A sudden feeling of defeat washed over me as I stood paralyzed by what had just transpired. I felt cold and hollow, as if my insides had been ripped out. Losing her wasn’t something I had considered. It was almost unbearable.
“Kolya?” Mikhel suddenly spoke behind me. “Come, let’s go to your office.”
Turning without realizing it, I followed him to my office. I moved mechanically as I sat down. He sat down opposite me, and for the longest time, there was silence between us.
Eventually, Mikhel got up, poured two glasses, and joined me on my side of the desk. “This is still savable,” he said, placing my glass down before me. “I know she hurt you,” he added.
Mikhel stepped closer, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Maybe we should have listened to her side of the story.” There was a long pause before he continued. “Do you remember how she assisted us? How she bailed us out of trouble when we needed it? I don’t think it’s wise to dismiss her this fast, or so easily.”
His words made me think. What was happening? Why did Sophia do it? My mind filled with questions I had no answers for.
Chapter 22 - Sophia
Swallowing back the tears, I knew I deserved the pain I was feeling. I understand where he is coming from. After all, I betrayed him. I knew he only trusts a handful of people. My heart was throbbing hard as I walked away from the house.
The first tears rolled down my cheek as I got in and started my car. I was trying hard not to cry. I knew he had his reasons for doing this. He barely trusted anyone, and I broke that trust. I tried to betray him. Well, at least that was my intention before I got to know him.
I’ve had a change of heart. I changed my mind. Everything I have learned about him has shown me that I am wrong. He has many sides to him, and I was sure there were many I haven’t even seen yet.
Driving off, I inhaled deeply, trying to stop the flood pressing at my eyes. As I wiped, I tried giving myself a pep talk. Glancing at my reflection in the mirror, I started. “Come on, girl,” I whispered. “Pull yourself together. You must stay true to who you are. You will find out what’s happening and take it on.”
Breathing in hard, I felt my chest tightening. The pressure from my tears was slowly subsiding, which was a good sign. “Melody is no longer your boss. You’re your own boss! You have to be. All you need is concrete evidence. Once you get that, everything will work out.”
Yes, I decided. That was all I needed. I had to find the evidence. Changing direction, I headed towards Melody’s house. I parked my car about a block away. Breathing in a couple of times, I gathered my courage. Glancing in the mirror, I softly slapped my cheek. “You’ve got this girl!” I told myself.
I suddenly thought of my brother, how I missed them and the simple life. Pulling out my phone, I called his number. “Hey, sis,” he said as he answered. “How are you doing?”
“Good,” I replied firmly. “I miss you and just wanted to hear your voice,”
I could hear him walking as he replied. “Well, I can’t talk long. I have a meeting, but we’ll come visit real soon, okay?”
“Sounds good,” I shot back before the line went dead.
Getting out, I stood for a second scanning the area. The street was quiet. There were no people anywhere. Slowly, I made my way to her house. Every noise, every shadow I studied. I was sure to keep my eyes peeled. I had to be quick once I got to her house. I couldn’t afford to get caught.
Keeping to the walls and the shadows of the trees, I moved in. I have been here about a million times. I knew the codes, the hallways, and the rooms like my own. Before I knew it, I was at the back door. Entering the keycode, I heard the lock click.
Carefully, I opened the door and slipped inside. Closing the door, I waited for the click of the lock again before moving. Through the kitchen, I moved up the first set of stairs. Silence filled the rooms. I trusted that Melody was still at work, but I couldn’t be sure.
Standing before her home office, I took slow, deep breaths. Closing my eyes, I held my chest with one hand. My heart was racing as if I were running a marathon. “Calm down,” I whispered. Glancing both ways, I ensured I was alone before pushing open the door.
I thought she had workers. I hadn’t seen one. No gardener, no cleaner, no one? Before me was her desk withher laptop sitting open on it. Next to it was a stack of papers. Walking forward, I glanced at the papers and the screen. It looked like normal work-related things.
Sitting down, I opened each drawer, but there was nothing of interest in any of them. Turning the chair facing the wall, I noticed the black leather bag. Picking it up, I placed it on my lap and opened it.
There it was! The file name stated it clearly, ‘Kolya’. Quickly, I pulled it out and flipped through the content. I only caught a swift glance at each paper before I felt the cold, hard object pressed against my head.
Closing my eyes, I held my breath, waiting in anticipation. I heard the clicking as the gun was cocked back. I was scared shitless. I couldn’t even move. Then I felt the icy tip moving to my cheek. Opening one eye, I glanced sideways. “Melody?” I asked in a shaky tone.
She grabbed the bag from my lap, chucking the contents to the floor. I looked up at her as I raised my hands slowly. “What the hell are you doing?” She spat at me.
Flinching at the harshness in her tone, I tried to stay calm. “Let me…” That was all I could get out.
“Melody grabbed my arm, pulling me up as she moved backwards. “This is my home!” She screamed. “What are you doing here?”
Swallowing the mountain in my throat, I tried reasoning with her. “Calm down.”
“Calm down?” she repeated. Her tone was filled with anger. Increasing her grip on my arm, she moved out of the office. I stumbled as we headed up the next set of stairs. Melodystopped, aimed the gun at my face, and continued screaming. “Move, get up the stairs!”
