. Get as much information on him and his business deals as possible.”
Melody rubbed her chin before placing a finger over her lips. I felt a twisting sensation in my stomach and didn’t like where this was heading. “Maybe you can even sit in on some of his deals. That would be amazing,” she added. “I know this will be hard. But it may be the best thing to come our way.”
“No,” I protested. “I’m not a criminal, and I refuse to get involved in such things.”
“You’d be cleared of any and all wrongdoing, and…” Melody opened her drawer, retrieved a small cellphone, then smiled at me as she slid it across the desk. “If you pull this off, you’ll be promoted. You can work independently, and maybe even become my equal. How does that sound?”
A promotion? Working independently, becoming her equal? My mind spun as all the possibilities popped up. I’ve been begging her for the last year to let me handle my own clients. She’s always denied me, spouting that my skill was better suited under her control.
Before I could reply, she continued. “But only if you succeed.” It sounded more like a warning than anything else. “Your name will still be cleared, but the promotion only applies if you get me evidence of his dirty work. The illegal stuff.”
“I don’t know,” I managed to get out before she stood abruptly.
“I have a meeting, but get back to me soon,” Melody said, tapping her watch. “I’m truly sorry this happened, but think of all the good you can do.”
I sat for a moment, dumbfounded as she moved around me and left. Getting up, I felt like picking up the teacup and throwing it at the door. But I didn’t. Instead, I took a long breath and left.
Why does she want me to be a spy? If Kolya finds out, he’d surely kill me. This isn’t just my work on the line here. It’s my life. Running to my office, I grabbed my spare keys from my desk before heading down. Pushing through the glass doors, I felt the cool air coming in from the street. I hit my face like a soft slap. Shaking my head, I tried to clear my mind.
My heels clicked against the pavement as I moved to the parking area. They were loud, too loud, too sharp. It felt like they were announcing my presence to the world. Wrapping my arms around me, I rubbed vigorously. Every step felt heavy. I lifted my face as I tried to carry myself with purpose.
Spy on Kolya! The words replayed in my head like a broken record. The syllables are grinding against my nerves. Melody made it sound so simple. Sit on his business, watch, listen, and report. But she’s never been face-to-face with him. She hasn’t looked into his eyes, seen what I have. She’s never been property of someone like him.
The look in his eyes when he glances your way, and he knows he possesses you. Shaking, I tried to forget what it felt like. My skin crawled as if a million insects had invaded it. Unlocking my car, I stood for a moment looking at my reflection in the window.
The promotion she promised was dangling in front of me like bait. But it’s not just my career I’m gambling with. It’s my life! One wrong look, one misplaced word, and Kolya will know. He’ll know I’m not just the quiet girl stuck in the shadows. Hadn’t anyone noticed my car here all this time? There wasn’t time to dwell on that. What Melody just asked was the bigger issue now.
He’ll know I’m the traitor he didn’t see coming to stab him in the back and then turn the knife. And when he realizes it, he won’t hesitate to turn the knife back and stab me. I got into my car and started her up. Heading home, I felt exposed and nervous.
The city hummed around me. Cars rushed by me, and people stood visiting on the streets. It felt like every glance was directed at me, as if Kolya’s eyes were all over me. My stomachturned and twisted. A cold sweat prickled my hair on the back of my neck. I could hear Meoldy’s voice in my head, sharp, decisive, certain about what had to be done.
